Preparation and evaluation of a deoxycholic‐calix[4]arene hybrid‐type receptor as a chiral stationary phase for HPLC

We report the synthesis and enantioseparation characteristics of two novel covalently immobilized deoxycholic acid derivatives as chiral stationary phases for high‐performance liquid chromatography. In the structure of the first stationary phase, the 3‐position of deoxycholic acid is substituted with a 3,5‐dinitrophenylcarbamoyl group and the second one has an additional calix[4]arene attached to the carboxylic group of the deoxycholic acid. The chromatographic performance of the stationary phases was evaluated with enantioseparation of N‐(3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl)‐dl ‐leucine, N‐(3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl)‐dl ‐valine, omeprazole, diclofop‐methyl, dl ‐mandelic acid and (RS)‐pregabalin. Comparison of the performance characteristics of the prepared chiral stationary phases provided evidence for the active involvement of the calix[4]arene unit in the chiral recognition process. Both stationary phases are chemically bonded to the silica and can be used in both normal‐phase and reversed‐phase modes.     

Micellar liquid chromatography for enantioseparation of β-adrenolytics using (S)-ketoprofen-based reagents

Micellar liquid chromatographic method has been developed for enantioseparation of four β-adrenolytics, namely, (RS)-salbutamol, (RS)-carvedilol, (RS)-bisoprolol, and (RS)-betaxolol. Both sodium docyl sulfate and Brij-35 were used as the surfactants in water as the mobile phase. Advantages for using both the surfactants in combination were investigated. Two (S)-ketoprofen-based activated esters were synthesized by activating its carboxylic group with N-hydroxybenzotriazole and N-hydroxysuccinimide, respectively. The esters were characterized by UV, IR, ¹H-NMR, HRMS, and elemental analyses. These reagents were used for the synthesis of diastereomeric derivatives of the chosen β-adrenolytics. These diastereomeric derivatives were enantioseparated on C₁₈ column by high-performance liquid chromatography. Chromatographic conditions were optimized by varying concentration of surfactant and buffer, and pH. The method was validated according to International Conference of Harmonization guideline and the retention factor (k), selectivity factor (α), resolution factor (R_S), and limit of detection and limit of quantification were calculated.     

Chiral separation of phenylalanine and tryptophan by capillary electrophoresis using a mixture of β‐CD and chiral ionic liquid ([TBA] [l‐ASP]) as selectors

In this paper, a simple, effective and green capillary electrophoresis separation and detection method was developed for the quantification of underivatized amino acids (dl ‐phenylalanine; dl ‐tryptophan) using β‐Cyclodextrin and chiral ionic liquid ([TBA] [l ‐ASP]) as selectors. Separation parameters such as buffer concentrations, pH, β‐CD and chiral ionic liquid concentrations and separation voltage were investigated for the enantioseparation in order to achieve the maximum possible resolution. A good separation was achieved in a background electrolyte composed of 15 mm sodium tetraborate, 5 mm β‐CD and 4 mm chiral ionic liquid at pH 9.5, and an applied voltage of 10 kV. Under optimum conditions, linearity was achieved within concentration ranges from 0.08 to 10 µg/mL for the analytes with correlation coefficients from 0.9956 to 0.9998, and the analytes were separated in less than 6 min with efficiencies up to 970,000 plates/m. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of amino acid enantiomers in compound amino acids injections, such as 18AA‐I, 18AA‐II and 3AA. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative Enantioseparation of Seven Amino Alcohols on Teicoplanin‐Based Chiral Stationary Phases

