Asymmetric Heck Reaction

The asymmetric Heck reaction is a powerful method for the synthesis of both tertiary and quaternary chiral carbon centers, with an enantiomeric excess often greater than 80%, and in some cases much higher (up to 99% ee). A variety of carbocyclic and heterocyclic systems can be constructed, including spirocyclic systems. The scope of the reaction with respect to the product alkene isomerization is somewhat limited by problems of regioselectivity, however, these problems are surmountable, and a new generation of ligands that dissociate more rapidly from the products, might improve both enantio- and regiocontrol. A variety of chiral compounds prepared by the asymmetric Heck reaction were successfully utilized in the enantioselective syntheses of complex natural products.