Synthesis of a novel photoresponsive axially chiral phosphine ligand containing an arylazo group and its application to palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

Novel photoresponsive axially chiral monophosphine ligands containing azobenzene moiety were prepared and applied to a palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation. The reaction of rac-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate gave the alkylated products with up to 90% enantiomeric excess. The ligand exhibited a trans to cis photoisomerization upon irradiation with UV light. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss,lnc.