Carbene-catalyzed enantioselective oxidative coupling of enals and di(hetero)arylmethanes

Abstract

Di(hetero)arylmethane is a unique structural motif for natural and synthetic functional molecules. To date, it remains challenging to functionalize the diaryl methyl sp3 carbon-hydrogen bond directly in an enantioselective manner. This is likely due to the relatively inert nature of the carbon-hydrogen bond and the difficult enantiofacial discrimination of two sterically similar aryl substituents. Here we disclose an N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed direct oxidative coupling of enals and di(hetero)arylmethanes. Our method allows for highly enantioselective transformation of diaryl methanes and quick access to benzimidazole fused lactams.