Asymmetric Catalysis: Palladium-Catalyzed Cycloaddition Reactions

This lecture discusses the advancements in asymmetric catalysis, focusing on palladium-catalyzed [4+3] cycloaddition reactions. The instructor presents optimized conditions for synthesizing tetrahydroazepines and benzo[b]oxepines, highlighting the importance of regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity. The lecture details the catalytic cycle, including the formation of the Pd(0) complex and the subsequent steps leading to product formation. Various ligands and solvents are evaluated for their effectiveness in achieving high yields and selectivity. The instructor emphasizes the significance of using chiral phosphoramidite ligands to enhance selectivity in these reactions. Additionally, the lecture includes a critical analysis of the methodology, discussing both the strengths, such as high functional group tolerance and scalability, and the weaknesses, including the challenges of using palladium in industrial applications. The lecture concludes with a discussion on sustainability and the potential for further developments in this area of research.