Chiral Cobalt-Salen Complexes: Ubiquitous Species in Asymmetric Catalysis

Abstract

Since the discovery of their extraordinary reactivity in the hydrolytic kinetic resolution of terminal epoxides about twenty years ago, chiral cobalt-salen complexes have been shown to be essential for many other asymmetric catalytic reactions. This account summarizes the inspiring works dedicated to the discovery of their new reactivity and their mode of action, as well as the new processes towards the optimization of their cooperativity for bimetallic activation and the implementation of their effective immobilization, including also our contribution on these topics.

Keywords: asymmetric catalysis; cooperativity; epoxides opening; recycling; salen complexes.