Facile synthesis of axially chiral styrene-type carboxylic acids via palladium-catalyzed asymmetric C–H activation

A novel method by a one-step introduction of axial chirality and sterically hindered group has been developed for facile synthesis of axially chiral styrene-type carboxylic acids. With the palladium-catalyzed C–H arylation and olefination of readily available cinnamic acid established, this transformation demonstrated excellent yield, excellent stereocontrol (up to 99% yield and 99% ee), and broad substrate scope under mild conditions. The axially chiral styrene-type carboxylic acids produced have been successfully applied to Cp*Co(III)-catalyzed asymmetric C–H activation reactions, indicating their potential as chiral ligands or catalysts in asymmetric synthesis.