Enantiospecific, nickel-catalyzed cross-couplings of allylic pivalates and arylboroxines

Regio- and Enantioselective Rhodium-Catalyzed Allylic Arylation of Racemic Allylic Carbonates with Arylboronic Acids

Rhodium-catalyzed regio- and enantioselective allylic arylation of racemic alkyl- and aryl- substituted allylic carbonates with arylboronic acids using commercially available BIBOP ligand is reported. This reaction proceeds at room temperature without base or other additive to deliver allylic arylation products in excellent yields, regio- and enantioselectivity (up to 95 % yield, >20 : 1 b/l, >99 % ee). Rh/BIBOP is disclosed as an efficient catalytic system for allylic substitution reaction.

Enantio- and Regioconvergent Nickel-Catalyzed Etherification of Phenols by Allylation to Access Chiral C(sp3)-O Allyl Aryl Ethers

An enantio- and regioconvergent allylation of phenols under nickel catalysis with an α-/γ-regioisomeric mixture of racemic silylated/germylated allylic chlorides is reported. The silyl/germyl group governs the regioselectivity, and the transformation affords enantiomerically enriched unsymmetrical 1,3-disubstituted allyl aryl ethers with excellent regiocontrol in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Notably, no nickel-mediated C-O bond activation is observed at room temperature. The synthetic value of these densely functionalized silicon-containing building blocks is demonstrated in a series of chemoselective transformations, including a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement for the construction of an α-chiral silane.

Cobalt-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling: a review

Transition-metal-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling is highly efficient for forming C-C bonds. It earns its limelight from its application by coupling unreactive electrophilic substrates to synthesize a variety of carbon-carbon bonds with various hybridizations (sp, sp2, and sp3), late-stage functionalization, and bioactive molecules' synthesis. Reductive cross-coupling is challenging to bring selectivity but promising approach. Cobalt is comparatively more affordable than other highly efficient metals e.g., palladium and nickel but cobalt catalysis is still facing efficacy challenges. Researchers are trying to harness the maximum out of cobalt's catalytic properties. Shortly, with efficiency achieved combined with the affordability of cobalt, it will revolutionize industrial applications. This review gives insight into the core of cobalt-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling reactions with a variety of substrates forming a range of differently hybridized coupled products.

Stereospecific 3-Aza-Cope Rearrangement Interrupted Asymmetric Allylic Substitution-Isomerization

Transition-metal catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution with alkyl and heteroaryl carbon nucleophiles has been well-established. However, the asymmetric allylic arylation of acyclic internal alkenes with aryl nucleophiles remains challenging and underdeveloped. Herein we report a stereospecific 3-aza-Cope rearrangement interrupted asymmetric allylic substitution-isomerization (Int-AASI) that enables asymmetric allylic arylation. By means of this stepwise strategy, both enantioenriched allylic arylation products and axially chiral alkenes could be readily obtained in high enantioselectivities. Experimental studies support a mechanism involving a cascade of asymmetric allylic amination, stereospecific 3-aza-Cope rearrangement and alkene isomerization. Density functional theory studies detailed the reasons of achieving the high chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, stereoselectivity and stereospecificity, respectively.

Nickel-catalyzed electrophiles-controlled enantioselective reductive arylative cyclization and enantiospecific reductive alkylative cyclization of 1,6-enynes

Transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric cyclization of 1,6-enynes is a powerful tool for the construction of chiral nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Despite notable achievements, these transformations have been largely limited to the use of aryl or alkenyl metal reagents, and stereoselective or stereospecific alkylative cyclization of 1,6-enynes remains unexploited. Herein, we report Ni-catalyzed enantioselective reductive anti-arylative cyclization of 1,6-enynes with aryl iodides, providing enantioenriched six-membered carbo- and heterocycles in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. Additionally, we have realized Ni-catalyzed enantiospecific reductive cis-alkylative cyclization of 1,6-enynes with alkyl bromides, furnishing chiral five-membered heterocycles with high regioselectivity and stereochemical fidelity. Mechanistic studies reveal that the arylative cyclization of 1,6-enynes is initiated by the oxidative addition of Ni(0) to aryl halides and the alkylative cyclization is triggered by the oxidative addition of Ni(0) to allylic acetates. The utility of this strategy is further demonstrated in the enantioselective synthesis of the antiepileptic drug Brivaracetam.

