Asymmetric synthesis of 2-aryl-2,3-dihydro-4-quinolones by rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-addition of arylzinc reagents in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane.

[reaction: see text] The first catalytic asymmetric synthesis of 2-aryl-2,3-dihydro-4-quinolones has been developed by way of a rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-addition of arylzinc reagents to 4-quinolones. These 1,4-adducts can be obtained with high enantioselectivity by the use of (R)-binap as a ligand, and high yields are realized by conducting the reactions in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane.