3,3′-Bithiophene-Based Chiral Bisphosphine Oxides as Organocatalysts in Silicon-Derived Lewis Acid Mediated Reactions

This account summarizes the development of new biheteroaromatic chiral bisphosphine oxides. 3,3′-Bithiophene-based phosphine oxides (BITIOPOs) have been successfully used as organocatalysts to promote Lewis base catalyzed, Lewis acid mediated stereoselective transformations. These highly electron-rich compounds, in combination with trichorosilyl derivatives (allyltrichlorosilane and silicon tetrachloride), generate hypervalent silicon species that act as chiral Lewis acids in highly diastereo- and enantioselective organic reactions. Several relevant examples related to these applications are discussed in detail. 1 Introduction 2 The BITIOPO Family 3 Enantioselective Opening of Epoxides 4 Enantioselective Allylation of Aldehydes 5 Stereoselective Direct (Double) Aldol-Type Reaction with Ketones 6 Stereoselective Direct Aldol-Type Reaction with Ester Derivatives 7 Conclusions.