OH-Pd(0) interaction as a stabilizing factor in palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations.

In palladium-catalyzed alkylations of allylic acetates with malonate as nucleophile, catalysts with oxazoline ligands bearing hydroxymethyl substituents in 4-position have been shown by density functional theory computations to undergo a conformational change on nucleophilic attack, which is accompanied by reduction of Pd(II) to Pd(0). The conformations of the Pd(0) complexes were shown to be governed by the presence of a hydrogen bond with the metal center acting as a hydrogen bond acceptor. The conformational change, which is absent in catalysts with O-alkylated analogs, largely affects the enantioselectivity of the catalytic process.

Dendritic oxazoline ligands in enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations.

First to fourth generation dendritic substituents based on 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid and (1R,2S,5R)-menthoxyacetic acid were attached to 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridinooxazoline and bis[4-(hydroxymethyl)oxazoline] compounds. The new ligands obtained were assessed in palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations. The first type of ligands exhibited enantioselectivity similar to that of a benzoyl ester derivative, whereas the latter type of ligands afforded products with higher selectivity than the analogous benzoyl ester.

Immobilized oxazoline-containing ligands in asymmetric catalysis--a review.

Metal complexes of chiral oxazoline derivatives immobilized on soluble as well as insoluble supports serve as versatile asymmetric catalysts in a variety of applications. In a few cases recovery and reuse of the chiral ligands have been achieved.