Catalytic Asymmetric Visible-Light de Mayo Reaction by ZrCl₄-Chiral Phosphoric Acid Complex

Abstract

Catalytic asymmetric de Mayo reaction was achieved for the first time under visible light using asymmetric binary acid catalysis (ABC) involving zirconium chloride and chiral phosphoric acid (CPA). The chiral zirconium catalysis enables effective reactions over a broad range of 1,3-diketones and alkenes with up to >99% yield and 98% <i>ee</i>. The key chiral zirconium enolate was isolated and characterized to account for the observed catalysis and stereoselectivity.