Nickel(II)-catalyzed asymmetric alkylation of acyclic oxocarbenium ions with carboxylic acid derivatives

A nickel(II)-catalyzed asymmetric alkylation of acyclic oxocarbenium ions generated in situ from corresponding acetals with carboxylic acid derivatives to prepare β-alkoxyl carbonyl moieties with diverse α-substituents has been disclosed. The method exhibited broad scope of acetals and carboxylic acid derivatives with excellent enantioselectivity and good functional group compatibility, and can be conducted in a gram-scale without obvious loss of efficiency.