Theoretical study on the origin of enantioselectivity in the primary amine–Brønsted acid catalyzed epoxidation of cyclic enones

Computational studies to determine the origin of enantioselectivity in the (1R,2R)-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine (DEPN)–Brønsted acid catalyzed epoxidation of 2-cyclohexen-1-one have been performed using density functional theory. Transition states for conjugate addition and ring closure steps of the epoxidations catalyzed by three different catalyst systems were characterized. Our calculations show that the C_sp2H?O H-bond interaction between the benzene ring of the catalyst and H₂O is mainly responsible for the chiral discrimination observed. The Brønsted acid counterion plays a very important role in ensuring high enantioselectivity by improving the rigidity of the transition state structures to allow the efficient formation of the C_sp2H?O H-bond. Moreover, we explain why these two diamine catalysts (1S,2S)-DACH and (1R,2R)-DPEN display consistent enantioselectivities in the catalytic epoxidation of 2-cyclohexen-1-one when combining with three different cocatalysts; achiral TFA, and chiral (R)- and (S)-TRIP.     

Synthesis of heterobimetallic Ru-Mn complexes and the coupling reactions of epoxides with carbon dioxide catalyzed by these complexes

The heterobimetallic complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(CO)(mu-dppm)Mn(CO)4] and [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(mu-dppm)(mu-CO)2Mn(CO)3] (dppm = bis-diphenylphosphinomethane) have been prepared by reacting the hydridic complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(dppm)H] and [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(dppm)H], respectively, with the protonic [HMn(CO)5] complex. The bimetallic complexes can also be synthesized through metathetical reactions between [(eta5-C5R5)Ru(dppm)Cl] (R = H or Me) and Li+[Mn(CO)5]-. Although the complexes fail to catalyze the hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid, they catalyze the coupling reactions of epoxides with carbon dioxide to yield cyclic carbonates. Two possible reaction pathways for the coupling reactions have been proposed. Both routes begin with heterolytic cleavage of the RuMn bond and coordination of an epoxide molecule to the Lewis acidic ruthenium center. In Route I, the Lewis basic manganese center activates the CO2 by forming the metallocarboxylate anion which then ring-opens the epoxide; subsequent ring-closure gives the cyclic carbonate. In Route II, the nucleophilic manganese center ring-opens the ruthenium-attached epoxide to afford an alkoxide intermediate; CO2 insertion into the RuO bond followed by ring-closure yields the product. Density functional calculations at the B3LYP level of theory were carried out to understand the structural and energetic aspects of the two possible reaction pathways. The results of the calculations indicate that Route II is favored over Route I.     

Isotope effects and the mechanism of epoxidation of cyclohexenone with tert-butyl hydroperoxide

The mechanism of the epoxidation of 2-cyclohexen-1-one with tert-butyl hydroperoxide mediated by DBU was studied by a combination of experimental kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) and theoretical calculations. A large 12C/13C (k(12C)/k(13C)) isotope effect of approximately equal to 1.032 was observed at the C3 (beta) position of cyclohexenone, while a much smaller 12C/13C isotope effect of 1.010 was observed at the C2 (alpha) position. Qualitatively, these results are indicative of nucleophilic addition to the enone being the rate-limiting step. Theoretical calculations support this interpretation. Transition structures for the addition step lead to predicted isotope effects that approximate the experimental values, while the predicted isotope effects for the ring-closure step are not consistent with the experimental values. The calculations correctly favor a rate-limiting addition step but suggest that the barriers for the addition and ring-closure steps are crudely similar in energy. The stereochemistry of these epoxidations is predicted to be governed by a preference for an initial axial addition, and the role of this preference in experimental diastereoselectivity observations is discussed.     

Half-Sandwich Manganese Complex Bearing Fused Oxazoline-NHC Ligand: Conformational Analysis and Evaluation in Asymmetric Ketone Hydrosilylation

The first manganese complex bearing a chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand was prepared and studied by spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction. While IR spectroscopy revealed the existence of two isomers in solution with distinct ν_CO band patterns, DFT calculations indicated that these isomers correspond to rotamers around the Mn−NHC bond and their different spectroscopic properties were rationalized by the occurrence of attractive π(C=C)⋅⋅⋅π*(C≡O) or σ(C−H)⋅⋅⋅π*(C≡O) intramolecular interligand interactions. The evaluation of this complex in catalytic hydrosilylation of acetophenone using Ph₂SiH₂ under UV irradiation led to the formation of the corresponding (R)-alcohol with low enantioselectivity.     

