Asymmetric Addition of Diethylzinc to Aldehydes Using SPINOL Derivatives

Lewis acid catalyzed enantioselective carbon-carbon bond formation is one of the most interesting challenges in catalytic asymmetric synthesis. A convenient route for this synthesis is the addition of organozinc to aldehydes.[1]1,1'-Spirobiindane-7,7'-diol (SPINOL), a new reported C2 symmetrical diol, was recently proven to be an excellent framework for chiral ligands.[2] In this paper, interestingly, we describe the preparation of SPINOL derivatives and application of these ligands to asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes as model reaction. Previously, an improved method for the resolution of C2-symmetric spirocyclic SPINOL was presented with crude menthyl chloroformate as resolving reagent.[3] Then (R)-SPINOL with C2-symmetric spirocyclic framework was applied in the asymmetric diethylzinc addition to aromatic aldehydes, which induced high conversions and moderate enantioselectivities for the production of chiral secondary alcohols. Further work of other SPINOL derivative ligands for asymmetric diethylzinc addition to aromatic aldehydes and developing further new SPINOL-based Lewis acid catalyzed asymmetric synthesis are underway.

Asymmetric Addition of Diethylzinc to Aldehydes Using SPINOL Derivatives

Lewis acid catalyzed enantioselective carbon-carbon bond formation is one of the most interesting challenges in catalytic asymmetric synthesis. A convenient route for this synthesis is the addition of organozinc to aldehydes.[1]1,1'-Spirobiindane-7,7'-diol (SPINOL), a new reported C2 symmetrical diol, was recently proven to be an excellent framework for chiral ligands.[2] In this paper, interestingly, we describe the preparation of SPINOL derivatives and application of these ligands to asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes as model reaction. Previously, an improved method for the resolution of C2-symmetric spirocyclic SPINOL was presented with crude menthyl chloroformate as resolving reagent.[3] Then (R)-SPINOL with C2-symmetric spirocyclic framework was applied in the asymmetric diethylzinc addition to aromatic aldehydes, which induced high conversions and moderate enantioselectivities for the production of chiral secondary alcohols. Further work of other SPINOL derivative ligands for asymmetric diethylzinc addition to aromatic aldehydes and developing further new SPINOL-based Lewis acid catalyzed asymmetric synthesis are underway.