Experimental and theoretical perspectives of the Noyori-Ikariya asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of imines

Molecules. 2014 May 28;19(6):6987-7007. doi: 10.3390/molecules19066987.

Abstract

The asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of imines catalyzed by the Noyori-Ikariya [RuCl(η6-arene)(N-arylsulfonyl-DPEN)] (DPEN=1,2-diphenylethylene-1,2-diamine) half-sandwich complexes is a research topic that is still being intensively developed. This article focuses on selected aspects of this catalytic system. First, a great deal of attention is devoted to the N-arylsulfonyl moiety of the catalysts in terms of its interaction with protonated imines (substrates) and amines (components of the hydrogen-donor mixture). The second part is oriented toward the role of the η6-coordinated arene. The final part concerns the imine substrate structural modifications and their importance in connection with ATH. Throughout the text, the summary of known findings is complemented with newly-presented ones, which have been approached both experimentally and computationally.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Hydrogenation
  • Imines / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Ruthenium / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Imines
  • Ruthenium