Synthesis, resolution, and applications of 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-3,3′-binaphtho[2,1-b]furan

A short five-step synthesis of (+/-)-2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-3,3'-binaphtho[2,1-b](BINAPFu, 1) starting from 2-naphthoxyacetic acid is reported. The resolution of BINAPFu 1 was possible using our newly developed resolution procedure for phosphines wherein (1 S)-camphorsulfonyl azide was used to prepare the bisphosphinimine of BINAPFu via the Staundinger reaction. BINAPFu consistently outperformed BINAP in an asymmetric Heck reaction between 2,3 dihydrofuran and phenyl triflate.