Development and outlook of chiral carbene–gold(I) complexes catalyzed asymmetric reactions

Great progress has been made in developing of homogeneous Au-catalyzed reactions in the past decade. The unique versatility and efficiency of gold complexes have been obtained including carbene ligated gold complexes. Due to the special linear coordination mode of gold(I) complex, Au catalyzed asymmetric reactions have become a huge challenge. Chiral carbene–gold complexes also have been applied in asymmetric reactions. Major breakthrough in this field has been obtained by the Toste group recently and more are expected in the future. This digest, by highlighting recent works, aims to make further progress in this fascinating research field.     

Synthesis and characterization of a series of chiral NHC–Pd complexes derived from l-phenylalanine

The synthesis of a series of chiral Pd(L)PyBr₂ (3a–3e) and Pd(L)PyCl₂ (4d and 4e) complexes from l-phenylalanine is presented (L = (S)-3-allyl-4-benzyl-1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazolin-2-ylidene (a), (S)-4-benzyl-1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3-(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene (b), (S)-4-benzyl-3-(biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene (c), (S)-4-benzyl-1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3-(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene (d) or (S)-4-benzyl-1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene (e). The complexes were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods, and the X-ray crystal structures of 3a–3c and 4d are reported. In each case, there is a slightly distorted square-planar geometry around palladium, which is surrounded by imidazolylidene, two trans halide ligands and a pyridine ligand. There are π–π stacking interactions in the crystal structures of these complexes. Complex 3a showed good catalytic activity in the Cu-free Sonogashira coupling reaction under aerobic conditions.     

Design of a new class of chiral quinoline–phosphine ligands. Synthesis and application in asymmetric catalysis

The design and synthesis of a new class of chiral quinoline–phosphine ligands has been achieved. Their efficiency as asymmetric ligands in enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions and in the asymmetric copper-catalyzed addition of diethylzinc to enones was also investigated.     

Preparation of new chiral pyridine–phosphine ligands and their Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylations

Enantiomerically pure 2-(diphenylphosphino)methyl-N-[1-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]pyrrolidines 1 and 2 have been prepared by the stereospecific substitution of enantiomerically pure 1-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl methanesulfonate 6 with enantiomerically pure 2-(diphenylphosphino)methylpyrrolidine. Asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate 11 with dimethyl malonate sodium salt using the (S,S)-ligand 1 affords the (R)-product 12 with up to 86% e.e. in good yield.     

Synthesis of axially chiral oxazoline–carbene coordinated palladium complexes with a N-phenyl framework

A family of tropos ligands bearing a N-heterocyclic carbene and a chiral oxazoline coordination group with a N-phenyl framework were easily prepared,and their coordination behavior with Pd(Ⅱ)acetate was performed,affording a series of axially chiral palladium complexes in good yields.     

Synthesis of helical quinone derivatives by asymmetric oxidative coupling of 2-hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrenes using chiral diamine–copper complexes

The asymmetric coupling reaction of 2-hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrenes by using Cu–chiral diamine under atmospheric air is described. The use of CuCl-(–)-sparteine and CuCl-cyclohexanediamine derivatives was found to be highly effective to give the helical quinone derivatives in a good yield with high percent enantiomeric excess.     

Synthesis of chiral thiourea–phosphine organocatalysts derived from l-proline

A novel class of thiourea–phosphine was prepared from l-proline as a chiral renewable resource. The original structure of the chiral framework offers an interesting potential to the construction of bifunctional organocatalysts for asymmetric transformations.     

Metallophosphoranes: The hidden face of transition metal–phosphine complexes

Reactions in which metallophosphoranes, of general formula L_nMPR₄, have been implicated as intermediates or possible transition states are reviewed. Such species can be accessed via nucleophilic attack on metal–phosphine complexes, with the source of nucleophile being either external or internal in the form of an anionic co-ligand. The reverse process, transfer of a group from a {PR₄} ligand to a metal, has also been observed with the formation of a metal phosphine. Thus metallophosphoranes have been postulated to play a role in isomerization processes and novel M–X/P–R exchange reactions. Metallophosphoranes have also been implicated in unusual ‘phosphine-assisted C–F bond activation’ reactions. Recent computational studies on these processes are discussed.     

Synthesis of a hexacationic cyclophane and formation of EDA-type host–guest complexes

A polycationic cyclophane with six cationic sites (three 4,4′-bipyridinium cation units) supported by a rigid cyclic skeleton was synthesized. It formed electron donor–acceptor complexes with electron-rich compounds, and their inclusion properties with pyrene and calixresorcin[4]arene were studied.     

