Rhodium-Catalyzed Atroposelective Hydroarylation of Alkynes with Biarylhemiboronic Esters for Biaryl Atropisomer Synthesis

Atroposelective hydroarylation of alkynes with biarylhemiboronic esters under rhodium catalysis is reported. The reaction features high yields, good enantioselectivities, and a broad substrate scope, thus providing a useful method to synthesize axially chiral biaryl architectures. Mechanistic studies reveal that the enantioselectivity is determined by an unusual dynamic kinetic atroposelective insertion step.