Novel P,N-bidentate phosphite ligands in asymmetric catalysis

Results achieved by the authors in the synthesis of chiral P,N-phosphite ligands are summarized. Three groups of new chiral P,N-phosphites are discussed, namely, ligands derived from 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol, ligands possessing an acyclic phosphorus center, and P*-chiral ligands derived from (S)-2-anilinomethylpyrrolidine. An overview of complexation of the ligands with Rh(I) and Pd(II) precursors is given. Accessibility and stability of chiral phosphite ligands possessing acyclic phosphorus was analyzed for the first time along with their efficiency in terms of stereoselectivity. The title ligands are shown to be highly efficient in the Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation (up to 85% ee) and, especially, allylic sulfonylation (up to 97% ee) reactions in certain cases outperformed all known catalytic systems. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.