Synthesis of Polymer‐Supported Fesulphos Ligands and their Application in Asymmetric Catalysis

The synthesis of two Fesulphos‐based chiral ligands and their immobilization on a polystyrene support is described. These supported chiral ligands act as very efficient catalysts in 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition and allylic substitution reactions providing the products with excellent enantioselectivities (91 to >99 % ee). Filtration of the catalyst from the reaction mixtures allows simple product isolation. The polymer‐supported Cu complex of chiral ligand PS‐ 8 can be recycled without further addition of a copper salt in 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions.     

A Bis(Triazolecarboxamido) Ligand for Enantio‐ and Regioselective Molybdenum‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation Reactions

A modular, enantiomerically pure bis(1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carboxamide) has been assembled from N,N′‐[(1R,2R)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyl]dipropiolamide through a copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction and evaluated as a ligand in the molybdenum‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (MoAAA) reaction, very high regio‐ and enantioselectivities being recorded.

     

Geminal Bis(sulfoximine)s: Synthesis and Applications in Asymmetric Catalysis

A number of C₂‐symmetrical geminal bis(sulfoximine)s have been prepared for the first time and used as ligands in boron‐mediated reductions of acetophenone and copper complex‐catalyzed 1,4‐additions of diethylzinc to 2‐cyclohexenone. The copper complex of bis(sulfoximine) 46 was found to be highly active in this type of reaction, furnishing the addition product in nearly quantitative yield even at −90 °C. From the reaction of bis(sulfoximine) 42 with Cu(OTf)₂ a copper complex was isolated and characterized by X‐ray structural analysis. A mixture of SES‐Cl and NaN₃ in acetonitrile was found to behave like SES‐N₃ in FeCl₂‐mediated iminations of sulfoxides, affording the corresponding sulfoximines with complete retention of the sulfur configuration.     

A New Pyridyl Bis(oxazoline) Ligand Prepared from D‐Glucosamine for Asymmetric Alkynylation of Imines

A new carbohydrate‐based pyridyl bis(oxazoline) has been prepared from D ‐glucosamine via simple steps. With this ligand enantioselectivities up to 99% were achieved in copper(I)‐catalysed alkynylations of imines.     

Charge‐Transfer Interactions: An Efficient Tool for Recycling Bis(oxazoline)‐Copper Complexes in Asymmetric Henry Reactions

An anthracenyl‐modified chiral bis(oxazoline) copper complex has been demonstrated to efficiently promote nitroaldol reactions between structurally varying aldehydes and nitromethane or nitroethane. The catalyst was recovered through formation of a charge transfer complex between the chiral ligand and trinitrofluorenone and its subsequent precipitation with pentane. The efficiency of this procedure was proved through several consecutive catalytic cycles that allowed the sturdy formation of the expected product with a high enantioselectivity. The catalyst′s stability was also put to the test in an original multi‐substrate procedure. Following the same recovery concept, a new heterogeneous procedure was tested for which trinitrofluorenone was covalently linked to a silica support. Asymmetric heterogeneous catalysis was performed under these conditions as one of the few examples demonstrating the potential catalyst recycling in nitroaldol reactions through reversible, non‐covalent interactions.     

Proline‐Derived Aminotriazole Ligands: Preparation and Use in the Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation

The preparation of 2‐triazolyl‐ and 2‐triazolylmethylpyrrolidines from L ‐proline and L ‐trans‐4‐hydroxyproline is described, along with their evaluation as chiral ligands in ruthenium‐catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation. Modular evolution of the ligands by introduction of remote substituents is also presented, showing a surprisingly important effect on the performance of the ligands.     

Chiral Bis(N‐sulfonylamino)phosphine‐ and TADDOL‐Phosphite‐Oxazoline Ligands: Synthesis and Application in Asymmetric Catalysis

A series of N,P‐ligands has been prepared, containing a chiral oxazoline ring and as a second chiral unit a bis(N‐sulfonylamino)phosphine group embedded in a diazaphospholidine ring or a cyclic phosphite group derived from TADDOL. These modular ligands are readily synthesized from chiral amino alcohols and chiral 1,2‐diamines or TADDOLs. Palladium and iridium complexes derived from these ligands were found to be efficient catalysts for enantioselective allylic alkylation and olefin hydrogenation, respectively.     