Nickel-Catalyzed Stereoselective Coupling Reactions of Benzylic and Alkyl Alcohol Derivatives

ConspectusNickel-catalyzed reactions of alkyl alcohol derivatives leverage the high prevalence of hydroxyl groups in natural products, medicinal agents, and synthetic intermediates to provide access to C(sp3)-rich frameworks. This Account describes our laboratory's development of stereospecific and stereoconvergent C-C bond forming reactions employing C(sp3)-O and C(sp3)-N electrophiles. In the context of development of new transformations, we also define fundamental characteristics of the nickel catalysts.Part I details the nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions developed by our group which hinges on stereospecific formation of stable π-benzyl intermediates. Acyclic and cyclic ethers, esters, carbamates, lactones, and sulfonamides undergo Kumada-, Suzuki-, and Negishi-type coupling reactions to produce enantioenriched products with high fidelity of stereochemical information. We describe extension to include ring-opening reactions of saturated heterocycles to afford acyclic 1,3-fragments in high diastereomeric ratios. We also describe our advances in stereospecific nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling reactions. Tethered C-O and C-X electrophiles proved fruitful for construction of a variety of carbocyclic frameworks. We report an intramolecular cross-electrophile coupling of benzylic pivalates with aryl bromides for the synthesis of indanes and tetralins. We found that 4-halotetrahydropyrans and 4-halopiperidines readily undergo stereospecific ring contraction to afford substituted cyclopropanes. Mechanistic investigations are consistent with closed-shell intermediates, a Ni(0)/Ni(II) cycle, and an intramolecular SN2-type reaction of a key organonickel intermediate to form the cyclopropane. Building toward more complex cascade reactions, we have demonstrated that 2-alkynyl piperidines incorporate MeMgI in a dicarbofunctionalization of the alkyne to afford highly substituted vinyl cyclopropanes.In Part II we present our development of stereoconvergent reactions of alkyl alcohol derivatives. In order to expand the utility of the intramolecular XEC reaction, we sought to employ unactivated alkyl electrophiles. Specifically, alkyl dimesylates engage in intramolecular XEC reactions to form alkyl cyclopropanes. In contrast to our previous work, these reactions proceed through open-shell intermediates and favor stereoconvergent formation of the trans-cyclopropane. Enantioselective aldol reactions can be employed in syntheses of 1,3-diols which furnish enantioenriched cyclopropanes in high ee. Experimental and computational evidence reveals that MeMgI mediates formation of alkyl iodides in situ. The coupling reaction initiates with halogen atom abstraction at the secondary alkyl iodide. The alkyl Ni(II) complex then proceeds through a stereospecific SN2-type ring closure to form cyclopropane. In an effort to increase functional group compatibility in the synthesis of cyclopropanes from alkyl dimesylates we developed a zinc-mediated reaction of 1,3-dimesylates prepared from medicinal analogues. In challenging nickel-catalyzed intramolecular cross-electrophile coupling we were also able to show that vicinal carbocycles can be prepared under similar conditions, affording vicinal cyclopentyl-cyclopropyl motifs in high yield.In Part III we discuss our recent findings on the role of ligand identity in catalyst selectivity for stereospecific vs stereoablative mechanisms for oxidative addition. We demonstrate multivariable control of mechanism, where the choice of substrate and ligand work together to promote open- or closed-shell intermediates. In divergent reactions of 4-halotetrahydropyrans we observe distinct ligand preference for reactions at the C(sp3)-O center or the C(sp3)-Cl center. These findings are the source of continued investigations in our laboratory.

Copper-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Internal Allylic Alkylations

We report a copper-catalyzed, regioselective, and stereospecific alkylation of unbiased internal allylic carbonates with functionalized alkyl and aryl Grignard reagents. The reactions exhibit high stereospecificity and regioselectivity for either SN 2 or SN 2' products under two sets of copper-catalyzed conditions, which enables the preparation of a broad range of products with E-alkene selectivity. Density functional theory calculations reveal the origins of the regioselectivity based on the different behaviors of homo- and heterocuprates.

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

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.

