Enantioselective Construction of 1H-Isoindoles Containing Tri- and Difluoromethylated Quaternary Stereogenic Centers via Palladium-Catalyzed C–H Bond Imidoylation

An intermolecular enantioselective synthesis of 1H-isoindoles containing tri- and difluoromethylated quaternary stereogenic centers through a palladium-catalyzed desymmetric C–H bond imidoylation has been developed. α,α-Diaryl tri- and difluoroethylated isocyanides acted as powerful precursors of chiral 1H-isoindoles, in which the fluoroalkyl group was proven to play a crucial role in both the stereochemistry and reaction efficiency. In addition, an allene insertion cascade was realized, offering rapid access to diverse C1-tethered bis-heterocyclic scaffolds with good yields and high enantioselectivities. The reactions proceeded smoothly under mild conditions with low catalyst loadings.