Synthesis of Planar Chiral [2.2]Paracyclophanyl Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium Salts for the Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Arylation

Abstract

Several novel flexibility-restricted imidazo1,5-a]pyridinium triflates (abbreviated as imidazolium salts) were synthesized from (4S _p,13R _p)-(?)-4-amino-13-bromo2.2]paracyclophane and pyridylaldehyde. These imidazolium salts can be used as nitrogen-containing heterocyclic carbene precursors in asymmetric catalysis and here they are applied in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric 1,2-addition of arylboronic acids to aldehydes. After optimizing the catalytic situations and testing a series of substrates, moderate enantioselectivity and good yield were obtained.