We have successfully synthesized a series of bidentate
ligands
by utilizing 2-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl trifluorosulfonate as a precursor
for the benzyl group. This method proceeded by inserting a polythiourea
into the CS π-bond, intramolecular ring proton migration,
and ring opening. Salient features of this strategy are mild reaction
conditions, a novel product structure, excellent stereochemistry,
and a good functional group tolerance. Furthermore, a series of density
functional theory calculations were performed to gain insights into
the transfer mechanism.