C2-symmetric bicyclo[2.2.2]octadienes as chiral ligands: their high performance in rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric arylation of N-tosylarylimines.

Asymmetric synthesis of diarylmethylamines with high enantioselectivity (95-99% ee) was realized by use of a new C2-symmetric diene ligand, (1R,4R)-2,5-diphenylbicyclo[2.2.2]octa-2,5-diene (Ph-bod*), for the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric arylation of N-tosylarylimines with arylboroxines.