Asymmetric synthesis of 5-arylcyclohexenones by rhodium(I)-catalyzed conjugate arylation of racemic 5-(trimethylsilyl)cyclohexenone with arylboronic acids

reaction: see text] A catalytic asymmetric conjugate arylation of racemic 5-(trimethylsilyl)cyclohex-2-enone with arylboronic acids was catalyzed by 3 mol % chiral amidophosphane- or BINAP-Rh(I) in dioxane-water (10:1) to afford trans- and cis-3-aryl-5-(trimethylsilyl)cyclohexanones in high enantioselectivity. Dehydrosilylation of the product mixture with cupric chloride in DMF gave 5-arylcyclohex-2-enones with up to 93% ee in good yield. Enantiofacial selectivity with chiral phosphane-Rh(I) exceeds the trans-diastereoselectivity that is maintained in the achiral or racemic phosphane-Rh(I)-catalyzed conjugate arylation of 5-(trimethylsilyl)cyclohexenone.