Abstract

The macrocyclic antibiotics represent a relatively new class of chiral selectors in separation science and teicoplanin‐based chiral stationary phases (CSP) have been used successfully in a number of applications in high‐performance liquid chromatography. In the present studies, we self‐prepared two bonded CSPs–teicoplanin (TE) and teicoplanin phenyl isocyanate (TE‐Phe). Seven amino alcohols, propranolol, bisoprolol fumarate, atenolol, salbutamol, isoproterenol, metoprolol, and labetalol were enantioseparated on both self‐made CSPs using methanol as mobile phase and acetic acid (HOAc) and triethylamine (TEA) as mobile phase additives. On both CSPs, the different enantioseparation behavior of analytes with different structure was compared. The influence of the concentration of mobile phase additives (HOAc and TEA) on the enantioseparation was investigated. In all conditions, the retention factors (k′) of seven analytes on TE‐Phe CSP were larger than that on TE CSP. However, the separation factors (α) and resolutions (Rs) on TE‐Phe CSP were smaller than that on TE CSP. The results indicated that the derivatized TE‐Phe CSP is not efficient as original teicoplanin CSP. Our observations also suggested that, for teicoplanin‐based CSPs, π‐π interactions and dipole‐dipole between solutes and CSPs mainly contribute to the retention of solutes on CSPs while hydrogen bonding and steric interactions play important roles in the chiral recognition for teicoplanin‐based CSPs.     

An efficient method for the determination of enantiomeric purity of racemic amino acids using micellar chromatography,a green approach

A simple, sensitive and green micellar liquid chromatographic method (RP-HPLC) was developed for enantioseparation of four racemic amino acids, namely, (RS)-selenomethionine, (RS)-methionine, (RS)-cysteine and (RS)-penicillamine. An aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate and Brij-35 was prepared and used as mobile phase for HPLC analysis. Activated esters of (S)-ibuprofen, (S)-ketoprofen and (S)-levofloxacin were synthesized by reacting them with N-hydroxybenzotriazole. These esters were characterized by UV, IR, ¹HNMR, HRMS and elemental analysis. These chiral reagents (activated esters) were used for the synthesis of diastereomeric derivatives of the chosen amino acids. The diastereomeric derivatives were separated on a C₁₈ column by micellar liquid chromatography. Chromatographic conditions were optimized by varying concentration of surfactant in aqueous solution, and by varying the concentration and pH of the buffer. The green assessment score was calculated for the developed method (78, an excellent green method score). In addition, density functional theory calculations were performed, using Gaussian 09 rev. A.02 and hybrid density functional B3LYP with a 6-31G* basis set program, in order to develop lowest energy optimized structures of diastereomeric derivatives. The method was validated according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines and the retention factor (k), selectivity factor (α), resolution factor (R_S) and limit of detection (0.295 ng ml⁻¹) and limit of quantification (0.896 ng ml⁻¹) were calculated.     

HPLC enantioseparation of racemic bupropion,baclofen and etodolac: modification of conventional ligand exchange approach by pre‐column formation of chiral ligand exchange complexes

Separation of racemic mixture of (RS)‐bupropion, (RS)‐baclofen and (RS)‐etodolac, commonly marketed racemic drugs, has been achieved by modifying the conventional ligand exchange approach. The Cu(II) complexes were first prepared with a few l ‐amino acids, namely, l ‐proline, l ‐histidine, l ‐phenylalanine and l ‐tryptophan, and to these was introduced a mixture of the enantiomer pair of (RS)‐bupropion, or (RS)‐baclofen or (RS)‐etodolac. As a result, formation of a pair of diastereomeric complexes occurred by ‘chiral ligand exchange’ via the competition between the chelating l ‐amino acid and each of the two enantiomers from a given pair. The diastereomeric mixture formed in the pre‐column process was loaded onto HPLC column. Thus, both the phases during chromatographic separation process were achiral (i.e. neither the stationary phase had any chiral structural feature of its own nor did the mobile phase have any chiral additive). Separation of diastereomers was successful using a C₁₈ column and a binary mixture of MeCN and TEAP buffer of pH 4.0 (60:40, v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min and UV detection at 230 nm for (RS)‐Bup, 220 nm for (RS)‐Bac and 223 nm for (RS)‐Etd. Baseline separation of the two enantiomers was obtained with a resolution of 6.63 in <15 min. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Liquid chromatographic enantioseparation of three beta‐adrenolytics using new derivatizing reagents synthesized from (S)‐ketoprofen and confirmation of configuration of diastereomers

