Enantioselective Synthesis of Spirobarbiturate-Cyclohexenes through Phosphine-Catalyzed Asymmetric [4 + 2] Annulation of Barbiturate-Derived Alkenes with Allenoates.

An enantioselective synthesis of pharmaceutically important spirobarbiturates has been achieved via spirocyclic chiral phosphine-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 2] annulation of barbiturate-derived alkenes with allenoates. With the use of this tool, various spirobarbiturate-cyclohexenes are obtained in good to excellent yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. A wide range of α-substituted allenoates and barbiturate-derived alkenes were tolerated.