An Original Calix[4]arene-Containing Oligomer/Polymer Catalyst for Homogeneous Hydroformylation

How Do Positions of Phosphito Units on a Calix[4]Arene Platform Affect the Enantioselectivity of a Catalytic Reaction?

Three chiral diphosphites, (S,S)-5,17-bis(1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-dioxyphosphanyloxy)-25,26,27,28-tetrapropyloxycalix[4]arene (1), (S,S)-5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-dipropoxy-26,28-bis(1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-dioxyphosphanyloxy)calix[4]arene (2) and (S,S)-5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26-dipropoxy-27,28-bis(1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-dioxyphosphanyloxy)calix[4]arene (3), based on conical calix[4]arene were investigated in the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α-dehydroamino esters. High conversions were observed after 24 h under 5 bar of hydrogen whatever the employed diphosphite, and the chiral induction increases in the order 1 < 3 < 2. This may be due to the presence of the calix[4]arene moiety, which by its presence modifies the second coordination sphere of the catalytic center. The larger steric hindrance around the rhodium atom leads to the higher enantiomeric excess.

Structures of potassium calix[4]arene crown ether inclusion complexes and application in polymerization of rac-lactide

Reaction of 1,3-dipropoxy-p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene (L(1)H2) with KN(SiMe3)2 afforded a one-dimensional (1D) chain complex [K2L(1)]n (1). Upon reaction with 1 equivalent 18-crown-6, complex 1 can convert to complex [K2(18-crown-6)L(1)] (2) which possesses a sandwich structure. Treatment of two calix[4]arene-crown ligands of 1,3-dihydroxy-p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene-crown-5 (L(2)H2) and 1,2-dihydroxy-p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene-crown-5 (L(3)H2) with KN(SiMe3)2 gave the dinuclear complex [K2L(2)] (3) and the mononuclear complex [K(THF)L(3)H] (4), respectively. Complexes 1-4 were all characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The variable temperature (1)H NMR spectrum indicates there is a quick rotation equilibrium of the two phenoxy groups in complex 3. In addition, complexes 1-4 have been tested for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide and the results showed that complexes 2 and 3 are highly active for the ROP of rac-lactide. The obtained polymers displayed low dispersity values (Đ) and the molecular weights are close to the calculated ones. Furthermore, complexes 2 and 3 show moderate isoselectivities of Pm = 0.67 and Pm = 0.73, respectively.