Novel Asymmetric Formylation of Aromatic Compounds: Enantioselective Synthesis of Formyl 7,8‐Dipropyltetrathia[7]helicenes

Asymmetric formylation of aromatic compounds is virtually unexplored. We report the synthesis and evaluation of a library including 20 new chiral formamides in the kinetic resolution of 7,8‐dipropyltetrathia[7]helicene, affording the corresponding formyl‐ or diformylhelicenes in up to 73 % ee, making enantiopure compounds available by recrystallisation. With the N,N‐disubstituted formamides used in this study, the best enantioselectivity has been achieved with R¹=iPr, R²=Me, R³=H, R⁴=1‐naphthyl or its 1‐pyrenyl equivalent.