Abstract
The reaction of N, N"-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylenediimine with phenyllithium, with the mediation of a chiral ligand, provided the addition products, (1R, 2R)-N, N"-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1, 2-diphenylethanediamine of 67% ee and the meso-product, in a ratio of 41 : 59. The net reaction involves sequential double additions of phenyllithium. In the first addition a new chiral center is created, but with rather poor selectivity, and in the second addition kinetic discrimination takes place, giving the chiral double addition product.
