Practical and Broadly Applicable Catalytic Enantioselective Additions of Allyl-B(pin) Compounds to Ketones and α-Ketoesters

Catalytic Enantioselective Allylboration and Related Reactions of Isatins Promoted by Chiral BINOLs: Scope and Mechanistic Studies

An improvement in the catalytic enantioselective allylboration of isatins with 2-allyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane in the presence of chiral BINOL derivatives is reported, offering an efficient one-step access to enantioenriched N-unprotected 3-allyl-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles. This catalytic process is also effective for the crotylboration reaction with enantiomeric ratios (er) up to 97:3, as well as for the asymmetric synthesis of homopropargylic alcohols via an allenyl addition to indoline-2,3-diones. Origins of the high enantioselectivity in chiral BINOL-catalyzed allylboration of isatins were examined by DFT calculations. A hypothetical scenario suggested a crucial internal hydrogen bonding between the amide group (C═O···H-O) and the ethylene hydroxyl of the transient chiral mixed boronate ester, generating a rigid and stabilized system that favors the addition of the allylboron species to the Re face of the ketone function. The key role of the alcohol additive (t-BuOH or t-AmOH) in the enantioselective allylboration reaction of isatins has also been shown on the basis of a kinetics study and computational calculations by favoring the transesterification of the 2-allyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane with BINOL via proton transfer processes.

Chiral α-Stereogenic Oxetanols and Azetidinols via Alcohol-Mediated Reductive Coupling of Allylic Acetates: Enantiotopic π-Facial Selection in Symmetric Ketone Addition

Iridium-tol-BINAP-catalyzed reductive coupling of allylic acetates with oxetanones and azetidinones mediated by 2-propanol provides chiral α-stereogenic oxetanols and azetidinols. As illustrated in 50 examples, complex, nitrogen-rich substituents that incorporate the top 10 N-heterocycles found in FDA-approved drugs are tolerated. In addition to 2-propanol-mediated reductive couplings, oxetanols and azetidinols may serve dually as reductant and ketone proelectrophiles in redox-neutral C-C couplings via hydrogen auto-transfer, as demonstrated by the conversion of dihydro-1a and dihydro-1b to adducts 3a and 4a, respectively. The present method delivers hitherto inaccessible chiral oxetanols and azetidinols, which are important bioisosteres.

Zn-Catalyzed enantioselective allylation and allenylation of isatins by virtue of a proline-derived chiral ligand

An asymmetric allylation and allenylation of isatins with facile organoboron reagents was developed under the catalysis of a Lewis acid. A series of optically pure 3-allyl-3-hydroxyoxindoles and 3-allenyl-3-hydroxyoxindoles can be obtained in excellent yields (up to 99% yield) and high enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee). The possible transition state was supported by DFT calculation and the corresponding mechanism was proposed. A gram scale experiment and further functionalization of these chiral 3-hydroxyoxindoles are established.

Bi(OAc)3/Chiral Phosphoric Acid-Catalyzed Enantioselective 1,2- and Formal 1,4-Allylation Reaction of β,γ-Unsaturated α-Ketoesters

A highly efficient asymmetric 1,2-allylation reaction of β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters was realized by using a Bi(OAc)₃/chiral phosphoric acid catalyst system under mild conditions. Meanwhile, using this combined strategy of enantioselective 1,2-allylation and subsequent anionic oxy-Cope rearrangement, the asymmetric formal 1,4-allylation reaction was achieved by a one-pot process. These reactions offer rapid access to an array of homoallylic tertiary alcohols and γ-allyl-α-ketoesters with good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Density functional theory calculations were conducted to interpret the high enantioselectivity.

Access to enantioenriched compounds bearing challenging tetrasubstituted stereocenters via kinetic resolution of auxiliary adjacent alcohols

Contemporary asymmetric catalysis faces huge challenges when prochiral substrates bear electronically and sterically unbiased substituents and when substrates show low reactivities. One of the inherent limitations of chiral catalysts and ligands is their incapability in recognizing prochiral substrates bearing similar groups. This has rendered many enantiopure substances bearing several similar substituents inaccessible. Here we report the rationale, scope, and applications of the strategy of kinetic resolution of auxiliary adjacent alcohols (KRA*) that can be used to solve the above troubles. Using this method, a large variety of optically enriched tertiary alcohols, epoxides, esters, ketones, hydroxy ketones, epoxy ketones, β-ketoesters, and tetrasubstituted methane analogs with two, three, and four spatially and electronically similar groups can be readily obtained (totally 96 examples). At the current stage, the strategy serves as the optimal solution that can complement the inability caused by direct asymmetric catalysis in getting chiral molecules with challenging fully substituted stereocenters.

