Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of chiral allylic esters.

Trichloroacetimidate derivatives of prochiral (Z)-2-alken-1-ols react at room temperature with carboxylic acids to give chiral 3-acyloxy-1-alkenes in high enantiopurity in the presence of di-mu-acetatobis[(eta5-(S)-(pR)-2-(2'-(4'-methylethyl)oxazolinyl)cyclopentadienyl,1-C,3'-N)(eta4-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt]dipalladium (COP-OAc) or its enantiomer. This reaction has broad scope, proceeds with predictable high stereoinduction, is accomplished at room temperature using high substrate concentrations and low catalyst loadings, and likely proceeds by a novel mechanism.