Manganese‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Quinolines Enabled by π–π Interaction**

Manganese(I)-Catalyzed Enantioselective C(sp2)-C(sp3) Bond-Forming for the Synthesis of Skipped Dienes with Synergistic Aminocatalysis

Mn(I)-catalyzed enantioselective C-C bond-forming reactions represent a great challenge in homogeneous catalysis primarily due to a limited understanding of its mechanistic principles. Herein, we have developed an interesting catalytic strategy that leverages a synergistic combination of a dimeric manganese(I) catalyst and a chiral aminocatalyst to address this issue. A range of conjugated dienals and trienals can exclusively proceed 1,4-hydroalkenylation by using readily available aromatic and aliphatic alkenyl boronic acids as coupling partners, producing a rich library of skipped diene aldehydes in synthetically useful yields and high levels of enantioselectivities. Notably, downstream transformations of these products can not only afford a concise approach to construct enantioenriched skipped trienes but also realize enantioselective total synthesis of analogues to (-)-Blepharocalyxin D in four steps. DFT calculations suggest the 1,4-hydroalkenylation is kinetically more favorable than 1,6-hydroalkenylation.

Manganese Pentacarbonyl Bromide as Regeneration Catalyst Enabled Biomimetic Asymmetric Reduction

Using readily available manganese pentacarbonyl bromide as a regeneration catalyst, biomimetic asymmetric reduction of imines including quinoxalinones, benzoxazinones, and benzoxazine has been successfully developed in the presence of transfer catalyst chiral phosphoric acids, providing the chiral amines with high yields and enantioselectivities.

Manganese-Catalyzed Mono-N-Methylation of Aliphatic Primary Amines without the Requirement of External High-Hydrogen Pressure

The synthesis of mono-N-methylated aliphatic primary amines has traditionally been challenging, requiring noble metal catalysts and high-pressure H2 for achieving satisfactory yields and selectivity. Herein, we developed an approach for the selective coupling of methanol and aliphatic primary amines, without high-pressure hydrogen, using a manganese-based catalyst. Remarkably, up to 98 % yields with broad substrate scope were achieved at low catalyst loadings. Notably, due to the weak base-catalyzed alcoholysis of formamide intermediates, our novel protocol not only obviates the addition of high-pressure H2 but also prevents side secondary N-methylation, supported by control experiments and density functional theory calculations.

Catalytic utility of PNN-based MnI pincer complexes in the synthesis of quinolines and transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl derivatives

This manuscript describes the synthesis of a triazolyl-pyridine-based phosphine, N-((diphenylphosphaneyl)methyl)-N-methyl-6-(1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridin-2-amine, [2,6-{(PPh2)CH2N(Me)(C5H3N)(C2HN3C6H5)}] (1) (here onwards referred to as PNN) and its cationic and neutral MnI complexes and catalytic applications. The reaction of 1 with Mn(CO)5Br afforded a cationic complex [Mn(CO)3(PNN)]Br (2), which is highly stable in solid state, but in solution it gradually loses one of the CO groups to form a neutral complex [Mn(CO)2(PNN)Br] (3). Complex 2 on treatment with AgBF4 also yielded a cationic complex [Mn(CO)3(PNN)]BF4 (4). These complexes efficiently promoted the synthesis of quinoline derivatives via acceptor-less dehydrogenative coupling of 2-aminobenzyl alcohol and ketones, with complex 3 showing the highest activity with a very low catalyst loading (0.03 mol%) at 110 °C. Complex 3 (0.5 mol%) also showed excellent catalytic activity in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes to form respective secondary and primary alcohols.

Chemoselective Heterogeneous Hydrogenation of Sulfur Containing Quinolines under Mild Conditions

Sulfur, alongside oxygen and nitrogen, holds a prominent position as one of the key heteroatoms in nature and medicinal chemistry. Its significance stems from its ability to adopt different oxidation states, rendering it valuable as both a polarity handle and a hydrogen bond donor/acceptor. Nevertheless, the poisonous nature of its free electron pairs makes sulfur containing substrates inaccessible for many catalytic protocols. Strong and (at low temperatures) irreversible chemisorption to the catalyst's surface is in particular detrimental for heterogeneous catalysts, possessing only few catalytically active sites. Herein, we present a novel heterogeneous Ru-S catalyst that tolerates multiple sulfur functionalities, including thioethers, thiophenes, sulfoxides, sulfones, sulfonamides, and sulfoximines, in the hydrogenation of quinolines. The utility of the products was further demonstrated by subsequent diversifications of the sulfur functionalities.

Differentiating enantiomers by directional rotation of ions in a mass spectrometer

Conventional mass spectrometry does not distinguish between enantiomers, or mirror-image isomers. Here we report a technique to break the chiral symmetry and to differentiate enantiomers by inducing directional rotation of chiral gas-phase ions. Dual alternating current excitations were applied to manipulate the motions of trapped ions, including the rotation around the center of mass and macro movement around the center of the trap. Differences in collision cross section were induced, which could be measured by ion cloud profiling at high resolutions above 10,000. High-field ion mobility and tandem mass spectrometry analyses of the enantiomers were combined and implemented by using a miniature ion trap mass spectrometer. The effectiveness of the developed method was demonstrated with a variety of organic compounds including amino acids, sugars, and several drug molecules, as well as a proof-of-principle ligand optimization study for asymmetric hydrogenation.

Protocol for stereodivergent asymmetric hydrogenation of quinoxalines

Chiral 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalines are ubiquitous in natural products and bioactive molecules. Herein, we disclose a protocol for stereodivergent asymmetric hydrogenation of disubstituted quinoxalines for the preparation of both cis- and trans-enantioenriched disubstituted tetrahydroquinoxalines (up to >20:1 d.r. and 99% ee). We describe steps for synthesis of ligands and substrate, setup of hydrogenation of disubstituted quinoxalines, and purification of products. Additionally, we provide detailed diagrams of the hydrogenation installation. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Liu et al.1.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Efficient Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α-Primary Amino Ketones

Based on an amino-group-assisted coordination strategy and a proton-shuttle-activated outer-sphere mode, the cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α-primary amino ketones has been developed, resulting in the efficient synthesis of chiral vicinal amino alcohols bearing functionalized aryl rings in high yields and enantioselectivities (up to 99% enantiomeric excess (ee)) within 0.5 h.

One-Pot Stereoselective Synthesis of Furantetrahydroquinoline Derivatives Using d/l-Ribose with a 2,3-O-Isopropylidene Group

An efficient and convenient strategy has been successfully developed for the preparation of novel furantetrahydroquinoline derivatives using d/l-ribose with a 2,3-O-isopropylidene group through the aza-Diels-Alder mechanism. This method has high atom and step economy, high stereoselectivity, and gram-scale synthesis (yield 67%).

Highly enantioselective synthesis of both tetrahydroquinoxalines and dihydroquinoxalinones via Rh-thiourea catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation

Chiral tetrahydroquinoxalines and dihydroquinoxalinones represent the core structure of many bioactive molecules. Herein, a simple and efficient Rh-thiourea-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation for enantiopure tetrahydroquinoxalines and dihydroquinoxalinones was developed under 1 MPa H2 pressure at room temperature. The reaction was magnified to the gram scale furnishing the desired products with undamaged yield and enantioselectivity. Application of this methodology was also conducted successfully under continuous flow conditions. In addition, 1H NMR experiments revealed that the introduction of a strong Brønsted acid, HCl, not only activated the substrate but also established anion binding between the substrate and the ligand. More importantly, the chloride ion facilitated heterolytic cleavage of dihydrogen to regenerate the active dihydride species and HCl, which was computed to be the rate-determining step. Further deuterium labeling experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that this reaction underwent a plausible outer-sphere mechanism in this new catalytic transformation.

