Chiral anion metathesis

In 2002, Hoveyda et al. reported the synthesis of a novel chiral anionic bidentate carbene ligand combining an NHC unit with a phenolato donor and its use in asymmetric olefin metathesis [73]. The five-step synthesis of the... 

Jonathan and Mikami [49] reported a straightforward synthesis of new chiral ionic liquids bearing an imidazolium core, an easy and efficient method (6). Commercially available ethyl lactate was converted into its triflate derivative which upon reaction with 1-methylimidazole gave the triflate salt as a solid in excellent yield. Then anion metathesis was performed to obtain different anions with imidazole cation ... 

Using a similar protocol, Loupy and coworkers have reported the synthesis of chiral ionic liquids based on (ll ,2S)-(-)-ephedrinium salts under microwave irradiation conditions (Scheme 4.21a) [75]. Importantly, the authors were also able to demonstrate that the desired hexafluorophosphate salts could be prepared in a one-pot protocol by in situ anion-exchange metathesis (Scheme 4.21b). The synthesis and transformation of so-called task-specific ionic liquids is discussed in more detail in Section 7.4. 

The past decade has witnessed extensive modifications of Af-heterocyclic carbene ligands for ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts. This includes symmetrical and unsymmetrical NHCs, 1,3- and 4,5-substitutions, introduction of heteroatoms into the backbone, NHC ring size variation, and introduction of chirality. Most of these changes were initially targeted to improve stability and activity of the catalyst, while recent approaches are mainly focused on affording well-defined stereoselectivity. However, the activity and stability of the ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts are not solely ruled by the type of neutral NHC ligand the anionic ligands, chelation mode, substrates used, and the reaction conditions naturally also influence catalytic properties. One of the main lessons learned from ruthenium olefin metathesis development is that there is no one catalyst fits all and every type of application must be studied in detail in order to discover the most efficient catalytic complex. 

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