Enantioselective C-H Bond Addition of Pyridines to Alkenes Catalyzed by Chiral Half-Sandwich Rare-Earth Complexes

Cationic half-sandwich scandium alkyl complexes bearing monocyclopentadienyl ligands embedded in chiral binaphthyl backbones act as excellent catalysts for the enantioselective C-H bond addition of pyridines to various 1-alkenes, leading to formation of a variety of enantioenriched alkylated pyridine derivatives in high yields and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 98:2 er).