Asymmetric Hydrogenations (Nobel Lecture)

The start of the development of catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation was the concept of replacing the triphenylphosphane ligand of the Wilkinson catalyst with a chiral ligand. With the new catalysts, it should be possible to hydrogenate prochiral olefins. Knowles and his co‐workers were convinced that the phosphorus atom played a central role in this selectivity, as only chiral phosphorus ligands such as (R,R)‐DIPAMP, whose stereogenic center lies directly on the phosphorus atom, lead to high enantiomeric excesses when used as catalysts in asymmetric hydrogenation reactions. This hypothesis was disproven by the development of ligands with chiral carbon backbones. Although the exact mechanism of action of the phosphane ligands is not incontrovertibly determined to this day, they provide a simple entry to a large number of chiral compounds.     

Diphosphite ligands based on ribose backbone as suitable ligands in the hydrogenation and hydroformylation of prochiral olefins

Rh(I) and Ir(I) cationic complexes [M(cod)(PP)]BF₄ have been synthesised from diphosphite ligands 4–6 derived from ribofuranose. They have been used in the rhodium and iridium catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation of acrylic acid derivatives. Ribose derivative ligands 4–6 have also been used as auxiliaries in the Rh-catalysed hydroformylation of styrene. Hydroformylation results have been explained on the basis of the species formed under hydroformylation conditions. Comparative experiments with the related epimer d-(+)-xylose derivatives showed that the configuration of the product is controlled by the absolute configuration of the stereogenic carbon atom C-3.     

Chiral Proline‐Based P,O and P,N Ligands for Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation

Two new classes of proline‐based P,O and P,N ligands were prepared and applied in the iridium‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of alkenes. Both types of ligands induced high enantioselectivities in the hydrogenation of trisubstituted C?C bonds. Iridium complexes derived from P,O ligands bearing sterically demanding amide or urea groups at the pyrrolidine N‐atom proved to be especially efficient catalysts for the conjugate reduction of α,β‐unsaturated esters and ketones, whereas analogous P,N ligands led to better results with dialkyl‐phenyl‐substituted alkenes and an allylic alcohol as substrates.     

Chiral furanoside phosphite–phosphoroamidites: new ligands for asymmetric catalytic hydroformylation

We have designed a new series of phosphite–phosphoroamidites ligands 1–4 based on a furanoside backbone. These ligands were screened in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydroformylation of styrene, inducing high regioselectivities with 2-phenylpropanal and moderate enantioselectivities (up to 65% e.e.). The results showed that the configuration of the stereogenic carbon atom C(3) at the ligand backbone had remarkable effects on the activity and enantioselectivity. Replacing the tert-butyl substituents with methoxy substituents at the para positions of the biphenyl moieties improved the enantioselectivities. We have also studied the solution structures of HRh(PP)(CO)₂ complexes.     

Aromatic Amide‐Derived Non‐Biaryl Atropisomers as Highly Efficient Ligands in Silver‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Cycloaddition Reactions

The synthesis of a series of aromatic amide‐derived non‐biaryl atropisomers with a phosphine group and multiple stereogenic centers is reported. The novel phosphine ligands exhibit high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities (up to >99:1 d.r., 95–99 % ee) as well as yields in the silver‐catalyzed asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of aldiminoesters with nitroalkenes, which provides a highly enantioselective strategy for the synthesis of optically pure nitro‐substituted pyrrolidines. In addition, the experimental results with regard to the carbon stereogenic center as well as the amide stereochemistry confirmed the potential of hemilabile atropisomers as chiral ligand in catalytic asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition reaction.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Enantiotopic C−H Activation Enables Access to P‐Chiral Cyclic Phosphinamides

Compounds with stereogenic phosphorus atoms are frequently used as ligands for transition‐metal as well as organocatalysts. A direct catalytic enantioselective method for the synthesis of P ‐chiral compounds from easily accessible diaryl phosphinamides is presented. The use of rhodium(III) complexes equipped with a suitable atropochiral cyclopentadienyl ligand is shown to enable an enantiodetermining C−H activation step. Upon trapping with alkynes, a broad variety of cyclic phosphinamides with a stereogenic phosphorus(V) atom are formed in high yields and enantioselectivities. Moreover, these can be reduced enantiospecifically to P ‐chiral phosphorus(III) compounds.     

