Synthesis and application of chiral spiro phospholane ligand in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylation of aldehydes with allylic alcohols

[reaction: see text] A novel chiral monodentate spiro phenylphospholane ligand 4 was prepared from a readily accessible, enantiomerically pure 1,1'-spirobiindane-7,7'-diol in high yield. This ligand has proven to be efficient for Pd-catalyzed enantioselective allylation of aldehydes with allylic alcohols. Aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic aldehydes gave homoallylic alcohols in good enantioselectivities (up to 83% ee) and excellent anti diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr).