Stereochemical aspects of nucleophilic addition reactions to alkoxycarbene cations of the iron chiral auxiliary [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(PPh3)].

Alkoxy carbene complexes incorporating the iron chiral auxiliary [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(PPh₃)] were prepared in good yields from either the corresponding acyl complexes or methoxymethyl complex of the auxiliary. A range of nucleophilic addition reactions to these alkoxy carbene complexes showed moderate to high diastereoselectivities and the reactive conformations of the carbene complexes under these conditions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]