Synthesis and characterization of chiral, bridged resorcinarenes as templates for asymmetric catalysis

A full study of the synthesis of chiral, bridged resorcinarenes (3a-3l, 13a, 13b) is presented using Mannich condensation of C_2v-tetraprotected resorcinarenes with chiral 1,n-diamines bearing homochiral α-methylbenzyl auxiliaries at each terminal nitrogen. The study has revealed the methodology to be applicable to preparing a broad range of bridged structures with varying lengths of bridge, different functionality in the bridge and various protecting groups on the upper rim. Reproducible and satisfactory yields in the reaction were only obtained with the pendant R group as methyl. The bridged adducts have been fully characterized by a range of spectroscopic techniques, and NMR has revealed varying trends in the way the various bridges protrude into the cavity. Low temperature NMR as well as X-ray structures of tetramesylate 15 and tetratoluate 3g has revealed hydrogen bonding to the amine nitrogens in the bridge to be an important control element for positioning the bridge relative to the cavity of the bowl. The derivatives provide chiral templates for asymmetric catalysis studies using cooperative effects in the bowl.