Phosphite-Catalyzed C?H Allylation of Azaarenes via an Enantioselective [2,3]-Aza-Wittig Rearrangement

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.201906681

A phosphite-mediated [2,3]-aza-Wittig rearrangement has been developed for the regio- and enantioselective allylic alkylation of six-membered heteroaromatic compounds (azaarenes). The nucleophilic phosphite adducts of N-allyl salts undergo a stereoselective base-mediated aza-Wittig rearrangement and dissociation of the chiral phosphite for overall C?H functionalization of azaarenes. This method provides efficient access to tertiary and quaternary chiral centers in isoquinoline, quinoline, and pyridine systems, tolerating a broad variety of substituents on both the allyl part and azaarenes. Catalysis with chiral phosphites is also demonstrated with synthetically useful yields and enantioselectivities.