Catalytic asymmetric Pauson-Khand reactions with chiral bidentate phosphine
s as ligands have been successfully accomplished. The catalytic use of (S)-
BINAP as a ligand was demonstrated to be the most effective in the cobalt-c
atalyzed reactions of 1,6-enynes, providing a facile entry to optically act
ive 2-cyclopentenone derivatives with high enantioselectivity. A plausible
mechanism for the asymmetric induction is proposed on the basis of the ster
eochemical outcome obtained. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese
rved.