Synthesis of Bulky and Electron-Rich MOP-type Ligands and Their Applications in Palladium-Catalyzed C−N Bond Formation

A series of 2-dialkylphosphino-2'-alkoxy-1,1'-binaphthyl ligands (6a-c and 8a-c) have been prepared conveniently by a lithium-initiated ring-opening reaction of dinaphthofuran, followed by selective phosphorylation. These compounds displayed a remarkable air and moisture stability, both in solid form and in solution. Application of these phosphine ligands in palladium-catalyzed C-N bond forming reactions revealed the crucial roles of the steric bulk of the substituents on the phosphorus atom governing the catalytic activity. Specifically, 2-di-tert-butylphosphino-2'-isopropoxy-1,1'-binaphthyl (8b) proved to be the most effective for the aminations of aryl halides with primary amines, while the less bulky 2-dicyclohexyl-2'-methoxy-1,1'-binaphthyl (6a) was more effective for the aminations with secondary amines. The steric and electronic effects of the ligands were analyzed to account for these observations.