Ligand-enabled γ-C-H olefination and carbonylation: construction of β-quaternary carbon centers.

Monoselective γ-C-H olefination and carbonylation of aliphatic acids has been accomplished by using a combination of a quinoline-based ligand and a weakly coordinating amide directing group. The reaction provides a new route for constructing richly functionalized all-carbon quaternary carbon centers at the β-position of aliphatic acids.