Enantioselective Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation of indoles by a new class of chiral ferrocenyl P/S ligands.

Chiral ferrocenyl heterobidentate P/S ligands bearing both central and planar chirality were prepared from (S)-Ugi's amine via a three-step modular synthesis. Through systematic screening and optimization, L8 was found to be the best ligand for Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of indoles with ee's up to 96% being attained.

Room-temperature copper-catalyzed alpha-arylation of malonates.

An effective method in targeting alpha-aryl malonates is reported. In the presence of a catalytic amount of 2-picolinic acid and CuI, the coupling of aryl iodides with diethyl malonate proceeds smoothly even at room temperature. The high levels of functional group compatibility and exceptionally mild reaction conditions offer this an attractive protocol in accessing a variety of arylated malonates.