Enantioselective alkynylation of aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by new chiral amino alcohol-based ligands

A series of binaphthyl-derived amino alcohols were synthesized and used as catalytic ligands in the asymmetric alkynylation of aromatic aldehydes in the presence of a dialkylzinc reagent. The alkynylation of a variety of aromatic aldehydes gave the corresponding chiral propargylic alcohols in 61-93% e.e. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.