Synthesis of P-stereogenic phospholene boranes via asymmetric deprotonation and ring-closing metathesis.

The first examples of the asymmetric synthesis of P-stereogenic vinylic phospholene boranes are described. The synthetic approach is concise and flexible. The route involves (i) asymmetric deprotonation-allylation of a dimethyl phosphine borane; (ii) telescoped regioselective deprotonation, paraformaldehyde trapping, and hydroxyl group elimination to give a diene; and (iii) ring-closing metathesis.