Hydrogenation Iridium-catalyzed

Iridium-catalyzed hydrogen transfer from aqueous phosphite esters or phosphorous acid is an effective way of producing axial alcohols (77,25,J4,46,57). 

Scheme 15 Iridium-catalyzed hydrogen-mediated coupling of alkyl-substituted alkynes to activated ketones and aldehydes. Conditions a ligand = BIPHEP, solvent = toluene, T = 80 °C b ligand = DPPF, solvent = toluene, T = 60 °C c ligand = BIPHEP, solvent = DCE,...

In a study by Leitner of the iridium-catalyzed hydrogenation of imines, a nearly 20-fold increase in catalytic efficiency was observed due to a different kinetic profile in scC02 as compared to methylene chloride.358 The change in rate and selectivity found in scC02 with respect to the other solvents can be related to the following major points ... 

Secondary phosphine oxides are known to be excellent ligands in palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions and platinum-catalyzed nitrile hydrolysis. A series of chiral enantiopure secondary phosphine oxides 49 and 50 has been prepared and studied in the iridium-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of imines [48] and in the rhodium- and iridium-catalyzed hydrogenation functionalized olefins [86]. Especially in benzyl substituted imine-hydrogenation, 49a ranks among the best ligands available in terms of ex. 

At the same time, however, the iridium-catalyzed hydrogenation of 80 was reported using chiral phosphoric acid diester 17be based on BINOL [47a]. Full conversion and a maximum e.e. of 50% was observed, again in a slow reaction. Interestingly, a catalyst based on palladium and 17be afforded 39% e.e. and full conversion in the hydrogenation of aryl imine 87. 

P,N and non-phosphorus ligands have been most successful in the enantiomeric iridium-catalyzed hydrogenation of unfunctionalized alkenes [5], and for this reason this chapter necessarily overlaps with Chapter 30. Here, the emphasis is on ligand synthesis and structure, whereas Chapter 30 expands on substrates, reaction conditions and reaction optimization. However, a number of specific substrates are mentioned in the comparison of catalysts, and their structures are illustrated in Figure 29.1. 

The mechanism of iridium-catalyzed hydrogenation remains unclear. Although several experimental [31, 53, 54] and computational [53, 55, 56] studies have been reported recently, further investigations will be necessary to establish a coherent mechanistic model. Until now, most studies have dealt with simple test substrates hence, it will be important to explore more complex and also industrially important substrates, in order to determine the full scope and limitations of iridium catalysis. 

Whereas most hydrogenation catalysts function very well in water (see for example Chapter 38 for two-phase aqueous catalysis), scattered instances are known of inhibition by water. Laue et al. attached Noyori s transfer hydrogenation catalyst to a soluble polymer and used this in a continuous device in which the catalyst was separated from the product by a membrane. The catalyst was found to be inhibited by the presence of traces of water in the feed stream, though this could be reversed by continuously feeding a small amount of potassium isopropoxide [60]. A case of water inhibition in iridium-catalyzed hydrogenation is described in Section 44.6.2. 

Iridium-Catalyzed Hydrogenation Using Phosphorus Ligands... 

Ligand 19 performs excellently with the wide variety of l,l -disubstituted olefins reported. Substrates 61a-m are efficiently reduced at 1 bar of hydrogen in high enantioselectivity with very little dependence on the bulk of the alkyl substituents. Strongly coordinating olefins such as 611 and 61m tyqrically perform poorly in iridium-catalyzed hydrogenations, but reduction with 19 clearly breaks this rule and the substrates are reduced in excellent selectivity and yield. 

The mechanism for the iridium-catalyzed hydrogen transfer reaction between alcohols and ketones has been investigated, and there are three main reaction pathways that have been proposed (Scheme 4). Pathway (a) involves a direct hydrogen transfer where hydride transfer takes place between the alkoxide and ketone, which is simultaneously coordinated to the iridium center. Computational studies have given support to this mechanism for some iridium catalysts [18]. 

Formation of C-C Bonds via Iridium-Catalyzed Hydrogenation and Transfer Hydrogenation... 

Aikynes as Vinylmetal Surrogates via Iridium-Catalyzed Hydrogenation.110... 

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