Copper-ClickFerrophos-Complex-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Aldol Reaction

We have prepared several ClickFerrophos families and tested for the Cu(I)-catalyzed asymmetric reductive aldol reaction of ketones and aldehydes with an acrylic ester in the presence of phenylsilane. The Cu(I)-ClickFerrophos complex is efficient for the reaction of ketones with methyl acrylate to afford the erythro adducts both highly diastereo- and enantioselectively; the diastereomeric ratio of erythro/threo is improved when compared to the analogous Taniaphos.