Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.134, No.44, 18241-18244, 2012
Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Vinylogous Addition of Enol Ethers to Vinyldiazoacetates
A highly asymmetric vinylogous addition of acyclic silyl enol ethers to siloxyvinyldiazoacetate is described. The reaction features a diastereoselective 1,4-siloxy group migration event. Products are obtained in up to 97% ee. When more sterically crowded silyl enol ethers are employed, an enantioselective formal [3+2] cyclo-addition becomes the dominant reaction pathway. Control experiments reveal the (Z)-olefin geometry to be critical for high levels of enantiocontrol.