Cu(I)-catalyzed asymmetric chlorination of β-keto esters in the presence of chiral phosphine-Schiff base type ligands.

Chiral phosphine-Schiff base type ligand L8 prepared from (R)-(-)-2-(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl-2'-amine was found to be a fairly effective ligand for Cu(I)-promoted enantioselective chlorination of β-keto esters to give the corresponding products in high yields and with moderate enantioselectivities.