Copper-Catalyzed Chemoselective Asymmetric Hydrogenation of C=O Bonds of Exocyclic α,β-Unsaturated Pentanones

A highly chemoselective earth-abundant transition metal copper catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of C=O bonds of exocyclic α,β-unsaturated pentanones was realized using H2 . The desired products were obtained with up to 99 % yield and 96 % ee (enantiomeric excess) (99 % ee, after recrystallization). The corresponding chiral exocyclic allylic pentanol products can be converted into several bioactive molecules. The hydrogenation mechanism was investigated via deuterium-labelling experiments and control experiments, which indicate that the keto-enol isomerization rate of the substrate is faster than that of the hydrogenation and also show that the Cu-H complex can only catalyze chemoselectively the asymmetric reduction of the carbonyl group. Computational results indicate that the multiple attractive dispersion interactions (MADI effect) between the catalyst with bulky substituents and substrate play important roles which stabilize the transition states and reduce the generation of by-products.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Diaryl Ketones with Ferrocene-Based Secondary Phosphine Oxide Ligands

A new class of cobalt catalytic system for asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones was herein reported, involving the development of novel ferrocene-based secondary phosphine oxide ligands. An unusual P-O bidentate coordination pattern with cobalt was confirmed by an X-ray diffraction study. The bichelating tetrahedral cobalt(II) complexes afforded high reactivities (up to 99% yield) and good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee) in the AH of various ortho-substituted diaryl ketones. In addition, the diferrocenyl cobalt complex was characterized with intriguing UV-vis absorption and electrochemical properties.

Endowing Nanoparticles with High Stability on the Hydrogenation Reaction by the Amino Group-Assisted Strategy

In the field of a heterogeneous industrial catalysis process, the encapsulated structure plays a crucial role in preventing active sites from leaching during the reaction; however, related studies on the strategy to fabricate encapsulated catalysts under control remain rare. Herein, we develop an amino-assisted strategy to construct a highly stable catalyst with core-shell copper nanoparticles (NPs), namely, Cu@NC (NC represents the nitrogen-doped carbon), presenting not only excellent activity but also high durability on the hydrogenation of quinolines even in the large-scale tests, which is very vital in practical application. In contrast, in the absence of the amino group, the Cu NPs were dispersed out of the carbon surface to form Cu/NC, leading to readily lose activity in the recycling tests due to the leaching occurred during the catalytic process. This work offers a promising method to fabricate a stable catalyst to enhance durability in heterogeneous catalysis.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Cyclic Hydrazines by Ni-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation

An efficient Ni-(S,S)-Ph-BPE complex that catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of cyclic N-acyl hydrazones has been developed to produce various chiral cyclic hydrazines in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities of up to >99% enantiomeric excess. Moreover, the hydrogenation can not only proceed smoothly on a gram scale under lower catalyst loading (S/C = 3000) without any decrease of enantioselectivity but can also be applied to the asymmetric synthesis of a RIP-1 kinase inhibitor.

Asymmetric Reduction of Quinolines: A Competition between Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation and Racemic Borane Catalysis

A chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of quinolines with regenerable dihydrophenanthridine derived by a borane-catalyzed hydrogenation of phenanthridine under H₂ has been successfully realized. Despite the competition of a racemic hydrogenation pathway, a variety of tetrahydroquinolines were furnished in high yields with up to 91% ee.

Precise Synthesis of Chiral Z-Allylamides by Cobalt-Catalyzed Asymmetric Sequential Hydrogenations

Asymmetric sequential hydrogenations of conjugated enynes have been developed using a Ph-BPE-Co^I catalyst for the precise synthesis of chiral Z-allylamides in high activity (up to 1000 substrate/catalyst (S/C)) and with excellent enantioselectivity (up to >99 % enantiomeric excess (ee)). Mechanism experiments and theoretical calculations support a cationic Co^I /Co^III redox catalytic cycle. The catalytic activity difference between cobalt complexes of Ph-BPE and QuinoxP* was explained by the process decomposition of rate-determining step in the second hydrogenation.

Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α-Substituted Vinylphosphonates and Diarylvinylphosphine Oxides

Chiral α-substituted ethylphosphonate and ethylphosphine oxide compounds are widely used in drugs, pesticides, and ligands. However, their catalytic asymmetric synthesis is still rare. Of the only asymmetric hydrogenation methods available at present, all cases use rare metal catalysts. Herein, we report an efficient earth-abundant transition-metal nickel catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation affording the corresponding chiral ethylphosphine products with up to 99 % yield, 96 % ee (enantiomeric excess) (99 % ee, after recrystallization) and 1000 S/C (substrate/catalyst); this is also the first study on the asymmetric hydrogenation of terminal olefins using a nickel catalyst under a hydrogen atmosphere. The catalytic mechanism was investigated via deuterium-labelling experiments and calculations which indicate that the two added hydrogen atoms of the products come from hydrogen gas. Additionally, it is believed that the reaction involves a Ni^II rather than Ni⁰ cyclic process based on the weak attractive interactions between the Ni catalyst and terminal olefin substrate.

Manganese-Catalyzed Hydrogenative Desulfurization of Thioamides

Earth-abundant transition metal catalysis has emerged as an important alternative to noble transition metal catalysis in hydrogenation reactions. However, there has been no Earth-abundant transition metal catalyzed hydrogenation of thioamides reported so far, presumably due to the poisoning of catalysts by sulfur-containing molecules. Herein, we described the first manganese-catalyzed hydrogenative desulfurization of thioamides to amines or imines. The key to success is the use of MnBr(CO)₅ instead of commonly-employed pincer-manganese catalysts, together with simple NEt₃ and CuBr. This protocol features excellent selectivity on sole cleavage of the C=S bond of thioamides, in contrast to the only known Ru-catalyzed hydrogenation of thioamides, and unprecedented chemo-selectivity tolerating vulnerable functional groups such as nitrile, ketone, aldehyde, ester, sulfone, nitro, olefin, alkyne and heterocycle, which are usually susceptible to common hydride-type reductive protocols.

Rational Design of a Facially Coordinating P,N,N Ligand for Manganese-Catalysed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Cyclic Ketones

DFT calculations on the full catalytic cycle for manganese catalysed enantioselective hydrogenation of a selection of ketones have been carried out at the PBE0-D3PCM //RI-BP86PCM level. Mn complexes of an enantiomerically pure chiral P,N,N ligand have been found to be most reactive when adopting a facial coordination mode. The use of a new ligand with an ortho-substituted dimethylamino-pyridine motif has been calculated to completely transform the levels of enantioselectivity possible for the hydrogenation of cyclic ketones relative to the first-generation Mn catalysts. In silico evaluation of substrates has been used to identify those likely to be reduced with high enantiomer ratios (er), and others that would exhibit less selectivity; good agreements were then found in experiments. Various cyclic ketones and some acetophenone derivatives were hydrogenated with er's up to 99 : 1.

Efficient Hydrogenation of N-Heterocycles Catalyzed by NNP-Manganese(I) Pincer Complexes at Ambient Temperature

Manganese-catalyzed hydrogenation reactions have aroused widespread interest in recent years. Among the catalytic systems described, especially PNP- and NNP-Mn pincer catalysts have been reported for the hydrogenation of aldehydes, ketones, nitriles, aldimines and esters. Furthermore, NNP-Mn pincer compounds are efficient catalysts for the hydrogenolysis of less reactive amides, ureas, carbonates, and carbamates. Herein, the synthesis and application of specific imidazolylaminophosphine ligands and the corresponding Mn pincer complexes are described. These new catalysts have been characterized and studied by a combination of experimental and theoretical investigations, and their catalytic activities have been tested in several hydrogenation reactions with good to excellent performance. Especially, the reduction of N-heterocycles can be performed under very mild conditions.

