Enhanced catalytic activity in asymmetric hydrosilylation of 1,3-dienes with a soluble palladium catalyst

A new MOP ligand 8 containing two it-octyl groups at the 6 and 6' positions of the (R)-2-(diphenylphosphino)-2'-aryl-1,1'-binaphthyl skeleton was prepared and used for the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrosilylation of 1,3-dienes with trichlorosilane. The introduction of the n-octyl groups made the palladium-phosphine catalyst soluble in the reaction system, realizing high catalytic activity at a low reaction temperature. As a result, ligand 8 showed highest enantioselectivity for both cyclic and linear 1,3-dienes. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.