Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of Arylboronic Acids to Cyclic Enones

Significance

The authors report the first asymmetric palladium-catalyzed 1,4-addition of phenylboronic acids to β-substituted cyclic enones to construct quaternary centers in high yields and generally good enantioselectivities. The method is general for five-, six-, and seven-membered enones. Furthermore, a variety of electronically rich and poor arylboronic acids can be employed with moderate to excellent yields and fair to excellent asymmetric induction.Various substitution patterns at the β-position of the cyclic enones are tolerated without substantial loss of yield or enantioselectivity.