Enantioselective electroreductive alkyne-aldehyde coupling
Xiyang Cao, Yuyang Fu, Yongsheng Tao, Qingquan Lu
Abstract
Electrocatalytic methods that facilitate the asymmetric reductive coupling of two π-components with complete control over regio-, stereo-, and enantioselectivity remain underexplored. Herein, we report a highly regio- and enantioselective cobaltaelectro-catalyzed alkyne-aldehyde coupling reaction, in which protons and electrons serve as the hydrogen source and reductant, respectively. Earth-abundant cobalt and air-stable (S,S)−2,3-bis(tert-butylmethylphosphino)quinoxaline (QuinoxP*) are used as the catalyst and ligand, respectively. A series of enantioenriched allylic alcohols can be constructed with excellent regio- (>19:1), stereo- (>19:1 E:Z), and enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee). Electrocatalytic methods that enable asymmetric reductive coupling of two π-components with regio-, stereo-, and enantioselectivity control are underexplored. Here, the authors report a regio- and enantioselective cobaltaelectro-catalyzed alkyne-aldehyde coupling reaction, in which protons and electrons serve as the hydrogen source and reductant, respectively.