Allyl, olefin, aryl and alkyl organometallic palladium complexes of 1,2-bis[(2R,5R)-2,5-dimethylphospholanyl]benzene

A series of organometallic chiral complexes of palladium containing the che late Duphos, 1,2-bis[(2R,5R)-2,5-dimethylphospholanyl]benzene 1, have been prepared. These include the 1,3-diphenylallyl cationic compound, [Pd(PhCHCH CHPh)(1)][CF3SO3] 2, the palladium(0) fumaronitrile complex [Pd(NCCH=CHCN)( 1)] 3, and the pentafluorophenyl derivatives [Pd(R)(C6F5)(1)] (R=Me 4a, Et 4b, or Bu 4c). The solid-state structures of 2 and 4a have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The structure of complex 4a deviates markedly from th e expected square planar geometry. Duphos 1 affords a ca. 98% enantiomeric excess in the enantioselective allylic alkylation reaction of a 1,3-dipheny lallyl precursor. Detailed H-1 and C-13 NMR results are reported.