Screening of chiral catalysts for enantioselective electrophilic fluorination of β-ketoesters

A variety of oxygen- and nitrogen-containing chiral ligands in combination with various metals have been screened in the enantioselective electrophilic fluorination of β-ketoesters. This study involved the use of readily available substrates, chiral ligands and electrophilic fluorinating agents. In particular, heterobimetallic Al–Li–BINOL complex allowed to obtain enantiomerically enriched α-fluoro-β-ketoesters in high yields and moderate enantioselectivities; up to 67% ee. A comparison with previously reported chiral ligands is provided.