Enantioenriched Quaternary α-Pentafluoroethyl Derivatives of Alkyl 1-Indanone-2-Carboxylates

Abstract

An electrophilic enantioselective catalytic method for the a-pentafluoroethylation of alkyl 1-indanone-2-carboxylates is described. Under the use of La(OTf)<sub>3</sub> in combination with (<i>S,R</i>)-indanyl-<i>pybox</i> ligand good results in terms of yield and enantioselectivities were achieved (up to 89% <i>ee</i>). The reaction proceeds under mild conditions leading to the formation of enantioenriched quaternary centers. This methodology uses an hypervalent iodine(III)-CF<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub> reagent and mechanistic investigations are consistent with the involvement of a radical pathway.