Imine complexes asymmetric hydrogenation

An even more impressive example of catalytic efficiency has recently been disclosed by Novartis (Bader and Bla.ser, 1997). The key step in a proce.ss for the synthesis of the optically active herbicide, (S)-metolachlor involves asymmetric hydrogenation of a prochiral imine catalysed by an iridium-ferrocenyldipho-sphine complex (see Fig. 2.36). 

Asymmetric hydrogenations catalyzed by supported transition metal complexes have included use of both chiral support materials (poly-imines, polysaccharides, and polyalcohols), and bonded chiral phosphines, although there have been only a few reports in this area. 

Substituents on imino nitrogen influence both reactivity and enantioselectivity in hydrogenation of imino compounds. Figure 1.32 shows two successful examples. An f-BINAPHANE-Ir complex effects asymmetric hydrogenation of A-aryl aromatic imines.On the other hand, an Et-DuPHOS-Rh complex (see Figure 1.2) is effective for hydrogenation of A-acyUiydrazones. ... 

Figure 1.33. Industiral asymmetric hydrogenation of a functionalized imine catalyzed by XYLIPHOS-Ir complex.

The presence of a heteroatom directly connected to the nitrogen atom of the imine activates it toward hydrogenation, while creating a second coordination site for the catalyst. Indeed, some successful results have been achieved for the hydrogenation of N-acylhydrazone, sulfonimide, and N-diphenylphosphinyl ketimines. The Et-DuPhos-Rh complex is an efficient catalyst for the asymmetric hydrogenation of a variety of N-acyl- ... 

Asymmetric hydrogenation of imines derived from trifluoropyruvate, in the presence of a chiral complex of palladium (ligand = (R)-BINAP), affords ethyl (/f)-trifluoroalaninate with ca. 90% The ee values strongly depend on the solvent,... 

The enantioselective hydrogenation of olefins, ketones and imines still represents an important topic and various highly enantioselective processes based on chiral Rh, Ru or Ir complexes have been reported. However, most of these catalysts failed to give satisfactory results in the asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds and examples of efficient catalysts are rare. This is especially the case for the partial reduction of quinoline derivatives which provide 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines, important synthetic intermediates in the preparation of pharmaceutical and agrochemical products. Additionally, many alkaloid natural products consist of this stmctural key element. 

Only one paper has reported on catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation. In this study by Corma et al., the neutral dimeric duphos-gold(I)complex 332 was used to catalyze the asymmetric hydrogenation of alkenes and imines. The use of the gold complex increased the enantioselectivity achieved with other platinum or iridium catalysts and activity was very high in the reaction tested [195] (Figure 8.5). 

SCHEME 77. Asymmetric hydrogenation of imines catalyzed by BINAP-Ru(II) complex. 

The activity and enantioselectivity of chiral Ir catalysts have been tested by using 2,3,3-trimethylindolenine as a model substrate. Hydrogenation of the cyclic imine with [Ir(bdpp)Hl2 2 gives the corresponding chiral amine with 80% ce (Scheme 1.99) [350]. The stereoselectivity is somewhat better than that with acyclic substrates (see Scheme 1.94). A neutral BCPM-Ir complex with Bil3 effects asymmetric hydrogenation in 91% optical yield [354], A complex of MCCPM shows similar enantioselection [354], These complexes are not applicable to the reaction of other acyclic and six-membered cyclic imines. An MOD-DIOP-Ir complex is also usable with the aid of ( -C4H9)4NI [355], An Ir complex of BICP with phthalimide effectively... 

Asymmetric hydrogenation of Scheme 1.101 provides a general route to isoquinoline alkaloids (see Section 1.3.1.1). An imine substrate is hydrogenated with the chiral titanocene (/ )-34 to give the S product with 98% ee [346a,b,352], A neutral BCPM-Ir complex with phthalimide in toluene also shows high enantioselection [358]. The choice of a weakly polar... 

Acyclic /V-alkylimines, asymmetric hydrogenation, 10, 56 Acyclic ( j3-allyl)cobalt complexes, oxidation reactions, 7, 58 Acyclic allylic esters, alkylation, 11, 76 Acyclic aromatic imines, asymmetric hydrogenation, 10, 56 Acyclic 1-buly l-( )5-pencadienyl) iron cations, preparation and reactivity, 6, 156... 

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