The first asymmetric ring-expansion carbonylation of meso-epoxides

The first asymmetric ring-expansion carbonylation of meso-epoxides to β-lactones is reported. Two structurally diverse chiral Cr(III) chloro complexes in conjunction with Co(2)(CO)(8) were shown to be competent catalytic systems for this transformation, displaying significant levels of asymmetric induction of up to 56% ee.

Amide versus amine ligand paradigm in the direct amination of alcohols with Ru-PNP complexes

Ruthenium complexes of PNP-ligands bearing secondary amines were found to be inactive in the alcohol amination with NH₃, while all complexes of homologous ligands bearing tertiary amines gave active catalysts!