Enantioselective Hydroalkenylation and Hydroalkynylation of Alkenes Enabled by a Transient Directing Group: Catalyst Generality through Rigidification

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2023 Jul 17;62(29):e202304013. doi: 10.1002/anie.202304013. Epub 2023 Jun 7.

Abstract

The catalytic enantioselective synthesis of α-chiral alkenes and alkynes represents a powerful strategy for rapid generation of molecular complexity. Herein, we report a transient directing group (TDG) strategy to facilitate site-selective palladium-catalyzed reductive Heck-type hydroalkenylation and hydroalkynylation of alkenylaldehyes using alkenyl and alkynyl bromides, respectively, allowing for construction of a stereocenter at the δ-position with respect to the aldehyde. Computational studies reveal the dual beneficial roles of rigid TDGs, such as L-tert-leucine, in promoting TDG binding and inducing high levels of enantioselectivity in alkene insertion with a variety of migrating groups.

Keywords: Alkene Functionalization; Hydroalkenylation; Hydroalkynylation; Palladium; Transient Directing Group.