Novel chiral 1-phosphono-1,3-butadiene for asymmetric hetero Diels–Alder cycloadditions with nitroso and azodicarboxylate dienophiles

Chiral 1-phosphonodienes bearing a bicyclic (R,R)-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane or a (R,R)-1,3,2-diazaphospholidine auxiliary are potent dienes for asymmetric hetero Diels–Alder reactions. Their reactivity towards model nitroso and azodicarboxylate dienophiles has been studied by means of theoretical chemistry at the B3LYP/6-31G∗∗ level. This model, taking solvent effects into account, allowed us to identify parameters governing the stereoselectivity of this reaction. Our study emphasizes a synergy effect when increasing the steric hindrance of substituents of both partners. This led us to predict high levels of diastereoselectivity for one diene. Accordingly, we have hereby illustrated a convenient and original synthesis of this diene and its cycloadditions with commercially available nitroso and azodicarboxylate dienophiles.