Phosphite derivatives of (2R)-2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-butan-1-ol: synthesis, chelation with rhodium(I) and testing in the palladium-catalysed allylic alkylation

A series of chiral phosphite-type ligands with pyrrolidine moieties was synthesised. The compounds form chelate complexes upon reaction with [Rh(CO)2Cl]2. The new ligands were tested in Pd-catalysed enantioselective allylic alkylation giving up to 61% ee under standard conditions.