Copper-catalyzed enantioselective allylic oxidation of acyclic olefins

A copper-catalyzed asymmetric allylic oxidation of acyclic olefins has been developed. By using the complexes of copper and chiral spiro bisoxazoline ligands as catalysts, the oxidation of various acyclic olefins was accomplished with excellent regioselectivity (>20:1 in most cases) and up to 67% ee under mild reaction conditions, which represents one of the best results for the enantioselective allylic oxidation of acyclic olefins.