The synthesis of several chiral phosphorus reagents and their application in the asymmetric addition of aromatic aldehydes to diethylzinc

Six chiral phosphorus compounds were synthesized by the reaction of (-)alph a -phenylethylamine, L- prolinol, (S)-binaphthol, and psi-(-)-ephedrine wit h various phosphoryl reagents respectively, and used in the asymmetric addi tion of aromatic aldehydes with diethylzinc as catalyst. The corresponding aromatic secalcohols were obtained in good chemical yield with enantiometri c excesses varing from low to moderate.