Cycloheptane-1,4-diones by an Asymmetric Ring-Expanding Allylation

Significance

The authors describe the synthesis of chiral seven-membered carbocycles via a ring-expansion-allylation sequence under palladium catalysis. A variety of cycloheptane 1,4-diones are obtained with quaternary stereocenters with moderate to high enantioselectivity. The syntheses of similar compounds with tertiary stereocenters proceed with much lower stereoselectivity.