Enantioselective Synthesis of Tertiary [alpha]-Hydroxyketones from Unfunctionalized Ketones: Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of Enolates

Aiming high: The title reaction for the synthesis of tertiary [alpha]-hydroxyketones is reported. Protected 1,2-enediol carbonates, the starting materials, were accessed from simple and readily available enol carbonates. Highly functionalized tertiary [alpha]-hydroxyketones can be obtained in high yield with excellent enantioselectivity using this method (see scheme).