Synthesis of Axially Chiral 2,2’-Bisphosphobiarenes via a Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Ullmann Coupling: General Access to Privileged Chiral Ligands without Optical Resolution

We report an asymmetric Ullmann-type homocoupling of ortho-(iodo)arylphosphine oxides and ortho-(iodo)arylphosphonates that results in highly enantioenriched axially chiral bisphosphine oxides and bisphosphonates in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. These products are readily converted to enantioenriched biaryl bisphosphines without need for chiral auxiliaries or optical resolution. This process provides a straightforward and practical route for the development of previously uninvestigated atroposelective biaryl bisphosphine ligands.