Synthesis of ferrocenyl-oxazolines by ring expansion of N-ferrocenoyl-aziridine-2-carboxylic esters

A synthesis of ferrocenyl-oxazolines is described using an iodide-mediated ring expansion of N-ferrocenoyl-aziridine-2-carboxylic esters. The ring enlargements take place with full stereocontrol, namely net retention of configuration. Modification of the ester function by a Grignard reaction leads to three new types of ferrocenyl-oxazoline carbinol ligands, which were used as chiral ligands in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde (e.e.s ranging from 46 to 62%). The planar chiral ferrocenyl-oxazoline carbinol ligand gave a very good result (e.e. 90%) in the palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenyl prop-2-enylacetate with dimethyl malonate.