Enantioselective Synthesis of All-Carbon Quaternary Stereogenic Centers via Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of (Z)-Allyl Bromides with Organolithium Reagents

A copper/phosphoramidite catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of Z trisubstituted allyl bromides with organolithium reagents is reported. The reaction affords all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers in high yields and very good regio- and enantioselectivity. This systematic study illustrates the crucial role of the olefin geometry of the allyl substrate on the outcome of the reaction and provides a viable alternative to access these important structural motifs.