Ternary Catalysis Enabled Three-Component Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation as a Concise Track to Chiral α,α-Disubstituted Ketones
Zhenghui Kang, Wenju Chang, Xue Tian, Xiang Fu, Wenxuan Zhao, Xinfang Xu, Yong Liang, Wenhao Hu
Abstract
Multicomponent reactions that involve interception of onium ylides through Aldol, Mannich, and Michael addition with corresponding bench-stable acceptors have demonstrated broad applications in synthetic chemistry. However, because of the high reactivity and transient survival of these in situ generated intermediates, the substitution-type interception process, especially the asymmetric catalytic version, remains hitherto unknown. Herein, a three-component asymmetric allylation of α-diazo carbonyl compounds with alcohols and allyl carbonates is disclosed by employing a ternary cooperative catalysis of achiral Pd-complex, Rh2(OAc)4, and chiral phosphoric acid CPA. This method represents the first example of three-component asymmetric allylic alkylation through an SN1-type trapping process, which involves a convergent assembly of two active intermediates, Pd-allyl species, and enol derived from onium ylides, providing an expeditious access to chiral α,α-disubstituted ketones in good to high yields with high to excellent enantioselectivity. Combined experimental and computational studies have shed light on the mechanism of this novel three-component reaction, including the critical role of Xantphos ligand and the origin of enantioselectivity.