Nickel(0)-catalyzed asymmetric cross-coupling reactions of allylic compounds with arylboronic acids

Abstract

Optically active oxazolinylferrocenylphosphines have been found to work quite effectively as chiral ligands in nickel(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of allylic compounds with arylboronic acids, which are known to behave as “hard” nucleophiles. The expected coupling products have been obtained in good yields with moderate enantioselectivities (up to 53% ee). This is the first example of asymmetric allylic substitution using organoboron compounds.