Single-step synthesis of salans and substituted salans by Mannich condensation

A convenient route for the synthesis of a variety of salan-type compounds is introduced. The synthesis is based on a single-step Mannich condensation between readily available starting materials: primary or secondary amines, formaldehyde and substituted phenols. This methodology is suitable for the preparation of chiral salans as well, which may find applications in asymmetric catalysis.