Kinetic Asymmetric Substitution of Racemic Allylic Esters

Significance

Asymmetric allylic substitution of linear allylic carbonates is a useful, well-developed process. Substitutions starting from the chiral, racemic branched starting materials are less established, despite their availability and typically higher reactivity. Utilizing their previously developed iridium-phosphoramidite complex, the authors describe highly enantioselective kinetic asymmetric substitution reactions of branched allylic benz­oates. A diverse range of carbon and heteroatom nucleophiles can be used.