Iron-catalyzed highly regio- and stereoselective conjugate addition of 2,3-allenoates with Grignard reagents

J Am Chem Soc. 2007 Nov 28;129(47):14546-7. doi: 10.1021/ja075750o. Epub 2007 Nov 7.

Abstract

An efficient highly regio- and stereoselective iron-catalyzed conjugate addition of 2,3-allenoates with primary or secondary alkyl, phenyl, or vinyl Grignard reagents to synthesize multi-substituted beta,gamma-unsaturated enoates has been reported. The in situ formed magnesium dienolate may readily react with different electrophilic reagents to construct an allylic quaternary carbon at the alpha-position of the ester group.