Seleno-imine: A new class of versatile, modular N,Se ligands for asymmetric palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation

The palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate in the presence of chiral seleno-imine ligands derived from an inexpensive and easily available chiral pool was investigated. Excellent yield and enantioselectivity (up to 97% ee) was achieved when ligand 4a was used.