Vinyloxiranes kinetic resolution

The use of vinyl epoxides as substrates in enantioselective copper-catalyzed reactions, on the other hand, has met with more success. An interesting chiral ligand effect on Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed reactions between cyclic vinyloxiranes and dialkylzinc reagents was noted by Feringa et al. [51]. The 2,2 -binaphthyl phosphorus amidite ligands 32 and 43 (Fig. 8.5), which have been successfully used in copper-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate additions to enones [37], allowed kinetic resolution of racemic cyclic vinyloxiranes (Scheme 8.26). 

The vinyloxirane reaction was later extended to methylidene cyclohexene oxide and to related meso derivatives [53]. The effects of the diastereomeric ligands 42 and 43 (Fig. 8.5), derived from (S)-binaphthol and (S, S)- or (R, R)-feis-phenylethyl-amine respectively, were investigated. In the case of kinetic resolution of racemic methylidene cyclohexane epoxide 45 with Et2Zn, ligand 42 produced better yields, regioselectivity, and enantioselectivity than 43 (Scheme 8.27). 

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