Pd-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to 2-nitroacrylates: a facile route to β2-homophenylglycines

Asymmetric conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to 2-nitroacrylamide in the presence of cationic palladium-Chiraphos complex proceeds with high yield and enantioselectivity (73-89% ee) using as low as 0.05-0.25 mol % of the catalyst. The adducts can be smoothly transformed into the corresponding β2-homophenylglycines in two simple steps.