Chiral bifunctional ferrocenylphosphine catalyzed highly enantioselective [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction.

A series of air-stable ferrocenylphosphines LB1-LB8 were designed and prepared in high yields. (R,SFc)-ferrocenylphosphine LB5 was found to efficiently promote the asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with maleimides to afford the corresponding bicyclic imides with 84-99% ee and 67-99% yield. Interestingly, the configuration of these products was contrary to those reported in the literature.