Diastereomers of racemic β‐adrenolytic drugs [namely (RS)‐propranolol, (RS)‐metoprolol and (RS)‐atenolol] were synthesized under microwave irradiation with (S)‐ketoprofen based chiral derivatization reagents (CDRs) newly synthesized for this purpose. (S)‐Ketoprofen was chosen for its high molar absorptivity (ε_o ~ 40,000) and its availability as a pure (S)‐enantiomer. Its ‐COOH group was activated with N‐hydroxysuccinimide and N‐hydroxybenzotriazole; these were easily introduced and also acted as good leaving groups during nucleophilic substitution by the amino group of the racemic β‐adrenolytics. The CDRs were characterized by UV, IR, ¹H‐NMR, HRMS and CHNS. Separation of diastereomers was achieved by RP HPLC and open column chromatography. Absolute configuration of the diastereomers was established with the help of ¹HNMR supported by developing their optimized lowest energy structures using Gaussian 09 Rev. A.02 program and hybrid density functional B3LYP with 6‐31G* basis set (based on density functional theory), and elution order was established. RP HPLC conditions for separation were optimized and the separation method was validated. The limit of detection values were 0.308 and 0.302 ng mL^?1. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐performance liquid chromatographic enantioseparation of (RS)‐bupropion using isothiocyanate‐based chiral derivatizing reagents

A high‐performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for enantioseparation of bupropion was developed using two isothiocyanate‐based chiral derivatizing reagents, (S)‐1‐(1‐naphthyl) ethyl isothiocyanate, (S)‐NEIT, and (R)‐α‐methyl benzyl isothiocyanate, (R)‐MBIT. The diastereomers synthesized with (S)‐NEIT were enantioseparated by reversed‐phase HPLC using gradient elution with mobile phase containing water and acetonitrile, whereas diastereomers synthesized with (R)‐MBIT were enantioseparated using triethyl amine phosphate buffer and methanol. Derivatization conditions were optimized and the method was validated for accuracy, precision and limit of detection. The limit of detection was found to be 0.040–0.043 µg/mL for each of the diastereomers prepared with (S)‐NEIT. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Equilibrium Studies on Reactive Extraction of α-Cyclohexylmandelic Enantiomers Using Hydrophilic β-Cyclodextrin Derivatives Extractants

β‐Cyclodextrin (β‐CD) is negligibly soluble in organic liquids and can be modified to achieve a higher solubility in water. In this paper, racemic α‐cyclohexyl‐mandelic acid (α‐CHMA) was separated by chiral reactive extraction with aqueous β‐cyclodextrin derivatives. Hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD), hydroxyethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HE‐β‐CD), and methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (Me‐β‐CD) were selected as chiral selectors for reactive extraction of α‐CHMA enantiomers from organic phase to aqueous phase. Factors affecting the extraction efficiency were investigated, including the types of organic solvents and β‐CD derivatives, the concentrations of the chiral selector and α‐CHMA enantiomers, pH and temperature. The experimental results demonstrate that HP‐β‐CD, HE‐β‐CD, and Me‐β‐CD have stronger recognition abilities for S‐α‐CHMA than for R‐α‐CHMA. Among the three derivatives, HP‐β‐CD shows the strongest separation factor for α‐CHMA enantiomers. A high enantioseparation efficiency with a maximum separation factor (α) of 2.02 is observed at pH 2.5 and 5°C.     

HPLC enantioseparation of β2‐homoamino acids using crown ether‐based chiral stationary phase

RP high‐performance liquid chromatographic methods were developed for the enantioseparation of eleven unusual β²‐homoamino acids. The underivatized analytes were separated on a chiral stationary phase containing (+)‐(18‐crown‐6)‐2,3,11,12‐tetracarboxylic acid as chiral selector. The effects of organic (alcoholic) and acidic modifiers, the mobile phase composition and temperature on the separation were investigated. The structures of the substituents in the α‐position of the analytes substantially influenced the retention and resolution. The elution sequence was determined in some cases: the S enantiomers eluted before the R enantiomers.     

