Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of acyclic ketones for synthesis of 2,2-disubsituted pyrrolidine derivatives

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of acyclic ketones represents a significant challenge in organic synthesis. We report herein that the synthesis of chiral 2,2-disubsituted pyrrolidines from acyclic ketones has been accomplished by using catalytic asymmetric method in the presence of Pd(dba)2 and (R)-binap ligand. Theses reactions occur between allyl methyl carbonate and unstabilized acyclic lithium enolates to provide the products in moderate to good enantioselectivity (up to 81% ee).