Rh(I)/Sulfoxide‐Imine‐Olefin Complex Catalyzed Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation of 2‐Fluoromalonate: Synthesis of Chiral α‐Fluorolactone Bearing Vicinal Stereogenic Centers

Highly enantioselective Rh‐catalyzed allylic substitution of the racemic branched allylic substrates with 2‐fluoromalonate was realized enabled by a novel chiral sulfoxide‐imine‐olefin ligand under mild reaction conditions. The utilization of CuSO 4 is beneficial for improving the enantioselectivity. Notably, the chiral fluoro‐containing allyl products can be employed in a selective cyclic esterification to form chiral α‐fluorolactone bearing vicinal stereogenic centers.