title: Rhodium-catalyzed conjugate addition-enantioselective protonation: the synthesis of alpha,alpha'-dibenzyl esters.
abstract: Alpha-benzyl acrylates, which are conveniently prepared from the corresponding aldehydes, can be employed as substrates in a tandem rhodium-catalyzed conjugate addition-enantioselective protonation protocol to afford enantiomerically enriched alpha,alpha'-dibenzyl esters. The synergistic effect of enantiopure ligand and proton source was rapidly optimized with use of a microwave reactor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK. c.g.frost@bath.ac.uk
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Penrose
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lambshead
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Raithby
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gleave