Iridium(III) Catalyzed Z-Selective Allylic Arylation of α-Fluoro But-1-enoic Acid Amides via β-F-Elimination in Water

Allylic arylation of α-fluoro but-1-enoic acid amides with arylboronic acids was carried out in water by comparing the catalytic activity of iridium(III) and rhodium(III). Ir(III) has shown a strong superiority over Rh(III) to give allyl-aryl coupling products with excellent stereoselectivity in favor of the Z-isomer. The origin of high stereoselectivity is perhaps because of the a coordination of iridium Ir-N or Ir-O.

Recent advances in asymmetric borylation by transition metal catalysis

Chiral organoboronates have played a critical role in organic chemistry and in the development of materials science and pharmaceuticals. Much effort has been devoted to exploring synthetic methodologies for the preparation of these compounds during the past few decades. Among the known methods, asymmetric catalysis has emerged as a practical and highly efficient strategy for their straightforward preparation, and recent years have witnessed remarkable advances in this respect. Approaches such as asymmetric borylative addition, asymmetric allylic borylation and stereospecific cross-coupling borylation, have been extensively explored and well established employing transition-metal catalysis with a chiral ligand. This review provides a comprehensive overview of transition metal-catalysed asymmetric borylation processes to construct carbon-boron, carbon-carbon, and other carbon-heteroatom bonds. It summarises a range of recent achievements in this area of research, with considerable attention devoted to the reaction modes and the mechanisms involved.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantiospecific Dynamic Kinetic Cross-Electrophile Vinylation of Allylic Alcohols with Vinyl Triflates

Asymmetric cross-electrophile coupling has emerged as a promising tool for producing chiral molecules; however, the potential of this chemistry with metals other than nickel remains unknown. Herein, we report a cobalt-catalyzed enantiospecific vinylation reaction of allylic alcohol with vinyl triflates. This work establishes a new method for the synthesis of enantioenriched 1,4-dienes. The reaction proceeds through a dynamic kinetic coupling approach, which not only allows for direct functionalization of allylic alcohols but also is essential to achieve high chemoselectivity. The use of cobalt enables the reactions to proceed with high enantiospecificity, which have failed to be realized by nickel catalysts.

Nickel/Photo-Cocatalyzed C(sp2)-H Allylation of Aldehydes and Formamides

Herein we report a nickel/photo-cocatalyzed C(sp²)-H allylation of aldehydes and formamides wherein both allyl acetates and allyl alcohols can be used as the allylating agents. In this reaction, radical-type umpolung of the formyl moiety is enabled by tetrabutylammonium decatungstate as a hydrogen-atom-transfer photocatalyst, whereas nickel serves to cleave the C-O bond of allyl acetates or allyl alcohols. The synergistic effect of these two catalysts provides new access to various β,γ-unsaturated ketones and amides with high selectivities.

Photoinduced 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization of alkenes with organotrifluoroborate nucleophiles via radical/polar crossover

Alkene 1,2-dicarbofunctionalizations are highly sought-after transformations as they enable a rapid increase of molecular complexity in one synthetic step. Traditionally, these conjunctive couplings proceed through the intermediacy of alkylmetal species susceptible to deleterious pathways including β-hydride elimination and protodemetalation. Herein, an intermolecular 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization using alkyl N-(acyloxy)phthalimide redox-active esters as radical progenitors and organotrifluoroborates as carbon-centered nucleophiles is reported. This redox-neutral, multicomponent reaction is postulated to proceed through photochemical radical/polar crossover to afford a key carbocation species that undergoes subsequent trapping with organoboron nucleophiles to accomplish the carboallylation, carboalkenylation, carboalkynylation, and carboarylation of alkenes with regio- and chemoselective control. The mechanistic intricacies of this difunctionalization were elucidated through Stern-Volmer quenching studies, photochemical quantum yield measurements, and trapping experiments of radical and ionic intermediates.

