First Enantioselective Catalytic Wittig Reaction

Abstract

Abstract Herein we present the first catalytic enantioselective Wittig reaction. Chiral mono‐ and diphosphines were employed as catalysts for the desymmetrization of a prochiral ketone. The reaction was performed under microwave dielectric heating as well as under conventional heating. Selected catalysts led to moderate to good yields and enantioselectivities. In the presence of (+)‐1,2‐bis[(2 S ,5 S )‐2,5‐dimethylphospholano]benzene [( S , S )‐Me‐DuPhos], an enantiomeric excess of up to 90 % was obtained.