Enantioselective Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrocyanative Desymmetrization of Norbornene Derivatives

Abstract

A nickel-catalyzed enantioselective hydrocyanation of N-aryl 5-norbornene-endocis-2,3-dicarboximides was reported. This desymmetrization process allows for a quick construction of both continuous stereogenic carbon centers and remote N–CAr atropisomeric chirality. Mechanism studies indicated that the resident carbonyl group of the substrates plays a key role in the enantioselectivity.