Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation with 4-Alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines Enabled by Photoredox/Palladium Cocatalysis

Highly regio- and enantioselective allylic alkylation has been achieved enabled by the merger of photoredox and palladium catalysis. In this dual catalytic process, alkyl radicals generated from 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines act as the coupling partners of the pi-allyl palladium complexes. The generality of this method has been illustrated through the reaction of a variety of allyl esters with 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines. This mechanistically novel strategy expands the scope of the traditional Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reaction and serves as its alternative and potential complement.