The trifluoromethylthio (SCF) functional group has been of increasing importance in drug design and development as a consequence of its unique electronic properties and high stability coupled with its high lipophilicity. As a result, methods to introduce this highly electronegative functional group have attracted considerable attention in recent years. Although significant progress has been made in the introduction of SCF functionality into a variety of molecules, there remain significant challenges regarding the enantioselective synthesis of SCF-containing compounds. Here, an asymmetric trifluoromethylthiolation that proceeds through the enantioselective [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of a sulfonium ylide generated from a metal carbene and sulfide (Doyle-Kirmse reaction) has been developed using chiral Rh(II) and Cu(I) catalysts. This transformation features mild reaction conditions and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% yield and 98% e.e.), thus providing a unique, highly efficient and enantioselective method for the construction of C(sp)-SCF bonds bearing chiral centres.

It′s just a phase: The title reaction sequence of para‐quinone methides (p‐QMs) has been developed with malonates under phase‐transfer catalysis. The reaction also offers an alternative route to asymmetric construction of diarylmethine stereocenters in excellent enantioselectivities and high yields.

A highly enantioselective synthesis of trisubstituted allenes has been achieved through Cu(I)-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryldiazoalkanes and terminal alkynes with chiral bisoxazoline ligands. Alkynyl migratory insertion of Cu(I) carbene is proposed as the key step for the construction of axial chirality.