Synthesis and use in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of new planar chiral chromium complexes of 1,2-disubstituted arenes having pyridine and aryl phosphine groups

Optically active (1,2-disubstituted arene)chromium tricarbonyl complexes 4–7 having pyridine and aryl phosphorus groups were synthesized from (o-disubstituted benzaldehyde)tricarbonylchromium. These chromium complexes have been used as chiral ligands in the asymmetric allylic alkylation of rac-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate 8 catalyzed by (η³-allyl)palladium complex. The enantioselectivity increases as the number of electron-withdrawing substituents in the aryl phosphine increases. Significant solvent effects on the enantioselectivity were observed for 4 and 7. By the judicious choice of the planar chiral ligand, high enantioselectivities (90% R, 93% S at 0°C) were observed.