Rhodium-Catalyzed Conjugate Addition−Enantioselective Protonation: The Synthesis of α,α‘-Dibenzyl Esters

Abstract
α-Benzyl acrylates, which are conveniently prepared from the corresponding aldehydes, can be employed as substrates in a tandem rhodium-catalyzed conjugate addition−enantioselective protonation protocol to afford enantiomerically enriched α,α‘-dibenzyl esters. The synergistic effect of enantiopure ligand and proton source was rapidly optimized with use of a microwave reactor.