Pd(ii), Ni(ii) and Co(ii)-catalyzed enantioselective additions of organoboron reagents to ketimines

The last two decades have witnessed the development of metal-catalyzed asymmetric additions of arylboronic acids to electron-deficient double bonds. Much research has been directed towards Rh(i)-catalysis because of the high activity of this transition metal for these types of reactions. Recently, significant advances have emerged in Pd(ii), Ni(ii), and Co(ii)-catalyzed asymmetric additions of organoboron reagents. This feature article highlights the development of additions to ketimines catalyzed by these three metals, that is, (i) Pd(ii)-catalyzed enantioselective additions of arylboronic acids to ketimines, (ii) Ni(ii)-catalyzed enantioselective additions of arylboronic and alkenylboronic acids to ketimines, and (iii) Co(ii)-catalyzed enantioselective additions of potassium allyltrifluoroborate to ketimines.