Chiral base-mediated benzylic functionalisation of (alkyl benzyl ether)tricarbonylchromium(0) complexes: a structure–reactivity study

Abstract

The high-yielding readily-analysed conversion of (benzyl methyl ether)tricarbonylchromium(0) 1 into its derivative tricarbonyl[α-(phenylsulfanyl)benzyl methyl ether]chromium(0) 3 has been used to examine the effectiveness of a range of non-racemic chiral lithium amide bases. The most selective base, 2d, was studied in greater detail to determine the effect of changes to structure, temperature and stoichiometry on its activity.