Patents

The invention relates to a single step, highly enantioselective catalytic oxidative cyclization process for the synthesis of 3-substituted chiral phthalides. In particular, the invention relates to asymmetric synthesis of chiral phthalides via synergetic nitrile accelerated oxidative cyclization of o-cyano substituted aryl alkenes in high yield and enantiomeric excess in short reaction time. It further relates to "one-pot" asymmetric synthesis of biologically important natural compounds having 3-substituted chiral phthalide structural framework in the molecule.