The synthesis of several chiral phosphorus reagents and their application in the asymmetric addition of aromatic aldehydes with diethylzinc

Abstract

Six chiral phosphorus compounds were synthesized by the reaction of (-)-α-phenylethylamine, L-prolinol, (S)-binaphthol, and ψ-(-)-ephedrine with various phosphoryl reagents respectively, and them as catalysts for the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc onto aromatic aldehydes. The corresponding aromatic sec-alcohols were obtained in good chemical yield with enantiometric excesses varing from low to moderate.