| Abstract: | Branched selectivity in asymmetric allylic C?H alkylation is enabled by using 2‐acylimidazoles as nucleophiles in the presence of a chiral phosphoramidite‐palladium catalyst. A wide range of terminal alkenes, including 1,4‐dienes and allylarenes, are nicely tolerated and provide chiral 2‐acylimidazoles in moderate to high yields and with high levels of regio‐, and enantio‐, and E/Z‐selectivities. Mechanistic studies using density‐functional theory calculations suggest a nucleophile‐coordination‐enabled inner‐sphere attack mode for the enantioselective carbon–carbon bond‐forming event. |
