Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic amination using easily accessible metallocenyl P,N-ligands

Compared to their C-1-symmetric counterparts, planar chiral C-2-symmetric metallocenyl P,N-ligands are efficient chiral ligands for Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic aminations, providing a number of amination products with high enantioselectivities. A non-C-2-symmetric ferrocenyl P,N-ligand (a by-product obtained during the synthesis of the above C-2-symmetric species) was also found to be an efficient ligand for asymmetric allylic aminations. A mixed ligand system consisting of both C-2- and non-C-2-symmetric ferrocene complexes was examined and showed high catalytic activity with the amination products being obtained with excellent enantioselectivities.