Asymmetric Hydroesterification of Diarylmethyl Carbinols

An efficient asymmetric hydroesterfication of diarylmethyl carbinols is developed for the first time with a Pd-WingPhos catalyst, resulting in a series of chiral 4-aryl-3,4-dihydrocoumarins in excellent enantioselectivities and good yields. The method features mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, use of easily accessible starting materials, and low palladium loadings. A plausible stereochemical model is also proposed with the Pd-WingPhos catalyst. This method has enabled a 4-step asymmetric synthesis of (R)-tolterodine from readily available starting materials.