Synthesis of Optically Active Polystyrene Catalyzed by Monophosphine Pd Complexes

Cationic Pd^II monophosphine complexes derived from α‐ and β‐cyclodextrins (CDs) promote the homopolymerization of styrene under carbon monoxide pressure. Although reversible CO coordination takes place under catalytic conditions according to ¹³C NMR studies with ¹³C‐enriched CO, both complexes catalyze the formation of CO‐free styrene polymers. These macromolecules display optical activity as a result of the presence of stereoregular sequences within the overall atactic polymer.     

Mild and Efficient Ring Opening of Epoxides Catalyzed by Potassium Dodecatungstocobaltate(III)

Summary. Efficient ring opening of epoxides under mild conditions is reported. Potassium dodecatungstocobaltate(III) trihydrate was used as an efficient catalyst for the alcoholysis and acetolysis of epoxides. Conversion of epoxides to thiiranes was also performed efficiently in the presence of this catalyst.     

醇腈酶促不对称合成手性氰醇反应条件的研究

利用气相色谱手性分析,对醇腈酶促不对称合成手性氰醇中的pH值、温度、底物浓度和水含量对酶反应速度和非酶反应速度的影响作了研究。结果表明,上述因素对酶反应和非酶反应速度均有显著影响。在水含量较低的非水相酶反应体系中,pH值在4．0以下或反应温度为0－5℃时,非酶反应受到较大程度的抑制,而酶反应仍具有相对较快的反应速度,故可获得高光学纯度的产物。     

Synthesis of C 2-Symmetric Chiral Amino Alcohols: Their Usage as Organocatalysts for Enantioselective Opening of Epoxide Ring

A series of β-amino alcohols derivatives were synthesized from (R)-2-amino-1-butanol and (S)-1,2-propanediol, and they have been used as organocatalaysts in the racemic ring opening of epoxide in good yields with high enantiomeric excess (up to 97%).     

Bakers' Yeast–Catalyzed Ring Opening of Benzofuroxans: An Efficient Green Synthesis of Aryl-1,2-diamines

A simple and inexpensive method for the reductive cleavage of N–O bond of benzofuroxans with bakers' yeast under nonfermenting condition in aqueous media was achieved. The procedure gives excellent yields of aryl-1,2-diamines.     

Enantioselective Palladium‐Catalyzed Dearomative Cyclization for the Efficient Synthesis of Terpenes and Steroids

A novel enantioselective palladium‐catalyzed dearomative cyclization has been developed for the efficient construction of a series of chiral phenanthrenone derivatives bearing an all‐carbon quaternary center. The effectiveness of this method in the synthesis of terpenes and steroids was demonstrated by a highly efficient synthesis of a kaurene intermediate, the facile construction of the skeleton of the anabolic steroid boldenone, and the enantioselective total synthesis of the antimicrobial diterpene natural product (?)‐totaradiol.     

Metal–Organic Frameworks as Efficient Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Regioselective Ring Opening of Epoxides

An iron‐based metal–organic framework, [Fe(BTC)] (BTC: 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylate) is an efficient catalyst in the ring opening of styrene oxide with alcohols and aniline under mild reaction conditions. Out of the various alcohols tested for ring opening of styrene oxide, methanol was found to be the most reactive in terms of percentage conversion and reactivity. The rate of the ring‐opening reaction of styrene oxide decreases as the size of the alcohol is increased, suggesting the location of active sites in micropores. [Fe(BTC)] was a truly heterogeneous catalyst and could be reused without loss of activity. The analogous compound [Cu₃(BTC)₂] was also found to be effective, although with somewhat lower activity than [Fe(BTC)]. The present heterogeneous protocol is compared with a homogeneous catalyst to give an insight into the reaction mechanism.     

Highly Enantioselective Rhodium‐Catalyzed Addition of Arylboroxines to Simple Aryl Ketones: Efficient Synthesis of Escitalopram

Highly enantioselective additions of arylboroxines to simple aryl ketones have been achieved for the first time with a Rh/(R,R,R,R)‐WingPhos catalyst, thus providing a range of chiral diaryl alkyl carbinols with excellent ee values and yields. (R,R,R,R)‐WingPhos has been proven to be crucial for the high reactivity and enantioselectivity. The method has enabled a new, concise, and enantioselective synthesis of the antidepressant drug escitalopram.     

An Efficient Enantioselective Synthesis of Natural Gingerols,the Active Principles of Ginger

A straightforward synthesis of (S)‐gingerols 1 – 3 has been described. The requisite stereogenic center in the target molecules was introduced by Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation using a chiral complex, AD‐mix β. This route is simple and efficient to prepare the products in very good yields.     

Enantioselective C?C and C?H Bond Formation Mediated or Catalyzed by Chiral ebthi Complexes of Titanium and Zirconium

The development of catalytic processes that effect enantioselective bond formation under mild conditions is an important and challenging task in modern chemical synthesis. In this connection, chiral C₂-symmetric ansa-metallocenes (bridged metallocenes) have found notable applications as catalysts. This article discusses the chemistry of this class of chiral metallocene complexes with regard to their utility in catalytic and enantioselective C? C and C? H bond formation reactions. In addition, where applicable, a brief comparison with other related catalytic enantioselective processes is offered. Many of the reactions effected with high levels of enantioselectivity by catalytic amounts of these complexes are of great significance to the preparation of new materials and in the synthesis of therapeutic agents. For example, zirconocene complexes readily catalyze the enantioselective addition of alkylmagnesium halides to alkenes, and cationic zirconocene complexes may promote the highly stereoregulated copolymerization of terminal alkenes. Furthermore, the related chiral titanocenes are involved in an impressive range of useful asymmetric catalytic reactions, including the enantioselective hydrogenation of olefins and reduction of imines or ketones. This review attempts to bring together the practical aspects of the use of [(ebthi)M] complexes of Group 4 transition metals (catalyst synthesis and resolution), outline the manner in which the C₂-symmetric chiral ligands are believed to initiate stereoselective bond formation, and highlight the aspects of this chemistry that are less well understood and require further research.     

Asymmetric Catalytic Aminoalkylations: New Powerful Methods for the Enantioselective Synthesis of Amino Acid Derivatives,Mannich Bases,and Homoallylic Amines

Modern methodologies such as the design of chiral catalysts using combinatorial techniques play a key role in the development of asymmetric aminoalkylations. Thus, powerful enantioselective syntheses for many attractive target compounds using chiral Lewis acid or base catalysts like 1 or 2 were created.     

Reduction of Carbonyl Compounds with Chiral Oxazaborolidine Catalysts: A New Paradigm for Enantioselective Catalysis and a Powerful New Synthetic Method

High enantioselectivity can be achieved when chiral oxazaborolidines are used as catalysts in the reduction of ketones by borane. In the transition state on the way to the complex chiral compounds, the two reactants are activated and held in close proximity by the catalyst, as shown below.