Bismuth Catalysts in Aqueous Media. In: Ollevier T, editor. Bismuth-Mediated Organic Reactions. Berlin: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2012. pp. 1-17. [DOI: 10.1007/128_2011_174]

Synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of (thiolato)bismuth complexes as potential water-tolerant Lewis acid catalysts

We have synthesized bismuth complexes incorporating polydentate mono- and di-thiolate ligands and examined their utility as water-tolerant Lewis acid catalysts. The reaction of Bi(OAc)3 or Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and the corresponding mono- or di-thiol(ate) yielded the compounds [(SNNS)Bi(OAc)] (4), [(SNNSPr)Bi(OAc)] (5), [(NNS2)Bi(OAc)] (6), [(ONS2)Bi(OAc)] (7), [(ONS2)Bi(NO3)] (8), and [(NNS)2Bi][NO3] (9) [H2(SNNS) = N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)ethylenediamine; H2(SNNSPr) = N,N′-diethyl-N,N′-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)propanediamine; H2(NNS2) = N,N-diethyl-N′,N′-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)ethanediamine; H2(ONS2) = 2-methoxyethyl-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)amine; H(NNS) = N,N-diethyl-N′-(2-mercaptoethyl)ethanediamine]. The solid-state structures of 4–8 show similar distorted pentagonal pyramidal geometries at the bismuth centre with a thiolate sulfur atom in the axial site, whereas 8 shows second structural arrangement with a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry at bismuth. The cation of 9 shows two NNS-bonded ligands and a distorted octahedral geometry at bismuth. Two-dimensional NMR studies of 4–8 show geminal 1H coupling in –SCH2CH2N– groups and suggests strong dative Bi–N intramolecular interactions. Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and BiCl3 show high activity toward the esterification of stearic acid, Bi(NO3)3·5H2O, and 4–7 and 9 show high activity toward the transesterification of methyl stearate in butanol, and 7 shows moderate activity as a catalyst for the transesterification of glyceryl trioctanoate in methanol.

Mukaiyama Aldol Reactions in Aqueous Media

Mukaiyama aldol reactions in aqueous media have been surveyed. While the original Mukaiyama aldol reactions entailed stoichiometric use of Lewis acids in organic solvents under strictly anhydrous conditions, Mukaiyama aldol reactions in aqueous media are not only suitable for green sustainable chemistry but are found to produce singular phenomena. These findings led to the discovery of a series of water-compatible Lewis acids such as lanthanide triflates in 1991. Our understanding on these beneficial effects in the presence of water will be deepened through the brilliant examples collected in this review. 1 Introduction 2 Rate Enhancement by Water in the Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction 3 Lewis Acid Catalysis in Aqueous or Organic Solvents 3.1 Water-Compatible Lewis Acids 4 Lewis-Base Catalysis in Aqueous or Organic Solvents 5 The Mukaiyama Aldol Reactions in 100% Water 6 Asymmetric Catalysts in Aqueous Media and Water 7 Conclusions and Perspective.

Iron- and bismuth-catalyzed asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reactions in aqueous media

We have developed asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reactions of silicon enolates with aldehydes catalyzed by chiral Fe(II) and Bi(III) complexes. Although previous reactions often required relatively harsh conditions, such as strictly anhydrous conditions, very low temperatures (-78 °C), etc., the reactions reported herein proceeded in the presence of water at 0 °C. To find appropriate chiral water-compatible Lewis acids for the Mukaiyama aldol reaction, many Lewis acids were screened in combination with chiral bipyridine L1, which had previously been found to be a suitable chiral ligand in aqueous media. Three types of chiral catalysts that consisted of a Fe(II) or Bi(III) metal salt, a chiral ligand (L1), and an additive have been discovered and a wide variety of substrates (silicon enolates and aldehydes) reacted to afford the desired aldol products in high yields with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities through an appropriate selection of one of the three catalytic systems. Mechanistic studies elucidated the coordination environments around the Fe(II) and Bi(III) centers and the effect of additives on the chiral catalysis. Notably, both Brønsted acids and bases worked as efficient additives in the Fe(II) -catalyzed reactions. The assumed catalytic cycle and transition states indicated important roles of water in these efficient asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reactions in aqueous media with the broadly applicable and versatile catalytic systems.