Catalyticatropo-Enantioselective Preparation of Axially Chiral Biaryl Compounds

Abstract The atropo-enantioselective ring-opening of biaryl lactones with methanol was catalyzed by an optically active AgBF4–phosphine complex to afford axially chiral biaryl compounds. The addition of triisobutylamine provided a dramatic rate acceleration in the reaction. Various types of axially chiral biaryl compounds were obtained with high enantioselectivity.