Copper-catalyzed asymmetric ring opening of oxabicyclic alkenes with organolithium reagents

A highly efficient method is reported for the asymmetric ring opening of oxabicyclic alkenes with organolithium reagents. Using a copper/chiral phosphoramidite complex together with a Lewis acid (BF3·OEt2), full selectivity for the anti isomer and excellent enantioselectivities were obtained for the ring opened products.