An Enantioselective Route to α-Methyl Carboxylic Acids via Metal and Enzyme Catalysis

Dynamic kinetic resolution of allylic alcohols to allylic acetates followed by copper-catalyzed allylic substitution gave alkenes in high yields and high optical purity. Subsequent oxidative C−C double bond cleavage afforded pharmaceutically important α-methyl substituted carboxylic acids in high ee.