Catalytic direct-type substitution reaction of α-alkyl enolates: A Pd/Bronsted base-catalysed approach to the decarboxylative allylation of sulfonylimidates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/b815845b

A mild and efficient process for the direct-type catalytic allylation of sulfonylimidates has been developed; this reaction represents the first example of Bronsted base-catalysed, in situ generation and use of α-alkyl enolates in substitution reactions; the success of this methodology stems from the tunable α-proton acidity and nucleophilicity of sulfonylimidates, which could be harnessed in the realization of a broader range of catalytic direct-type reactions using ester equivalents as nucleophiles. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2008.