Enantioselective synthesis of cyclobutanes via sequential Rh-catalyzed bicyclobutanation/Cu-catalyzed homoconjugate addition.

Enantiomerically enriched cyclobutanes are constructed by a three-component process in which t-butyl (E)-2-diazo-5-arylpent-4-enoates are treated with Rh2(S-NTTL)4 to provide enantiomerically enriched bicyclobutanes, which can subsequently engage in homoconjugate addition/enolate trapping sequence to give densely functionalized cyclobutanes with high diastereoselectivity. This three-component, two-catalyst procedure can be carried out in a single flask. Rh2(S-NTTL)4-catalyzed reaction of t-butyl (Z)-2-diazo-5-phenylpent-4-enoate gives the Büchner cyclization product in excellent enantioselectivity.

Rh(2)(S-PTTL)(3)TPA-A Mixed Ligand Dirhodium(II) Catalyst for Enantioselective Reactions of α-Alkyl-α-Diazoesters.

Herein we report the synthesis of the mixed ligand paddlewheel complex dirhodium(II) tris[N-phthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate] triphenylacetate, Rh(2)(S-PTTL)(3)TPA, the structure of which bears similarity to the chiral crown complex Rh(2)(S-PTTL)(4). Rh(2)(S-PTTL)(3)TPA engages substrate classes (aliphatic alkynes, silylacetylenes, α-olefins) that are especially challenging in intermolecular reactions of α-alkyl-α-diazoesters, and catalyzes enantioselective cyclopropanation, cyclopropenation, and indole C-H functionalization with yields and enantioselectivities that are comparable or superior to Rh(2)(S-PTTL)(4). Mixing ligands on paddlewheel complexes offers a versatile handle for diversifying catalyst structure and reactivity. The results described herein illustrate how mixed ligand catalysts can create new opportunities for the optimization of catalytic asymmetric processes.

The chiral crown conformation in paddlewheel complexes.

Bimetallic paddlewheel complexes derived from imides of (S)-tert-leucine adopt 'chiral crown' configurations in which the four imide groups are projected in a chiral arrangement on one face, and the four tert-butyl groups are projected on the opposite face. In this contribution, the generality of the chiral crown conformation is examined through crystallographic studies where the metal and the nature of the chiral ligands are altered. Based upon these observations, a model is proposed to explain the factors which create bias for the chiral crown configuration.