Asymmetric Intermolecular Cobalt-Catalyzed Pauson–Khand Reaction Using a P‑Stereogenic Bis-phosphane

The asymmetric intermolecular and
catalytic Pauson–Khand
reaction has remained an elusive goal since Khand and Pauson discovered
this transformation. Using a novel family of P-stereogenic phosphanes,
we developed the first catalytic system with useful levels of enantioselection
for the reaction of norbornadiene and trimethylsilylacetylene. The
results demonstrate that Co–bisphosphane systems are sufficiently
reactive and that they lead to high selectivity in the intermolecular
process.