Enantioselective Synthesis of Homoallylic Azides and Nitriles via Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Allylation

Azides and nitriles are important building blocks for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing bioactive compounds. The first example of enantioselective palladiumcatalyzed decarboxylative allylation of alpha-azido and cyano beta-ketoesters is reported. Indanone derivatives were obtained in 50-88% yield/77-97% ee and 46-98% yield/78-93% ee for azide and nitrile substituents, respectively. The required starting materials were synthesized in one step from ketoesters via electrophilic azidation and cyanation using benziodoxole hypervalent iodine reagents. The products could be easily converted into useful nitrogen-containing building blocks, such as triazoles, amides, or alpha- and beta- amino ketones.