Metal-Free N-Doped Carbon Catalyst Derived from Chitosan for Aqueous Formic Acid-Mediated Selective Reductive Formylation of Quinoline and Nitroarenes

A chitosan-derived metal-free N-doped carbon catalyst was synthesized and investigated for selective reductive formylation of quinoline to N-formyl-tetrahydroquinoline and nitroarenes to N-formyl anilides via aqueous formic acid (FA)-mediated catalytic transformation. FA dissociated on the catalyst surface and acted as a hydrogenating and formylating source for selective N-formylation of N-heteroarenes. The carbonized catalyst prepared at 700 °C offered the best activity. A 92 % yield of N-formyl-tetrahydroquinoline after 14 h and >99 % yield for N-formyl anilide after 12 h at 160 °C were obtained. The excellent catalytic activity was correlated with the type of "N" species and the basicity of the catalyst. Density functional theory calculations revealed that a water-assisted FA decomposition pathway (deprotonation and dehydroxylation) generated the surface adsorbed -H and -HCOO species, required for the formation of N-formylated products. In addition, the selective formation of N-formyl-tetrahydroquinoline and N-formyl anilides was explained by a comprehensive reaction energetics analysis.

Room temperature chemoselective hydrogenation of C[double bond, length as m-dash]C, C[double bond, length as m-dash]O and C[double bond, length as m-dash]N bonds by using a well-defined mixed donor Mn(i) pincer catalyst

Chemoselective hydrogenation of C[double bond, length as m-dash]C, C[double bond, length as m-dash]O and C[double bond, length as m-dash]N bonds in α,β-unsaturated ketones, aldehydes and imines is accomplished at room temperature (27 °C) using a well-defined Mn(i) catalyst and 5.0 bar H₂. Amongst the three mixed-donor Mn(i) complexes developed, κ³-(^R2PN³N^Pyz)Mn(CO)₂Br (R = Ph, ⁱPr, ^t Bu); the ^t Bu-substituted complex ( ^tBu2PN³N^Pyz)Mn(CO)₂Br shows exceptional chemoselective catalytic reduction of unsaturated bonds. This hydrogenation protocol tolerates a range of highly susceptible functionalities, such as halides (-F, -Cl, -Br, and -I), alkoxy and hydroxy, including hydrogen-sensitive moieties like acetyl, nitrile, nitro, epoxide, and unconjugated alkenyl and alkynyl groups. Additionally, the disclosed method applies to indole, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, and pyridine-containing unsaturated ketones leading to the corresponding saturated ketones. The C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bond is chemoselectively hydrogenated in α,β-unsaturated ketones, while the aldehyde's C[double bond, length as m-dash]O bond and imine's C[double bond, length as m-dash]N bond are preferentially reduced over the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bond. A detailed mechanistic study highlighted the non-innocent behavior of the ligand in the ( ^tBu2PN³N^Pyz)Mn(i) complex and indicated a metal-ligand cooperative catalytic pathway. The molecular hydrogen (H₂) acts as a hydride source, whereas MeOH provides a proton for hydrogenation. DFT energy calculations supported the facile progress of most catalytic steps, involving a crucial turnover-limiting H₂ activation.

Structure, reactivity and catalytic properties of manganese-hydride amidate complexes

The high efficiency of widely applied Noyori-type hydrogenation catalysts arises from the N-H moiety coordinated to a metal centre, which stabilizes rate-determining transition states through hydrogen-bonding interactions. It was proposed that a higher efficiency could be achieved by substituting an N-M' group (M' = alkali metals) for the N-H moiety using a large excess of metal alkoxides (M'OR); however, such a metal-hydride amidate intermediate has not yet been isolated. Here we present the synthesis, isolation and reactivity of a metal-hydride amidate complex (HMn-NLi). Kinetic studies show that the rate of hydride transfer from HMn-NLi to a ketone is 24-fold higher than that of the corresponding amino metal-hydride complex (HMn-NH). Moreover, the hydrogenation of N-alkyl-substituted aldimines was realized using HMn-NLi as the active catalyst, whereas HMn-NH is much less effective. These results highlight the superiority of M/NM' bifunctional catalysis over the classic M/NH bifunctional catalysis for hydrogenation reactions.

