Phase dimeric cinchona

Quite recently, one of the most efficient phase-transfer-catalyzed epoxidation methods for chalcone-type enones was developed by the Park-Jew group [11], A series of meta-dimeric cinchona PTCs with modified phenyl linkers were prepared. Among this series, the 2-fluoro substituted catalyst 5, exhibited unprecedented activity and enantioselectivity for the epoxidation of various trans-chalcones in the... 

Jew and Park have also utilized the dimerization effect, as observed in the development of Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, where ligands with two independent cinchona alkaloid units attached to heterocyclic spacers led to a considerable increase in both the enantioselectivity and scope of the substrates, to design dimeric and trimeric cinchona alkaloid-derived phase-transfer catalysts 12 [12] and 13 [13]. These authors investigated the ideal aromatic spacer for optimal dimeric catalysts, and found that the catalyst 14 with a 2,7-bis(bromomethyl) naphthalene spacer and two cinchona alkaloid units exhibited remarkable catalytic and chiral efficiency (Scheme 11.3) [14]. 

Phase-transfer catalysis with cinchona alkaloid derivatives is a very active area within the field of organocatalysis, as indicated in quite recent reviews [98c, 112]. In terms of structure, the quaternary ammonium salts can be varied in a straightforward manner by changing the structure of the benzylic compound used for the alkylation of the nitrogen atom of the quinuclidine moiety. In addition, dimeric and trimeric quaternary ammonium salts of cinchona alkaloids have been prepared [112] and applied successfully in catalysis, as exemplified in Scheme 6.55 for the epoxidation of 2,4-diarylenones [117]. 

The versatile nature of cinchona alkaloid ammonium salts for phase-transfer catalysis can be illustrated by recent reports on conjugate additions [118] and a nitro-Mannich reachon [119]. Dimeric catalysts derived from quinine and quini-dine were applied in the conjugate addition of cyclic (l-ketoesters to a, 3-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The reaction proceeded in the presence of a tertiary amine as base and afforded the products in moderate to high yield and enantioselectivity (Scheme 6.56). 

Figure 12.7 Dimeric and trimeric cinchona-derived quaternary ammonium salt phase-transfer catalysts.

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