Selectivity and Reactivity in Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation

Hydroxyalkyl)-6-oxazolyl-and 2-(1-alkoxyalkyl)-6-oxazolylpyridines serve as versatile ligands in the palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution of rac-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate as nucleophile. The enantioselectivity of the reaction is dependent on the conformation of the ligands, as deduced by NMR, X-ray crystallography and DFT calculations of palladium(II) complexes of the ligands. The reactions are slow, requiring up to four days reaction time. However, with the use of microwave flash heating, reaction times are reduced to 2 min, with only minor loss in stereoselectivity.