Palladium-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective formate reduction of fluorine-containing allylic mesylates. A new entry for the construction of a tertiary carbon attached with a fluoroalkyl group.

The regioselective palladium-catalyzed formate reduction of gamma-fluoroalkylated allylic esters is described. Reduction of the allylic esters under the influence of palladium with a monodentate phosphine ligand proceeded preferentially at the gamma position, the corresponding reduction products with a fluoroalkyl group at the tertiary carbon being afforded in high yields. When the chiral allylic ester was employed, complete chirality transfer was observed, leading to the optically active materials in high yields.