Enantioselective Construction of α-Quaternary Cyclobutanones by Catalytic Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation

No strain, no gain! The first transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective α-alkylation of cyclobutanones is reported. This method employs palladium catalysis and an electron-deficient PHOX-type ligand to afford all-carbon α-quaternary cyclobutanones in good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities (see scheme)