Catalytic Enantioselective Alkylations of Tetrasubstituted Olefins. Synthesis of All-Carbon Quaternary Stereogenic Centers through Cu-Catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate Additions of Alkylzinc Reagents to Enones

Abstract

A method for Cu-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition (ACA) of dialkylzinc reagents to tetrasubstituted five- and six-membered cyclic enones that afford quaternary all-carbon stereogenic centers in up to 95% ee is reported. Catalytic ACAs are practical and efficient. Reactions proceed to >98% conversion in undistilled commercial grade toluene in the presence of 2 mol % of an air-stable Cu salt (CuCN) and a readily available chiral ligand. Enantioselective ACA reactions deliver products that can be readily functionalized to afford a variety of synthetically versatile compounds in high optical purity.