Nickel-BINAP Catalyzed Enantioselective α-Arylation of α-Substituted γ-Butyrolactones

Abstract
A Ni(0)−BINAP system is utilized for the highly enantioselective α-arylation of α-substituted γ-butyrolactones with aryl chlorides and bromides. α-Quaternization is achieved in moderate to excellent yields. Furthermore, the rate accelerating effect caused by the addition of Zn(II) salts is investigated.