2-D NMR Spectroscopy of chiral phosphine complexes. Applications to problems related to enantioselective homogeneous catalysis

A 2-D NMR approach to elucidating problems of structure and dynamics in chiral organometalic phosphine complexes has been suggested. The examples chosen concern geometric isomers and prochiral face selection in ally derivatives, a new bonding mode for atropisomeric chelates, chelate ring inversion, phenyl stacking, detecting small quantities of exchanging species and recognising equlibrating diastereomers. The methodology, which is based on X,1H correlation and NOE spectroscopy, is shown to be both versatile and potent.