Efficient catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α-substituted phenyloxyacetyloxy and aroyloxy phosphonates

Abstract: Optically active α-substituted phenyloxyacetyloxy and aroyloxy phosphonates have been synthesized via catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of the corresponding prochiral α,β-unsaturated phosphonates using Rh(I)/(R,R)-Me-DuPhos as the catalyst in methanol at 18°C. The asymmetric hydrogenation reaction exhibits excellent enantioselectivity with enantiomeric excesses from 91 to 96%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]