The loss of carbon dioxide from activated perbenzoate anions in the gas phase: unimolecular rearrangement via epoxidation of the benzene ring

The unimolecular reactivities of a range of perbenzoate anions (X-C6H5CO3-), including the perbenzoate anion itself (X = H), nitroperbenzoates (X = para-, meta-, ortho-NO2), and methoxyperbenzoates (X = para-, meta-OCH3) were investigated in the gas phase by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The collision-induced dissociation mass spectra of these compounds reveal product ions consistent with a major loss of carbon dioxide requiring unimolecular rearrangement of the perbenzoate anion prior to fragmentation. Isotopic labeling of the perbenzoate anion supports rearrangement via an initial nucleophilic aromatic substitution at the ortho carbon of the benzene ring, while data from substituted perbenzoates indicate that nucleophilic attack at the ipso carbon can be induced in the presence of electron-withdrawing moieties at the ortho and para positions. Electronic structure calculations carried out at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory reveal two competing reaction pathways for decarboxylation of perbenzoate anions via initial nucleophilic substitution at the ortho and ipso positions, respectively. Somewhat surprisingly, however, the computational data indicate that the reaction proceeds in both instances via epoxidation of the benzene ring with decarboxylation resulting--at least initially--in the formation of oxepin or benzene oxide anions rather than the energetically favored phenoxide anion. As such, this novel rearrangement of perbenzoate anions provides an intriguing new pathway for epoxidation of the usually inert benzene ring.     

Mechanism of H2 production by the [FeFe]H subcluster of di-iron hydrogenases: implications for abiotic catalysts

To explore the possibility that the active center of the di-iron hydrogenases, the [FeFe] H subcluster, can serve by itself as an efficient hydrogen-producing catalyst, we perform comprehensive calculations of the catalytic properties of the subcluster in vacuo using first principles density functional theory. For completeness, we examine all nine possible geometrical isomers of the Fe(II)Fe(I) active-ready state and report in detail on the relevant ones that lead to the production of H 2. These calculations, carried out at the generalized gradient approximation level, indicate that the most efficient catalytic site in the isolated [FeFe] H subcluster is the Fe d center distal (d) to the [4Fe-4S] H cluster; the other iron center site, the proximal Fe p, also considered in this study, has much higher energy barriers. The pathways with the most favorable kinetics (lowest energy barrier to reaction) proceed along configurations with a CO ligand in a bridging position. The most favorable of these CO-bridging pathways start from isomers where the distal CN (-) ligand is in up position, the vacancy V in down position, and the remaining distal CO is either cis or trans with respect to the proximal CO. These isomers, not observed in the available enzyme X-ray structures, are only marginally less stable than the most stable nonbridging Fe d-CO-terminal isomer. Our calculations indicate that this CO-bridging CN-up isomer has a small barrier to production of H 2 that is compatible with the observed rate for the enzyme. These results suggest that catalysis of H 2 production could proceed on this stereochemically modified [FeFe] H subcluster alone, thus offering a promising target for functional bioinspired catalyst design.     

Nanosheet‐Enhanced Enantioselectivity in the Vanadium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Epoxidation of Allylic Alcohols

The use of suitable chiral ligands is an efficient means of producing highly enantioselective transition‐metal catalysts. Herein, we report a facile, economic, and effective strategy for the design of chiral ligands that demonstrate enhanced enantioselectivity and catalytic efficacy. Our simple strategy employs naturally occurring or synthetic inorganic nanosheets as huge and rigid planar substituents for, but not limited to, naturally available α‐amino‐acid ligands; these ligands were successfully used in the vanadium‐catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols. The crucial role of the inorganic nanosheets as planar substituents in improving the enantioselectivity of the reaction was clearly revealed by relating the observed enantiomeric excess with the distribution of the catalytic centers and the accessibility of the substrate molecules to the catalytic sites. DFT calculations indicated that the LDH layer improved the enantioselectivity by influencing the formation and stability of the catalytic transition states, both in terms of steric resistance and H‐bonding interactions.     

Oxidation of cyclohexane by a high-valent iron bispidine complex: a combined experimental and computational mechanistic study

Experimental data suggest that there are various competing pathways for the catalytic and stoichiometric oxygenation of cyclohexane, assisted by iron-bispidine complexes and using various oxidants (H(2)O(2), O(2), PhIO). Density functional theory calculations indicate that both Fe(IV)=O and Fe(V)=O species are accessible and efficiently transfer their oxygen atoms to cyclohexane. The reactivities of the two isomers each and the two possible spin states for the Fe(IV)=O and Fe(V)=O species are sufficiently different to allow an interpretation of the experimental data.     

Monitoring reaction intermediates in the FeCl3-catalyzed michael reaction by nuclear inelastic scattering

We present a study of the metal-centered vibrations in the first step of the Fe(III)-catalyzed Michael reaction. Nuclear inelastic scattering of synchrotron radiation was carried out on a shock-frozen solution of FeCl3.6H2O in 2-oxocyclopentane ethylcarboxylate (CPEH), as well as on the solid reference compounds FeCl3.6H2O, [N(CH3)4][FeCl 4], and Fe(acac) 3. In addition to the vibrations of the FeCl4(-) anion at 133 and 383 cm(-1), a multitude of modes associated with the complex Fe(CPE)2(H2O)2 could be identified. Normal-mode analysis on different isomers of the simplified model complex Fe(acac)2(H2O)2 as well as that of the full complex carrying two entire CPE ligands was carried out using density functional calculations. Comparison with experiment suggests that the facial bis(diketonato) isomer probably dominates in the reaction mixture. Thus, we have identified for the first time the isomeric structure of an iron-based intermediate of a homogeneous catalytic reaction using nuclear inelastic scattering.     

水助甲酰胺-H2O2氧化乙烯制环氧乙烷反应机理的理论研究

采用MP2方法研究了甲酰胺-H2O2氧化乙烯制取环氧乙烷的反应机理.优化得到了反应物、过渡态、中间体及产物的几何构型并计算了反应势垒.研究结果表明:没有水参与时,反应需要通过四元环过渡态完成,反应势垒很高,在常温下难以进行;有水参与时,在水分子的协助下,反应可以通过六元环过渡态完成,反应势垒较低,常温下反应容易进行.     

Nanosheet-enhanced enantioselectivity in the vanadium-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols

The use of suitable chiral ligands is an efficient means of producing highly enantioselective transition-metal catalysts. Herein, we report a facile, economic, and effective strategy for the design of chiral ligands that demonstrate enhanced enantioselectivity and catalytic efficacy. Our simple strategy employs naturally occurring or synthetic inorganic nanosheets as huge and rigid planar substituents for, but not limited to, naturally available α-amino-acid ligands; these ligands were successfully used in the vanadium-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols. The crucial role of the inorganic nanosheets as planar substituents in improving the enantioselectivity of the reaction was clearly revealed by relating the observed enantiomeric excess with the distribution of the catalytic centers and the accessibility of the substrate molecules to the catalytic sites. DFT calculations indicated that the LDH layer improved the enantioselectivity by influencing the formation and stability of the catalytic transition states, both in terms of steric resistance and H-bonding interactions.     

Reactivity of Al3O3- cluster toward H2O studied by density functional theory

Density functional theory calculations (Becke's three parameter hybrid functional) have been done on a wide range of possible structures for the complexes formed in the reaction between Al(3)O(3) (-) and one or two water molecules. Both energetically competitive structural isomers of Al(3)O(3) (-) (kitelike and distorted rectangle) were considered. The structures of neutral complexes accessed from detachment of the stable anion structures were also optimized. The calculations predict that hydroxide complexes are energetically favored over Lewis acid-base and charge-dipole complexes. For Al(3)O(3) (-)/H(2)O complexes, the kite-based hydroxide and rectangle-based hydroxide are predicted to be nearly isoenergetic, while for Al(3)O(3) (-)/(H(2)O)(2), the rectangle-based dihydroxide emerges as being 0.5 eV more stable than the lowest energy kite-based dihydroxide. The structures of these and their neutrals are used to analyze anion PE spectra of Al(3)O(4)H(2) (-) and Al(3)O(5)H(4) (-) obtained previously [F. A. Akin and C. C. Jarrold, J. Chem. Phys. 118, 5841 (2003)].     

