Chiral bisphosphine Ph-BPE ligand: a rising star in asymmetric synthesis

Abstract

Chiral 1,2-bis(2,5-diphenylphospholano)ethane (Ph-BPE) is a class of optimal organic bisphosphine ligands with C₂-symmetry. Ph-BPE with its excellent catalytic performance in asymmetric synthesis has attracted much attention of chemists with increasing popularity and is growing into one of the most commonly used organophosphorus ligands, especially in asymmetric catalysis. Over two hundred examples have been reported since 2012. This review presents how Ph-BPE is utilized in asymmetric synthesis and how powerful it is as a chiral ligand or even a catalyst in a wide range of reactions including applications in the total synthesis of bioactive molecules.