Reaction of metal carbonyl anions with electrophilic alkynes: Synthesis of isomeric η-acryloyl and σ-vinyl complexes

Treatment of the metal carbonylate anions [CpMo(CO)₂(L)]⁻ (Cp = η-C₅H₅; L = PPh₂Me, PPh₂Et) with the electrophilic alkynes methyl propiolate or DMAD (RCCCO₂Me, where R = H or CO₂Me, respectively) followed by protonation affords the η³-acryloyl (1-oxoallyl) complexes [CpMo(η³-COCRCHCO₂Me)(CO)(L)] (3a-d) as the major products, together with the isomeric vinyl complexes trans-[CpMo(CRCHCO₂Me)(CO)₂(L)] (4a-d). On the basis of the regioselectivity of the reaction, it is proposed that nucleophilic attack of the carbonylate anion occurs at the alkyne carbon bearing R; migration of the anionic vinyl ligand to a CO followed by protonation gives 3, whereas protonation without insertion gives 4. The X-ray structures of the acryloyl complex [CpMo(η³-COCHCHCO₂Me)(CO)(PPh₂Me)] (3b) and its vinyl isomer [CpMo(σ-CHCHCO₂Me)(CO)₂(PPh₂Me)] (4b) have been determined.     

An efficient catalytic enantioselective fluorination of β-ketophosphonates using chiral palladium complexes

On the basis of our Pd enolate chemistry, we have succeeded in developing an efficient catalytic enantioselective fluorination of β-ketophosphonates. In the presence of chiral Pd complexes 1 (1-10 mol %), various substrates including cyclic and acyclic β-ketophosphonates underwent the reaction with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) in EtOH to give the corresponding fluorinated products in a highly enantioselective manner (94-98% ee).     

Synthesis,characterization and antimalarial activity of new iridium–chloroquine complexes

Chloroquine base (CQ) reacts with [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ and IrCl₃ · 3H₂O to yield of Ir(CQ)Cl(COD) (1) and Ir₂Cl₆(CQ) · 3H₂O (2), respectively. Reaction of [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ with CQ in the presence of NH₄PF₆ leaded to [Ir(CQ)(Solv)₂]PF₆ (3). The three new iridium–CQ complexes were characterized by a combination of elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopies and evaluated in vitro against Plasmodium beghei. Comparison of the IC₅₀ values obtained with the experimental compounds with that determined for chloroquine diphosphate indicated a higher activity for complex 2, while complexes 1 and 3 showed a similar and lower activity, respectively.     

Synthesis,characterization,structures and magnetic property of chiral oxalate-bridged dicopper(Ⅱ) complexes

The oxalato-bridged dicopper(II) complexes [Cu2(μ-ox)(LRR)2(H2O)2(ClO4)2] (1),[Cu2(μ-ox)(LRR)2(CH3COCH3)2(ClO4)2](1a),[Cu2(μ-ox)(LSS)2(H2O)2(ClO4)2] (2) and [Cu2(μ-ox)(LRR)(LSS)2(CH3COCH3)2(ClO4)2] (3) [LRR = (8R,10R)-(-)-[4,5]-pineno2,2′-bipyridine,LSS = (8S,10S)-(+)-[4,5]-pineno-2,2′-bipyridine;ox2= oxalate] were first prepared.A possible mechanism for the formation of the chial dicopper(II) complexes was proposed.Based on elemental analysis,conductance measurement,UV-Vis spectra,CD spectra and X-ray single-crystal diffraction,the oxalato-bridged structures of 1 and 2 were deduced to adopt two Cu(II) ions and the bridged oxalate lying in the nearly same plane.The crystal structures of 1a and 3 reveal that the coordination geometry around each Cu(II) ion is an elongated and distorted octahedron and two axial solvent molecules and two perchlorate ions are anti to each other respectively in both binuclear molecules.The solution CD spectra of 1 and 2 in the visible d-d range show very weak Cotton effects with peaks at 588 and 779 nm,which are approximately of mirror image,suggesting the optical activities may be derived from the vicinal effects of the chiragenic centers at the pinene group of LRR and LSS,respectively.Complex 1 has been characterized by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and the data was least-square fitted to the Blenaey-Bowers equation.The exchange integral J was found to be -338.41(4) cm-1,indicating a strong antiferromagnetic interaction between two copper(II) ions.     

Synthesis,structure and characterisation of rac and meso–ansa-bridged permethylindenyl cobalt complexes

Disodium ethylene-bis-hexamethylindenyl, {(C₉Me₆)₂C₂H₄}Na₂ (EBI1Na₂), has been prepared in good yield by the reaction of lithium heptamethylindenyl with cyanogen bromide followed by treatment with sodium naphthalenide. EBI1Na₂ reacts with anhydrous Co(acac)₂ to give a mixture of rac and meso-ethylene-bis-hexamethylindenyl cobalt(II) (EBI1Co). The isomers can be separated by fractional crystallisation and the rac-isomer has been structurally characterised. Oxidation of the reaction mixture yields both rac and meso-ethylene-bis-hexamethylindenyl cobalt(III) which have both been structurally characterised.     

