ASYMMETRIC CARBONYLATION OF ALPHA-(6-METH OXY-2-NAPHTHYL)ETHANOL BY PDCL2-CUCL2-P-TS-CHIRAL PHOSPHINE CATALYST SYSTEMS

alpha-(6-Methoxy-2-naphthyl)ethanol was carbonylated to methyl ester o f Naproxen by PdCl2-CuCl2-p-Ts-chiral phosphine catalyst systems under the mild reaction conditions. Poor enantioselectivities and moderate regioselectivities have been obtained by using the ligand DDPPI for Pd Cl2-CuCl2-p-Ts catalytic reaction. The effects of P/Pd molar ratio, re action pressure, and the kinds of solvents have been also investigated with the catalyst system. The asymmetric induction up to 42, 5 and go od chemical yields have been obtained in the carbonylation of alpha-(6 -methoxy-2-naphthyl)ethanol with carbon monooxide and alcohol.