Enantioselective α‐Arylation of Cyclohexanones with Diaryl Iodonium Salts: Application to the Synthesis of (−)‐Epibatidine

Abstract

Short cut: Direct asymmetric α-arylation of prochiral ketones has been effected using chiral lithium amide bases and diaryl iodonium salts. The methodology has been employed in a short total synthesis of the alkaloid (−)-epibatidine (see scheme).