Synthesis of a C3-symmetric ferrocenylphosphine and its application to the Suzuki reaction of aryl chlorides

(pS,pS,pS)-Tris(2-methylferrocenyl)phosphine 1 was synthesised in 62% yield from (S)-2-ferrocenyl-4-(1-methylethyl)oxazoline. In combination with Pd2dba3 this novel C3-symmetric ligand generates a catalyst for the Suzuki reaction of aryl chloride substrates, these reactions proceed readily at 60°C in dioxane.