Asymmetric C-H Activation for the Synthesis of P- and Axially Chiral Biaryl Phosphine Oxides by an Achiral Cp*Ir Catalyst with Chiral Carboxylic Amide

The catalytic synthesis of P- and axially chiral biaryl phosphine oxides was realized via the Cp*Ir-catalyzed asymmetric C-H coupling of tertiary substituted phosphine oxides with diarylacetylenes. The chiral carboxylic amides were used to control the stereoselectivity in the C-H activation, enabling the construction of chiral phosphine oxides with up to 96% ee. Transformation of the products into chiral trivalent phosphine ligands has also been demonstrated.

Automated summary

The catalytic synthesis of P- and axially chiral biaryl phosphine oxides was achieved using Cp*Ir-catalyzed asymmetric C-H coupling, with the stereoselectivity controlled by chiral carboxylic amides. The transformation of products into chiral trivalent phosphine ligands was also demonstrated.