Complementing Pyridine‐2,6‐bis(oxazoline) with Cyclometalated N‐Heterocyclic Carbene for Asymmetric Ruthenium Catalysis

A strategy for expanding the utility of chiral pyridine‐2,6‐bis(oxazoline) (pybox) ligands for asymmetric transition metal catalysis is introduced by adding a bidentate ligand to modulate the electronic properties and asymmetric induction. Specifically, a ruthenium(II) pybox fragment is combined with a cyclometalated N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand to generate catalysts for enantioselective transition metal nitrenoid chemistry, including ring contraction to chiral 2H‐azirines (up to 97 % ee with 2000 TON) and enantioselective C(sp³)?H aminations (up to 97 % ee with 50 TON).     

Chiral iridium(I) bis(NHC) complexes as catalysts for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

The common use of NHC complexes in transition‐metal mediated C–C coupling and metathesis reactions in recent decades has established N‐heterocyclic carbenes as a new class of ligand for catalysis. The field of asymmetric catalysis with complexes bearing NHC‐containing chiral ligands is dominated by mixed carbene/oxazoline or carbene/phosphane chelating ligands. In contrast, applications of complexes with chiral, chelating bis(NHC) ligands are rare. In the present work new chiral iridium(I) bis(NHC) complexes and their application in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones are described. A series of chiral bis(azolium) salts have been prepared following a synthetic pathway, starting from L ‐valinol and the modular buildup allows the structural variation of the ligand precursors. The iridium complexes were formed via a one‐pot transmetallation procedure. The prepared complexes were applied as catalysts in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of various prochiral ketones, affording the corresponding chiral alcohols in high yields and moderate to good enantioselectivities of up to 68%. The enantioselectivities of the catalysts were strongly affected by the various, terminal N‐substituents of the chelating bis(NHC) ligands. The results presented in this work indicate the potential of bis‐carbenes as stereodirecting ligands for asymmetric catalysis and are offering a base for further developments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sulfur‐Containing Chiral Bis(oxazolines) Tested in Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Cyclopropanation

The novel C₂‐symmetric sulfur‐containing chiral bis(oxazoline) compound has been synthesized and characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Highly enantioselective and diastereoselective cyclopropanation reactions have been performed using the copper‐bis(oxazoline) catalyst.     

Chasing BODIPY: Enhancement of Luminescence in Homoleptic Bis(dipyrrinato) ZnII Complexes Utilizing Symmetric and Unsymmetrical Dipyrrins

Dipyrromethene metal complexes are fascinating molecules that have applications as light-harvesting systems, luminophores, and laser dyes. Recently, it has been shown that structurally rigid bis(dipyrrinato) zinc(II) complexes exhibit high fluorescence with comparable quantum yields to those of boron dipyrromethenes or BODIPYs. Herein, eight new bis(dipyrrinato) Zn^II complexes, obtained from symmetric and unsymmetrical functionalization of the dipyrromethene structure through a Knoevenagel reaction, are reported. It was possible not only to vary the maximum visible absorption from 490 to 630 nm, but also to enhance the emission quantum yield up to 66 %, which is extraordinarily high for homoleptic bis(dipyrrinato) zinc complexes. These results pave the way for designing highly luminescent bis(dipyrrinato) zinc complexes.     

Double End‐On Azido Copper(II) Dinuclear Complex with Oxazoline Ligand: Synthesis,Structure, Magnetic Properties and Theoretical Study

A double azido‐bridged Cu^II dinuclear complex with the chelating chiral ligand, [Cu₂(L)₂(N₃)₄] ( 1 ) [L = (+)‐2, 2′‐isopropylidene‐bis((4R)‐4‐benzyl‐2‐oxazoline)] was synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and theoretical studies. The asymmetric double end‐on azido bridges in complex 1 lead to a weak antiferromagnetic behavior with J = –7.4 cm^–1. The exchange interactions in complex 1 were investigated by DFT calculations, and the calculated exchange interaction (J = –8.0 cm^–1) is in good agreement with the experimental value.     

