A Chiral Sulfoxide-Ligated Ruthenium Complex for Asymmetric Catalysis: Enantio- and Regioselective Allylic Substitution

The design and synthesis of a novel chiral sulfoxide-ligated cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complex is described. Its utility as an asymmetric variant of [CpRu­(MeCN)3]­PF6 is demonstrated through its ability to function in the branched-selective asymmetric allylic alkylation of phenols and carboxylic acids. Water has also been shown to act as a competent nucleophile in this reaction to generate branched allyl alcohols with good regio- and enantioselectivities.