Asymmetric Reductive Ring-Opening of Bicyclic Olefins Catalyzed by Palladium and Nickel Complexes

Asymmetric reductive ring opening of oxa- and azabenzonorbornadienes with organic acids and zinc powder under mild conditions catalyzed by Ni(binap)Cl2 or Pd(binap)I2 produces the corresponding 1,2-dihydronaphth-1-ols in good to excellent yields with high enantioselectivity.