Enantioselective Additions to Isatins under Transfer Hydrogenation Conditions

Significance

Building upon previous work (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 14891), the authors report the first catalytic enantioselective ­allylation, crotylation and reverse prenylation of activated ketones (1) under transfer hydrogenation conditions. This methodology allows for the use of readily available starting materials and negates the need for the use of stoichiometric organometallic reagents.