Kinetic resolution in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylations by a P,O ligand system.

[reaction: see text] Through the investigation of peptide-based phosphine oxazoline ligands, a simple P,O ligand system was developed. This system provides palladium complexes that are capable of a very high degree of kinetic resolution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate. The isolated palladium complex was synthesized, characterized, and determined to be an effective procatalyst.