Enantioselective Hydroalkenylation of Olefins with Enol Sulfonates Enabled by Dual Copper Hydride and Palladium Catalysis

The catalytic enantioselective synthesis of α-chiral olefins represents a valuable strategy for rapid generation of structural diversity in divergent syntheses of complex targets. Herein, we report a protocol for the dual CuH- and Pd-catalyzed asymmetric Markovnikov hydroalkenylation of vinyl arenes and the anti-Markovnikov hydroalkenylation of unactivated olefins, in which readily available enol triflates can be utilized as alkenyl coupling partners. This method allowed for the synthesis of diverse α-chiral olefins, including tri- and tetrasubstituted olefin products, which are challenging to prepare by existing approaches.

Nickel-Catalyzed, Stereospecific C-C and C-B Cross-Couplings via C-N and C-O Bond Activation

Highly enantioenriched benzylic and allylic amines and alcohols are readily available via asymmetric synthesis and in complex natural products. The development of mild, nickel-catalyzed cross-couplings of their derivatives has advanced the tools available for the preparation of a range of highly enantioenriched products, including those with quaternary stereocenters. This perspective focuses on cross-couplings with convenient and functional group-tolerant organoboron reagents and highlights the discoveries of activating groups and conditions that have led to high-yielding and highly stereospecific reactions. Emphasis is placed on mechanistic understanding, particularly with regards to controlling inversion vs. retention pathways. Limitations and opportunities for future developments are also highlighted.

Overcoming Kinetic and Thermodynamic Challenges of Classic Cope Rearrangements

Systematic evaluation of 1,5-dienes bearing 3,3-electron-withdrawing groups and 4-methylation results in the discovery of a Cope rearrangement for Meldrum's acid-containing substrates that have unexpectedly favorable kinetic and thermodynamic profiles. The protocol is quite general due to a concise and convergent synthesis from abundant starting materials. Furthermore, products with an embedded Meldrum's acid moiety are prepared, which, in turn, can yield complex amides under neutral conditions. We have now expanded the scope of the reductive Cope rearrangement, which, via chemoselective reduction, can promote thermodynamically unfavorable [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangements of 3,3-dicyano-1,5-dienes to form reduced Cope rearrangement products. The Cope rearrangement is found to be stereospecific and can yield enantioenriched building blocks when chiral, nonracemic 1,3-disubstituted allylic electrophiles are utilized. We expand further the use of Cope rearrangements for the synthesis of highly valuable building blocks for complex- and drug-like molecular synthesis.

Integrating Allyl Electrophiles into Nickel-Catalyzed Conjunctive Cross-Coupling

Allylation and conjunctive cross-coupling represent two useful, yet largely distinct, reactivity paradigms in catalysis. The union of these two processes would offer exciting possibilities in organic synthesis but remains largely unknown. Herein, we report the use of allyl electrophiles in nickel-catalyzed conjunctive cross-coupling with a non-conjugated alkene and dimethylzinc. The transformation is enabled by weakly coordinating, monodentate aza-heterocycle directing groups that are useful building blocks in synthesis, including saccharin, pyridones, pyrazoles, and triazoles. The reaction occurs under mild conditions and is compatible with a wide range of allyl electrophiles. High chemoselectivity through substrate directivity is demonstrated by the facile reactivity of the β-γ alkene of the starting material, whereas the ϵ-ζ alkene of the product is preserved. The generality of this approach is further illustrated through the development of an analogous method with alkyne substrates. Mechanistic studies reveal the importance of the dissociation of the weakly coordinating directing group to allow the allyl moiety to bind and facilitate C(sp3 )-C(sp3 ) reductive elimination.

Rhodium(III) Catalyzed Regioselective and Stereospecific Allylic Arylation in Water by β-Fluorine Elimination of the Allylic Fluoride: Toward the Synthesis of Z-Alkenyl-Unsaturated Amides

A direct coupling of arylboronic acids with allylic fluorides was carried out in water without additives using a rhodium(III) catalyst (Cp*RhCl₂)₂. The transformation proceeded with excellent γ-selectivity to afford major allyl-aryl coupling products (Z) γ-substituted α,β-unsaturated amides. The reactions of α-chiral allylic fluorides took place with excellent α-to-γ chirality transfer to give allylated arenes with a stereogenic center at the benzylic and allylic position.

