Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Addition to 4- or 5-Carbonyl-cycloenones through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution: Enantioselective Synthesis of (−)-Cannabidiol

The reaction of 4/5-carbonyl-cycloalkenone 1 or its achiral isomer 1′ with organoboronic acid 2 in the presence of a chiral diene (S,S)-Fc-tfb-rhodium catalyst gave disubstituted trans-cycloalkanone 3 with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity. This highly efficient dynamic kinetic resolution is achieved by fast racemization of 1 through the formation of a dienolate followed by kinetic resolution with the chiral catalyst. The utility is demonstrated by the synthesis of key intermediates en route to (−)-cannabidiol.