Synthesis of Chiral Triarylmethanes Bearing All‐Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters: Catalytic Asymmetric Oxidative Cross‐Coupling of 2,2‐Diarylacetonitriles and (Hetero)arenes

Abstract

A direct and enantioselective oxidative cross-coupling of racemic 2,2-diarylacetonitriles with electron-rich (hetero)arenes has been described, which allows for efficient construction of triarylmethanes bearing all-carbon quaternary stereocenters with excellent chemo- and enantioselectivity. The reaction has an excellent functional group tolerance, and exhibits a broad scope with respect to both 2,2-diarylacetonitrile and (hetero)arene components. The rich chemistry of the cyano group allows for facile synthesis of other valuable chiral triarylmethanes bearing all-carbon quaternary centers that are otherwise difficult to access.