Synthesis of Enantioenriched α,α-Difluoro-β-arylbutanoic Esters by Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation.

Synthesis of optically active gem-difluorinated organic molecules attracts a great deal of interest due to their unique properties in pharmaceutical and agrochemical areas. Herein, a series of enantioenriched α,α-difluoro-β-arylbutanoic esters were prepared in high yields (83-99%) with moderate to excellent enantioselectivities (≤97:3 er) by palladium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation.