Rational Design of New Dihydrobenzooxophosphole-Based Lewis Base Organocatalysts

A series of new dihydrobenzooxophosphole-based Lewis base organocatalysts were designed and synthesized. They are shown to be effective in trichlorosilane-mediated stereoselective conjugate reductions of C=C bonds. DFT calculations reveal that the strong hydrogen bonds between the amide linker and the chloride on silicon in the transition state contribute to the high reactivity of the catalyst.