Synfacts 2007(5): 0517-0517  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-968443
Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis and Stereoselective Reactions
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of Bishomoallylic Alcohols

Contributor(s): Mark Lautens, Praew Thansandote
Y. Yang, S.-F. Zhu, H.-F. Duan, C.-Y. Zhou, L.-X. Wang, Q.-L. Zhou*
Nankai University, Tianjin, P. R. of China
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 April 2007 (online)

Significance

The first catalytic enantioselective intermolecular reductive coupling of 1,3-dienes with aldehydes is described using catalytic Ni(II), a spirobiindane phosphoramidite ligand, and a stoi­chiometric Zn reducing agent. A wide range of aryl aldehydes couple with 1,4-diphenylbuta-1,3-diene in excellent yields, anti/syn selectivities, and enantioselectivities. Electron-donating substituents on the aryl ring give higher ee, and electron-withdrawing substituents and aliphatic aldehydes lead to lower ee. Heteroaryl aldehydes such as furyl and thiophyl can be used with excellent selectivities and yields. An unsymmetrically substituted diene, ethyl 5-phenylpenta-2,4-dienoate, coupled with benzaldehyde in excellent yield and anti/syn selectivity, but gave only moderate ee.