Enantioselective Fluorination of β-Ketoesters Catalyzed by Chiral Sodium Phosphate: Remarkable Enhancement of Reactivity by Simultaneous Utilization of Metal Enolate and Metal Phosphate

A highly enantioselective fluorination of beta-ketoesters catalyzed by chiral sodium phosphate is achieved. In this process, the simultaneous formation of sodium enolate and sodium phosphate under basic conditions is the key to achieving excellent selectivity. Indanone derivatives as well as benzofuranone derivatives could be employed in this reaction to afford the fluorinated adducts in good yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities.