Synthesis of new sulfur-containing oxazoline ligands and their use in palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution

Abstract

New chiral sulfur-containing ligands have been prepared and fully characterized. Their structure includes a dibenzothiophene or benzothiophene ring as backbone, where the sulfur atom is enclosed in a strong π-donor structure. The chirality was introduced by oxazoline moieties placed near the sulfur atom. These ligands have been successfully tested in asymmetric palladium-catalyzed allylic substitutions leading to products with ee of up to 77%.