Development of Chiral Spiro P‐N‐S Ligands for Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of β‐Alkyl‐β‐Ketoesters

The chiral tridentate spiro P‐N‐S ligands (SpiroSAP) were developed, and their iridium complexes were prepared. Introduction of a 1,3‐dithiane moiety into the ligand resulted in a highly efficient chiral iridium catalyst for asymmetric hydrogenation of β‐alkyl‐β‐ketoesters, producing chiral β‐alkyl‐β‐hydroxyesters with excellent enantioselectivities (95–99.9 % ee) and turnover numbers of up to 355 000.     

A novel three‐dimensional copper(I) coordination polymer constructed from a copper–bromide net and nicotinic acid ligands

The title compound, poly[μ₃‐bromido‐(pyridine‐3‐carboxylato‐κN)copper(I)], [CuBr(C₆H₅NO₂)]_n, is a novel coordination polymer based on a copper–bromide net and nicotinic acid ligands. The asymmetric unit contains one copper(I) ion, one bromide ligand and one nicotinic acid ligand, all on general positions. The Cu^I atom is tetrahedral and coordinated by three bridging Br atoms and the N atom from the nicotinic acid ligand. The Cu–Br units form alternating six‐membered chair‐patterned rings in net‐like layers. The attached nicotinic acid units point alternately up and down. The layers are assembled into a three‐dimensional network via intermolecular O—H...O and C—H...Br hydrogen‐bonding interactions.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Imines

We have evaluated a wide range of iridium complexes derived from chiral oxazoline‐based N,P ligands for the asymmetric hydrogenation of imines and identified three efficient catalysts. These catalysts are readily synthesized by straightforward convenient routes and are air and moisture stable. In the reduction of acetophenone N‐arylimines and related acyclic substrates, excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96 % ee) were obtained by using 0.1–0.5 mol % of catalyst at ?20 °C and 5–50 bar hydrogen pressure.     

Easily Accessible and Highly Tunable Bisphosphine Ligands for Asymmetric Hydroformylation of Terminal and Internal Alkenes

An efficient methodology for synthesizing a small library of easily tunable and sterically bulky ligands for asymmetric hydroformylation (AHF) has been reported. Five groups of alkene substrates have been tested with excellent conversions, moderate‐to‐excellent regio‐ and enantioselectivities. Among the best result of the reported literature, application of ligand 1 c in the highly selective AHF of the challenging substrate 2,5‐dihydrofuran yielded almost one isomer in up to 99 % conversion along with enantiomeric excesses (ee) of up to 92 %. Highly enantioselective AHF of dihydropyrrole substrates is achieved using the same ligand, with up to 95 % ee and up to >1:50 β‐isomer/α‐isomer ratio.     

The hydrogen‐bonded dimers of N,N′,N′′‐tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide in new tin(IV) and copper(II) complexes

In the new tin(IV) and copper(II) complexes, cis‐dichlorido‐trans‐dimethyl‐cis‐bis(N,N′,N′′‐tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide‐κO)tin(IV), [Sn(CH₃)₂Cl₂(C₁₈H₃₆N₃OP)₂], (I), and trans‐diaquabis(N,N′,N′′‐tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide‐κO)copper(II) dinitrate–N,N′,N′′‐tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide (1/2), [Cu(C₁₈H₃₆N₃OP)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂·2C₁₈H₃₆N₃OP, (II), the N,N′,N′′‐tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide (PTA) ligands exist as hydrogen‐bonded dimers via P=O...H—N interactions around the metal center. The asymmetric unit in (I) consists of one complete complex molecule located on a general position. The Sn^IV coordination geometry is octahedral with two cis hydrogen‐bonded PTA ligands, two cis chloride ligands and two trans methyl groups. The asymmetric unit in (II) contains one half of a [Cu(PTA)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ dication on a special position (site symmetry for the Cu atom), one nitrate anion and one free PTA molecule, both on general positions. The complex adopts a square‐planar trans‐[CuO₂O₂] coordination geometry, with the Cu^II ion coordinated by two PTA ligands and two water molecules. Each of the noncoordinated PTA molecules is hydrogen bonded to a neighboring coordinated PTA molecule and an adjacent water molecule; the phosphoryl O atom acts as a double‐H‐atom acceptor. The P atoms in the PTA ligands of both complexes and in the noncoordinated hydrogen‐bonded molecules in (II) adopt a slightly distorted tetrahedral environment.     

