Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantio- and Diastereoselective Intramolecular Hydroacylation of Trisubstituted Alkenes

Enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of trans-2,3-disubstituted indanones is achieved by intramolecular hydroacylation of 2-alkenylbenzaldehydes bearing trisubstituted alkenyl groups under cobalt-chiral diphosphine catalysis. Notably, a high level of enantioselectivity is induced regardless of the stereochemistry (E/Z ratio) of the alkenyl group of the starting material. Deuterium-labeling experiments shed light on the productive reaction pathways of the E- and Z-isomers.