Fluorous phase-switching of pyridyl-tagged substrates/products

A bis-monopyridyl Wang-type tag was prepared for application in the hydrocarbon/perfluorocarbon phase-switching of substrates/products. This "catch-and-release" strategy relies on the reversible coordination of the tag to a fluorous copper(II)-carboxylate complex. A hydantoin was prepared in high yield and purity by a four-step protocol where the intermediates were purified by the straightforward liquid/liquid phase-switching process. [reaction: see text]