A large number of enantiopure substances, such as those with tetrasubstituted carbon centres bearing several similar substituents, are inaccessible due to the incapability of chiral catalysts/ligands to recognize those substrates. Here, the authors develop kinetic resolution of auxiliary adjacent alcohols (KRA*) strategy to access various optically enriched compounds with two, three or four spatially and electronically similar groups.

Conjugated ynones in catalytic enantioselective reactions

Conjugated ynones are easily accessible feedstock and the existence of an alkyne bond endows ynones with different attractive reactivities, thus making them unique substrates for catalytic asymmetric reactions. Their compatibility under organocatalytic, metal-catalyzed as well as cooperative catalytic conditions has resulted in numerous enantioselective transformations. Importantly, conjugated ynones can act as nucleophiles or electrophiles, and serve as easily accessed synthons for different cyclization pathways. This review summarizes the recent literature examples of the catalytic reactions of conjugated ynones and related compounds such as alkyne conjugated α-ketoesters, and classifies these reaction types alongside mechanistic insights whenever possible. We aim to trigger more intensive research in the future to render the asymmetric transformation of ynones as a common and reliable tool for asymmetric synthesis.

Electroreductive Olefin-Ketone Coupling

A user-friendly approach is presented to sidestep the venerable Grignard addition to unactivated ketones to access tertiary alcohols by reversing the polarity of the disconnection. In this work a ketone instead acts as a nucleophile when adding to simple unactivated olefins to accomplish the same overall transformation. The scope of this coupling is broad as enabled using an electrochemical approach, and the reaction is scalable, chemoselective, and requires no precaution to exclude air or water. Multiple applications demonstrate the simplifying nature of the reaction on multistep synthesis, and mechanistic studies point to an intuitive mechanism reminiscent of other chemical reductants such as SmI₂ (which cannot accomplish the same reaction).

Harnessing the Power of the Asymmetric Grignard Synthesis of Tertiary Alcohols: Ligand Development and Improved Scope Exemplified by One-Step Gossonorol Synthesis

A series of N-substituted cyclohexyldiaminophenolic ligands for the asymmetric Grignard synthesis of tertiary alcohols is reported. The 2,5-dimethylpyrrole-decorated ligand led to improved enantioselectivities and broadened the scope of the methodology. As an exemplar, we report an unprecedented highly selective one-step synthesis of gossonorol in 93% ee, also constituting the shortest formal syntheses of natural products boivinianin B and yingzhaosu C.

Bi(cyclopentyl)diol-Derived Boronates in Highly Enantioselective Chiral Phosphoric Acid-Catalyzed Allylation, Propargylation, and Crotylation of Aldehydes

In this study, we disclose the catalytic addition of bi(cyclopentyl)diol-derived boronates to aldehydes promoted by chiral phosphoric acids, allowing for the formation of enantioenriched homoallylic, propargylic, and crotylic alcohols (up to >99% enantiomeric excess (ee), diastereomeric ratio (dr) >20:1). These boronate substrates provided superior enantioselectivities, allowing for the reactions to proceed with low catalyst loading (0.5-5 mol %) and reduced reaction time (15 min at room temperature for aldehyde allylboration). A wide substrate scope was exhibited, and the novel boronates provided high enantiocontrol. Reactions with substituted allylboronates and aldehydes yielded vicinal stereogenic alcohols bearing β-tertiary or quaternary carbon centers. High enantio- and diastereoselectivities were found due to the closed six-membered chair-like transition state, with backbone modifications of the boronate and its interactions with the chiral phosphoric acid being the most likely contributing factor.

