Chiral benzyl centers through asymmetric catalysis. a three-step synthesis of (R)-(-)-alpha-curcumene via asymmetric hydrovinylation.

[reaction: see text] A three-step, two-pot procedure involving asymmetric hydrovinylation followed by Suzuki-Miyaura reaction represents by far the shortest synthesis of this popular bisabolane. Other applications for the synthesis of similar compounds with chiral benzyl centers can be easily envisioned.