Design, synthesis, and application of a C₂ symmetric chiral ligand for enantioselective conjugate addition of organolithium to α,β-unsaturated aldimine

A C₂ symmetric chiral diether ligand, (1R,2R)-1,2-dimethoxy-1,2- diphenylethane, was designed and synthesized on the basis of the concept of an asymmetric oxygen atom. Mediated by the chiral diether, high enantioselectivities were achieved in conjugate addition of organolithiums to naphthaldehyde imine and cyclic and acyclic α,β-unsaturated aldimines. The absolute configuration of the product is predictable by the model.