Enantioconvergent Fukuyama Cross-Coupling of Racemic Benzylic Organozinc Reagents.

The first enantioconvergent palladium-catalyzed Fukuyama cross-coupling of racemic benzylic organozinc reagents with thioesters has been developed. The reaction furnishes enantioenriched acyclic α-disubstituted ketone products in good yields and high enantioselectivities. A broad substrate scope is achieved under mild reaction conditions to prevent racemization of the potentially labile tertiary stereocenters.