Enantioselective introduction of a benzenesulfonylmethyl substituent at an unactivated carbon atom via chemoenzymatic methods

Introduction of a benzenesulfonylmethyl group at the unactivated γ-carbon of carboxylic acid derivatives has been achieved through a combination of rhodium acetate catalysed carbenoid C-H insertion and baker's yeast mediated kinetic resolution. Access to the two complementary enantiomeric series of 6 with excellent enantiocontrol is possible.