The use of 5,5-(dimethyl)-i-Pr-PHOX as a practical equivalent of t-Bu-PHOX in asymmetric catalysis is reported. This new member of the phosphinooxazoline (PHOX) ligand family behaves similarly in terms of stereoinduction to t-Bu-PHOX with the key advantage of being readily accessible as both enantiomers starting from either (S)- or (R)-valine.

The preparation of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles from 1,2-diacylhydrazines using XtalFluor-E ([Et(2)NSF(2)]BF(4)) as cyclodehydration reagent is described. Various functionalized 1,3,4-oxadiazoles were synthesized and it was found that the use of acetic acid as an additive generally improved the yields.

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The design, synthesis, and applications of potential substitutes of t-Bu-PHOX in asymmetric catalysis is reported. The design relies on the incorporation of geminal substituents at C5 in combination with a substituent at C4 other than t-butyl (i-Pr, i-Bu, or s-Bu). Most of these new members of the PHOX ligand family behave similarly in terms of stereoinduction to t-Bu-PHOX in three palladium-catalyzed asymmetric transformations. Electronically modified ligands were also prepared and used to improve the enantioselectivity in the Pd-catalyzed allylation reaction of fluorinated allyl enol carbonates.

The halogenation of primary alcohols is presented. The use of a combination of tetraethylammonium halide and [Et(2)NSF(2)]BF(4) (XtalFluor-E) allows for chlorination and bromination reactions to proceed efficiently (up to 92% yield) with a wide range of alcohols. Iodination reactions are also possible albeit in lower yields.