Asymmetric, Catalytic Phenyl Transfer to Aldehydes: Enantioselective Synthesis of Diarylmethanols

Abstract

Excellent enantioselectivities have been achieved in catalyzed asymmetric phenyl transfers to aldehydes (see scheme). In the case of aromatic substrates, the resulting chiral diarylmethanols are valuable precursors for biologically and pharmaceutically interesting compounds.