Chiral Pd aqua complex-catalyzed asymmetric C–C bond-forming reactions: a Brønsted acid–base cooperative system

Chiral cationic Pd aqua complexes can function as acid-base catalysts, effectively activating active methylene and methine compounds to give chiral Pd enolates. It is noteworthy that such enolate formation occurs with concomitant formation of a strong protic acid. Although the reactivity of the Pd enolate itself is not sufficient for reactions with carbon-based electrophiles, its cooperative action with the protic acid to activate the electrophiles allows the desired C-C bond-forming reactions to proceed smoothly in a highly enantioselective manner. Based on this mechanistic feature, reactions with acetals have been developed; these are difficult to achieve using conventional basic enolate chemistry.