Construction of Quaternary Stereogenic Carbon Centers through Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation of Azoles

Abstract

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation of azoles with γ,γ-disubstituted primary allylic phosphates was achieved using a new chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligand bearing a naphtholic hydroxy group. This reaction occurred with excellent branch regioselectivity and high enantioselectivity, thus forming a controlled all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center at the position α to the heteroaromatic ring.

Keywords: allylic compounds; asymmetric catalysis; carbenes; copper; heterocycles.