title: Asymmetric catalytic synthesis of P-stereogenic phosphines via a nucleophilic ruthenium phosphido complex.
abstract: Ruthenium phosphido complexes have been shown to be excellent nucleophiles, reacting via two-electron processes with a variety of electrophiles. A catalytic alkylation reaction was developed using an achiral ruthenium complex, which was then elaborated into a catalytic enantioselective synthesis of P-stereogenic phosphines. These useful and synthetically challenging phosphines can now be accessed in a single step from simple secondary phosphines and alkyl halides. Optimization and scope of the enantioselective alkylation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
authors.forename: Vincent S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Ian C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: F Dean
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Toste