Multinuclear zinc bisamidinate catalyzed asymmetric alkylation of α-ketoesters and its unique chemoselectivity

Abstract

The multinuclear Zn-bisamidinate catalyzed enantioselective addition of Et₂Zn to α-ketoesters has been developed. The steric tuning of two amidinate units as well as multiple coordination on the Zn atoms play a key role in achieving high enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee) and unique chemoselectivity. The present catalyst exhibited the preferential alkylation of α-ketoesters even in the presence of aldehydes.