Amino acid recognition of pyridine bis(oxazoline)-copper(II) complex in aqueous solvent

Enantioselective recognition of amino acids has been studied with C₂-symmetric chiral pyridine bis(oxazoline)-copper(II) complexes at physiological pH condition. UV-visible titration revealed strong binding of submillimolar dissociation constant between pyridine bis(oxazoline)-copper(II) complex and amino acids in aqueous solution. Moderate selectivity of up to 2:1 between d- and l-amino acids was achieved. The enantiomers were baseline resolved by capillary electrophoresis, using the bis(l-lysine)-copper(II) complex as a chiral selector.     

Polymer-bound bis(oxazoline) as a chiral catalyst

A chiral bis(oxazoline) was grafted on ArgoGel and used in the palladium-catalysed substitution of (±)-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. The enantioselectivity was the same as that observed when the analogous monomeric catalyst was used (94–95% e.e.), despite the fact that the C₂ symmetry of the ligand was affected when coupled to the polymer. The polymer-supported catalyst could be recycled several times after removal of precipitated Pd(0). The polymer-bound bis(oxazoline) was also applied in a zinc-catalysed Diels–Alder reaction but lower selectivity and reactivity than the monomer was observed.     

Highly Enantioselective Reactions of Configurationally Labile Epimeric Diamine Complexes of Lithiated S‐Benzyl Thiocarbamates

Substitution reactions that employ primary‐carbamoyl‐protected arylmethanethiols are described. The enantiodetermining step was found to occur in the post‐deprotonation step as a dynamic thermodynamic resolution with a chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand. The configurationally labile lithium complexes were trapped with various electrophiles to yield different substitution products in good to excellent yields and enantiomeric excesses. The absolute configurations of the substitution products were determined, and the stereochemical pathway of the substitution reaction was elucidated for different classes of electrophiles. The temperature‐dependent epimerization process was monitored by ¹H and ⁶Li NMR spectroscopy.     

C2对称的手性双噁唑啉和双噻唑啉的质谱碎裂机理研究

The electron impact mass spectra of ten new C2-symmetric chiral bis(oxazoline) and bis(thiazoline) have been studied. Bis(thiazoline) and bis(oxazoline) possess the same fragmentation mechanism under EI conditions. An unusual fragmentation pathway has been found in the compounds studied. Due to the presence of phenyl group, compounds 6 and 10 undergo a new fragmentation pathway except for the common way as the other eight compounds.Mass analyzed ion kinetic energy spectra experiments and high resolution accurate mass measurement were conducted to confirm the proposed fragmentation pathways.     

Synthesis of Chiral 2,5—Bis（oxazolinyl） thiophenes and Their Application as Chiral Shift Reagents for 1,1′—Bi—2—naphthol

A series of C2-symmetrical chiral 2,5-bis (4′-alkyloxazolin-2-yl) thiophenes (thiobox) have been synthesized from thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid by sequential amidation with a chiral ethanolamine,conversion of hydroxyl to chloro group, and base-promoted oxazoline ring formation.As demonstrated by (-)-2,5-bis[4′-(S)-isopropyloxazolin-2′-yl] thiophene,these thiobox systems exhibited remarkable chirality recognition of 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol giving rise to pronounced shifts in the ^1H NMR signals of the latter axial chiral compound at the positions of C-3,C-4,C-5,and C-8.     

The amplified circularly polarized luminescence emission response of chiral 1,1′‐binaphthol‐based polymers via Zn(II)‐coordination fluorescence enhancement

Two kinds of chiral 1,1′‐binaphthol (BINOL)‐based polymer enantiomers were designed and synthesized by the polymerization of 5,5′‐((2,2′‐bis (octyloxy)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐3,3′‐diyl)bis(ethyne‐2,1‐diyl))bis(2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde) ( M1 ) with alkyl diamine ( M2 ) via nucleophilic addition–elimination reaction. The resulting chiral polymers can exhibit mirror image cotton effects either in the absence or in the presence of Zn²⁺ ion. Almost no fluorescence or circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) emission could be observed for two chiral BINOL‐based polymer enantiomers in the absence of Zn²⁺. Interestingly, the chiral polymers can show strong fluorescence and CPL response signals upon the addition of Zn²⁺, which can be attributed to Zn²⁺‐coordination fluorescence enhancement effect. This work can develop a new strategy on the design of the novel CPL materials via metal‐coordination reaction. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1282–1288     

