Synthesis of novel chiral 1,3-aminophenols and application for the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes

Novel chiral 1,3-aminophenols were efficiently synthesized by applying a Friedel–Crafts reaction and optical resolution. The catalytic activity of the aminophenols was studied for the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. The results showed that (S)-5a with bulky tert-butyl groups on the stereogenic carbon atom and 4,6-positions of phenol favored higher enantioselectivity (94% ee). The same ligand was also used with other aldehydes, to give optically active alcohols in good chemical yields and ee values (up to 99%).