Stereoselective synthesis of phosphoranyl aryloxiranes through the addition of a nucleophilic stable carbene to aromatic aldehydes

The [2+1] addition of the stable (phosphanyl)(silyl)carbene 1 to aromatic aldehydes affords phosphoranyl aryloxiranes, a new class of polyfunctional epoxides, in high yields and excellent diastereoselectivity. No reaction is observed for aldehydes bearing strongly electron-donating groups. Theoretical calculations show a good correlation between Gibbs activation energy and the electronic nature of the substituent on the phenyl ring.