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of quinolines with water over a fluorine-modified cobalt catalyst

Room temperature and selective hydrogenation of quinolines to 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines using a safe and clean hydrogen donor catalyzed by cost-effective materials is significant yet challenging because of the difficult activation of quinolines and H₂. Here, a fluorine-modified cobalt catalyst is synthesized via electroreduction of a Co(OH)F precursor that exhibits high activity for electrocatalytic hydrogenation of quinolines by using H₂O as the hydrogen source to produce 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines with up to 99% selectivity and 94% isolated yield under ambient conditions. Fluorine surface-sites are shown to enhance the adsorption of quinolines and promote water activation to produce active atomic hydrogen (H*) by forming F⁻-K⁺(H₂O)₇ networks. A 1,4/2,3-addition pathway involving H* is proposed through combining experimental and theoretical results. Wide substrate scopes, scalable synthesis of bioactive precursors, facile preparation of deuterated analogues, and the paired synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline and industrially important adiponitrile at a low voltage highlight the promising applications of this methodology.

Selective hydrogenation of quinolines with easy-to-handle hydrogen donors and cost-effective catalysts is desirable. Here electrocatalytic quinoline hydrogenation to 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines is reported with water over a fluorine-modified cobalt.

Molybdenum-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Fused Arenes and Heteroarenes

The synthesis of enantioenriched molybdenum precatalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of substituted quinolines and naphthalenes is described. Three classes of pincer ligands with chiral substituents were evaluated as supporting ligands in the molybdenum-catalyzed hydrogenation reactions, where oxazoline imino(pyridine) chelates were identified as optimal. A series of 2,6-disubstituted quinolines was hydrogenated to enantioenriched decahydroquinolines with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. For quinoline derivatives, selective hydrogenation of both the carbocycle and heterocycle was observed depending on the ring substitution. Spectroscopic and mechanistic studies established molybdenum η⁶-arene complexes as the catalyst resting state and that partial hydrogenation arises from dissociation of the substrate from the coordination sphere of molybdenum prior to complete reduction. A stereochemical model is proposed based on the relative energies of the respective coordination of the prochiral faces of the arene determined by steric interactions between the substrate and the chiral ligand, rather than through precoordination by a heteroatom.

Manganese-Catalyzed Asymmetric Formal Hydroamination of Allylic Alcohols: A Remarkable Macrocyclic Ligand Effect

A unique family of chiral peraza N₆ -macrocyclic ligands, which are conformationally rigid and have a tunable saddle-shaped cavity, is described. Utilizing their manganese(I) complexes, the first example of earth-abundant transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric formal anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of allylic alcohols was realized, providing a practical access to synthetically important chiral γ-amino alcohols in excellent yields and enantioselectivities (up to 99 % yield and 98 % ee). The single-crystal structure of a Mn^I complex indicates that the manganese atom coordinates with the chiral dialkylamine moiety in a bidentate fashion. Further DFT calculations revealed that five of the six nitrogen atoms in the ligand were engaged in multiple noncovalent interactions with Mn, an isopropanol molecule, and a β-amino ketone intermediate via coordination, hydrogen bonding, and/or CH⋅⋅⋅π interactions in the transition state, showing a remarkable role of the macrocyclic framework.

Nickel-catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation of oximes

Chiral hydroxylamines are vital substances in bioscience and versatile subunits in the preparation of a variety of functional molecules. However, asymmetric and non-asymmetric synthetic approaches to these compounds are far from satisfactory. Although atom-economic metal-catalysed asymmetric hydrogenations have been studied for over 50 years, the asymmetric hydrogenation of oximes to the corresponding chiral hydroxylamines remains challenging because of the labile N-O bond and inert C=N bond. Here we report an environmentally friendly, earth-abundant, transition-metal nickel-catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation of oximes, affording the corresponding chiral hydroxylamines with up to 99% yield, 99% e.e. and with a substrate/catalyst ratio of 1,000. Computational results indicate that the weak interactions between the catalyst and substrate play crucial roles not only in the transition states, but also during the approach of the substrate to the catalyst, by selectively reducing the reaction barriers and thus improving the reaction efficiency and securing the generation of chirality.

