Three-component enantioselective alkenylation of organophosphonates via nickel metallaphotoredox catalysis

The development of efficient catalytic multicomponent reactions (MCRs) is highly sought-after in chemical synthesis. However, catalytic asymmetric MCRs, particularly involving radical species, remain largely underdeveloped due to the exceptionally high reactivity of open-shell radical species. Herein, we report a metallaphotoredox-catalyzed asymmetric three-component method to access a diverse array of enantio-enriched α-alkenyl phosphonates from readily available vinyl phosphonates, alkenyl halides, and alkyl trifluoroborates under mild conditions. This operationally simple and redox-neutral protocol exhibits broad substrate scope and excellent chemo-, regio-, stereo-, and enantioselectivity. Furthermore, by simple modification of the triplet energy of the photocatalyst employed, both enantio-enriched trans and cis α-alkenyl phosphonates can be divergently accessed. Detailed computational and experimental studies were undertaken to elucidate the mechanism and origin of the observed reactivity and selectivity, which support a radical cascade sequence with α-phosphonate controlling the trajectory of radical capture by a chiral tetrahedral alkenyl nickel(II) species in the enantioselectivity-determining step.