The application of Pd-complexes of diphenylphosphinoferrocenyloxazoline ligands to catalytic enantioselective allylic amination

The preparation of cationic palladium (eta(3)-C3H5) complexes, possessing an enantiopure diphenylphosphinoferrocenyloxazoline unit, is described. These complexes were applied to the enantioselective amination of the test substrate, ethyl (2E)-1,3-diphenyl-prop-2-enyl carbonate, with benzylamine in moderate to high conversions with enantioselectivities of up to 72% for the (S)-valinol derived oxazoline complex. Enantioselectivities of up to 37% were obtained for the (S)-tert-leucinol derived oxazoline complex. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.