An enantioselective route to alpha-methyl carboxylic acids via metal and enzyme catalysis.

ABSTRACT

Dynamic kinetic resolution of allylic alcohols to allylic acetates followed by copper-catalyzed allylic substitution gave alkenes in high yields and high optical purity. Subsequent oxidative C-C double bond cleavage afforded pharmaceutically important alpha-methyl substituted carboxylic acids in high ee.