Difluorphos, an Electron-Poor Disphosphane: A Good Match between Electronic and Steric Features

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.200352453

The π acidity makes the difference: The fluorinated diphosphane, difluorphos, is synthesized (see structure: purple = P, red = O, green = F, gray = C) and its stereoelectronic features are evaluated in theoretical and experimental studies. Its unusual π acidity explains the excellent results obtained with it in ruthenium-mediated asymmetric hydrogenation of fluorinated β-functionalized ketones. These results are better than those obtained with other biphenyl-based diphosphanes.