Developing a Catalytic Asymmetric Wittig Rearrangement of 2-Benzyloxybenzamides to Chiral Phthalides and Related Products

芳基苄基醚的形成和[1，2]-Wittig重排反应通过更容易的C-O键形成为整个C-C键的形成提供了一种方便的方法。虽然该反应是众所周知的，但在不存在稳定基团的情况下，它需要苛刻的条件并且产率低，因此在合成中没有太多使用。在该方法中产生新的立体中心，并且其中芳基组分带有邻位导向基团，这不仅允许反应在更温和的条件下以更高的产率进行，而且它可以用于影响立体化学结果。该项目现在将涉及详细的开发和优化，以实现相应的催化不对称过程。

The formation and [1,2]-Wittig rearrangement of aryl benzyl ethers provides a convenient method for overall C-C bond formation via the much easier C-O bond formation. Although the reaction is well known, in the absence of a stabilising group it requires harsh conditions and is low yielding so has not been used much in synthesis. A new stereogenic centre is created in the process and where the aryl component bears an ortho-directing group, this not only allows the reaction to proceed in higher yield under milder conditions, but it can be used to influence the stereochemical outcome. This project will now involve detailed development and optimisation towards the corresponding catalytic asymmetric process.