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DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1259857
A Novel Bifunctional Phosphine Catalyst for Aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reactions
F. Zhong, Y. Wang, X. Han, K.-W. Huang*, Y. Lu*
National University of Singapore, Singapore, Henan University, Kaifeng, P. R. of China and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Publication History
Publication Date:
15 April 2011 (online)
Significance
The development of a series of novel bifunctional phosphine catalysts derived from l-threonine is described. Amongst these new structures, phosphine-sulfonamide 1 was found to efficiently promote the aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction between 2-naphthyl acrylate and various aromatic and heteroaromatic imines. The desired products were obtained in high yields and high enantioselectivities. Rationale for the high enantioface differentiation is a transition state in which the imine approaches the hydrogen bonding stabilized phosphonium enolate from the sterically less congested bottom side and is attacked on the si-face. Especially noteworthy are the high selectivities achieved with ortho-substituted aryl imines.