Enantio- and Diastereodivergent Sequential Catalysis Featuring Two Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reactions

This study demonstrates the feasibility and inherent benefits of combining two distinct asymmetric transition-metal-catalyzed reactions in one pot. The reported transformation features a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation and a Rh-catalyzed enantioselective 1,4-conjugate addition, effectively converting simple allyl enol carbonate precursors into enantioenriched cyclic ketones with two remote stereocenters. Despite the anticipated challenges associated with controlling stereoselectivity in such a complex system, the products are obtained in enantiomeric excesses ranging up to > 99% ee, exceeding those obtained from either of the individual asymmetric reactions. In addition, since the stereo-selectivity of both steps is under catalyst control, this one-pot reaction is enantio- and diastereodivergent, enabling facile access to all stereoisomers from the same set of starting materials.