Developing the Scope of O→C Aryl Migrations: Exploring Amide Substrates as Potential Precursors for Asymmetric Reactions

Abstract A new and mild method for the production of diasteromerically enriched α‐aryl carbonyl compounds has been achieved. Although only modest diastereoselectivies are observed, they demonstrate the potential of the method for further optimisation. It also appears that reactions that proceed through a five‐membered spirocyclic transition state rearrange, whereas those proceeding through a six‐membered transition state do not, but stop at the diaryl ether stage.