Recyclable Enantioselective Catalysts Based on Copper(II) Complexes of 2‐(Pyridine‐2‐yl)imidazolidine‐4‐thione: Their Application in Asymmetric Henry Reactions

This paper describes the preparation of enantioselective catalysts based on derivatives of imidazolidine‐4‐thione and their subsequent anchoring by means of a sulfur atom on a polymeric carrier. First, we verified the catalytic activity and enantioselectivity in the Henry reaction of the homogeneous variants of the catalysts, i.e., the copper(II) complexes of 2‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)imidazolidine‐4‐thiones and 4‐benzylsufanyl‐2‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)imidazolines themselves. It was found that these catalysts exhibit high enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee). Subsequently, the imidazolidine‐4‐thione catalysts were immobilized by anchoring to polymeric carriers based on a copolymer of styrene and 4‐vinylbenzyl chloride. These heterogeneous catalysts were analogously tested with regard to their catalytic activity and enantioselectivity in the Henry reaction, and moreover, the possibility of their separation and reuse was studied. It was found that all the prepared immobilized catalysts are highly enantioselective (up to 97% ee). Their recycling ability was tested in Henry reaction of 2‐methoxybenzaldehyde with nitromethane. It was found that they can be recycled more than ten times without any decrease of their enantioselectivity. Therefore, they present a better means of catalysis than the original copper(II) complexes of imidazolidine‐4‐ones from both economic as well as ecological points of view. Thus, such immobilized catalysts exhibit high application potential for the asymmetric Henry reaction.

     

Chiral Bis(N‐arylamino)phosphine‐oxazolines: Synthesis and Application in Asymmetric Catalysis

N‐Arylation or N‐alkylation of chiral 1,2‐diamines followed by ring closure with phosphorus trichloride (PCl₃) and subsequent coupling with an oxazoline alcohol resulted in a new class of N,P ligands. The corresponding iridium tetrakis[3,5‐bis(trifluormethyl)phenyl]borate (BAr_F) complexes were found to be efficient catalysts for the enantioselective hydrogenation of unfunctionalized olefins and α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic esters.     

Stabilized Copper(I) Oxide Nanoparticles Catalyze Azide‐Alkyne Click Reactions in Water

A novel form of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated copper(I) oxide nanoparticle (Cu₂O‐NP) was prepared and used to catalyze azide‐alkyne click reactions in water under aerobic conditions. The nanoparticles were well dispersed in aqueous solutions and have a size of 20±10 nm, as determined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses demonstrated that the main content of Cu₂O‐NP is copper(I). The cytotoxicity of it was evaluated by an in vitro 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and its catalytic efficiency for azide‐alkyne click reactions was studied in water and organic solvents at physiological temperatures. Our results indicate that Cu₂O‐NP is more efficient in catalytic reactions in water for both aliphatic and aromatic azides and alkynes and less toxic than the commonly used CuSO₄/reductant catalyst systems.     

General Cycloaddition Between a Trimethylsilyl‐Capped Alkyne and an Azide Catalyzed by an N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Copper Complex and Pyridine‐Biscarboxamide

With an externally provided catalytic amide facilitator and an N‐heterocyclic carbene‐copper (NHC‐Cu) complex, the cycloaddition of an azide and a trimethylsilyl (TMS)‐capped alkyne can proceed smoothly. This protocol can be applied to a variety of TMS‐capped substrates, with electron‐rich alkynes generally giving higher yields and nitroaromatic alkynes giving lower yields. For special applications of this protocol, a substrate containing both a terminal alkyne and a TMS‐capped alkyne can sequentially react with different azides without isolation of intermediates; and a macrocyclic product can also be formed efficiently without the complication of polymer formation.

     

New Polymer‐Supported Catalysts for the Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Acetophenone in Water – Kinetic and Mechanistic Investigations

Heterogenization is a powerful approach for the generation of easily recyclable catalysts. In this study, a modified tethered rhodium(III)‐ p‐toluenesulfonyl‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine (Rh‐TsDPEN) complex immobilized on polymeric supports was applied to kinetic and up‐scaling experiments on the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in water. Study of the catalyst has helped in understanding some aspects of its operating mode. The results indicate that, in the investigated range, a simple second‐order model describes the enantioselective conversion of acetophenone to phenylethanol. Optimal reaction conditions were determined, and particularly the solution pH was found to play a decisive role for the activity and reusability of the catalyst. The good performance under optimized conditions emphasizes the practical usefulness of this recyclable catalytic system for environmentally benign asymmetric transfer hydrogenation processes.     

Nanoporous Copper Metal Catalyst in Click Chemistry: Nanoporosity‐Dependent Activity without Supports and Bases

Nanoporous copper (CuNPore) catalysts with tunable nanoporosity were fabricated from Cu₃₀Mn₇₀ alloy by controlling the de‐alloying temperature under free corrosion conditions. The tunable nanoporosity of CuNPore led to a significant enhancement of catalytic activity in click chemistry without using any supports and bases. Characterization of CuNPore surface, high reusability, leaching experiment, and formation of nanostructured copper acetylide revealed that the click reaction occurred at the catalyst surface.     