Rhodium complexes with a new chiral nitrogen‐containing BINOL‐based diphosphite or phosphonite ligand: synthesis and application to hydroformylation of styrene and/or hydrogenation of prochiral olefins

Two new cationic rhodium(I) complexes with a chiral nitrogen‐containing BINOL‐based diphosphite or phosphonite ligand have been synthesized. Chiral diphosphite was prepared by the reaction of N‐phenyldiethanolamine with two equivalents of [(R)‐(1,1′‐binaphthalene‐2,2′‐diyl)]chlorophosphite. In its rhodium complex the ligand is bound to the metal via both phosphorus atoms, and a Rh–N interaction is also possible. Synthesis of the chiral phosphonite was achieved by the reaction of 2‐(N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐bis(diethylamino)phosphine with one equivalent of R‐BINOL. In its rhodium complex, the ligand is P,N‐bonded, forming a five‐membered chelate ring. The first complex was applied to hydroformylation of styrene and displayed high activity and chemo‐ and regioselectivity, but unfortunately no asymmetric induction was found. Both complexes were evaluated in the hydrogenation of prochiral olefins with moderate activities and low enantioselectivities. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chiral Iridium Spiro Aminophosphine Complexes: Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Simple Ketones,Structure, and Plausible Mechanism

The iridium complexes of chiral spiro aminophophine ligands, especially the ligand with 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl groups on the P atom ( 1c ) were demonstrated to be highly efficient catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of alkyl aryl ketones. In the presence of KOtBu as a base and under mild reaction conditions, a series of chiral alcohols were synthesized in up to 97 % ee with high turnover number (TON up to 10 000) and high turnover frequency (TOF up to 3.7×10⁴ h⁻¹). Investigation on the structures of the iridium complexes of ligands (R)‐ 1a and 1c by X‐ray analyses disclosed that the 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl groups on the P‐phenyl rings of the ligand are the key factor for achieving high activity and enantioselectivity of the catalyst. Study of the catalysts generated from the Ir‐(R)‐ 1c complex and H₂ by means of ESI‐MS and NMR spectroscopy indicated that the early formed iridium dihydride complex with one (R)‐ 1c ligand was the active species, which was slowly transformed into an inactive iridium dihydride complex with two (R)‐ 1c ligands. A plausible mechanism for the reaction was also suggested to explain the observations of the hydrogenation reactions.     

catena‐Poly[[aqua(11‐chloropyrido[2′,3′:2,3]pyrimidino[5,6‐f][1,10]phenanthroline‐κ2N4,N5)cadmium(II)]‐μ‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ3O1,O1′:O4]: an inclined interpenetrating (6,3) network

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Cd(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₇H₈ClN₅)(H₂O)]_n, contains one Cd^II atom, two half benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate (1,4‐bdc) anions, one 11‐chloropyrido[2′,3′:2,3]pyrimidino[5,6‐f][1,10]phenanthroline (L) ligand and one coordination water molecule. The 1,4‐bdc ligands are on inversion centers at the centroids of the arene rings. The Cd^II atom is six‐coordinated by two N atoms from one L ligand, three carboxylate O atoms from two different 1,4‐bdc ligands and one water O atom in a distorted octahedral coordination sphere. Each Cd^II center is bridged by the 1,4‐bdc dianions to give a one‐dimensional chain. π–π stacking interactions between L ligands of neighboring chains extend adjacent chains into a two‐dimensional supramolecular (6,3) network. Neighboring (6,3) networks are interpenetrated in an unusual inclined mode, resulting in a three‐dimensional framework. Additionally, the water–carboxylate O—H...O hydrogen bonds observed in the network consolidate the interpenetrating nets.     

Synthesis and Application of Modular Phosphine–Phosphoramidite Ligands in Asymmetric Hydroformylation: Structure–Selectivity Relationship

A series of hybrid phosphine–phosphoramidite ligands has been designed and synthesized in moderate yields from chiral BINOL (1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol) or NOBIN (2‐amino‐2′‐hydroxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl). They have achieved highly regio‐ and enantioselectivities in Rh‐catalyzed asymmetric hydroformylations of styrene derivatives (branched/linear ratio up to 56.6, ee up to 99 %), vinyl acetate derivatives (up to 98 % ee), and allyl cyanide (up to 96 % ee). Systematic variation of ligand structure showed that the steric factor on the phsophoramidite moiety determined the performance of the ligand. With the increased hindrance, the branched/linear ratio rose, while the ee value dropped in the hydroformylation of styrene. However, the N‐substituents did not influence the selectivities much.     

