A new C2-symmetric chiral bisphosphine ligand containing a bioxazole backbone: highly enantioselective hydrosilylation of ketones

C₂-Symmetric (4S,4′S)-2,2′-bis(o-diphenylphosphinophenyl)-4,4′,5,5′-tetrahydro-4,4′-bi(1,3-oxazole) (1, Phos-Biox) has been designed and synthesized as a chiral ligand for metal-catalyzed reactions. The Phos-Biox 1 was found to be an efficient ligand for rhodium(I)-catalyzed asymmetric reduction of prochiral acetophenones with diphenylsilane to give optically active secondary alcohols of up to 97% ee.