Asymmetric cyclizations of some chlorohydrins catalyzed by optically active cobalt (salen) type complexes

Optically active chloromethyloxirane was obtained from 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol by a process of asymmetric synthesis. The highest enantiomenc excess (e. e. ) of chloromethyloxirane that could be obtained was 67%, using Co(II) (3,5-Cl,Cl-sal)₂(S-CHXDA) and K₂CO₃ as the catalyst and base, respectively. For purpose of comparison, asymmetric cyclizations of racemic 2,3-dichloro-1-propanol and 2-chloro-1-propanol were examined; optically active chloromethyloxirane and methyloxirane were obtained according to kinetic resolution mechanisms, although the optical purities of oxiranes formed were not so high. The mechanisms for the asymmetric reactions were investigated by circular dichroism and absorption spectroscopies. It was found that the cobalt (salen) type complex forms a new complex with alkali metal carbonate, similarly to the function of crown ether. The substrate interacts with the newly formed chiral complex, followed by cylization to give optically active oxiranes.