The palladium-catalysed arylation and vinylation of alkenes - enantioselective fashion

The enantioselective Heck reaction is a powerful method for the synthesis of both tertiary and quaternary chiral carbon centres, with enantiomeric excesses (ees) often around 80% and in some cases much higher. A variety of carbocyclic and heterocyclic systems can be constructed or modified including spirocyclic systems. Although problems of regioselectivity with respect to the product alkene continue to limit the scope of the reaction somewhat, there are indications that these may be surmountable and that a new generation of ligands and a refined methodology, may improve both enantio- and regiocontrol. All the relevant literature is discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.