Ethanol: Unlocking an Abundant Renewable C2 -Feedstock for Catalytic Enantioselective C-C Coupling

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2021 May 3;60(19):10542-10546. doi: 10.1002/anie.202102694. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Abstract

With annual production at >85 million tons/year, ethanol is the world's largest-volume renewable small molecule carbon source, yet its use as a C2 -feedstock in enantioselective C-C coupling is unknown. Here, the first catalytic enantioselective C-C couplings of ethanol are demonstrated in reactions with structurally complex, nitrogen-rich allylic acetates incorporating the top 10 N-heterocycles found in FDA-approved drugs.

Keywords: enantioselectivity; ethanol; hydrogen transfer; iridium; renewable sources.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Ethanol / chemical synthesis*
  • Ethanol / chemistry
  • Iridium / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Alkenes
  • Ethanol
  • Iridium