Cu-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate additions of dialkyl- and diarylzinc reagents to acyclic beta-silyl-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones. Synthesis of allylsilanes in high diastereo- and enantiomeric purity.

A readily available and simple (MW = 444.5 g/mol) valine-based chiral phosphine is used to promote highly efficient catalytic asymmetric conjugate additions of dialkyl- and diarylzinc reagents to acyclic beta-silyl-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones. The catalytic asymmetric protocol allows access to versatile allylsilanes that bear a trisubstituted olefin in high diastereo- and enantiomeric purity.

Cu-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylations of aromatic and aliphatic phosphates with alkylzinc reagents. An effective method for enantioselective synthesis of tertiary and quaternary carbons.

Efficient enantioselective Cu-catalyzed allylic alkylations of aromatic and aliphatic allylic phosphates bearing di- and trisubstituted olefins are disclosed. Enantioselective C-C bond forming reactions are promoted in the presence of 10 mol % readily available chiral amino acid-based ligand (5 steps, 40% overall yield synthesis) and 5 mol % (CuOTf)2 x C6H6. Reactions deliver tertiary and quaternary stereogenic carbon centers regioselectively and in 78-96% ee. Data regarding the effect of variations in ligand structure on the efficiency and enantioselectivity of the alkylation process, as well as a mechanistic working model, are presented. The suggested model involves a dual role for the chiral Cu complex: association of the Cu(I) center to the olefin is facilitated by a two-point binding between the carbonyl of the ligand's amide terminus and the P=O of the substrate.

Small peptides as ligands for catalytic asymmetric alkylations of olefins. Rational design of catalysts or of searches that lead to them?

Amino acid-based chiral ligands have been developed for use in Cu-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylations and conjugate additions that allow access to optically enriched compounds that are otherwise difficult to prepare. These chiral ligands are easily modified and have been identified through mechanism-based library screening. The data presented point to the significance of the availability of a collection of catalysts, since subtle variations in substrate or nucleophile structure often call for a different optimal chiral ligand. Can a catalyst be truly "rationally designed" or do we design our search pathway that eventually leads us to such a catalyst? What is meant by a "general catalyst"? Do we need a class of effective catalysts instead? These and related questions are addressed in the context of the above studies.