Multistate reactivity in styrene epoxidation by compound I of cytochrome p450: mechanisms of products and side products formation

Density functional theoretical calculations are used to elucidate the epoxidation mechanism of styrene with a cytochrome P450 model Compound I, and the formation of side products. The reaction features multistate reactivity (MSR) with different spin states (doublet and quartet) and different electromeric situations having carbon radicals and cations, as well as iron(III) and iron(IV) oxidation states. The mechanisms involve state-specific product formation, as follows: a) The low-spin pathways lead to epoxide formation in effectively concerted mechanisms. b) The high-spin pathways have finite barriers for ring-closure and may have a sufficiently long lifetime to undergo rearrangement and lead to side products. c) The high-spin radical intermediate, (4)2(rad)-IV, has a ring closure barrier as small as the C--C rotation barrier. This intermediate will therefore lose stereochemistry and lead to a mixture of cis and trans epoxides. The barriers for the production of aldehyde and suicidal complexes are too high for this intermediate. d) The high-spin radical intermediate, (4)2(rad)-III, has a substantial ring closure barrier and may survive long enough time to lead to suicidal, phenacetaldehyde and 2-hydroxostyrene side products. e) The phenacetaldehyde and 2-hydroxostyrene products both originate from crossover from the (4)2(rad)-III radical intermediate to the cationic state, (4)2(cat,z(2) ). The process involves an N-protonated porphyrin intermediate that re-shuttles the proton back to the substrate to form either phenacetaldehyde or 2-hydroxostyrene products. This resembles the internally mediated NIH-shift observed during benzene hydroxylation.     

What factors influence the ratio of C-H hydroxylation versus C=C epoxidation by a nonheme cytochrome P450 biomimetic?

Density functional calculations on a nonheme biomimetic (Fe=O(TMCS+) have been performed and its catalytic properties versus propene investigated. Our studies show that this catalyst is able to chemoselectively hydroxylate C=H bonds even in the presence of C=C double bonds. This phenomenon has been analyzed and found to occur due to Pauli repusions between protons on the TMCS ligand with protons attached to the approaching substrate. The geometries of the rate determining transition states indicate that the steric hindrance is larger in the epoxidation transition states than in the hydroxylation ones with much shorter distances; hence the hydroxylation pathway is favored over the epoxidation. Although, the reactant experiences close lying triplet and quintet spin states, the dominant reaction mechanism takes place on the quintet spin state surface; i.e., Fe=O(TMCS)+ reacts via single-state reactivity. Our calculations show that this spin state selectivity is the result of geometric orientation of the transition state structures, whereby the triplet ones are destabilized by electrostatic repulsions between the substrate and the ligand while the quintet spin transition states are aligned along the ideal axis. The reactivity patterns and geometries are compared with oxoiron species of dioxygenase and monoxygenase enzymes. Thus, Fe=O(TMCS)+ shows some similarities with P450 enzyme reactivity: it chemoselectively hydroxylates C=H bonds even in the presence of a C=C double bond and therefore is an acceptable P450 biomimetic. However, the absolute barriers of substrate oxidation by Fe=O(TMCS)+ are higher than the ones obtained with heme enzymes, but the chemoselectivity is lesser affected by external perturbations such as hydrogen bonding of a methanol molecule toward the thiolate sulfur or a dielectric constant. This is the first oxoiron complex whereby we calculated a chemoselective hydroxylation over epoxidation in the gas phase.     

New insights into the mechanism of oxodiperoxomolybdenum catalysed olefin epoxidation and the crystal structures of several oxo-peroxo molybdenum complexes

