Control of Enantioselectivity in Rhodium(I) Catalysis by Planar Chiral Dibenzo[a ,e ]cyclooctatetraenes

Chiral Diene Ligands in Asymmetric Catalysis

Asymmetric catalysis has emerged as a general and powerful approach for constructing chiral compounds in an enantioselective manner. Hence, developing novel chiral ligands and catalysts that can effectively induce asymmetry in reactions is crucial in modern chemical synthesis. Among such chiral ligands and catalysts, chiral dienes and their metal complexes have received increased attention, and a great progress has been made over the past two decades. This review provides comprehensive and critical information on the essential aspects of chiral diene ligands and their importance in asymmetric catalysis. The literature covered ranges from August 2003 (when the first effective chiral diene ligand for asymmetric catalysis was reported) to October 2021. This review is divided into two parts. In the first part, the chiral diene ligands are categorized according to their structures, and their preparation methods are summarized. In the second part, their applications in asymmetric transformations are presented according to the reaction types.

Copper(I) Catalyzed Decarboxylative Synthesis of Diareno[a,e]cyclooctatetraenes

Diareno[a,e]cyclooctatetraenes find widespread applications as building blocks, ligands, and responsive cores in topologically switchable materials. However, current synthetic methods to these structures suffer from low yields or operational disadvantages. Here, we describe a practical three-step approach to diareno[a,e]cyclooctatetraenes using an efficient copper(I) catalyzed double decarboxylation as the key step. The sequence relies on cheap and abundant reagents, is readily performed on scale, and is amenable also to unsymmetrical derivatives that expand the utility of this intriguing class of structures.

Electro-mechanically switchable hydrocarbons based on [8]annulenes

Pure hydrocarbons with shape and conjugation properties that can be switched by external stimuli is an intriguing prospect in the design of new responsive materials and single-molecule electronics. Here, we develop an oligomeric [8]annulene-based material that combines a remarkably efficient topological switching upon redox changes with structural simplicity, stability, and straightforward synthesis: 5,12-alkyne linked dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraenes (dbCOTs). Upon reduction, the structures accommodate a reversible reorganization from a pseudo-conjugated tub-shape to a conjugated aromatic system. This switching in oligomeric structures gives rise to multiple defined states that are deconvoluted by electrochemical, NMR, and optical methods. The combination of stable electromechanical responsivity and ability to relay electrons stepwise through an extended (pseudo-conjugated) π-system in partially reduced structures validate alkyne linked dbCOTs as a practical platform for developing new responsive materials and switches based on [8]annulene cores.

Pure hydrocarbons with properties that can be switched by external stimuli are interesting for the design and development of new responsive materials. Here, the authors develop an oligomeric [8]annulene-based material that combines topological switching upon redox changes with structural simplicity, stability, and straightforward synthesis.

Synthesis, Structure, and Dynamics of Chiral Eight-Membered Cyclic Molecules with Thienylene and Cyclopropylene Units Alternately Connected

A rhodium(II)-catalyzed asymmetric cyclooligomerization of bifunctional monomers possessing triazolyl and vinyl groups at 2,3- and 3,4-positions on the thiophene ring is studied. Structurally interesting cyclic dimers in which thienylene and cyclopropylene units are alternately connected are obtained as the major components. The eight-membered rings in the center are non-planar and adopt a tub-shaped conformation. We also observe the phenomenon of racemization caused by a tub-to-tub ring-flipping, the activation energy of which is determined as 108 kJ mol -1 by electronic circular dichroism spectra measurement.

Synthesis of Rhodium Complexes with Chiral Diene Ligands via Diastereoselective Coordination and Their Application in the Asymmetric Insertion of Diazo Compounds into E-H Bonds

A new method for the synthesis of chiral diene rhodium catalysts is introduced. The readily available racemic tetrafluorobenzobarrelene complexes [(R₂ -TFB)RhCl]₂ were separated into two enantiomers via selective coordination of one of them with the auxiliary S-salicyl-oxazoline ligand. One of the resulting chiral complexes with an exceptionally bulky diene ligand [(R,R-iPr₂ -TFB)RhCl]₂ was an efficient catalyst for the asymmetric insertion of diazoesters into B-H and Si-H bonds giving the functionalized organoboranes and silanes with high yields (79-97 %) and enantiomeric purity (87-98 % ee). The stereoselectivity of separation via auxiliary ligand and that of the catalytic reaction was predicted by DFT calculations.

A Unifying Bioinspired Synthesis of (-)-Asperaculin A and (-)-Penifulvin D

The first syntheses of the isomeric dioxafenestrene natural products (−)-asperaculin A and (−)-penifulvin D are reported. Each target is formed selectively by choice of oxidant in a final divergent bioinspired Baeyer–Villiger (BV) reaction. Density functional theory calculations reveal that electrostatic interactions between the oxidant leaving group and the lactone motif accounts for a reversal of selectivity with H₂O₂/H₃O⁺ compared to peracids. Synthetic features include forging the polycyclic carbon framework with a diastereoselective meta-photocycloaddition biased by an ether substituent at the aryl α-position. The encumbered tertiary alcohol was installed by cyanation of a ketone intermediate followed by nonaqueous hydrolysis of the resulting delicate cyanohydrin.

Synergistic ligand effect for the construction of titanium–oxo clusters with planar chirality and high solution stability

Synergistic effect between dimethylglyoxime and nonlinear dicarboxylate ligands has been developed for the construction of planar chiral titanium-oxo clusters, which showed high solution stability confirmed by recrystallization studies.

Chiral Discrimination in Rhodium(I) Catalysis by 2,5-Disubstituted 1,3a,4,6a-Tetrahydropenatalene Ligands-More Than Just a Twist of the Olefins?

Chiral dienes are useful ligands in a number of asymmetric transition-metal-catalyzed reactions. Here, we evaluate the efficiency of 2,5-disubstituted 1,3a,4,6a-tetrahydropentalenes as ligands to rhodium(I). 2,5-Dibenzyl and diphenyl tetrahydropentalenes were synthesized in two steps and resolved, either chromatographically, or through fractional crystallization of diastereomeric rhodium(I) salts. When evaluated in a 1,4-arylation reaction, the 2,5-dibenzyl ligand gave up to 99% ee. The use of a well-defined rhodium complex as catalyst, Cs₂CO₃ as the base, and toluene/water as solvent was found to have a pronounced beneficial effect on the selectivity of the reaction. The homologous 2,5-diphenyl ligand on the other hand proved to be highly prone to racemization/loss of chirality during catalysis. Control experiments reveal that this rearrangement proceeds via a rhodium-mediated 1,3-hydride shift. Implications for ligand design and catalysis are discussed.