Highly enantioselective alkenylation of cyclic α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds as catalyzed by a rhodium-diene complex: Application to the synthesis of (S)-pregabalin and (-)-α-kainic acid

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/chem.201202660

Rhod to addition: An efficient asymmetric conjugate-addition reaction of alkenyltrifluoroborates and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, as catalyzed by a rhodium-diene complex, was developed. The products were obtained in high yield and high levels of enantioselectivity. The methodology was applied to a concise synthesis of (S)-pregabalin and (-)-α-kainic acid (see scheme).