The catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of enones using the La-BINOL-Ph(3)As=O complex generated from La(O-i-Pr)(3), BINOL, and Ph(3)As=O in a ratio of 1:1:1 is described herein. Using 1-5 mol % of the asymmetric catalyst, a variety of enones, including a dienone and a cis-enone, were found to be epoxidized in a reasonable reaction time, providing the corresponding epoxy ketones in up to 99% yield and with more than 99% ee. The possible structure of the actual asymmetric catalyst has been clarified by various methods, including X-ray crystal structure analysis. This is the first X-ray analysis of an alkali-metal free lanthanoid-BINOL complex. Although La(binaphthoxide)(2)(Ph(3)As=O)(2) (7) was observed as the major complex in the complexes' solution, generated from La(O-i-Pr)(3), BINOL, and Ph(3)As=O in a ratio of 1:1:1, the possible active species turned out to be the La-BINOL-Ph(3)As=O complex in a ratio of 1:1:1. A probable reaction mechanism of the catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of enones is also proposed, suggesting that preferential formation of a heterochiral complex is the reason for asymmetric amplification. Moreover, the interesting role of La(O-i-Pr)(3) for accelerating the epoxidations while maintaining high ee's is discussed.

The first successful Pd-catalyzed intramolecular ipso-Friedel-Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols, which provided a new access to spiro[4.5]cyclohexadienones, is described. The present method could be applied to catalytic enantioselective construction of an all-carbon quaternary spirocenter.

We developed a versatile synthetic process for aeruginosin 298-A as well as several attractive analogues, in which all stereocenters were controlled by a catalytic asymmetric phase-transfer reaction and epoxidation. Furthermore, drastic counteranion effects in phase-transfer catalysis were observed for the first time, making it possible to three-dimensionally fine-tune the catalyst (ketal part, aromatic part, and counteranion).

We report asymmetric dearomatization of phenols using Ag carbenoids from α-diazoacetamides. The Ag catalyst promoted intramolecular dearomatization of phenols, whereas a Rh or Cu catalyst caused C-H insertion and a Büchner reaction. Studies indicated Ag carbenoids have a carbocation-like character, making their behavior and properties unique. Highly enantioselective transformations using Ag carbenoids have not been reported. We achieved a Ag carbenoid-mediated chemo- and highly enantioselective phenol dearomatization with substrate generality for the first time.

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