Synthesis and characterization of non‐symmetric chiral dimers

A new class of cholesterol‐based non‐symmetric dimers have been synthesized and characterized. They comprise O‐alkylated cinnamic acid and pro‐mesogenic cholesterol segments interlinked covalently through a methylene spacer varying in its length and parity. All the dimers and some of the key precursors have been studied for their phase behaviour. All the intermediates show mesomorphism. Importantly, the thermal properties of dimers are found to be critically dependent on the parity of the flexible spacer. The dimers with odd‐parity spacer display chiral nematic and/or twist grain boundary phases. In contrast, the dimers with even‐parity spacer are either crystalline or exhibit metastable chiral nematic and/or twist grain boundary phases with the exception of one compound for which two unknown mesophases have been observed. The odd–even effect was found to be indistinct for selective reflection wavelengths of the chiral nematic phase. For some dimers, a variation in the pitch of the chiral nematic phase as a function of temperature was observed. Cyclic voltammetry experiments revealed the electrochemical properties of a representative liquid crystal dimer.     

Synthesis and analysis of electrospray ionization-generated five-coordinate diastereomeric Ni–N-glycoside complexes using a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer

Five-coordinate Ni N-glycoside complexes, consisting of a single tridentate N-glycoside ligand and a bidentate dap ligand coordinated to a central Ni(II) ion, were synthesized for a series of diastereomeric monosaccharides. Following excitation of the precursor ions in a quadrupole ion trap, reproducibly distinct product ion spectra were obtained for each diastereomeric complex. Neutral losses resulted from cross-ring cleavages of the monosaccharide ring and/or losses of a bidentate dap ligand. Isotopic labeling studies confirmed which particular carbon centers were lost from the precursor ion as a result of the cross-ring cleavages. Synthesis of the Ni–N glycoside complex was achieved using as little as 21 μg of monosaccharide. Production of the representative five-coordinate precursor ion was obtained over a wide range of metal–ligand:monosaccharide molar ratios and product ion spectra remained reproducible over this range.     

Construction of Cd(II)–ferrocenesuccinate coordination complexes via changing adjuvant ligands and anions

Seven Cd(II)–ferrocenesuccinate coordination complexes with the formulas [Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)₂(pbbbm)]₂ (1), [Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)(pbbbm)Cl]₂ (2), [Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)(pbbbm)I]₂ (3), {[Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)₂(btx)₂]₂(CH₃OH)_0.5} (4), [Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)₂(bix)]₂(H₂O) (5), {[Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)(bbbm)_1.5Cl] · (CH₃OH)_0.5}_n (6), and {[Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)(mbbbm)Cl] · (H₂O)_2.75}_n (7) [pbbbm = 1,4-Bis(benzimidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene), btx = 1,4-bis(triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene), mbbbm = 1,3-bis(benzimidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene), bix = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, bbbm = 1,1-(1,4-Butanediyl)bis-1H-benzimidazole)] have been synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that complexes 1–5 are all dimers and bridged by pbbbm, btx and bix, respectively. But the five complexes present some differences in their dimeric conformations, which can be ascribed to the impacts of adjuvant ligands and counter anions. In contrast to complexes 1–5, both 6 and 7 are of 1-D structures (with the same counter anions), and the former is double ladder-like structure only bridged by bbbm, while the latter is chain-like structure bridged by chlorine anions and adjuvant ligand mbbbm. Notably, various π–π interactions are found in complexes 1–7, and they have significant contributions to molecular self-assembly processes. The electrochemical studies of complexes 1–7 in DMF solution display irreversible redox waves and indicate that the half-wave potentials of the ferrocenyl moieties in these complexes are all shifted to positive potential compared with that of ferrocenesuccinate.     

Asymmetric hydrocyanation of olefins catalyzed by chiral diphosphite–nickel complexes

Chiral aryl diphosphite ligands derived from binaphthol were found to be effective in the nickel-catalyzed hydrocyanation of a variety of olefins. Enantioselective hydrocyanations of styrene, 4-substituted styrenes and norbornene were achieved with excellent regioselectivity and moderate enantioselectivity. The hydrocyanation of vinyl acetate gave 72.9% ee. The catalytic activity and the enantioselectivity of the Ni(0)–diphosphite complexes were found to be highly dependent on the structures of the ligands.     

Asymmetric peroxidation of prochiral allylic and benzylic compounds with tert-butyl hydroperoxide and chiral bisoxazoline–copper complexes

The first enantioselective peroxidation of prochiral allylic and benzylic C–H compounds by the use of chiral bisoxazoline–copper(I) complexes, generated in situ from the ligands 3 and 4a–d, and t-BuOOH as oxidant is reported. Cyclohexene 1, cyclopentene 5, α-angelica lactone 7, allylbenzene 9 and 2-phenylbutane 11 were converted into the optically active allylic and benzylic tert-butyl peroxides 2, 6, 8, 10a and 12 in good yields and ee values of 4–20%. Oxidations of 1-substituted 1-cyclohexenes 13a–c led to mixtures of regioisomeric peroxides 16a–c, 17a–c and 18a–c with different regio- and enantioselectivities, depending on the 1-substituent and the ligand used. The highest ee values (up to 84%) were observed for (S)-3-tert-butylperoxy-1-methyl-1-cyclohexene 17a.