Enantioselective formal aza-Diels-Alder reactions of enones with cyclic imines catalyzed by primary aminothioureas.

A highly enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of indolo- and benzoquinolizidine compounds has been developed through the formal aza-Diels-Alder reaction of enones with cyclic imines. This transformation is catalyzed by a new bifunctional primary aminothiourea that achieves simultaneous activation of both the enone and imine reaction components.