Asymmetric alkylation of diarylmethane derivatives. Improved results using methoxyethoxy substituent

Alkylation of 2-methoxyethoxyphenyl phenyl methane using sec-BuLi and (-)-sparteine has been carried Out in excellent yields and up to 94% cc. The best results were obtained in allylation reactions but methylation, ethylation, benzylation and trimethylsilylation have all been carried out with acceptable cc. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.