Asymmetric C(sp3)−H dienylation of thioamides under Cp*Co(III)/chiral acid catalysis

by Bholanath Garai, Arka Ghosh, Sayan Dutta, Bholanath Maity, Luigi Cavallo, Basker Sundararaju
Year: 2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116779

Extra Information

Journal of Catalysis

Abstract

A catalytic enantioselective β-C(sp3)–H dienylation of thioamides has been developed using a cationic Cp*Co(III) complex in combination with a chiral binaphthyl-derived carboxylic acid. Allenyl carbonates serve as efficient diene surrogates, enabling regio-, and enantioselective C–H functionalization under mild conditions. The reaction exhibits broad functional group tolerance, affording synthetically valuable dienylated products in good yields with er up to 95:5. Mechanistic experiments supported by DFT calculations, identify C–H activation as the enantio-determining step, migratory insertion as the rate-limiting step with the steric and electronic properties of the chiral acid being crucial for asymmetric induction.