Enantioselective bromocyclization of 2-geranylphenols induced by chiral phosphite-urea bifunctional catalysts

Chem Commun (Camb). 2016 May 4;52(36):6068-71. doi: 10.1039/c6cc00229c. Epub 2016 Mar 29.

Abstract

Chiral phosphite-urea bifunctional catalysts have been developed for the enantioselective bromocyclization of 2-geranylphenols with N-bromophthalimide (NBP) for the first time. The chiral triaryl phosphite moiety activates NBP to generate a bromophosphonium ion. On the other hand, the urea moiety interacts with a hydroxyl group of the substrate through hydrogen bonding interactions. Enantioselectivity is effectively induced through two-point attractive interactions between the catalyst and the substrate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't