Kinetic resolution of allylic alcohols using a chiral phosphine catalyst

[GRAPHICS] The kinetic resolution of racemic allylic alcohols 3, 6, and 12-17 has been explored using the PBO catalyst 7 for activation of isobutyric anhydride. Trisubstituted allylic alcohols (12-15; 17) are the best substrates and react with an enantiaselectivity of s = 32-82 at -40 degrees C.