[Mo(O)(O(2))(2)(L)(2)] compounds (L = pz, pyrazole; dmpz, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole) were reacted stoichiometrically, in the absence of an oxidant, with cis-cyclooctene in an ionic liquid medium where selective formation of the corresponding epoxide was observed. However, this oxo-transfer reaction was not observed for some other olefins, suggesting that alternative reaction pathways exist for these epoxidation processes. Subsequently, DFT studies investigating the oxodiperoxomolybdenum catalysed epoxidation model reaction for ethylene with hydrogen peroxide oxidant were performed. The well known Sharpless mechanism was first analysed for the [Mo(O)(O(2))(2)(dmpz)(2)] model catalyst and a low energy reaction pathway was found, which fits well with the observed experimental results for cis-cyclooctene. The structural parameters of the computed dioxoperoxo intermediate [Mo(O)(2)(O(2))(dmpz)(2)] in the Sharpless mechanism compare well with those found for the same moiety within the [Mo(4)O(16)(dmpz)(6)] complex, for which the full X-ray report is presented here. A second mechanism for the model epoxidation reaction was theoretically investigated in order to clarify why some olefins, which do not react stoichiometrically in the absence of an oxidant, showed low level conversions in catalytic conditions. A Thiel-type mechanism, in which the oxidant activation occurs prior to the oxo-transfer step, was considered. The olefin attack of the hydroperoxide ligand formed upon activation of hydrogen peroxide with the [Mo(O)(O(2))(2)(dmpz)(2)] model catalyst was not possible to model. The presence of two dmpz ligands coordinated to the molybdenum centre prevented the olefin attack for steric reasons. However, a low energy reaction pathway was identified for the [Mo(O)(O(2))(2)(dmpz)] catalyst, which can be formed from [Mo(O)(2)(O(2))(dmpz)(2)] by ligand dissociation. Both mechanisms, Sharpless- and Thiel-type, were found to display comparable energy barriers and both are accessible alternative pathways in the oxodiperoxomolybdenum catalysed olefin epoxidation. Additionally, the molecular structures of [Mo(O)(O(2))(2)(H(2)O)(pz)] and [Hdmpz](4)[Mo(8)O(22)(O(2))(4)(dmpz)(2)]·2H(2)O and the full X-ray report of [Mo(O)(O(2))(2)(pz)(2)] are also presented.     

The reaction of tricarbon with acetylene: an ab initio/RRKM study of the potential energy surface and product branching ratios

Ab initio calculations of the potential energy surface for the C3(1Sigmag+)+C2H2(1Sigmag+) reaction have been performed at the RCCSD(T)/cc-pVQZ//B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) + ZPE[B3LYP/6-311G(d,p)] level with extrapolation to the complete basis set limit for key intermediates and products. These calculations have been followed by statistical calculations of reaction rate constants and product branching ratios. The results show the reaction to begin with the formation of the 3-(didehydrovinylidene)cyclopropene intermediate i1 or five-member ring isomer i7 with the entrance barriers of 7.6 and 13.8 kcal/mol, respectively. i1 rearranges to the other C5H2 isomers, including ethynylpropadienylidene i2, singlet pentadiynylidene i3, pentatetraenylidene i4, ethynylcyclopropenylidene i5, and four- and five-member ring structures i6, i7, and i8 by ring-closure and ring-opening processes and hydrogen migrations. i2, i3, and i4 lose a hydrogen atom to produce the most stable linear isomer of C5H with the overall reaction endothermicity of approximately 24 kcal/mol. H elimination from i5 leads to the formation of the cyclic C5H isomer, HC2C3, +H, 27 kcal/ mol above C3+C2H2. 1,1-H2 loss from i4 results in the linear pentacarbon C5+H2 products endothermic by 4 kcal/mol. The H elimination pathways occur without exit barriers, whereas the H2 loss from i4 proceeds via a tight transition state 26.4 kcal/mol above the reactants. The characteristic energy threshold for the reaction under single collision conditions is predicted be in the range of approximately 24 kcal/mol. Product branching ratios obtained by solving kinetic equations with individual rate constants calculated using RRKM and VTST theories for collision energies between 25 and 35 kcal/mol show that l-C5H+H are the dominant reaction products, whereas HC2C3+H and l-C5+H2 are minor products with branching ratios not exceeding 2.5% and 0.7%, respectively. The ethynylcyclopropenylidene isomer i5 is calculated to be the most stable C5H2 species, more favorable than triplet pentadiynylidene i3t by approximately 2 kcal/mol.     

Reaction Mechanism of Methanol to Formaldehyde over Fe‐ and FeO‐Modified Graphene

We employed periodic DFT calculations (PBE‐D2) to investigate the catalytic conversion of methanol over graphene embedded with Fe and FeO. Two possible pathways of dehydrogenation to formaldehyde and dehydration to dimethyl ether (DME) over these catalysts were examined. Both processes are initiated with the activation of methanol over the catalytic center through O?H cleavage. As a result, a methoxo‐containing intermediate is formed. Subsequently, H‐transfer from the methoxy to the adjacent ligand leads to the formation of formaldehyde. Conversely, the activation of the second methanol over the intermediate gives DME and H₂O. Over Fe/graphene, the dehydration process is kinetically and thermodynamically preferable. Unlike Fe/graphene, FeO/graphene is predicted to be an efficient catalyst for the dehydrogenation process. Oxidative dehydrogenation over FeO/graphene takes place through two steps with free energy barriers of 5.7 and 10.2 kcal mol^?1.     