Enantioseparation of 3‐phenyllactic acid by chiral ligand exchange countercurrent chromatography

3‐Phenyllactic acid is an antimicrobial compound with broad‐spectrum activity against various bacteria and fungus. The observed difference in pharmacological activity between optical isomeric 3‐phenyllactic acid necessitates a method for enantioseparation. Chiral ligand exchange countercurrent chromatography was investigated for the enantioseparation of 3‐phenyllactic acid with a synthesized chiral ligand. A two‐phase solvent system was composed of n‐butanol/hexane/water (0.4:0.6:1, v/v/v) to which N‐n‐dodecyl‐l ‐hydroxyproline was added to the organic phase as chiral ligand and cupric acetate was added in the aqueous phase as a transitional metal ion. The influence factors were optimized by enantioselective liquid–liquid extraction. Baseline enantioseparation of racemic 3‐phenyllactic acid by analytical high‐speed countercurrent chromatography was achieved. The optical purities of enantiomeric 3‐phenyllactic acid reached 99.0%, as determined by chiral high‐performance liquid chromatography.     

Studies for a Diastereoselective Synthesis of the Tetracyclic Diterpenic Diol Stemarin: A Model Study for a New Preparation of the Key Intermediate and the Synthesis of (+)-18-Deoxystemarin

Methods for a stereoselective preparation of compounds of type 2b , a key intermediate of a previous synthesis of the tetracyclic diterpene stemarin ( la ), have been tested on model compounds 5a, 5c , and 8a . Thus, (±)-(1RS,6SR,8SR,11SR)-hydroxytricyclo[6.2.2.0^l,6]dodecan-9-one ( 5a ) was transformed by the Mitsunobu reaction into (±)-(1RS,6SR,8SR,11RS)-11-(benzoyloxy)tricyclot[6.2.2.0^1,6]dodecan-9-one ( 6b ; Scheme 2). The latter was also obtained from (±)-(1RS,6SR,8SR,11RS)-11-[(4)-toluenesulfonyloxy]tricyclo[6.2.2.0^1,6]dodecan-9-one ( 5c ) by the action of Et₄N (PhCOO) in acetone. Compound 6b was then converted into (±)-(1RS,6RS,8RS,9RS)-tricyclo[6.2.2.0^1,6]dodecan-9-ol ( 8b ), a model for 2b . Compound 8b was also prepared from its epimer 8a by the Mitsunobu reaction via ester 7b . The inversion of configuration of bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ols or derivates was not previously described. The model studies paved the way to the diastereoselective synthesis of (+)-18-deoxystemarin ( 1b ) via 12β-hydroxy-13-methyl-9β,13β-ethano-9β-podocarpan-15-one ( 10a ) and 13-methyl-9β,13β-ethano-9β-podpcarpan-12α-ol ( 11b ).     

Analytical and semi‐preparative enantioresolution of (RS)‐ketorolac from pharmaceutical formulation and in human plasma by HPLC

An efficient, simple, validated, analytical and semi‐preparative HPLC method has been developed for direct enantioresolution of (RS)‐Ketorolac (Ket) using monochloro‐methylated derivatives of cellulose and amylose, i.e. cellulose (tris‐3‐chloro‐4‐methylphenylcarbamate) and amylose (tris‐5‐chloro‐2‐methylphenylcarbamate) as chiral stationary phases (CSPs) with photo diode array detection at 320 nm. Enantioresolution was carried out in samples of human plasma spiked with (RS)‐Ket under normal and reversed‐phase elution modes with suitable mobile phase compositions. The effect of nature of alcohols (MeOH, EtOH, PrOH and n‐BuOH) and other solvents (MeCN and MeOH) as organic modifiers in the mobile phase was investigated on the separation performance of two CSPs in terms of retention and separation of enantiomers. The best resolution was observed on cellulose‐based CSP using EtOH, while using 2‐PrOH (15%) and amylose‐based CSP obtained the highest retention. Under reversed‐phase elution mode the best enantioseparation was observed using 30% MeCN with ammonium formate buffer. The elution order of enantiomers was ascertained by determining specific rotations. The limit of detection and quantitation values were 5 and 15.5 ng/mL for each enantiomer of (RS)‐Ket, respectively. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel approach for enantioseparation as applied to (RS)‐etodolac from pharmaceutical formulations: LC MS and density functional theory support for confirmation of diastereomers so separated

