Enantioselective contrathermodynamic olefin isomerization

Catalytic asymmetric olefin isomerization is a powerful strategy for the synthesis of allylic stereocenters from simple olefin precursors. Conventional thermal methods generally favor the formation of the thermodynamically more stable olefin isomer, while access to less stable positional isomers is limited by microscopic reversibility. As a result, enantioselective contrathermodynamic isomerization requires a mechanism that can distinguish the starting alkene from the higher-energy product while also enforcing stereocontrol.