Stereoselective Sulfinyl Aniline‐Promoted Pd‐Catalyzed C−H Arylation and Acetoxylation of Aliphatic Amides

Stereoselective functionalization of aliphatic C−H bonds presents a great challenge. Following this target, we disclose herein an original strategy towards direct arylation of aliphatic chains at ß‐methylene position based on a use of amide‐sulfoxide bicoordinating directing group. Although moderate to high chiral induction (up to 9:1 d.r.) is achieved, diastereomerically pure compounds may be afforded by simple separation of diastereomeric products by silica gel chromatography. Accordingly, this reaction allows preparation of a large scope of high‐value scaffolds in synthetically useful yields while recyclable character of our chiral auxiliary brings an additional benefit. A potential of this methodology to build up original molecules by sequential diarylation and expedient (two step) synthesis of a biologically active compound are further disclosed. Finally a first example of stereoselective direct acetoxylation of aliphatic chains is reported. Aliphatic stereogenic chains can now be obtained through C(sp3)−H activation using the recyclable chiral auxiliary p‐tolylsulfinylaniline.