Mechanistic Study on Allylic Arylation in Water with Linear Polystyrene-Stabilized Pd and PdO Nanoparticles

The catalytic cycle of allylic arylation in water catalyzed by linear polystyrene-stabilized Pd or PdO nanoparticles (PS-PdNPs or PS-PdONPs) was investigated. Stoichiometric stepwise reactions indicated that the reaction did not proceed stepwise on the surface of the catalyst. In the case of the reaction with PS-PdNPs, the leached Pd species is the catalytically active species and the reaction takes place through a similar reaction pathway accepted in the case of a complex catalyst. In contrast, allylic arylation using PS-PdONPs as a catalyst occurs via a Pd(II) catalytic cycle.

Sulfur-Mediated Allylic C-H Arylation, Epoxidation, and Aziridination

Transition-metal-free, sulfur-mediated allylic C-H arylation, epoxidation, and aziridination were realized through one-pot procedures. The reaction design involved initial addition between olefins and triflic anhydride activated sulfoxides, followed by subsequent reactions of the allylic sulfur ylides generated under basic conditions with arylboronic acids, aldehydes, or aldimines, to give allylic arylation, epoxidation, or aziridination products, respectively.

Cyclotrimerization of alkynes catalyzed by a self-supported cyclic tri-nuclear nickel(0) complex with α-diimine ligands

The cyclic tri-nickel(0) complex [{Ni(μ-L^Me-2,4)}₃] (L^Me-2,4 = [(2,4-Me₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)]₂) self-supported by the α-diimines catalyzes cyclotrimerization of alkynes to form substituted benzenes.

1,3-Dioxa-[3,3]-sigmatropic Oxo-Rearrangement of Substituted Allylic Carbamates: Scope and Mechanistic Studies

An unexpected 1,3-dioxa-[3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement during the treatment of aryl- and alkenyl-substituted allylic alcohols with activated isocyanates is reported. The reorganization of bonds is highly dependent on the electron density of the aromatic ring and the nature of isocyanate used. This metal-free tandem reaction from branched allyl alcohols initiated by a carbamoylation reaction and followed by a sigmatropic rearrangement thus offers a new access to ( E)-cinnamyl and conjugated ( E, E)-diene carbamates, such as N-acyl and N-sulfonyl derivatives. A computational study was conducted in order to rationalize this phenomenon, and a rearrangement progress kinetic analysis was performed.

Asymmetric synthesis via stereospecific C-N and C-O bond activation of alkyl amine and alcohol derivatives

This perspective showcases our development of benzylic and allylic amine and alcohol derivatives as electrophiles for stereospecific, nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, as well as the prior art that inspired our efforts. The success of our effort has relied on the use of benzyl ammonium triflates as electrophiles for cross-couplings via C-N bond activation and benzylic and allylic carboxylates for cross-couplings via C-O bond activation. Our work, along with others' exciting discoveries, has demonstrated the potential of stereospecific, nickel-catalyzed cross-couplings of alkyl electrophiles in asymmetric synthesis, and enables efficient generation of both tertiary and quaternary stereocenters.

Nickel-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation of lactones and lactams with unactivated allylic alcohols

Reported is the first nickel-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation of lactones and lactams to provide products bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter.

The first nickel-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation of lactone and lactam substrates to deliver products bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter is reported. The reaction, which utilizes a commercially available chiral bisphosphine ligand, proceeds in good yield with a high level of enantioselectivity (up to 90% ee) on a range of unactivated allylic alcohols for both lactone and lactam nucleophiles. The utility of this method is further highlighted via a number of synthetically useful product transformations.

Mechanism and Origins of Ligand-Controlled Stereoselectivity of Ni-Catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling with Benzylic Esters: A Computational Study

Nickel catalysts have shown unique ligand control of stereoselectivity in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of boronates with benzylic pivalates and derivatives involving C(sp3)-O cleavage. The SIMes ligand (1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene) produces the stereochemically inverted C-C coupling product, while the tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy3) ligand delivers the retained stereochemistry. We have explored the mechanism and origins of the ligand-controlled stereoselectivity with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The oxidative addition determines the stereoselectivity with two competing transition states, an SN2 back-side attack type transition state that inverts the benzylic stereogenic center and a concerted oxidative addition through a cyclic transition state, which provides stereoretention. The key difference between the two transition states is the substrate-nickel-ligand angle distortion; the ligand controls the selectivity by differentiating the ease of this angle distortion. For the PCy3 ligand, the nickel-ligand interaction involves mainly σ-donation, which does not require a significant energy penalty for the angle distortion. The facile angle distortion with PCy3 ligand allows the favorable cyclic oxidative addition transition state, leading to the stereoretention. For the SIMes ligand, the extra d-p back-donation from nickel to the coordinating carbene increases the rigidity of the nickel-ligand bond, and the corresponding angle distortion is more difficult. This makes the concerted cyclic oxidative addition unfavorable with SIMes ligand, and the back-side SN2-type oxidative addition delivers the stereoinversion.

