Allenoate Prenucleophiles: A Triply Diastereoselective Approach to β-Hydroxy Esters Containing All-Carbon α-Quaternary Centers.

Allenyl esters activated by titanium(IV) underwent additions to a wide range of aldehydes in high regio- and diastereoselectivities leading to products containing an all-carbon quaternary center bearing an α-vinyl group that was installed with high selectivity for the -geometry. An aldol product was also converted to an indanone offering a new route to this important compound class. Product triple diastereoselectivity has been rationalized using a concerted transition-state model.