Synthesis of P-Stereogenic Phosphines

Significance

P-stereogenic phosphines are important ligands for asymmetric catalysis. Due to the lack of procedures for their synthesis, their use as ligands is not very common. The authors report the synthesis of these compounds through platinum catalysis. A variety of benzylic chlorides and bromides were shown to give good yields and acceptable enantioselectivities. NaOTMS was the base used for deprotonation of the phosphine substrate. Various chiral ligands were screened with Me-Duphos giving the best results.