The development of new methods for the direct functionalization of unactivated C-H bonds is ushering in a paradigm shift in the field of retrosynthetic analysis. In particular, the catalytic enantioselective functionalization of C-H bonds represents a highly atom- and step-economic approach toward the generation of structural complexity. However, as a result of their ubiquity and low reactivity, controlling both the chemo- and stereoselectivity of such processes constitutes a significant challenge. Herein we comprehensively review all asymmetric transition-metal-catalyzed methodologies that are believed to proceed via an inner-sphere-type mechanism, with an emphasis on the nature of stereochemistry generation. Our analysis serves to document the considerable and rapid progress within in the field, while also highlighting limitations of current methods.

We describe herein a synthetically useful method for the enantioselective intermolecular Heck-Matsuda arylation of acyclic allylic alcohols. Aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates were applied as arylating agents in the presence of Pd(TFA)2 and a chiral, commercially available, bisoxazoline ligand. The methodology is straightforward, robust, scalable up to a few grams, and of broad scope allowing the synthesis of a range of β-aryl-carbonyl compounds in good to high enantioselectivities and yields. This new enantioselective Heck-Matsuda arylation allowed the synthesis of β-aryl-γ-lactones and β-aryl aldehydes, which play a vital role as key intermediates in the synthesis of the biologically active compounds, such as (R)-baclofen, (R)-rolipram, (S)-curcumene, (S)-dehydrocurcumene, and (S)-tumerone.

A new enantioselective Heck-Matsuda desymmetrization reaction was accomplished by using 3-cyclopentenol to produce chiral five-membered 4-aryl cyclopentenol scaffolds in good yields and high ee's, together with some 3-aryl-cyclopentanones as minor products. Mechanistically, the hydroxyl group of 3-cyclopentenol acts as a directing group and is responsible for the cis- arrangement in the formation of the 4-aryl-cyclopentenols.

We describe herein a highly regio- and enantioselective Pd-catalyzed Heck arylation of unactivated trisubstituted acyclic olefins to provide all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers. Chiral N,N ligands of the pyrimidine- and pyrazino-oxazoline class were developed for that purpose, providing the desired products in good to high yields with enantiomeric ratios up to >99:1. Both linear and branched substituents on the olefins were well-tolerated. The potential of this new method is demonstrated by the straightforward synthesis of several O-methyl lactols and lactones containing quaternary stereocenters, together with a concise enantioselective total synthesis of the calcium channel blocker verapamil.