E. Negishi, Some newer aspects of organozirconium chemistry of relevance to organic synthesis. Zr-Catalyzed enantioselective carbometallation, PUR A CHEM, 73(2), 2001, pp. 239-242
The reaction of terminal alkenes with trialkylalanes in the presence of chi
ral (NMI)(2)ZrCl2 has been shown to be 70-75% ee for methylalumination and
90-95% ee for ethyl- and higher alkylalumination. It must involve an acycli
c bimetallic process. Its scope, limitations, and applications to some natu
ral products syntheses are discussed.