Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydroacylation of Racemic Allenals via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution.

Abstract

Rhodium(I)-catalyzed enantioselective hydroacylation of 4-allenals was found to proceed smoothly, giving six-membered ketones in good yields (up to 84% yield) with high enantiomeric excess (up to 96% ee) even from racemic allenes as substrates. Mechanistic studies revealed that racemization of the allene moiety in the substrate would occur via a dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) process during the hydroacylation.