Manganese-catalyzed hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, and hydroelementation reactions

The emerging field of organometallic catalysis has shifted towards research on Earth-abundant transition metals due to their ready availability, economic advantage, and novel properties. In this case, manganese, the third most abundant transition-metal in the Earth's crust, has emerged as one of the leading competitors. Accordingly, a large number of molecularly-defined Mn-complexes has been synthesized and employed for hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, and hydroelementation reactions. In this regard, catalyst design is based on three pillars, namely, metal-ligand bifunctionality, ligand hemilability, and redox activity. Indeed, the developed catalysts not only differ in the number of chelating atoms they possess but also their working principles, thereby leading to different turnover numbers for product molecules. Hence, the critical assessment of molecularly defined manganese catalysts in terms of chelating atoms, reaction conditions, mechanistic pathway, and product turnover number is significant. Herein, we analyze manganese complexes for their catalytic activity, versatility to allow multiple transformations and their routes to convert substrates to target molecules. This article will also be helpful to get significant insight into ligand design, thereby aiding catalysis design.

Manganese-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of 3H-Indoles

The asymmetric hydrogenation (AH) of 3H-indoles represents an ideal approach to the synthesis of useful chiral indoline scaffolds. However, very few catalytic systems based on precious metals have been developed to realize this challenging reaction. Herein, we report a Mn-catalyzed AH of 3H-indoles with excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The kinetic resolution of racemic 3H-indoles by AH was also achieved with high s-factors to construct quaternary stereocenters. Many acid-sensitive functional groups, which cannot be tolerated when using a state-of-the-art ruthenium catalyst, were compatible with manganese catalysis. This new process expands the scope of this transformation and highlights the uniqueness of earth-abundant metal catalysis. The reaction could proceed with catalyst loadings at the parts per million (ppm) level with an exceptional turnover number of 72 350. This is the highest value yet reported for an earth-abundant metal-catalyzed AH reaction.

Basic Promotors Impact Thermodynamics and Catalyst Speciation in Homogeneous Carbonyl Hydrogenation

Homogeneously catalyzed reactions often make use of additives and promotors that affect reactivity patterns and improve catalytic performance. While the role of reaction promotors is often discussed in view of their chemical reactivity, we demonstrate that they can be involved in catalysis indirectly. In particular, we demonstrate that promotors can adjust the thermodynamics of key transformations in homogeneous hydrogenation catalysis and enable reactions that would be unfavorable otherwise. We identified this phenomenon in a set of well-established and new Mn pincer catalysts that suffer from persistent product inhibition in ester hydrogenation. Although alkoxide base additives do not directly participate in inhibitory transformations, they can affect the equilibrium constants of these processes. Experimentally, we confirm that by varying the base promotor concentration one can control catalyst speciation and inflict substantial changes to the standard free energies of the key steps in the catalytic cycle. Despite the fact that the latter are universally assumed to be constant, we demonstrate that reaction thermodynamics and catalyst state are subject to external control. These results suggest that reaction promotors can be viewed as an integral component of the reaction medium, on its own capable of improving the catalytic performance and reshaping the seemingly rigid thermodynamic landscape of the catalytic transformation.

Manganese(i)-catalyzed access to 1,2-bisphosphine ligands

Chiral bisphosphine ligands are of key importance in transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of optically active products. However, the transition metals typically used are scarce and expensive noble metals, while the synthetic routes to access chiral phosphine ligands are cumbersome and lengthy. To make homogeneous catalysis more sustainable, progress must be made on both fronts. Herein, we present the first catalytic asymmetric hydrophosphination of α,β-unsaturated phosphine oxides in the presence of a chiral complex of earth-abundant manganese(i). This catalytic system offers a short two-step, one-pot synthetic sequence to easily accessible and structurally tunable chiral 1,2-bisphosphines in high yields and enantiomeric excess. The resulting bidentate phosphine ligands were successfully used in asymmetric catalysis as part of earth-abundant metal based organometallic catalysts.

Chiral bisphosphine ligands are of key importance in transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of optically active products. Mn(i)-catalyzed hydrophosphination offers a two-step, one-pot synthetic sequence to access chiral 1,2-bisphosphines.

The Rise of Manganese-Catalyzed Reduction Reactions

Recent developments in manganese-catalyzed reducing transformations—hydrosilylation, hydroboration, hydrogenation, and transfer hydrogenation—are reviewed herein. Over the past half a decade (i.e., 2016 to the present), more than 115 research publications have been reported in these fields. Novel organometallic compounds and new reduction transformations have been discovered and further developed. Significant challenges that had historically acted as barriers for the use of manganese catalysts in reduction reactions are slowly being broken down. This review will hopefully assist in developing this research area, by presenting a clear and concise overview of the catalyst structures and substrate transformations published so far.

1 Introduction

2 Hydrosilylation

3 Hydroboration

4 Hydrogenation

5 Transfer Hydrogenation

6 Conclusion and Perspective

Recent Advances in the Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Amines via Transition Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation

Chiral amines are key structural motifs present in a wide variety of natural products, drugs, and other biologically active compounds. During the past decade, significant advances have been made with respect to the enantioselective synthesis of chiral amines, many of them based on catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation (AH). The present review covers the use of AH in the synthesis of chiral amines bearing a stereogenic center either in the α, β, or γ position with respect to the nitrogen atom, reported from 2010 to 2020. Therefore, we provide an overview of the recent advances in the AH of imines, enamides, enamines, allyl amines, and N-heteroaromatic compounds.

Electrocatalyst decomposition pathways: torsional strain in a second sphere proton relay shuts off CO2RR in a Re(2,2′-bipyridyl)(CO)3X type electrocatalyst

Group 7 tris(carbonyl) bipyridine complexes have been well explored as important CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) electrocatalysts and now represent an excellent platform for catalyst design.

Borane-catalyzed cascade Friedel–Crafts alkylation/[1,5]-hydride transfer/Mannich cyclization to afford tetrahydroquinolines

We report a redox-neutral annulation reaction of tertiary amines with electron-deficient alkynes under metal-free and oxidant-free conditions.

A cooperative Pd/Co catalysis system for the asymmetric (4+2) cycloaddition of vinyl benzoxazinones with N-acylpyrazoles

Transition metal-catalyzed cycloaddition has been established as a powerful tool for heterocycle synthesis. Despite impressive advances, the exploitation of new catalysis strategies and systems is still highly significant to enrich the heterocycle family. Herein, we disclosed a cooperative catalysis system merging an achiral Pd catalyst and a chiral Co catalyst for the asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition between vinyl benzoxazinones and N-acylpyrazoles. Chiral tetrahydroquinolines bearing two contiguous, unusual cis-configured stereocenters were produced in high yields and enantio- and diastereoselectivities. The pyrazole directing group can be easily converted into many other functional groups, thus demonstrating the flexibility of the present methodology.

Dibrominated addition and substitution of alkenes catalyzed by Mn2(CO)10

A practical method for the dibromination of alkenes without using molecular bromine is consistently appealing in organic synthesis. Herein, we report Mn-catalyzed dibrominated addition and substitution of alkenes only with N-bromosuccinimide, producing a variety of synthetically valuable dibrominated compounds in moderate to high yields.

Utilizing Design of Experiments Approach to Assess Kinetic Parameters for a Mn Homogeneous Hydrogenation Catalyst

Homogeneous hydrogenation catalysts based on metal complexes provide a diverse and highly tunable tool for the fine chemical industry. To fully unleash their potential, fast and effective methods for the evaluation of catalytic properties are needed. In turn, this requires changes in the experimental approaches to test and evaluate the performance of the catalytic processes. Design of experiment combined with statistical analysis can enable time‐ and resource‐efficient experimentation. In this work, we employ a set of different statistical models to obtain the detailed kinetic description of a highly active homogeneous Mn (I) ketone hydrogenation catalyst as a representative model system. The reaction kinetics were analyzed using a full second order polynomial regression model, two models with eliminated parameters and finally a model which implements “chemical logic”. The coefficients obtained are compared with the corresponding high‐quality kinetic parameters acquired using conventional kinetic experiments. We demonstrate that various kinetic effects can be well captured using different statistical models, providing important insights into the reaction kinetics and mechanism of a complex catalytic reaction.