The palladium-catalysed arylation and vinylation of alkenes - enantioselective fashion

The enantioselective Heck reaction is a powerful method for the synthesis o f both tertiary and quaternary chiral carbon centres, with enantiomeric exc esses (ees) often around 80% and in some cases much higher. A variety of ca rbocyclic and heterocyclic systems can be constructed or modified including spirocyclic systems. Although problems of regioselectivity with respect to the product alkene continue to limit the scope of the reaction somewhat, t here are indications that these may be surmountable and that a new generati on of ligands and a refined methodology, may improve both enantio- and regi ocontrol. All the relevant literature is discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien ce S.A. All rights reserved.