Catalytic Asymmetric Oxidative γ‐Coupling of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes with Air as the Terminal Oxidant

Abstract

AbstractA novel concept for catalytic asymmetric coupling reactions is presented. Merging organocatalysis with single‐electron oxidation by using a catalytic amount of a copper(II) salt and air as the terminal oxidant, we have developed a highly stereoselective carbon–carbon oxidative coupling reaction of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes. The concept relies on the generation of a dienamine intermediate, which is oxidized to an open‐shell activated species that undergoes highly selective γ‐homo‐ and γ‐heterocoupling reactions. In the majority of examples presented, only a single stereoisomer was formed.