(''S'')-iPr-PHOX, or (''S'')-2- -(diphenylphosphino)phenyl4-isopropyl-4,5-dihydrooxazole, is a

chiral Chirality () is a property of asymmetry important in several branches of science. The word ''chirality'' is derived from the Greek language, Greek (''kheir''), "hand", a familiar chiral object. An object or a system is ''chiral'' if it is dist ...

, bidentate,

ligand In coordination chemistry, a ligand is an ion or molecule with a functional group that binds to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex. The bonding with the metal generally involves formal donation of one or more of the ligand's el ...

derived from the amino alcohol

valinol Valinol is an organic compound named after, and commonly produced from, the amino acid valine. The compound is chiral and is produced almost exclusively as the S‑isomer (also designated as the L‑isomer), due to the abundant supply of S-valine. ...

. It is part of a broader class of phosphinooxazolines ligands and has found application in

asymmetric catalysis Enantioselective synthesis, also called asymmetric synthesis, is a form of chemical synthesis. It is defined by IUPAC as "a chemical reaction (or reaction sequence) in which one or more new elements of Chirality (chemistry), chirality are formed ...

Preparation

(''S'')-iPr-PHOX is prepared using the amino alcohol valinol, which is derived from

valine Valine (symbol Val or V) is an α-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. It contains an α- amino group (which is in the protonated −NH3+ form under biological conditions), an α- carboxylic acid group (which is in the deproton ...

. The

phosphine Phosphine (IUPAC name: phosphane) is a colorless, flammable, highly toxic compound with the chemical formula , classed as a pnictogen hydride. Pure phosphine is odorless, but technical grade samples have a highly unpleasant odor like rotting ...

moiety may be introduced first, by a reaction between 2-bromobenzonitrile and chlorodiphenylphosphine; the oxazoline ring is then formed in a Witte Seeliger reaction. This yields an air stable zinc complex which must be treated with bipyridine in order to obtain the free ligand. Synthesis is performed under argon or nitrogen to avoid contact with air, however the final product is not air sensitive. ::

Uses

Iridium complexes incorporating (''S'')-iPr-PHOX have been used for asymmetric hydrogenation.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:iPr-PHOX, (S)- Ligands Phosphines Oxazolines