Asymmetric catalysis of homo-coupling of 3-substituted naphthylamine and hetero-coupling with 3-substituted naphthol leading to 3,3'-dimethyl-2,2'-diaminobinaphthyl and -2-amino-2'-hydroxybinaphthyl.

Optically active 3,3'-dimethyl-2,2'-diamino-1,1'-binaphthyl (DM-DABN) and 3,3'-dimethyl-2-amino-2'-hydroxybinaphthyl (DM-NOBIN) derivatives were synthesized by Cu-(-)-sparteine complex-catalyzed enantioselective homo- and hetero-coupling of 2-naphthylamine, respectively. The difference in enantioselectivity was observed by changing the concentration of oxygen. 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.