Instant ligand libraries. Parallel synthesis of monodentate phosphoramidites and in situ screening in asymmetric hydrogenation.

Chiral phosphoramidites have been identified as excellent ligands for various metal-catalyzed enantioselective transformations. Taking advantage of their easy preparation and modular nature, we designed a fully automated protocol for the parallel preparation of a library of 32 phosphoramidites and its screening in asymmetric hydrogenation of amino acid precursors. This initial study led to the discovery of a new ligand for the preparation of an enantiopure beta(3)-homoalanine precursor. [structure--see text]