Crossed intramolecular Rauhut-Currier-type reactions via dienamine activation.

The intramolecular Rauhut-Currier reaction creates a carbon-carbon bond between two tethered Michael acceptors. Previous asymmetric versions have relied on 1,4-additions of chiral nucleophilic catalysts. Herein, we investigate a novel strategy that involves the formation of electron rich dienamines as key intermediates. Our methodology provides an efficient entry to the iridoid framework.