The enantioselective palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative allylic alkylation of fully substituted α-hydroxy acyclic enol carbonates providing tetrasubstituted benzoin derivatives is reported. Investigation into the transformation revealed that preparation of the starting material as a single enolate isomer is crucial for optimal enantioselectivity. The obtained alkylation products contain multiple reactive sites that can be utilized toward the synthesis of stereochemically rich derivatives. COMMUNICATION.
Keywords: allylic alkylation; asymmetric catalysis; benzoin; palladium catalysis.