Design of chiral ferrocenylphosphine-spiro phosphonamidite ligands for ruthenium-catalyzed highly enantioselective coupling of 1,2-diols with amines

Abstract

A series of chiral ferrocene-backbone phosphines-spiro phosphonamidite ligands was developed for ruthenium-catalyzed enantioselective access to a broad range of β-amino alcohols from 1,2-diols and amines via the borrowing-hydrogen prciniple. Up to >99% ee with a broad substrate scope was attained. Late-stage functionalization of drugs and natural products were realized by means of this route. Data from density-functional-theory studies were in good agreement with experimental results.