Ligand-controlled selectivity in the desymmetrization of meso cyclopenten-1,4-diols via rhodium(I)-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids.

A highly enantioselective desymmetrization of meso cyclopent-2-ene-1,4-diethyl dicarbonates has been developed using a Rh-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution. Depending on the type of ligand used, each of two regioisomeric products can be obtained in good yield and excellent enantioselectivity. Under rhodium(I) catalysis, bisphosphine P-Phos ligands form trans-1,2-arylcyclopentenols as the major product, whereas Segphos ligands lead predominantly to trans-1,4-arylcyclopentenols.