The first stereoselective Pd-catalyzed addition of boronic acids onto aldehydes

The coupling reaction between 2-p-tolylsulfinyl benzaldehyde and substituted boronic acids catalyzed by Pd₂(dba)₃·CHCl₃ proceeds in a stereoselective manner, demonstrating the efficiency of the sulfinyl group as a chiral inductor. Enantiopure secondary diaryl alcohols become easily accessible by subsequent sulfoxide–lithium exchange.