Catalytic enantioselective chlorination of cyclic β-keto esters in the presence of chiral Pd(II) complexes

The catalytic enantioselective electrophilic chlorination promoted by chiral palladium complexes is described. The treatment of β-keto esters with 2,3,4,5,6,6-hexachlorocyclohex-2,4-dienone as chlorine source under mild reaction conditions afforded the corresponding α-chlorinated β-keto esters with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee).