Proton transfer facial selectivity

C-C bond formation occurs at the re-face of the enamine intermediate. This facial selection is controlled by proton-transfer from the carboxylic acid to the imine nitrogen. 

The enamine attacks the si-face of the (E)-imine. The facial selectivity of the imine is also controlled by this proton transfer that increases the electrophilicity of the imine. 

When a prochiral ( )-enolate is selectively (Si)-facially protonated, the result is the (H)-enantiomer. (Jle)-Facial protonation leads to the (S)-enantiomer. From the (Z)-enolate, the direct opposite is obtained. If it is not possible to control the ( )/(Z)-configuration of the enolate, in order to obtain good selectivity, one needs then an enantiomericaUy pure acid, whose protonation preference is dependent on the enolate configuration, i.e. for example, it transfers a proton (Si)-facially to the ( )-enolate, but (Re)-fadally to the (Z)-enolate. In many successful cases the enantiomericaUy pure acid is bonded to the metal of the enolate therefore, at the same time it acts also as a Lewis base. In addition, at least from a theoretical point ofview, enantioselective inter- and intra-molecular protonations with achiral acids are conceivable, in which another ligand of the enolate complex is enantionmericaUypure. 

As with many asymmetric processes, there are three ways to control absolute stereochemistry in the Nazarov cyclization Asymmetry transfer, the use of chiral auxiliaries, or asymmetric catalysis. It is important to realize, however, that there are two distinct processes operating that determine the stereochemistry of the product. To control the absolute stereochemistry of the p-carbon atom(s), it is necessary to control the sense of conrotation, clockwise or counterclockwise (torquoselectivity, see Section 3.4.3). To control the absolute stereochemistry of the a-carbon atom however, it is necessary to control the facial selectivity for enol protonation. 

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