ASYMMETRIC CATALYSTS .55. OPTICALLY-ACTIVE DELTACYCLANES AND DELTACYCLENES BY ENANTIOSELECTIVE CATALYSIS

The reaction of norbornadiene with phenylacetylene leading to the deltacycles 1 can be controlled enantioselectively with norphos/cobalt catalysts. An optical yield of 98.4 % ee with complete conversion is achieved. The reaction thus ranks as one of the best enantioselective reactions catalyzed by transition metal complexes that have been reported so far. (Figure Presented.) Copyright © 1990 by VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Germany