Chiral Pyridine-Containing Ligands for Asymmetric Catalysis. Synthesis and Applications

Abstract: This thesis deals with the design and syntheses of chiral,enantiopure pyridinecontaining ligands and their applicationsin asymmetric catalyis.Chiral pyridyl pyrrolidine ligands and pyridyl oxazolineligands were synthesized and employed in thepalladium-catalysed allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. Theinfluence of the steric properties of the ligands wereinvestigated.Ditopic ligands, containing crown ether units as structuralelements, were synthesized and some of the ligands were used asligands in the palladiumcatalysed allylic alkylation of1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. A smallrate enhancement was observed, compared with analogous ligandslacking the crown ether unit, when these ditopic ligands wereused in dilute systems.A modular approach was used to synthesize chiralenantiomerically pure pyridyl alcohols and C2-symmetric2,2’-bipyridines, with the chirality originating from thechiral pool. Electronic and steric properties of the compoundswere varied and they were used as ligands in theenantioselective addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. Thesense of asymmetric induction was found to be determined by theabsolute configuration of the carbinol carbon atom. Theelectronic properties of the ligands had a minor influence onthe levels of enantioselectivity induced by the ligands.Chiral pyridyl phosphinite ligands and pyridyl phosphiteligands were synthesized from the pyridyl alcohols andevaluated as ligands in palladiumcatalysed allylic alkylations.With the phosphinite ligands, the sense of chiral induction wasfound to be determined by the absolute configuration of theformer carbinol carbon atom. A kinetic resolution of theracemic starting material was observed with one of thephosphite ligands. Moderate enantioselectivities wereachieved.Kewords:asymmetric catalysis, chiral ligand, chiralpool, oxazoline, crownether, ditopic receptor, bipyridine,pyridyl alcohol, modular approach, P,Nligand, diethylzinc,allylic alkylation.