2,5-dimethyl-3,4-bis(2R,5R)-2,5-dimethylphospholano]thiophene: First member of the hetero-DuPHOS family

The synthesis, structural characterization and some preliminary applications of (R,R)-2,5-dimethyl-[3,4-bis(2',5'-dimethylphospholanyl)]-thiophene are reported. This diphosphine is the first member of a new family of C(sub 2) symmetric hetero-DuPHOS ligands, characterized by the presence of two hormomorphic chiral 2,5-dimethyl-substituted phospholane groups bound to the homotopic ortho positions of a five-membered aromatic heterocycle.