Asymmetric synthesis of chiral cycloalkenone derivatives <i>via</i> palladium catalysis

Abstract

The palladium-catalyzed oxidative desymmetrization of <i>meso</i> dibenzoates yields γ-benzoyloxy cycloalkenones in good yields and with excellent levels of enantioselectivity. These compounds serve as precursors to a broad range of substituted cycloalkenones, including well-established synthetic building blocks and elaborated cycloalkanone derivatives. The ability to prepare both enantiomers of the oxidative desymmetrization products enables a unified strategy toward stereochemically diverse epoxyquinoid natural products.