Enantioselective Syntheses of (Z)-6'-Boryl-anti-1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes via a Dienylboronate Protoboration and Asymmetric Allylation Reaction Sequence

The enantioselective synthesis of 6'-boryl-anti-1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes is reported. A Cu-catalyzed highly stereoselective 1,4-protoboration of 1,1-bisboryl-1,3-butadiene is developed to generate (E)-α,δ-bisboryl-crotylboronate. The chiral phosphoric-acid-catalyzed asymmetric allylboration of aldehydes with the boron reagent produces 6'-boryl-anti-1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes with excellent Z-selectivities and enantioselectivities. The product contains a vinyl and alkyl boronate unit that can directly participate in a variety of subsequent transformations.

BINOL derivatives-catalysed enantioselective allylboration of isatins: application to the synthesis of (R)-chimonamidine

The asymmetric synthesis of the 3-allyl-3-hydroxyoxindole skeleton was accomplished in yields up to 99% via a metal-free and enantioselective allylation of isatins (90-96% ee) using BINOL derivatives as catalysts and an optimized allylboronate. This methodology was applied at a gram-scale to the synthesis of the natural product (R)-chimonamidine.

Regio- and Enantioselective Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Homoallylic α-Tertiary NH2 -Amines by Reactions Facilitated by a Threonine-Based Boron-Containing Catalyst

A method for catalytic regio- and enantioselective synthesis of trifluoromethyl-substituted and aryl-, heteroaryl-, alkenyl-, and alkynyl-substituted homoallylic α-tertiary NH₂ -amines is introduced. Easy-to-synthesize and robust N-silyl ketimines are converted to NH-ketimines in situ, which then react with a Z-allyl boronate. Transformations are promoted by a readily accessible l-threonine-derived aminophenol-based boryl catalyst, affording the desired products in up to 91 % yield, >98:2 α:γ selectivity, >98:2 Z:E selectivity, and >99:1 enantiomeric ratio. A commercially available aminophenol may be used, and allyl boronates, which may contain an alkyl-, a chloro-, or a bromo-substituted Z-alkene, can either be purchased or prepared by catalytic stereoretentive cross-metathesis. What is more, Z-trisubstituted allyl boronates may be used. Various chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselective transformations of the α-tertiary homoallylic NH₂ -amine products highlight the utility of the approach; this includes diastereo- and regioselective epoxide formation/trichloroacetic acid cleavage to generate differentiated diol derivatives.

Synthesis of Allylboranes via Cu(I)-Catalyzed B-H Insertion of Vinyldiazoacetates into Phosphine-Borane Adducts

Cu(I) catalysts enable C-B bond formation via direct insertion of vinyldiazoacetates into B-H bonds of borane-phosphine Lewis adducts to form phosphine-protected allylboranes under mild conditions. The resulting allylborane-phosphine Lewis adducts can be used in the diastereoselective allylation of aldehydes directly without the need for removal of the phosphine. The allylation reaction proceeds with high diastereoselectivity and yields 5,6-disubstituted dihydropyranones after treatment with an appropriate acid.

Bi(OAc)3/chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed enantioselective allylation of isatins

Herein, we disclosed an efficient protocol for the construction of chiral 3-allyl-3-hydroxyoxindoles via the enantioselective allylation reaction of isatins and allylboronates catalyzed by a simple binary acid Bi(OAc)₃/CPA system under mild conditions.

A Catalytic Approach for Enantioselective Synthesis of Homoallylic Alcohols Bearing a Z-Alkenyl Chloride or Trifluoromethyl Group. A Concise and Protecting Group-Free Synthesis of Mycothiazole

A protecting group-free strategy is presented for diastereo- and enantioselective routes that can be used to prepare a wide variety of Z-homoallylic alcohols with significantly higher efficiency than is otherwise feasible. The approach entails the merger of several catalytic processes and is expected to facilitate the preparation of bioactive organic molecules. More specifically, Z-chloro-substituted allylic pinacolatoboronate is first obtained through stereoretentive cross-metathesis between Z-crotyl-B(pin) (pin = pinacolato) and Z-dichloroethene, both of which are commercially available. The organoboron compound may be used in the central transformation of the entire approach, an α- and enantioselective addition to an aldehyde, catalyzed by a proton-activated, chiral aminophenol-boryl catalyst. Catalytic cross-coupling can then furnish the desired Z-homoallylic alcohol in high enantiomeric purity. The olefin metathesis step can be carried out with substrates and a Mo-based complex that can be purchased. The aminophenol compound that is needed for the second catalytic step can be prepared in multigram quantities from inexpensive starting materials. A significant assortment of homoallylic alcohols bearing a Z-F₃C-substituted alkene can also be prepared with similar high efficiency and regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity. What is more, trisubstituted Z-alkenyl chloride moiety can be accessed with similar efficiency albeit with somewhat lower α-selectivity and enantioselectivity. The general utility of the approach is underscored by a succinct, protecting group-free, and enantioselective total synthesis of mycothiazole, a naturally occurring anticancer agent through a sequence that contains a longest linear sequence of nine steps (12 steps total), seven of which are catalytic, generating mycothiazole in 14.5% overall yield.

