Nickel/Bis(oxazoline)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Kumada Reactions of Alkyl Electrophiles: Cross-Couplings of Racemic α-Bromoketones

The first asymmetric Kumada reactions of alkyl electrophiles are described, specifically, cross-couplings of racemic α-bromoketones with aryl Grignard reagents. Several features of this investigation are of interest. First, the couplings proceed at remarkably low temperature (−40 or −60 °C), which enables the asymmetric synthesis of racemization-prone α-arylketones. Second, dialkyl ketones undergo enantioselective coupling in good ee and yield. Third, readily available bis(oxazolines) are shown for the first time to be effective ligands for cross-couplings of alkyl electrophiles, thereby opening the door to new opportunities in asymmetric catalysis.