Non‐Magnetic and Magnetic Supported Copper(I) Chelating Adsorbents as Efficient Heterogeneous Catalysts and Copper Scavengers for Click Chemistry

Novel supported chelating adsorbents bearing diverse multidentate nitrogenated ligands with strong copper(I) affinities are easily prepared in non‐magnetic and magnetic variants using silica and silica‐coated magnetite nanoparticles as suitable supports and the aza‐Michael‐type addition of vinyl sulfones as the ligation tool. These adsorbents are versatile materials with applications in the copper‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) click chemistry where their complexation abilities enable them to act either as heterogeneous click catalysts when used in their complexed form or as copper(I) scavengers when used in their uncomplexed form. In the first instance, they proved to be robust and efficient heterogeneous catalysts to promote click reactions using extremely low doses and showing negligible copper leaching, particularly in the case of the silica‐based non‐magnetic adsorbents, allowing a simple operational protocol for their rapid and easy removal by filtration or magnetic decantation and showing good recyclability properties. In their uncomplexed form, the non‐magnetic chelating adsorbents are very efficient copper scavengers that are able to remove any traces of metal contamination and that can be applied in tandem with any heterogeneous supported copper(I) catalysts or as stand‐alone copper removing system in any click protocol allowing the isolation of metal‐free clicked compounds.     

Ultramild Protein‐Mediated Click Chemistry Creates Efficient Oligonucleotide Probes for Targeting and Detecting Nucleic Acids

Functionalized synthetic oligonucleotides are finding growing applications in research, clinical studies, and therapy. However, it is not easy to prepare them in a biocompatible and highly efficient manner. We report a new strategy to synthesize oligonucleotides with promising nucleic acid targeting and detection properties. We focus in particular on the pH sensitivity of these new probes and their high target specificity. For the first time, human copper(I)‐binding chaperon Cox17 was applied to effectively catalyze click labeling of oligonucleotides. This was performed under ultramild conditions with fluorophore, peptide, and carbohydrate azide derivatives. In thermal denaturation studies, the modified probes showed specific binding to complementary DNA and RNA targets. Finally, we demonstrated the pH sensitivity of the new rhodamine‐based fluorescent probes in vitro and rationalize our results by electronic structure calculations.     

Highly Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Reaction of Indole with Alkylidenemalonates Catalyzed by Heteroarylidene Malonate‐Derived Bis(oxazoline) Copper(II) Complexes

A series of cheap and easily accessible heteroarylidenemalonate‐derived bis(oxazoline) ligands 1 and 2 were synthesized and their copper(II) complexes were applied to the catalytic Friedel–Crafts reaction between indoles and diethyl alkylidenemalonates, Excellent asymmetric enantioselectivities were afforded for the S‐enantiomer (up to >99% ee) in isobutyl alcohol, and the R‐enantiomer (up to 96.5% ee) in dichloromethane.     

Asymmetric Carbon‐Carbon Bond Forming Reactions Catalysed by Metal(II) Bis(oxazoline) Complexes Immobilized using Supported Ionic Liquids

A series of bis(oxazoline) metal(II) complexes has been supported on silica and carbon supports by non‐covalent immobilisation using an ionic liquid. The catalytic performance of these solids was compared for the enantioselective Diels–Alder reaction between N‐acryloyloxazolidinone and cyclopentadiene and the Mukaiyama‐aldol reaction between methyl pyruvate and 1‐methoxy‐1‐trimethylsilyloxypropene. In both reactions the enantioselectivity was strongly influenced by the choice of support displaying enantioselectivies (ee values) up to 40% higher than those conducted under homogeneous reaction conditions.     

Efficient Heterogeneous Asymmetric Catalysis of the Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction by Silica‐ and Ionic Liquid‐Supported Lewis Acid Copper(II) Complexes of Bis(oxazolines)

Lewis acid complexes based on copper(II) and an imidazolium‐tagged bis(oxazoline) have been used to catalyse the asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction between methyl pyruvate and 1‐methoxy‐1‐trimethylsilyloxypropene under homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions. Although the ees obtained in ionic liquid were similar to those found in dichloromethane, there was a significant rate enhancement in the ionic liquid with reactions typically reaching completion within 2 min compared with only 55 % conversion after 60 min in dichloromethane. However, this rate enhancement was offset by lower chemoselectivity in ionic liquids due to the formation of 3‐hydroxy‐1,3‐diphenylbutan‐1‐one as a by‐product. Supporting the catalyst on silica or an imidazolium‐modified silica using the ionic liquid or in an ionic liquid‐diethyl ether system completely suppressed the formation of this by‐product without reducing the enantioselectivity. Although the heterogeneous systems were characterised by a drop in catalytic activity the system could be recycled up to five times without any loss in conversion or ee.     

Remarkable Efficiency Improvement in the Preparation of Insoluble Polymer‐Bound (IPB) Enantioselective Catalytic Systems by the Use of Silicone Chemistry

The use of platinum‐catalyzed hydrosilylation chemistry of silicones greatly simplifies the preparation of bis‐oxazoline (box) ligands covalently bound to an insoluble polymeric support. The use of such immobilized chiral ligands in different copper‐catalyzed asymmetric transformations (carbonyl‐ene, Mukaiyama aldol and olefin cyclopropanation reactions) allows the attainment of high levels of enantioselectivity (91–99 % ee).