Catalytic effect and recyclability of imidazolium-tagged bis(oxazoline) based catalysts in asymmetric Henry reactions

Functional imidazolium ionic liquids have been developed as a new class of versatile catalysts. C(2)-symmetric imidazolium-tagged bis(oxazoline) ligands were prepared, and the anions of the ligands were altered. The catalysts based on the new ligands and Cu(OAc)(2)·H(2)O were applied in asymmetric Henry reactions between various aldehydes 3 and CH(3)NO(2)4. The catalysts achieved a high level of enantioselectivity; product (R)-5n was attained at 94% ee in MeOH. Moreover, the catalyst could be recycled 6 times without an obvious loss of activity or enantioselectivity. In addition, a theoretical mechanistic study was conducted to explain the origin of the enantioselectivity.