Kinetic Resolution of Allylic Alcohols Using a Chiral Phosphine Catalyst

[reaction: see text] The kinetic resolution of racemic allylic alcohols 3, 6, and 12--17 has been explored using the PBO catalyst 7 for activation of isobutyric anhydride. Trisubstituted allylic alcohols (12--15; 17) are the best substrates and react with an enantioselectivity of s = 32--82 at -40 degrees C.