Catalytic asymmetric interrupted Attanasi reaction: access to fused 2,3-dihydropyrroles with vicinal quaternary carbons.

The first catalytic asymmetric interrupted Attanasi reaction has been established. Under the catalysis of a bifunctional organocatalyst, the condensation of cyclic ß-keto esters with azoalkenes readily occurred, delivering a variety of bicyclic fused 2,3-dihydropyrroles with vicinal quaternary stereogenic centers in good yields and with good to excellent enantioselectivities (27 examples, up to 96% yield and 95% ee).