New class of amino-phosphinite chiral catalysts for the highly enantioselective addition of arylzinc reagents to aldehydes

A new class of amino-phosphinite chiral ligands was prepared and applied in zinc-catalyzed addition of aryl boronic acids to aldehydes; the reaction furnished the diarylmethanols in excellent yields and with a high level of enantioselectivity (up to 93% ee).