Kinetic resolution of heterobiaryl N-oxides by asymmetric C–H olefination: an expeditious access to (R)-QUINAP

Abstract

A highly efficient kinetic resolution of heterobiaryl N-oxides was realized through Pd catalyzed-asymmetric C–H olefination with the s factor of up to 102.7. This new approach offers versatile access to two types of optically active 1-arylisoquinoline N-oxides with excellent ee (up to 97% ee and 99% ee, respectively). Moreover, the recovered arylisoquinoline N-oxides could be transformed into (R)-QUINAP with 92% ee without an external reductant in two steps.