A Chiral Phosphoric Acid Structure Leads to Strong Interactions That Affected Selectivity of the N-Hydroxyalkylation Reactions: A Density Functional Theory Study
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Updated: Oct 31, 2026

Synthesis of High Purity Nonsymmetric Dialkylphosphinic Acid Extractants
Published on: October 19, 2017
Ran Zhang1, ZiHao Li2, ShuYu Zhang2
1College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha410082, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Chiral phosphoric acids (CPAs) can regulate reaction selectivity via catalyst-substrate noncovalent interactions (NCIs). Most studies remain macroscopic and have not addressed how CPA structures modulate the interaction strength and thereby selectivity. This study reveals that, in CPA-catalyzed N-hydroxyalkylation reactions, the CPA backbone rigidity and substituent structure promote stronger interactions, thereby enhancing enantioselectivity. An ordered π system facilitates the formation of more pronounced π-π stacking.
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