Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioselective α-Allylation of Cyclic Ketones with Allylic Alcohols

Transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric alpha-allylation of ketones is a particularly useful tool for constructing stereocenters via C-C bond formation. However, this type of reaction often necessitated the use of activated ketones or pre-prepared enol intermediates as substrates. In this study, we developed a nickel-catalyzed alpha-allylation of unactivated cycloketones with allylic alcohols to synthesize chiral cycloketones with an alpha-quaternary carbon center. The reaction affords the products with 42-97% yields, 72-86% ee, and no additive is needed, and the only by-product is water. image