Enantioselective catalytic synthesis of ethyl mandelate derivatives using Rh(I)–NHC catalysts and organoboron reagents

Asymmetric Additions Empowered by OrganoCatalysts, Metal Catalysts, and Deep Natural Eutectic Solvents (NADES)

This article is a history of an industrial-academic partnership that started almost two decades ago and details the evolution of a relationship between a small academic research group and a spin-out company located in Portugal. Their activities have ranged from the development of new metal-based catalytic systems for asymmetric epoxidations, allylic alkylations, and arylations to the development of novel cinchona-based organocatalysts for asymmetric hydrosilylations and Michael additions. Current common interests are centered on the development of novel chiral Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent systems, which they are investigating in different types of reaction systems.

Chiral surfactant-type catalyst: enantioselective reduction of long-chain aliphatic ketoesters in water

A series of amphiphilic ligands were designed and synthesized. The rhodium complexes with the ligands were applied to the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of broad range of long-chained aliphatic ketoesters in neat water. Quantitative conversion and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) was observed for α-, β-, γ-, δ- and ε-ketoesters as well as for α- and β-acyloxyketone using chiral surfactant-type catalyst 2. The CH/π interaction and the strong hydrophobic interaction of long aliphatic chains between the catalyst and the substrate in the metallomicelle core played a key role in the catalytic transition state. Synergistic effects between the metal-catalyzed site and the hydrophobic microenvironment of the core in the micelle contributed to high stereoselectivity.

Transition-metal-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of amido(hetero)arylboronic acid aldehydes to isoquinolinones and derivatives

We report an innovative and simple three step high yielding synthesis of a library of 14 chiral isoquinolinone and azepinone derivatives with benzyl, pyridyl and thiophene cores starting from amidoarylboronic acid aldehydes.