Application of a chiral scaffolding ligand in catalytic enantioselective hydroformylation

The synthesis of β-amino-aldehydes has been achieved through enantioselective hydroformylation of PMP-protected allylic amines. The reaction is accomplished by using a scalemic scaffolding ligand that covalently and reversibly binds to the substrate. These ligands behave like chiral auxiliaries because they are covalently attached to the substrate during hydroformylation; however, similar to traditional asymmetric ligands, they can be used in catalytic quantities. The directed hydroformylation of disubstituted olefins occurs under mild conditions (35 °C and 50 psi CO/H(2)), and Z-olefins afford excellent enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee).