Facile and rapid immobilization of copper(II) bis(oxazoline) catalysts on silica: application to Diels-Alder reactions, recycling, and unexpected effects on enantioselectivity

Two chiral copper(II) bis(oxazoline) complexes have been immobilized on silica via electrostatic interactions using a remarkably straightforward procedure. The immobilized catalysts were tested in a standard Diels-Alder reaction and gave surprising results. Where the immobilized Cu((S,S)-phenyl-box)(OTf)₂ catalyst was used, the predominant enantiomer formed was the opposite of that produced using the same catalyst in a homogeneous reaction. This is a startling result given that the only difference is the electrostatic immobilization of the catalyst on amorphous silica. The activity of the catalyst in a hetero Diels-Alder reaction was also tested. This catalyst was also recycled, successfully maintaining a similar activity to the homogeneous analogue through a number of cycles.