Pd-Catalyzed Regioselective C-H Alkenylation and Alkynylation of Allylic Alcohols with the Assistance of a Bidentate Phenanthroline Auxiliary

Org Lett. 2020 Nov 20;22(22):9059-9064. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.0c03444. Epub 2020 Nov 4.

Abstract

A Pd-catalyzed regioselective C-H alkenylation of allylic alcohols with electron-deficient alkenes has been developed. The key to success is the introduction of bidentately coordinating phenanthroline directing group, which enables the otherwise challenging and regioselective C-H activation at the proximal alkenyl C-H bonds over the conceivably competitive allylic C-O bond activation. The same Pd/phenanthroline system is efficient for the C-H alkynylation of allylic alcohols with alkynyl bromides.