Asymmetric [2,3]‐Wittig Rearrangement of Oxygenated Allyl Benzyl Ethers in the Presence of a Chiral di‐tBu‐bis(oxazoline) Ligand: A Novel Synthetic Approach to THF Lignans

We have accomplished highly enantioselective [2,3]‐Wittig rearrangements of functionalized allyl benzyl ethers in the presence of a chiral di‐tBu‐bis(oxazoline) ligand. In various oxygenated benzylic ethers, the reactions proceeded with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities, although the presence of a methoxy substituent at the ortho‐position on the benzyl group drastically decreased the enantioselectivity. Conversely, o‐ethyl and o‐phenyl substituents had no significant effect on the selectivity. We found that the C2‐substituent of the allylic moiety played an important role in producing high enantioselectivity. Highly enantioselective [2,3]‐Wittig rearrangement in the presence of catalytic amounts of the chiral ligands is also described.     

Chiral Bis(oxazoline)-copper Catalyzed Enantioselective Imidation of Sulfides

Prochiral sulfides reacted with Phl=NTs in the presence of a catalytic amount of Cu(I) salt together with a chiral 4,4′-disubstituted bis(oxazoline) ligand to afford the corresponding chiral sulfimides.     

The synthesis of phosphine oxide-linked bis(oxazoline) ligands and their application in asymmetric allylic alkylation

The phosphine oxide-linked bis(oxazoline) ligands were designed and synthesized in two ways. One is the coupling of Grignard reagent derived from 2-(2-bromophenyl)oxazoline with phenylphosphonic dichloride, another route is the condensation of bis(2-formylphenyl)(phenyl)phosphine oxide with chiral amino alcohols followed by NBS oxidation. These new bis(oxazoline) ligands were applied in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions and good yields and enantioselectivities were obtained with diphenyl substituted ligand (up to 95% ee).     

Asymmetric Friedel–Crafts Alkylation of Electron‐Rich N‐Heterocycles with Nitroalkenes Catalyzed by Diphenylamine‐Tethered Bis(oxazoline) and Bis(thiazoline) ZnII Complexes

The asymmetric Friedel–Crafts alkylation of electron‐rich N‐containing heterocycles with nitroalkenes under catalysis of diphenylamine‐tethered bis(oxazoline) and bis(thiazoline)‐Zn^II complexes was investigated. In the reaction of indole derivatives, the complex of ligand 4 f with trans‐diphenyl substitutions afforded better results than previously published ligand 4 e with cis‐diphenyl substitutions. Excellent yields (up to greater than 99 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 97 %) were achieved in most cases. The complex of ligand 4 d bearing tert‐butyl groups gave the best results in the reactions of pyrrole. Moderate to good yields (up to 91 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 91 %) were achieved in most cases. The origin of the enantioselectivity was attributed to the NH–π interaction between the catalyst and the incoming aromatic system in the transition state. Such an interaction was confirmed through comparison of the enantioselectivity and the absolute configuration of the products in the reactions catalyzed by designed ligands.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Axially Chiral Isoquinolones: Nickel‐Catalyzed Denitrogenative Transannulation

The first Ni⁰/bis(oxazoline)‐catalyzed asymmetric denitrogenative transannulation of 1,2,3‐benzotriazin‐4(3H)‐ones with bulky internal alkynes to form novel axially chiral isoquinolones in an atroposelective manner has been developed. This method provides direct asymmetric access to axially chiral isoquinolones with excellent functional‐group tolerance in excellent yields and stereoselectivities from readily available starting materials under mild reaction conditions. These axially chiral isoquinolones exhibit high cytotoxicity against a number of human cancer cell lines. DFT calculations reveal the nature of the transition state in the key annulation step.     

Water‐Soluble Luminescent Cyclometalated Gold(III) Complexes with cis‐Chelating Bis(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) Ligands: Synthesis and Photophysical Properties

A new class of cyclometalated Au^III complexes containing various bidentate C‐deprotonated C^N and cis‐chelating bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) (bis‐NHC) ligands has been synthesized and characterized. These are the first examples of Au^III complexes supported by cis‐chelating bis‐NHC ligands. [Au(C^N)(bis‐NHC)] complexes display emission in solutions under degassed condition at room temperature with emission maxima (λ_max) at 498–633 nm and emission quantum yields of up to 10.1 %. The emissions are assigned to triplet intraligand (IL) π→π* transitions of C^N ligands. The Au^III complex containing a C^N (C‐deprotonated naphthalene‐substituted quinoline) ligand with extended π‐conjugation exhibits prompt fluorescence and phosphorescence of comparable intensity with λ_max at 454 and 611 nm respectively. With sulfonate‐functionalized bis‐NHC ligand, four water‐soluble luminescent Au^III complexes, including those displaying both fluorescence and phosphorescence, were prepared. They show similar photophysical properties in water when compared with their counterparts in acetonitrile. The long phosphorescence lifetime of the water‐soluble AuIII complex with C‐deprotonated naphthalene‐substituted quinoline ligand renders it to function as ratiometric sensor for oxygen. Inhibitory activity of one of these water‐soluble Au^III complexes towards deubiquitinase (DUB) UCHL3 has been investigated; this complex also displayed a significant inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ value of 0.15 μM .     

Catalytic Asymmetric 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of β‐Fluoroalkylated α,β‐Unsaturated 2‐Pyridylsulfones with Nitrones for Chiral Fluoroalkylated Isoxazolidines and γ‐Amino Alcohols

2‐Pyridylsulfone‐ and fluoroalkylated group‐activated olefins underwent highly efficient diastereo‐ and enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions across various aromatic and aliphatic nitrones in the presence of a chiral Ni^II/bis(oxazoline) catalyst. The process was tuned by 4 Å molecular sieves, chiral bis(oxazoline) ligands, reaction solvents, and temperature. A wide array of optically pure fluoroalkylated isoxazolidines were obtained, thus facilitating the asymmetric synthesis of an enantioenriched α‐trifluoromethylated γ‐amino alcohol in gram‐scale and a trifluoromethylated derivative of 1,3‐oxazinan‐2‐one with potential pharmaceutical interest. A stereochemical model, based on the absolute configuration of one adduct and some control experiments, was postulated to account for the observed endo‐ and enantioselectivity.     

Photofunctionality in Porphyrin‐Hybridized Bis(dipyrrinato)zinc(II) Complex Micro‐ and Nanosheets

New bis(dipyrrinato)zinc(II) complex micro‐ and nanosheets containing zinc(II) porphyrin ( N2 ) are synthesized. A liquid/liquid interface method between dipyrrin porphyrin ligand L2 and zinc acetate produces N2 with a large domain size. N2 can be layered quantitatively onto a flat substrate by a modified Langmuir–Schäfer method. N2 deposited on a SnO₂ electrode functions as a photoanode for a photoelectric conversion system. The photoresponse of N2 covers the whole visible wavelength range (400–650 nm), with a maximum quantum efficiency of more than twice that of a bis(dipyrrinato)zinc(II) complex nanosheet without porphyrin.     

Highly enantioselective michael additions of indole to benzylidene malonate using simple bis(oxazoline) ligands: importance of metal/ligand ratio

[Structure: see text] Simple bis(oxazoline) ligands, especially azabis(oxazolines), can catalyze the copper-catalyzed addition of indoles to benzylidene malonates in up to >99% ee, provided that excess of chiral ligand is avoided. The paradigm followed in many asymmetric catalyses that an excess of chiral ligand with respect to the metal should improve enantioselectivity because a background reaction by free metal is suppressed, is not applicable here, which might call for revisiting some of the many copper(II)-bis(oxazoline)-catalyzed processes known.