Designing P-Chirogenic 1,2-Diphosphinobenzenes at Both P-Centers Using P(III)-Phosphinites

A new enantiodivergent synthesis of P-chirogenic 1,2-diphosphinobenzenes (DP*B) bearing the chirality on one or both phosphorus centers is reported using aryne chemistry. The principle is based on successive reactions of 1,2-dibromobenzene with sec-phosphide boranes, then DABCO to remove the borane, and finally with chlorophosphines or P(III)-chirogenic phosphinites. The efficiency of this synthesis was demonstrated by the stereoselective preparation of (S,S)-1,2-bis(o-anisylphenylphosphino)benzene. A comparison of DIPAMP and homochiral DP*B ligands in asymmetric Rh- or Pd-catalyzed reactions was reported.