Enantioselective Cu-catalyzed 1,4-addition of Grignard reagents to cyclohexenone using Taddol-derived phosphine-phosphite ligands and 2-methyl-THF as a solvent

Abstract

A small library of modular P,P ligands was screened and a potent Cu-based catalyst system was identified for highly enantioselective 1,4-additions to cyclohexenone with an unprecedented broad spectrum of Grignard reagents. Surprisingly, the highest selectivities were achieved in most cases in 2-methyl-THF, a "green" solvent underestimated so far. © 2008 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA,.