Reactions of the hydroperoxide anion with dimethyl methylphosphonate in an ion trap mass spectrometer: evidence for a gas phase alpha-effect

The gas phase degradation reactions of the chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulant, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), with the hydroperoxide anion (HOO(-)) were investigated using a modified quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The HOO(-) anion reacts readily with neutral DMMP forming two significant product ions at m/z 109 and m/z 123. The major reaction pathways correspond to (i) the nucleophilic substitution at carbon to form [CH(3)P(O)(OCH(3))O](-) (m/z 109) in a highly exothermic process and (ii) exothermic proton transfer. The branching ratios of the two reaction pathways, 89% and 11% respectively, indicate that the former reaction is significantly faster than the latter. This is in contrast to the trend for the methoxide anion with DMMP, where proton transfer dominates. The difference in the observed reactivities of the HOO(-) and CH(3)O(-) anions can be considered as evidence for an alpha-effect in the gas phase and is supported by electronic structure calculations at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level of theory that indicate the S(N)2(carbon) process has an activation energy 7.8 kJ mol(-1) lower for HOO(-) as compared to CH(3)O(-). A similar alpha-effect was calculated for nucleophilic addition-elimination at phosphorus, but this process--an important step in the perhydrolysis degradation of CWAs in solution--was not observed to occur with DMMP in the gas phase. A theoretical investigation revealed that all processes are energetically accessible with negative activation energies. However, comparison of the relative Arrhenius pre-exponential factors indicate that substitution at phosphorus is not kinetically competitive with respect to the S(N)2(carbon) and deprotonation processes.     

Theoretical investigation on chiral cinchona alkaloid salts‐catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of cyclic enones

Chiral cinchona alkaloid salts‐catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of 2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) has been investigated using density functional theory (DFT). The ring‐closure step is rate limiting in the catalytic reaction. The enantioselectivity‐determining step is initial nucleophilic addition involving two orientations of axial and equatorial. In (S)‐catalyst j ‐mediated process, axial pathway is favored over equatorial leading to the major epoxide [2S,3S]‐ 3 . An opposite enantiomer [2R,3R]‐ 3 is primarily generated in (R)‐catalyst k ‐assisted case preferring equatorial pathway. The results indicate that the enantioselectivity of epoxidation is dominated by central chirality of the bifunctional catalysts in the activation of enone by primary amine salt via iminium formation and of H₂O₂ by tertiary amine reacting as a general base. The substituent effect is also discussed to clarify a tendency existing in experiment. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Phosphoric acid catalyzed enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of imines: a density functional theory study of reaction mechanism and the origins of enantioselectivity

The phosphoric acid catalyzed reaction of 1,4‐dihydropyridines with N‐arylimines has been investigated by using density functional theory. We first considered the reaction of acetophenone PMP‐imine (PMP=p‐methoxyphenyl) with the dimethyl Hantzsch ester catalyzed by diphenyl phosphate. Our study showed that, in agreement with what has previously been postulated for other reactions, diphenyl phosphate acts as a Lewis base/Brønsted acid bifunctional catalyst in this transformation, simultaneously activating both reaction partners. The calculations also showed that the hydride transfer transition states for the E and Z isomers of the iminium ion have comparable energies. This observation turned out to be crucial to the understanding of the enantioselectivity of the process. Our results indicate that when using a chiral 3,3′‐disubstituted biaryl phosphoric acid, hydride transfer to the Re face of the (Z)‐iminium is energetically more favorable and is responsible for the enantioselectivity, whereas the corresponding transition states for nucleophilic attack on the two faces of the (E)‐iminium are virtually degenerate. Moreover, model calculations predict the reversal in enantioselectivity observed in the hydrogenation of 2‐arylquinolines, which during the catalytic cycle are converted into (E)‐iminium ions that lack the flexibility of those derived from acyclic N‐arylimines. In this respect, the conformational rigidity of the dihydroquinolinium cation imposes an unfavorable binding geometry on the transition state for hydride transfer on the Re face and is therefore responsible for the high enantioselectivity.