Modified Amino Acid-Derived Phosphine-Imine Ligands for Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Arylation of Cyclic N-Sulfonyl Imines

A series of chiral phosphine-imine ligands were synthesized starting with alpha-amino acids and examined for palladium-catalyzed asymmetric addition of arylboronic acids to cyclic N-sulfonyl imines. High catalytic activities (up to 99% yield) and high enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee) were achieved for cyclic N-sulfonyl aldimines and ketimines with five and six-membered ring structures.