Asymmetric synthesis of alpha-substituted aldehydes by Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation-alkene isomerization-Claisen rearrangement.

[Structure: see text] Enantiospecific aliphatic Claisen rearrangement was realized with generally high chirality transfer. The requisite substrates were synthesized via Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) from easily obtained starting materials. After protection, the resultant bisallyl ethers underwent olefin isomerization and in situ Claisen rearrangement (ICR) to generate alpha-chiral aldehydes. Remarkable chemoselectivity in the olefin isomerization step was observed. An asymmetric synthesis of communiol A was accomplished applying this methodology.