The application of HETPHOX ligands to the asymmetric intermolecular heck reaction

Two new heterocyclic diphenylphosphinooxazolines derived from thiophene and benzothiophene were prepared in moderate to good yield and these, and a range of related HETPHOX ligands, were applied in the intermolecular asymmetric Heck reaction. Phenylation of 2,3-dihydrofuran with the t-butyl-substituted thiophene-oxazoline ligand gave (R)-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydrofuran highly regioselectively with excellent enantioselectivity (91-95% ee) and in good yields (70-97%). In addition, cyclohexenylation of 2,3-dihydrofuran proceeded with enantioselectivities of up to 97% ee in excellent (97%) yields, again with the t-butyl-substituted thiophene-oxazoline ligand proving optimal over a range of reaction conditions investigated.