Modular chiral β-selenium-, sulfur-, and tellurium amides:: synthesis and application in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

A series of modular chiral beta-chalcogen amides have been efficiently synthesized from inexpensive and easily available 2-oxazolines. All the selenium, sulfur, and tellurium compounds were evaluated as chiral ligands in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation. The corresponding alkylated products were obtained in excellent enantiomeric excess, using BSA/CH2Cl2 as the base/solvent system. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.