In the present studies formation of diastereomers of (RS)‐etodolac was confirmed using LC‐MS when [M + H]⁺ or [M]⁺ were recorded for the diastereomers. The lowest energy optimized structures of two diastereomers were drawn, which confirmed the three‐dimensional geometry of the diastereomers. This supports the optimized analytical separation conditions. In addition, separation of diastereomers was successful using a C₁₈ column and a binary mixture of methanol and triethyl ammonium phosphate buffer of pH 4.5 (80:20, v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL min^?1 and UV detection at 223 nm. The separation method was validated as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. (RS)‐Etodolac was isolated from commercial tablets and purified and characterized to be used as racemic standard. Three pairs of diastereomers were synthesized using enantiomerically pure amines, namely, (R)‐(+)‐α‐methyl benzyl amine, (S)‐(?)‐α,4‐dimethylbenzylamine and (R)‐(?)‐1‐cyclohexylethylamine. Derivatization reactions were carried out under conditions of stirring at room temperature (30 °C for 2 h) as well as under microwave irradiation (MWI), and the two types of diastereomers were compared. Reaction conditions for derivatization were optimized with respect to mole ratio of chiral derivatizing agent and (RS)‐etodolac and MWI time. No racemization was observed throughout the study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

(RS)‐Propranolol: enantioseparation by HPLC using newly synthesized (S)‐levofloxacin‐based reagent,absolute configuration of diastereomers and recovery of native enantiomers by detagging

Diastereomers of (RS)‐propranolol were synthesized using (S)‐levofloxacin‐based new chiral derivatizing reagents (CDRs). Levofloxacin was chosen as the pure (S)‐enantiomer for its high molar absorptivity (ε_o ～ 24000) and availability at a low price. Its ‐COOH group had N‐hydroxysuccinimide and N‐hydroxybenzotriazole, which acted as good leaving groups during nucleophilic substitution by the amino group of the racemic (RS)‐propranolol; the CDRs were characterized by UV, IR, ¹H‐NMR, high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulphur fundamental elemental components analyser (CHNS). Diastereomers were separated quantitatively using open column chromatography; absolute configuration of the diastereomers was established and the reagent moiety was detagged under microwave‐assisted acidic conditions. (S)‐ and (R)‐propranolol as pure enantiomers and (S)‐levofloxacin were separated, isolated and characterized. Optimized lowest‐energy structures of the diastereomers were developed using Gaussian 09 Rev. A.02 program and hybrid density functional B3LYP with 6‐31G* basis set (based on density functional theory) for explanation of elution order and configuration. In addition, RP HPLC conditions for separation of diastereomers were optimized with respect to pH, concentration of buffer, flow rate of mobile phase and nature of organic modifier. HPLC separation method was validated as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. With the systematic application of various analytical techniques, absolute configuration of the diastereomers (and the native enantiomers) of (RS)‐propranolol was established. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of photoinduced isomerization on the chiral separation of novel liquid crystalline materials with a diazene moiety

The influence of photoinduced isomerization on the enantiomeric separation of two newly synthesized liquid crystalline materials, liquid crystals 1 and 2, was studied by high‐performance liquid chromatography on a chiral stationary phase Chiralpack AD‐3. Both materials have one chiral center and one diazene moiety. The compounds were separated into their E and Z isomeric forms. The conditions and time scale of the ultraviolet‐induced E to Z transition were briefly evaluated. Under the optimized conditions, we were able to baseline separate the S and R enantiomers of both the studied materials in their E isomeric form. The chiral separation of liquid crystal 2 after ultraviolet irradiation was unsuccessful. In contrast, the chiral separation of liquid crystal 1 possessing a similar structure to liquid crystal 2 provided baseline separation in its Z isomeric form as well. Previously, we have shown the influence of photoinduced isomerization and its utilization in the enantioseparation on relatively simple molecules. Here, we demonstrate that (1) much more complex compounds can also be successfully separated despite the bulkiness of the achiral part of the structure and (2) photoinduced isomerization even for such complex molecules still strongly influences their chromatographic properties.     

