Palladium catalyzed cyclizations of oxime esters with 1,1-disubstituted alkenes: synthesis of α,α-disubstituted dihydropyrroles and studies towards an asymmetric protocol.

We report efficient Pd-catalyzed cyclizations of oxime esters with 1,1-disubstituted alkenes as the basis of a general entry to α,α-disubstituted pyrrolidine derivatives. We also demonstrate that catalytic asymmetric variants of this chemistry are feasible by employing a suitable chiral ligand.