Enantioselective Ir-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation of Racemic Allylic Alcohols with Malonates.

Ir-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation of branched racemic allylic alcohols with malonates is described. Enabled by Carreira's chiral Ir/(P, olefin) complex, the method described allows allylic substitution with various aromatic alcohols and malonates with excellent enantioselectivity. The malonates could be used directly as efficient nucleophiles without the need of preactivation.