The asymmetric cyclocarbonylation of 2-vinylanilines catalyzed by pall
adium with chiral phosphines was investigated. The reaction of 2-(1-me
thylvinyl)anilines using a catalyst system consisting of Pd(OAc)(2)-2(
-)-DIOP gave 3,4-dihydro-4-methyl-2(1H)-quinolin-2-ones in up to 54% e
nantiomeric excess. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.