Synthesis and application of a chiral ionic liquid functionalized β‐cyclodextrin as a chiral selector in capillary electrophoresis

A novel chiral ionic liquid functionalized β‐cyclodextrin, 6‐O‐2‐hydroxpropyltrimethylammonium‐β‐cyclodextrin tetrafluoroborate ([HPTMA‐β‐CD][BF₄]), was synthesized and used as a chiral selector in capillary electrophoresis. [HPTMA‐β‐CD][BF₄] not only increased the solubility in aqueous buffer in comparison with the parent compound, but also provided a stable reversal electroosmotic flow, and the enantioseparation of eight chiral drugs was examined in phosphate buffer containing [HPTMA‐β‐CD][BF₄] as the chiral selector. The effects of the [HPTMA‐β‐CD][BF₄] concentration and the background electrolyte pH were studied. Moreover, the chiral separation abilities of β‐CD and [HPTMA‐β‐CD][BF₄] were compared and possible mechanisms for the chiral recognition of [HPTMA‐β‐CD][BF₄] are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enantioseparation of rabeprazole and omeprazole by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis with an ephedrine-based ionic liquid as the chiral selector

An ephedrine‐based chiral ionic liquid, (+)‐N,N‐dimethylephedrinium‐bis(trifluoromethanesulfon)imidate ([DMP]⁺[Tf₂N]^‐), served as both chiral selector and background electrolyte in nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis. The enantioseparation of rabeprazole and omeprazole was achieved in acetonitrile–methanol (60:40 v/v) containing 60 mm [DMP]⁺[Tf₂N]^‐. The influences of separation conditions, including the concentration of [DMP]⁺[Tf₂N]^‐, the electrophoretic media and the buffer, on enantioseparation were evaluated. The mechanism of enantioseparation was investigated and discussed. Ion‐pair interaction and hydrogen bonding may be responsible for the main separation mechanism. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two New Steroidal Saponins from the Processed Polygonatum kingianum

Two new spirostanol saponins, kingianoside I ( 1 ) and kingianoside K ( 2 ), corresponding to (3β,23S,25R)‐23‐hydroxy‐12‐oxospirost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 4‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 1 ) and (3β,25R)‐7‐oxospirost‐5‐en‐3‐yl α‐L ‐arabinofuranosyl‐(1→4)‐[6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), along with 13 known compounds, daucosterol, (25R)‐kingianoside G, (25RS)‐kingianoside A, pratioside D₁, (25RS)‐pratioside D₁, (25S)‐kingianoside C, kingianoside C, ginsenoside Rb₁, saponins Tb and Pb, dioscin, gracillin, and saponin Pa, were isolated from the processed rhizomes of Polygonatum kingianum. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques, and chemical methods. Compound 2 contains a novel unusual spirostanol saponin aglycone. Ginsenoside Rb₁ and saponin Tb were isolated for the first time from the genus Polygonatum. The 13 known compounds were detected for the first time in the processed Polygonatum kingianum.     

Chiral nickel(II) and palladium(II) catalysts bearing strong electron‐withdrawing fluorine groups: synthesis,characterization and their application in catalytic polymerization for ethylene and styrene

A series of new chiral and achiral nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes, {bis[N,N′‐(2,6‐diethyl‐4‐naphthylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dibromonickel 3a , {bis[N,N′‐(4‐fluoro‐2‐methyl‐6‐sec‐phenethylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dibromonickel rac‐(RS)‐ 3b , {bis[N,N′‐(4‐fluoro‐6‐sec‐phenethylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dibromonickel rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3c and {bis[N,N′‐(4‐fluoro‐6‐sec‐phenethylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dichloropalladium rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3d were successfully synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of representative ligand rac‐(RS)‐ 2b , nickel complex 3a , rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3c and palladium complex rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3d were determined by X‐ray crystallography. The structures of complexes 3a and rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3c have pseudo‐tetrahedral geometry about the nickel center, showing C₂ molecular symmetry. However, the structure of palladium complex rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3d has pseudo‐square planar geometry about the palladium center, showing C₂ molecular symmetry. Complex 3e {bis[N,N′‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dibromonickel was also synthesized for comparison. Nickel complex rac‐(RS)‐ 3b bearing strong electron‐withdrawing fluorine group in the para‐aryl position and a chiral sec‐phenethyl group in the ortho‐aryl position of the ligand (one methyl group in the ortho‐aryl position) displays the highest catalytic activity for ethylene and styrene polymerization, and produced highly branched polyethylene and syndiotactic‐rich polystyrene. However, palladium complex rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3d shows low catalytic activity for ethylene and styrene polymerization due to the poor leaving group, Cl, attached to palladium and the unfavorable molecular structure. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.