Cobalt‐Catalyzed Enantioselective C−H Carbonylation towards Chiral Isoindolinones

Abstract

Transition metal‐catalyzed enantioselective C‐H carbonylation with carbon monoxide, an essential and easily available C1 feedstock, remains challenging. Here, we disclosed an unprecedented enantioselective C−H carbonylation catalyzed by inexpensive and readily available cobalt(II) salt. The reactions proceed efficiently through desymmetrization, kinetic resolution, and parallel kinetic resolution, affording a broad range of chiral isoindolinones in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 92% yield and 99% ee). The synthetic potential of this method was demonstrated by asymmetric synthesis of biological active compounds, such as (S)‐PD172938 and (S)‐Pazinaclone. The resulting chiral isoindolinones also serve as chiral ligands in cobalt‐catalyzed enantioselective C−H annulation with alkynes to construct phosphorus stereocenter.