Chiral Chromium Salen@rGO as Multipurpose and Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst.

The first immobilization of a pyrene-tagged chromium salen complex through π-π noncovalent interactions on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is described. A very robust supported catalytic system is obtained to promote asymmetric catalysis in repeated cycles, without loss of activity or enantioselectivity. This specific behavior was demonstrated in two different catalytic reactions (up to ten reuses) promoted by chromium salen complexes, the cyclohexene oxide ring-opening reaction and the hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition between various aldehydes and Danishefsky's diene. Furthermore, the chiral chromium salen@rGO has been found to be compatible with a multi-substrate type use, in which the structure of the substrate involved is modified each time the catalyst is reused.

Bifunctional Tripeptide with a Phosphonic Acid as a Brønsted Acid for Michael Addition: Mechanistic Insights.

Enamine catalysis is a widespread activation mode in the field of organocatalysis and is often encountered in bifunctional organocatalysts. We previously described H-Pro-Pro-pAla-OMe as a bifunctional catalyst for Michael addition between aldehydes and aromatic nitroalkenes. Considering that opposite selectivities were observed when compared to H-Pro-Pro-Glu-NH2 , an analogue described by Wennemers, the activation mode of H-Pro-Pro-pAla-OMe was investigated through kinetic, linear effect studies, NMR analyses, and structural modifications. It appeared that only one bifunctional catalyst was involved in the catalytic cycle, by activating aldehyde through an (E)-enamine and nitroalkene through an acidic interaction. A restrained tripeptide structure was optimal in terms of distance and rigidity for better selectivities and fast reaction rates. Transition-state modeling unveiled the particular selectivity of this phosphonopeptide.

Double-Stereodifferentiation in Rhodium-Catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition: Chiral Ligand/Chiral Counterion Matched Pair.

The first enantioselective metal-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition involving a double asymmetric induction has been devised. It relies on the use of an in situ generated chiral cationic rhodium(I) catalyst with a matched chiral ligand/chiral counterion pair. Careful optimization of the catalytic system, as well as of the reaction conditions, led to atroposelective [2 + 2 + 2] pyridone cycloadducts with high ee's up to 96%. This strategy outperformed those previously described involving a chiral ligand only or a chiral counterion only.

First isolation of enantiopure perfluoroalkylated sulfilimines and sulfoximines.

Mono-, di- and trifluoromethyl sulfilimines and sulfoximines have been isolated for the first time in enantiopure form by separation of the racemate by supercritical fluid chromatography. The electrophilic trifluoromethylating Shibata reagent has been prepared as a single enantiomer.

Confinement of a bioinspired nonheme Fe(II) complex in 2D hexagonal mesoporous silica with metal site isolation.

A mixed amine pyridine polydentate Fe(II) complex was covalently tethered in hexagonal mesoporous silica of the MCM-41 type. Metal site isolation was generated using adsorbed tetramethylammonium cations acting as a patterned silanol protecting mask and trimethylsilylazane as a capping agent. Then, the amine/pyridine ligand bearing a tethering triethoxysilane group was either grafted to such a pretreated silica surface prior to or after complexation to Fe(II). These two synthetic routes, denoted as two-step and one-step, respectively, were also applied to fumed silica for comparison, except that the silanol groups were capped after tethering the metal unit. The coordination of the targeted complex was monitored using UV-visible spectrophotometry and, according to XPS, the best control was achieved inside the channels of the mesoporous silica for the two-step route. For the solid prepared according to the one-step route, tethering of the complex occurred mainly at the entrance of the channel.

Catalytic, enantioselective intramolecular hydroamination of primary amines tethered to di- and trisubstituted alkenes.

The in situ preparation of chiral amido alkyl ate yttrium complexes from an array of chiral N-benzyl-like-substituted binaphthyldiamines is reported. These chiral heteroleptic complexes are shown to be efficient catalysts for the enantioselective intramolecular hydroamination of primary amines tethered to sterically demanding alkenes at high reaction temperatures. Fine tuning of their chiral environment allowed up to 77% ee to be reached for the cyclization of aminoalkenes bearing 1,2-dialkyl-substituted carbon-carbon double bonds. These chiral complexes also demonstrate the ability to promote the cyclization of amine-tethered trisubstituted alkenes in up to 55% ee, as the first report of the formation of enantioenriched quaternary centers by an hydroamination reaction.