Enantioselective Iridium-Catalyzed Allylation of Acetylenic Ketones via 2-Propanol-Mediated Reductive Coupling of Allyl Acetate: C14-C23 of Pladienolide D

Highly enantioselective catalytic reductive coupling of allyl acetate with acetylenic ketones occurs in a chemoselective manner in the presence of aliphatic or aromatic ketones. This method was used to construct C14-C23 of pladienolide D in half the steps previously required.

Development of a Strategy for Linear-Selective Cu-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Ketones and Allenes for the Synthesis of Chiral γ-Hydroxyaldehyde Equivalents

We report the development of a stereoselective method for the allylation of ketones utilizing N-substituted allyl equivalents generated from a chiral allenamide. By choice of the appropriate ligand for the Cu-catalyst, high linear selectivity can be obtained with good diastereocontrol. This methodology allows access to chiral γ-hydroxyaldehyde equivalents that were applied in the synthesis of chiral γ-lactones and 2,5-disubstitued tetrahydrofurans.

Catalytic Enantioselective Addition of an Allyl Group to Ketones Containing a Tri-, a Di-, or a Monohalomethyl Moiety. Stereochemical Control Based on Distinctive Electronic and Steric Attributes of C-Cl, C-Br, and C-F Bonds

We disclose the results of an investigation designed to generate insight regarding the differences in the electronic and steric attributes of C-F, C-Cl, and C-Br bonds. Mechanistic insight has been gleaned by analysis of variations in enantioselectivity, regarding the ability of electrostatic contact between a halomethyl moiety and a catalyst's ammonium group as opposed to factors lowering steric repulsion and/or dipole minimization. In the process, catalytic and enantioselective methods have been developed for transforming a wide range of trihalomethyl (halogen = Cl or Br), dihalomethyl, or monohalomethyl (halogen = F, Cl, or Br) ketones to the corresponding tertiary homoallylic alcohols. By exploiting electrostatic attraction between a halomethyl moiety and the catalyst's ammonium moiety and steric factors, high enantioselectivity was attained in many instances. Reactions can be performed with 0.5-5.0 mol % of an in situ generated boryl-ammonium catalyst, affording products in 42-99% yield and up to >99:1 enantiomeric ratio. Not only are there no existing protocols for accessing the great majority of the resulting products enantioselectively but also in some cases there are hardly any instances of a catalytic enantioselective addition of a carbon-based nucleophile (e.g., one enzyme-catalyzed aldol addition involving trichloromethyl ketones, and none with dichloromethyl, tribromomethyl, or dibromomethyl ketones). The approach is scalable and offers an expeditious route to the enantioselective synthesis of versatile and otherwise difficult to access aldehydes that bear an α-halo-substituted quaternary carbon stereogenic center as well as an assortment of 2,2-disubstituted epoxides that contain an easily modifiable alkene. Tertiary homoallylic alcohols containing a triazole and a halomethyl moiety, structural units relevant to drug development, may also be accessed efficiently with exceptional enantioselectivity.

Ligand-controlled diastereodivergent, enantio- and regioselective copper-catalyzed hydroxyalkylboration of 1,3-dienes with ketones

A ligand-controlled diastereodivergent copper-catalyzed borylative coupling between 1,3-dienes and ketones enables the enantioselective synthesis of densely functionalized tertiary homoallylic alcohols.

A copper-catalyzed three-component coupling of 1,3-dienes, bis(pinacolato)diboron, and ketones allows for the chemo-, regio-, diastereo- and enantioselective assembly of densely functionalized tertiary homoallylic alcohols. The relative configuration of the vicinal stereocenters is controlled by the chiral ligand employed. Subsequent transformations illustrate the versatility of these valuable chiral building blocks.

