Three-component enantioselective alkenylation of organophosphonates via nickel metallaphotoredox catalysis

Abstract

•Highly enantioselective synthesis of structurally complex chiral phosphonates •Modular and stereodivergent access to chiral trans- and cis-alkenyl moieties •Asymmetric radical multicomponent reaction via metallaphotoredox catalysis •Enantioselective control of alkyl radicals by guiding the trajectory of radical metalation The development of efficient catalytic multicomponent reactions (MCRs) is highly sought-after in chemical synthesis. However, catalytic asymmetric MCRs, particularly involving radical species, remain largely underdeveloped due to the exceptionally high reactivity of open-shell radical species. Herein, we report a metallaphotoredox-catalyzed asymmetric three-component method to access a diverse array of enantio-enriched α-alkenyl phosphonates from readily available vinyl phosphonates, alkenyl halides, and alkyl trifluoroborates under mild conditions. This operationally simple and redox-neutral protocol exhibits broad substrate scope and excellent chemo-, regio-, stereo-, and enantioselectivity. Furthermore, by simple modification of the triplet energy of the photocatalyst employed, both enantio-enriched trans and cis α-alkenyl phosphonates can be divergently accessed. Detailed computational and experimental studies were undertaken to elucidate the mechanism and origin of the observed reactivity and selectivity, which support a radical cascade sequence with α-phosphonate controlling the trajectory of radical capture by a chiral tetrahedral alkenyl nickel(II) species in the enantioselectivity-determining step. The development of efficient catalytic multicomponent reactions (MCRs) is highly sought-after in chemical synthesis. However, catalytic asymmetric MCRs, particularly involving radical species, remain largely underdeveloped due to the exceptionally high reactivity of open-shell radical species. Herein, we report a metallaphotoredox-catalyzed asymmetric three-component method to access a diverse array of enantio-enriched α-alkenyl phosphonates from readily available vinyl phosphonates, alkenyl halides, and alkyl trifluoroborates under mild conditions. This operationally simple and redox-neutral protocol exhibits broad substrate scope and excellent chemo-, regio-, stereo-, and enantioselectivity. Furthermore, by simple modification of the triplet energy of the photocatalyst employed, both enantio-enriched trans and cis α-alkenyl phosphonates can be divergently accessed. Detailed computational and experimental studies were undertaken to elucidate the mechanism and origin of the observed reactivity and selectivity, which support a radical cascade sequence with α-phosphonate controlling the trajectory of radical capture by a chiral tetrahedral alkenyl nickel(II) species in the enantioselectivity-determining step.