Asymmetric allylation heteroatomic nucleophiles

Catalytic reactions of allylic electrophiles with carbon or heteroatom nucleophiles to form the products of formal S 2 or S 2 substitutions (Equation 20.1) are called "catalytic allylic substitution reactions." Tliese reactions have become classic processes catalyzed by transition metal complexes and are often conducted in an asymmetric fashion. The aUylic electrophile is typically an allylic chloride, acetate, carbonate, or other t)q e of ester derived from an allylic alcohol. The nucleophile is most commonly a so-called soft nucleophile, such as the anion of a p-dicarbonyl compound, or it is a heteroatom nucleophile, such as an amine or the anion of an imide. The reactions with carbon nucleophiles are often called allylic alkylations. 

Many transition metal complexes catalyse the reaction but palladium systems are the most widely used. Allylic substitution can be used to create C-C as well as C-X (X = heteroatom) bonds under very mild conditions, which are compatible with many functional groups. The allylic substitution reaction is unique in the sense that there are many mechanisms that can be responsible for asymmetric induction and because chiral elements can be placed at the nucleophile, the electrophile or both. 

Four reviews on allylic substitution reactions have been published. The first deals with the enantioselective allylic substitutions by carbon nucleophiles, in the presence of both palladium and non-palladium catalysts. The second reviews stere- 0 oselective allylic substitution reactions forming asymmetric C-C, C-N, and C-O bonds. The third review covers new developments in metal-catalysed asymmetric 0 allylic substitution reactions with heteroatom-centred nucleophiles. Several applications of this new methodology are included. Finally, the catalytic 5 2 and 5 2 reactions of allylic alcohols, most of which occur with a very high ee, have been reviewed. ... 

Enantiosdective allyic substitution processes have been developed over the course of 30 years. Initial observations of the reactions of nucleophiles with paUadium-allyl complexes led to the observation of catalytic substitutions of aUylic ethers and esters, and then catalytic enantioselective aUylic substitutions. The use of catalysts based on ottier metals has led to reactions that occur with complementary regiochemistry. Moreover, flie scope of the reactions has expanded to include heteroatom and unstabilized carbon nucleophiles. Suitable electrophiles for these reactions indude allyhc esters of various types, allyhc ethers, aUylic alcohols, and aUylic halides. Enantioselective reactions can be conducted with monoesters or by selection for deavage of one of two equivalent esters. The mechanism of these reactions occurs by initial oxidative addition to form a metal-aUyl complex. The second step involves nudeophilic attadc on ttie aUyl ligand for reaction of "soft" nudeophiles or inner-sphere reductive eUmination for reactions of "hard" nudeophiles. The external nudeophilic attack typicaUy occurs by reaction of the nudeophile with a cationic aUyl complex at the face opposite to that to which Uie metal is bound. Exceptions indude reactions of certain molybdenum-aUyl complexes. Dissociation of product then regenerates the starting catalyst. Because of the diversity of the classes of these reactions, aUylic substitution—in particular asymmetric aUylic substitution—has been used to prepare a wide variety of natural products. 

---