CuH-Catalyzed Enantioselective Ketone Allylation with 1,3-Dienes: Scope, Mechanism, and Applications

Chiral tertiary alcohols are important building blocks for the synthesis of pharmaceutical agents and biologically active natural products. The addition of carbon nucleophiles to ketones is the most common approach to tertiary alcohol synthesis but traditionally relies on stoichiometric organometallic reagents that are difficult to prepare, sensitive, and uneconomical. We describe a mild and efficient method for the copper-catalyzed allylation of ketones using widely available 1,3-dienes as allylmetal surrogates. Homoallylic alcohols bearing a wide range of functional groups are obtained in high yield and with good regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity. Mechanistic investigations using density functional theory (DFT) implicate the in situ formation of a rapidly equilibrating mixture of isomeric copper(I) allyl complexes, from which Curtin-Hammett kinetics determine the major isomer of the product. A stereochemical model is provided to explain the high diastereo- and enantioselectivity of this process. Finally, this method was applied to the preparation of an important drug, ( R)-procyclidine, and a key intermediate in the synthesis of several pharmaceuticals.

Enantioselective Allylation Using Allene, a Petroleum Cracking Byproduct

Allene (C₃H₄) gas is produced and separated on million-metric-ton scale per year during petroleum refining but is rarely employed in organic synthesis. Meanwhile, the addition of an allyl group (C₃H₅) to ketones is among the most common and prototypical reactions in synthetic chemistry. Herein, we report that the combination of allene gas with inexpensive and environmentally benign hydrosilanes, such as PMHS, can serve as a replacement for stoichiometric quantities of allylmetal reagents, which are required in most enantioselective ketone allylation reactions. This process is catalyzed by copper salts and commercially available ligands, operates without specialized equipment or pressurization, and tolerates a broad range of functional groups. Furthermore, the exceptional chemoselectivity of this catalyst system enables industrially relevant C3 hydrocarbon mixtures of allene with methylacetylene and propylene to be applied directly.

Catalytic enantioselective Hosomi–Sakurai reaction of α-ketoesters promoted by chiral copper(ii) complexes

The first catalytic enantioselective Hosomi−Sakurai reaction of α-ketoesters.

γ-, Diastereo-, and Enantioselective Addition of MEMO-Substituted Allylboron Compounds to Aldimines Catalyzed by Organoboron-Ammonium Complexes

The first catalytic, broadly applicable, efficient, γ-, diastereo-, and enantioselective method for addition of O-substituted allyl-B(pin) compounds to phosphinoylimines (MEM=methoxyethoxymethyl, pin=pinacolato) is presented. The identity of the most effective catalyst and the optimal protecting group for the organoboron reagent were determined by consideration of the steric and electronic requirements at different stages of the catalytic cycle, namely, the generation of the chiral allylboronate, the subsequent 1,3-borotropic shift, and the addition step. Aryl-, heteroaryl-, alkenyl- and alkyl-substituted vicinal phosphinoylamido MEM-ethers were thus accessed in 57-92 % yield, 89:11 to >98:2 γ:α selectivity, 76:24-97:3 diastereomeric ratio, and 90:10-99:1 enantiomeric ratio. The method is scalable, and the phosphinoyl and MEM groups may be removed selectively or simultaneously. Utility is highlighted by enantioselective synthesis of an NK-1 receptor antagonist.

A Regio- and Enantioselective CuH-Catalyzed Ketone Allylation with Terminal Allenes

We report a method for the highly enantioselective CuH-catalyzed allylation of ketones that employs terminal allenes as allylmetal surrogates. Ketones and allenes bearing diverse and sensitive functional groups are efficiently coupled with high stereoselectivity and exclusive branched regioselectivity. In stoichiometric experiments, each elementary step of the proposed hydrocupration-addition-metathesis mechanism can be followed by NMR spectroscopy.

Mechanism and Stereoselectivity of the BINOL-Catalyzed Allylboration of Skatoles

Density functional theory calculations have been performed to investigate the binaphthol-catalyzed allylboration of skatoles. The high stereoselectivity observed for the reaction is reproduced well by the calculations and was found to be mainly a result of steric repulsions in the corresponding Zimmerman-Traxler transition states. The role of the additive MeOH in enhancing the stereoselectivity was also investigated and is suggested to promote the formation of less reactive allylboronic ester intermediates, thereby suppressing the formation of allylboroxine species, which undergo the facile racemic background reaction.

