A model for the addition of electrophiles to R-chiral
C-C double bonds was developed by Houk.57 The
basis again is found in the Felkin-Anh rule; however,
there are two important differences: since
electrophiles attack a double bond at the center, its
trajectory is 90° or smaller, contrary to the addition
of nucleophiles. Consequently, on this trajectory the
electrophile feels the least steric influence of the
R-center if the small substituent S orients onto the
side of the double bond as shown in 129 (Scheme 38).
As an additional benefit, the 1,3-allylic strain between
RZ and S is minimized; therefore, the anti-
Felkin58 adduct 128 should be the preferred one.
Furthermore, the stereoelectronic influence of electron
acceptors being orthogonal to the double bond
would destabilize the transition state as electron
density would be delocalized toward this group.
Therefore, acceptors are not regarded as L, while
electron donors when placed orthogonal make the
double bond more electron rich and therefore assume
the role of L.59