| Abstract: | The development and application of a novel linked‐1,1′‐binaphthol (linked‐BINOL) as an approach towards practical asymmetric multifunctional catalysis is described. Linked‐BINOL was first designed to increase the stability of a Ga‐Li‐BINOL complex against ligand exchange with 4‐methoxyphenol. An oxygen‐containing linked‐BINOL, which is a semi crown ether, was effective in both promoting the formation of a monomer complex and increasing the stability of the Ga‐Li complex. A Ga‐Li‐linked‐BINOL complex promoted the epoxide opening reaction in up to 96% enantiomeric excess (ee). Second, based on the X‐ray structural information of the Ga‐Li‐linked‐BINOL complex, we designed a more stable lanthanide linked‐BINOL complex. An air‐stable, storable, and reusable La‐linked‐BINOL complex promoted the Michael reaction in up to >99% ee. The catalyst activity remained unchanged after storage under air for 4 weeks. Calculations suggested that the linked‐BINOL would function as a pentadentate ligand in a lanthanum complex, thus efficiently improving the stability of the complex. Finally, the linked‐BINOL was applied to a new homobimetallic multifunctional catalysis. A dinuclear Zn‐Zn‐linked‐BINOL complex promoted the enantio‐ and diastereoselective direct aldol reaction in up to 99% ee, where one Zn cation might function as a Lewis acid and the other Zn‐phenoxide as a Brønsted base. |
