Branch-Selective and Enantioselective Iridium-Catalyzed Alkene Hydroarylation via Anilide-Directed C-H Oxidative Addition.

Tertiary benzylic stereocenters are accessed in high enantioselectivity by Ir-catalyzed branch selective addition of anilide ortho-C-H bonds across styrenes and α-olefins. Mechanistic studies indicate that the stereocenter generating step is reversible.