Synthesis of novel ferrocenylphosphine-amidine ligands with central and planar chirality and their diastereomeric effect in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

Some novel ferrocenylphosphine-amidine ligands with central and planar chirality were prepared from (R,S-p)-PPFNH2-R 3 and its diastereomer (S,S-p)-PPFNH2 3a. The efficiency and diastereomeric impact of these ferrocenylphosphine-amidine ligands in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution was examined, and up to 96% e.e. with 98% yield was achieved by the use of ligand (R,S-p)-4a with a methyl group in the amidino moiety. The results also indicated that (R)-central chirality and (S-p)-planar chirality in these ferrocenylphosphine-amidine ligands were matched for the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.