Synthesis of new axially dissymmetric ligand with large perfluoroalkyl groups

A new axially dissymmetric ligand with large perfluoroalkyl groups, 2,2′-bis(1-hydroxy-1H-perfluorooctyl)biphenyl (1c), which could not be obtained by the coupling reaction of the aryl bromide using copper powder, was synthesized successfully by the coupling reaction using Ni(COD)₂. This ligand showed much higher asymmetric induction in the reaction of diethylzinc with benzaldehyde than the trifluoromethyl (1a) or pentafluoroethyl (1b) analogues.