Biaryl-Like CATPHOS Diphosphines via Double Diels–Alder Cycloaddition between 1,4-Bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)buta-1,3-diyne and Anthracenes: Efficient Ligands for the Palladium-Catalyzed Amination of Aromatic Bromides and α-Arylation of Ketones

A mixture of palladium(0) and CATPHOS, the 1,3-butadiene-bridged diphosphine generated via double Diels–Alder cycloaddition between bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)buta-1,3-diyne and anthracene, catalyzes the amination of a range of aromatic bromides as well as the α-arylation of ketones, giving conversions that either rival or exceed those obtained with BINAP.