A. Ashimori et Le. Overman, Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of quaternary carbon centers by intramolecular Heck reaction: Synthetic developments and mechanistic studies, J SYN ORG J, 58(8), 2000, pp. 718-727
Within the last decade, the enormous synthetic potential of the Heck reacti
on has been revealed. When employed intramolecularly, Heck reactions succee
d in even forming quaternary carbon centers. The ability of intramolecular
Heck reactions to reliably fashion carbon-carbon bonds in polyfunctional mo
lecules has led to wide application of this reaction at the strategy level
for the synthesis of complex natural products. One of the most important de
velopments in this area is the increasing success being realized in effecti
ng catalytic asymmetric Heck reactions using enantiopure ligands. Although
only modest enantiocontrol was achieved in early stages, many asymmetric He
ck reactions have now been demonstrated that proceed with >90% ee. Another
development of the Heck reaction has led to greater understanding of its me
chanistic details with two distinct pathways, the neutral and cationic path
ways, being recognized. This review summarizes the synthetic developments o
f the intramolecular asymmetric Heck reaction for forming quaternary carbon
centers and the mechanistic factors recently revealed to effect enantiosel
ectivity.