Enantioselective Friedel−Crafts Alkylations of α,β-Unsaturated 2-Acyl Imidazoles Catalyzed by Bis(oxazolinyl)pyridine−Scandium(III) Triflate Complexes

An enantioselective Friedel−Crafts alkylation with α,β-unsaturated 2-acyl imidazoles and electron-rich aromatic nucleophiles catalyzed by bis(oxazolinyl)pyridine−scandium(III) triflate complexes has been accomplished. These α,β-unsaturated 2-acyl imidazoles are effective electrophiles for the Friedel−Crafts reaction. The resulting adduct 2-acyl imidazole is easily converted to amides, esters, carboxylic acids, ketones, and aldehydes by methylation and subsequent displacement of the imidazole residue.