Palladium-Titanium Relay Catalysis Enables Switch from Alkoxide-π-Allyl to Dienolate Reactivity for Spiro-Heterocycle Synthesis

Reported herein is the divergent syntheses of [5,5] and [6,5] spiro-heterocycles under Lewis-acid-assisted palladium catalysis. In particular, an unprecedented switch from alkoxide-pi-allyl to dienolate reactivity was achieved by the use of palladium-titanium relay catalysis, and represents umpolung reactivity of vinylethylene carbonates. This method uses a simple procedure and commercially available catalysts, and delivers both classes of spiro-heterocycles, bearing three contiguous stereocenters, in high yield and uniformly excellent diastereoseledivity.