Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Quaternary α-Hydroxy Trifluoromethyl Phosphonate via Chiral Aluminum(III) Catalyzed Hydrophosphonylation of Trifluoromethyl Ketones

The chiral hydrogenated tridentate Schiff base aluminum(III) complex has been first applied in the catalytic enantioselective hydrophosphonylation of trifluoromethyl ketones. The side reactions related to phospha-Brook rearrangement were completely avoided, and the corresponding quaternary a-hydroxy trifluoromethyl phosphonates have been first synthesized in good yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 90% ee).