Mechanistic Insights into the FeCl3-Catalyzed Oxidative Cross-Coupling of Phenols with 2-Aminonaphthalenes.

The selective FeCl3-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling reaction between phenols and primary, secondary, and tertiary 2-aminonaphthalene derivatives was investigated. The generality of this scalable method provides a sustainable alternative for preparing N,O-biaryl compounds that are widely used as ligands and catalysts. Based on a comprehensive kinetic investigation, a catalytic cycle involving a ternary complex that binds to both the coupling partners and the oxidant during the key oxidative coupling step is postulated. Furthermore, the studies showed that the reaction is regulated by off-cycle acid-base and ligand exchange processes.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Optically Pure 2-Amino-2'-hydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyls.

Direct entry to optically pure 2-amino-2'-hydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl (NOBIN) derivatives by an iron-catalyzed stereoselective oxidative cross-coupling reaction between 2-naphthol and 2-aminonaphthalene with a labile chiral auxiliary is reported. This efficient method offers entry to tailor-designed ( R a)- and ( S a)-NOBINs that are not accessible by any other means.