Regio- and Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation of Terminal Alkynes by Synergistic Rh/Cu Catalysis

A highly branch- and enantioselective 1,4-enynes synthesis from readily available terminal alkynes and racemic allylic carbonates by Sonogashira type synergistic Rh and Cu catalysis under neutral conditions has been developed. Aliphatic and aromatic terminal alkynes with various functional groups could be used directly. An inner-sphere reductive elimination C(sp)-C(sp(3)) bond formation mechanism is supported by the stoichiometric reaction.