Redox-Triggered C–C Coupling of Alcohols and Vinyl Epoxides: Diastereo- and Enantioselective Formation of All-Carbon Quaternary Centers via tert-(Hydroxy)-Prenylation

Iridium catalyzed primary alcohol oxidation triggers reductive C-O bond cleavage of isoprene oxide to form aldehyde-allyliridium pairs that combine to form products of tert-(hydroxy)-prenylation, a motif found in >2000 terpenoid natural products. Curtin-Hammett effects are exploited to enforce high levels of anti-diastereo- and enantioselectivity in the formation of an all-carbon quaternary center. The present redox-triggered carbonyl additions occur in the absence of stoichiometric byproducts, premetalated reagents, and discrete alcohol-to-aldehyde redox manipulations.