Facile Synthesis of Chiral α-Hydroxy Ketones by a Ni-Catalyzed Multicomponent Hydrometallation-CO Insertion-Enantioconvergent Alkylation Cascade

NiH-catalyzed multicomponent reductive hydrofunctionalization of alkenes is an attractive but poorly explored approach to rapidly increasing molecular complexity. In this process, the selective generation of the desired product can be challenging. Herein, we report that a highly chemo-, regio- and enantioselective reductive hydrocarbonylation of alkenes has been achieved using a chloroformate ester as a source of CO. A wide range of structurally diverse alpha-hydroxy ketones, privileged structural elements in bioactive molecules and useful building blocks, were obtained from such reactions with high enantiomeric purity.

Automated summary

In this study, we have achieved a highly chemo-, regio- and enantioselective reductive hydrocarbonylation of alkenes using a chloroformate ester as a source of CO. This method allows for the rapid increase in molecular complexity and the selective generation of a wide range of structurally diverse alpha-hydroxy ketones, which are important structural elements in bioactive molecules and useful building blocks.