Design and synthesis of a tridentate ligand inspired by the phenomenon of self-assembly catalysis and its application in the asymmetric alkynylation of N-(diphenylphosphinoyl) imines

On the basis of the phenomenon of self-assembly catalysis, a tridentate ligand was designed and synthesized in two steps. The application in alkynylation of N-(diphenylphosphinoyl) imines gave the expected products. Aromatic, heteroaromatic N-(diphenylphosphinoyl) imines were employed and gave optically active propargylic amines in good yields (up to 89%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96%) by a simple experimental procedure. The direct use of sulfone amides in the alkynylation of N-(diphenylphosphinoyl) aliphatic imines made this method very attractive.