# Iridium-Catalyzed Stereoselective α‑Alkylation of α‑Hydroxy Ketones with Minimally Polarized Alkenes

## TL;DR

This paper describes a new iridium-catalyzed method for selectively adding alkenes to α-hydroxy ketones, creating complex cyclic structures with high stereocontrol.

## Contribution

A novel enantio- and diastereoselective iridium-catalyzed α-alkylation method using minimally polarized alkenes.

## Key findings

- Cationic Ir(I)-complexes with homochiral diphosphines enable α-C-H addition to α-hydroxy ketones.
- Intramolecular reactions yield carbocycles with two new stereocenters in a stereocontrolled manner.
- The method represents rare enantioselective Conia-ene-type reactions using alkenes.

## Abstract

Cationic Ir­(I)-complexes modified with homochiral diphosphines
promote the α-C-H addition of α-hydroxy ketones to styrenes
or alkyl olefins. These processes are predicated on the hydroxyl-directed
formation of an Ir-enolate. Inter- and intramolecular processes are
feasible, with the latter offering stereocontrolled access to carbocycles
bearing two new stereocenters. The intramolecular processes constitute
rare examples of alkene-based Conia-ene reactions that are enantio-
and diastereoselective.