Ni-catalyzed asymmetric decarboxylation for the construction of carbocycles with contiguous quaternary carbon stereocenters.

The first Ni-catalyzed asymmetric decarboxylative strategy for the construction of carbocycles with contiguous quaternary all-carbon stereocenters is reported. The key to the success of these reactions is the utilization of rationally designed allenylic methylene cyclic carbonates as substrates with Ni catalysis. The floppy allenylic group exerts unique electronic properties on the carbonate, which allows further asymmetric nucleophilic annulations with alkenes.

Practical asymmetric amine nucleophilic approach for the modular construction of protected α-quaternary amino acids.

We report the first amine nucleophilic approach for the modular construction of enantioenriched protected α-quaternary amino acids. The key to success is the use of an alcohol solvent, which makes a rationally designed COOMe-bonded Cu-allenylidene electrophilic intermediate stable enough to couple with amine nucleophiles before its decomposition. The reaction features wide functional group tolerance with high enantioselectivity, typically >90% ee, and is amenable to the modification of commercially available bioactive molecules.