Chiral counteranions in asymmetric transition-metal catalysis: Highly enantioselective Pd/Brønsted acid-catalyzed direct α-allylation of aldehydes

Abstract

We have developed a highly enantioselective Pd/chiral acid-catalyzed α-allylation of α-branched aldehydes with an allyl amine as the allylating species that creates all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers in high yields and enantioselectivities. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a chiral anionic ligand is applied for achieving asymmetric induction in a palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation reaction. Copyright © 2007 American Chemical Society.