Synthesis of Planar-Chiral[2.2]Paracyclophane-Based Oxazole-Pyrimidine Ligands and Application in Nickel-Catalyzed 1,2-Reduction ofα,β-Unsaturated Ketones

The planar-chiral ligands have been widely applied as a class of unique and significant ligands in asymmetric catalysis.Among them,chiral[2.2]paracycyclophane has emerged as a privileged type of planar-chiral framework and has been utilized as an important toolbox due to their structural stability.Herein,we design and synthesize[2.2]paracyclophane-derived oxazole-pyrimidine ligands(abberviated as PYMCOX).These N,N-ligands with stable properties,rigid structure and large steric hindrance performed successfully in nickel-catalyzed asymmetric 1,2-reduction ofα,β-unsaturated ketones,affording the chiral allylic alcohols with up to 99%yield and 99%ee.Meanwhile,this reduction reaction could be conducted on gram-scale without loss of activity and enantioselectivity,and the chiral ligand could be conveniently recovered with high yield.