Catalytic Asymmetric Reductive Acyl Cross-Coupling: Synthesis of Enantioenriched Acyclic α,α-Disubstituted Ketones

The first enantioselective Ni-catalyzed reductive acyl cross-coupling has been developed. Treatment of acid chlorides and racemic secondary benzyl chlorides with a Ni(II)/bis(oxazoline) catalyst in the presence of Mn(0) as a stoichiometric reductant generates acyclic α,α-disubstituted ketones in good yields and high enantioselectivity without requiring stoichiometric chiral auxiliaries or pregeneration of organometallic reagents. The mild, base-free reaction conditions are tolerant of a variety of functional groups on both coupling partners.