Readily available biaryl P,N ligands for asymmetric catalysis

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.200461286

A short and modular synthesis of novel P,N ligands (pinap; see scheme; X = O or NH) is presented. A covalently bound chiral group allows the separation of the atropisomeric diastereomers, thus avoiding resolution involving chiral Pd-amine complexes. The utility of the ligands is demonstrated for three reactions catalyzed by different transition metals; in each case products are obtained with high enantiomeric excess (up to 99% ee).