Iridium (I)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydroarylation of Alkenes via C-H bond Activation: Experiment and Computation.

Abstract

A new catalytic enantioselective hydroarylation of unactivated olefins provides rapid access to functionalized chiral dihydrobenzofurans with good yields and excellent enantio-selectivities. Simple aromatic ketones or amides act as directing group allowing the regioselective reaction at the more hindered ortho position. Tertiary benzylic stereocenters are obtained directly under mild reaction conditions and with complete atom economy from readily available starting materials.