Stereospecific, Nickel-Catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling of Allylic Pivalates To Deliver Quaternary Stereocenters

Recognizing the importance of all-carbon, quaternary stereocenters in complex molecule synthesis, a stereospecific, nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of allylic pivalates with arylboroxines to deliver products equipped with quaternary stereocenters and internal alkenes was developed. The enantioenriched allylic pivalate starting materials are readily prepared, and a variety of functional groups can be incorporated on both the allylic pivalate and the arylboroxine. Additional advantages include the use of a commercially available and air-stable Ni(II) salt and BISBI ligand, mild reaction conditions, and high yields and ee's. The observed stereoinversion of this reaction is consistent with an open transition state in the oxidative addition step.

Enantioselective Nickel-Catalyzed Intramolecular Allylic Alkenylations Enabled by Reversible Alkenylnickel E/Z Isomerization

Enantioselective nickel-catalyzed arylative cyclizations of substrates containing a Z-allylic phosphate tethered to an alkyne are described. These reactions give multisubstituted chiral aza- and carbocycles, and are initiated by the addition of an arylboronic acid to the alkyne, followed by cyclization of the resulting alkenylnickel species onto the allylic phosphate. The reversible E/Z isomerization of the alkenylnickel species is essential for the success of the reactions.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Reductive Cross-Coupling Between Styryl and Benzyl Halides

A simple and efficient protocol for the direct reductive cross-coupling between alkenyl and benzyl halides using a Co/Mn system has been developed. This reaction proceeds smoothly in the presence of [CoBr₂ (PPh₃ )₂ ] as the catalyst, with NaI as an additive in acetonitrile with a broad scope of functionalized alkenyl and benzyl halides. Different functional groups are tolerated on both coupling partners, thus, significantly extending the general scope of transition-metal-catalyzed benzylation of alkenyl halides. Moderate to excellent yields were also obtained. From a mechanistic point of view, a radical chain mechanism was proposed. This reaction is stereospecific and some studies suggest the retention of the double-bond configuration.

Accessing Both Retention and Inversion Pathways in Stereospecific, Nickel-Catalyzed Miyaura Borylations of Allylic Pivalates

We have developed a stereospecific, nickel-catalyzed Miyaura borylation of allylic pivalates, which delivers highly enantioenriched α-stereogenic γ-aryl allylboronates with good yields and regioselectivities. Our complementary sets of conditions enable access to either enantiomer of allylboronate product from a single enantiomer of readily prepared allylic pivalate substrate. Excellent functional group tolerance, yields, regioselectivities, and stereochemical fidelities are observed. The stereochemical switch from stereoretention to stereoinversion largely depends upon solvent and can be explained by competitive pathways for the oxidative addition step. Our mechanistic investigations support a stereoretentive pathway stemming from a directed oxidative addition and a stereoinvertive pathway that is dominant when MeCN blocks coordination of the directing group by binding the nickel catalyst.

Nickel-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation with Diarylmethane Pronucleophiles: Reaction Development and Mechanistic Insights

Palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions are among the most efficient methods to construct C-C bonds between sp(3)-hybridized carbon atoms. In contrast, much less work has been done with nickel catalysts, perhaps because of the different mechanisms of the allylic substitution reactions. Palladium catalysts generally undergo substitution by a "soft"-nucleophile pathway, wherein the nucleophile attacks the allyl group externally. Nickel catalysts are usually paired with "hard" nucleophiles, which attack the metal before C-C bond formation. Introduced herein is a rare nickel-based catalyst which promotes substitution with diarylmethane pronucleophiles by the soft-nucleophile pathway. Preliminary studies on the asymmetric allylic alkylation are promising.