A Theoretically‐Guided Optimization of a New Family of Modular P,S‐Ligands for Iridium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Minimally Functionalized Olefins

A library of modular iridium complexes derived from thioether‐phosphite/phosphinite ligands has been evaluated in the asymmetric iridium‐catalyzed hydrogenation of minimally functionalized olefins. The modular ligand design has been shown to be crucial in finding highly selective catalysts for each substrate. A DFT study of the transition state responsible for the enantiocontrol in the Ir‐catalyzed hydrogenation is also described and used for further optimization of the crucial stereodefining moieties. Excellent enantioselectivities (enantiomeric excess (ee) values up to 99 %) have been obtained for a range of substrates, including E‐ and Z‐trisubstituted and disubstituted olefins, α,β‐unsaturated enones, tri‐ and disubstituted alkenylboronic esters, and olefins with trifluoromethyl substituents.     

Supramolecularly Regulated Ligands for Asymmetric Hydroformylations and Hydrogenations

Herein we report the use of polyether binders as regulation agents (RAs) to enhance the enantioselectivity of rhodium‐catalyzed transformations. For reactions of diverse substrates mediated by rhodium complexes of the α,ω‐bisphosphite‐polyether ligands 1 – 5 , a – d , the enantiomeric excess (ee) of hydroformylations was increased by up to 82 % (substrate: vinyl benzoate, 96 % ee), and the ee value of hydrogenations was increased by up to 5 % (substrate: N‐(1‐(naphthalene‐1‐yl)vinyl)acetamide, 78 % ee). The ligand design enabled the regulation of enantioselectivity by generation of an array of catalysts that simultaneously preserve the advantages of a privileged structure in asymmetric catalysis and offer geometrically close catalytic sites. The highest enantioselectivities in the hydroformylation of vinyl acetate with ligand 4 b were achieved by using the Rb[B(3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₄] (RbBArF) as the RA. The enantioselective hydrogenation of the substrates 10 required the rhodium catalysts derived from bisphosphites 3 a or 4 a , either alone or in combination with different RAs (sodium, cesium, or (R,R)‐bis(1‐phenylethyl)ammonium salts). This design approach was supported by results from computational studies.     

A novel two‐dimensional coordination polymer: poly[diaquatetra‐μ2‐chlorido‐[μ2‐2,2′‐(piperazine‐1,4‐diium‐1,4‐diyl)diacetate]dicadmium(II)]

In the crystal structure of the title two‐dimensional metal–organic polymeric complex, [Cd₂Cl₄(C₈H₁₄N₂O₄)(H₂O)₂]_n, the asymmetric unit contains a crystallographically independent Cd^II cation, two chloride ligands, an aqua ligand and half a 2,2′‐(piperazine‐1,4‐diium‐1,4‐diyl)diacetate (H₂PDA) ligand, the piperazine ring centroid of which is located on a crystallographic inversion centre. Each Cd^II centre is six‐coordinated in an octahedral environment by an O atom from an H₂PDA ligand and an O atom from an aqua ligand in a trans disposition, and by four chloride ligands arranged in the plane perpendicular to the O—Cd—O axis. The complex forms a two‐dimensional layer polymer containing [CdCl₂]_n chains, which are interconnected into an extensive three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded network by C—H...O, C—H...Cl and O—H...O hydrogen bonds.     

Stereospecific Synthesis of α‐ and β‐Hydroxyalkyl P‐Stereogenic Phosphine–Boranes and Functionalized Derivatives: Evidence of the PO Activation in the BH3‐Mediated Reduction

Access to hydroxy‐functionalized P‐chiral phosphine–boranes has become an important field in the synthesis of P‐stereogenic compounds used as ligands in asymmetric catalysis. A family of optically pure α and β‐hydroxyalkyl tertiary phosphine–boranes has been prepared by using a three‐step procedure from readily accessible enantiopure adamantylphosphinate, obtained by semi‐preparative HPLC on multigram scale. Firstly, a two‐step one‐pot transformation affords the enantiopure hydroxyalkyl tertiary phosphine oxides in good yields and enantioselectivities. The third step, BH₃‐mediated reduction, allows the formation of the desired phosphine–boranes with excellent stereospecifity. The mechanistic study of this reduction provides new evidence to elucidate the crucial role of the pendant hydroxy group and the subsequent activation of the P?O bond by the boron atom.