Developing a new class of axial chiral phosphorus ligands: Preparation and characterization of enantiopure atropisomeric phosphinines

Both enantiomers of the first atropisomeric phosphinine (1) have been isolated by using analytical HPLC on a chiral stationary phase. The enrichment of one enantiomer and a subsequent investigation into its racemization kinetics revealed a barrier for internal rotation of Delta G(298)(double dagger) = (109.5 +/- 0.5) KJ mol(-1,) which is in excellent agreement with the theoretically predicted value of Delta(double dagger)(298)= 116 kJ mol(-1). Further analysis with UV and circular dichrosim spectroscopies and density fucntional theory theory calculations led to the determination and assignment of the absolute configurations of both enantiomers. These results are the basis for future investigations into this new class of axially chiral phosphininebased ligands and their possible applications in asymmetric homogeneous catalysis.