Enantioconvergent Fukuyama Cross‐Coupling of Racemic Benzylic Organozinc Reagents

The first enantioconvergent palladium‐catalyzed Fukuyama cross‐coupling of racemic benzylic organozinc reagents with thioesters has been developed. The reaction furnishes enantioenriched acyclic α‐disubstituted ketone products in good yields and high enantioselectivities. A broad substrate scope is achieved under mild reaction conditions to prevent racemization of the potentially labile tertiary stereocenters.