Iridium(I)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydrocarbonation of Alkenes: Efficient Access to Cyclic Systems Bearing Quaternary Stereocenters

Abstract

A catalytic, versatile and atom-economical C−H functionalization process that provides a wide variety of cyclic systems featuring methyl-substituted quaternary stereocenters is described. The method relies on the use of a cationic IrI–bisphosphine catalyst, which promotes a carboxamide-assisted activation of an olefinic C(sp2)−H bond followed by exo-cyclization to a tethered 1,1-disubstituted alkene. The extension of the method to aromatic and heteroaromatic C−H bonds, as well as developments on an enantioselective variant, are also described