Multinuclear Pd/Zn complex-catalyzed asymmetric alkylative ring-opening reaction of oxabicyclic alkenes.

A multinuclear palladium catalyst can be used to realize the efficient catalytic asymmetric alkylative ring-opening reaction of oxabicyclic alkenes using dimethylzinc. The use of (R)-BINOL-PHOS bearing bisphosphine and diol moieties is essential for achieving excellent catalytic performance; the corresponding monophosphine and hydroxy-protected derivatives showed lower catalytic activities and/or enantioselectivities. The generation of Pd/Zn-multinuclear complexes is a key feature of the present catalysis.