Highly enantioselective palladium-catalyzed alkylation of acyclic amides

(Chemical Equation Presented) Even acyclic amides are suitable nucleophile subtrates for asymmetric allylic alkylations. The allylation products are formed in high yields in the presence of a palladium catalyst with a 1,1′-P,N ferrocene ligand (see scheme; R = (S)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol). The nature of the substituents on the nitrogen atom of the amide has a critical effect on the efficiency and selectivity of the reaction.