Accessible Bifunctional Oxy-Tethered Ruthenium(II) Catalysts for Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation

Org Lett. 2018 Sep 7;20(17):5213-5218. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.8b02157. Epub 2018 Aug 13.

Abstract

A concise synthesis of new oxy-tethered ruthenium complexes effective for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones is described. The oxy-tether was constructed via a defluorinative etherification arising from an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution of a perfluorinated phenylsulfonyl substituent. The obtained tethered complexes exhibited desirable catalytic activity and selectivity, especially in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of functionalized aromatic ketones. The robustness and rigidity of the tether contribute to their superior catalytic performance relative to the nontethered prototype complex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't