Nucleophilic Substitution Sequence Research Articles

Novel P-chiral bidentate phosphine ligands: synthesis and use in asymmetric catalysis

Two C 2-symmetrical P-chiral diphosphines, (R,R)-(−)-1,1′-bis[phenyl-(2-methoxyphenyl)phosphino]ferrocene ( BPAF), and (R,R)-(−)-1,1′-bis(phenyl-1-naphthyl-phosphino)ferrocene ( BPNF), were synthesized via a stereocontrolled nucleophilic substitution sequence. The catalytic performance of the new ligands was investigated in several allylic alkylation reactions; with BPNF asymmetric inductions up to 73% e.e. for dimethyl (1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl)propanedioate were obtained.