One-Pot Asymmetric Synthesis of Alkylidene 1-Alkylindan-1-ols Using Brønsted Acid and Palladium Catalysis

A one-pot catalytic enantioselective allylboration/Mizoroki-Heck reaction of 2-bromoaryl ketones has been developed for the asymmetric synthesis of 3-methyleneindanes bearing a tertiary alcohol center. Brønsted acid-catalyzed allylboration with a chiral BINOL derivative was followed by a palladium-catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck cyclization, resulting in selective formation of the exo-alkene. This novel protocol provides a concise and scalable approach to 1-alkyl-3-methyleneindan-1-ols in high enantiomeric ratios (up to 96:4 er). The potential of these compounds as chiral building blocks was demonstrated with efficient transformation to optically active diol and amino alcohol scaffolds.

Practical, Broadly Applicable, α-Selective, Z-Selective, Diastereoselective, and Enantioselective Addition of Allylboron Compounds to Mono-, Di-, Tri-, and Polyfluoroalkyl Ketones

A practical method for enantioselective synthesis of fluoroalkyl-substituted Z-homoallylic tertiary alcohols has been developed. Reactions may be performed with ketones containing a polylfluoro-, trifluoro-, difluoro-, and monofluoroalkyl group along with an aryl, a heteroaryl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, or an alkyl substituent. Readily accessible unsaturated organoboron compounds serve as reagents. Transformations were performed with 0.5-2.5 mol % of a boron-based catalyst, generated in situ from a readily accessible valine-derived aminophenol and a Z- or an E-γ-substituted boronic acid pinacol ester. With a Z organoboron reagent, additions to trifluoromethyl and polyfluoroalkyl ketones proceeded in 80-98% yield, 97:3 to >98:2 α:γ selectivity, >95:5 Z:E selectivity, and 81:19 to >99:1 enantiomeric ratio. In notable contrast to reactions with unsubstituted allylboronic acid pinacol ester, additions to ketones with a mono- or a difluoromethyl group were highly enantioselective as well. Transformations were similarly efficient and α- and Z-selective when an E-allylboronate compound was used, but enantioselectivities were lower. In certain cases, the opposite enantiomer was favored (up to 4:96 er). With a racemic allylboronate reagent that contains an allylic stereogenic center, additions were exceptionally α-selective, affording products expected from γ-addition of a crotylboron compound, in up to 97% yield, 88:12 diastereomeric ratio, and 94:6 enantiomeric ratio. Utility is highlighted by gram-scale preparation of representative products through transformations that were performed without exclusion of air or moisture and through applications in stereoselective olefin metathesis where Z-alkene substrates are required. Mechanistic investigations aided by computational (DFT) studies and offer insight into different selectivity profiles.

Electronically Activated Organoboron Catalysts for Enantioselective Propargyl Addition to Trifluoromethyl Ketones

A broadly applicable, practical, scalable, efficient and highly α- and enantioselective method for addition of a silyl-protected propargyl moiety to trifluoromethyl ketones has been developed. Reactions, promoted by 2.0 mol % of a catalyst that is derived in situ from a readily accessible aminophenol compound at ambient temperature, were complete after only 15 minutes at room temperature. The desired tertiary alcohols were isolated in up to 97 % yield and 98.5:1.5 enantiomeric ratio. Alkyl-, alkenyl-, alkynyl-, aryl- or heteroaryl-substituted trifluoromethyl ketones can be used. Utility is highlighted by application to a transformation that is relevant to enantioselective synthesis of BI 653048, a compound active against rheumatoid arthritis.

Highly Enantioselective Allylation of Ketones: An Efficient Approach to All Stereoisomers of Tertiary Homoallylic Alcohols

An optimized protecting group for allylboronates allowed the use of ketones in order to synthesize all isomers of quaternary homoallylic alcohols with high enantioselectivities. All symmetric isomers of the allylboronate were prepared in high yields and diastereoselectivities using S_n 2' reactions. The improved reactivity of the novel protecting group was verified by following the reaction kinetics with ¹ H NMR spectroscopy. Mechanistic studies using DFT calculations were conducted to investigate the new findings. Thus, the stereochemical outcome and enhanced reactivity can be rationalized.