Stereodivergent SN2@P reactions of borane oxazaphospholidines: experimental and theoretical studies

The stereodivergent ring-opening of 2-phenyl oxazaphospholidines with alkyl lithium reagents is reported. N-H oxazaphospholidines derived from both (+)-cis-1-amino-2-indanol and (-)-norephedrine provide inversion products in a highly stereoselective process. In contrast, N-Me oxazaphospholidines yield ring-opening products with retention of configuration at the P center, as previously reported by Jugé and co-workers. As a result, from a single amino alcohol auxiliary, both enantiomers of key P-stereogenic intermediates could be synthesized. Theoretical studies of ring-opening with model oxazaphospholidines at the DFT level have elucidated the streochemical course of this process. N-H substrates react in a single step via preferential backside S(N)2@P substitution with inversion at phosphorus. N-methylated substrates react preferentially via a two-step frontside S(N)2@P, yielding a ring-opened product in which the nucleophilic methyl binds to P with retention of configuration. DFT calculations have shown that the BH3 unit is a potent directing group to which the methyl lithium reagent coordinates via Li in all the reactions studied.