In Nature, incompatible catalytic transformations are being carried out simultaneously through compartmentalization that allows for the combination of incompatible catalysts in tandem reactions. Herein, we take the compartmentalization concept to the synthetic realm and present an approach that allows two incompatible transition metal catalyzed transformations to proceed in one pot in tandem. The key is the site isolation of both catalysts through compartmentalization using a core-shell micellar support in an aqueous environment. The support is based on amphiphilic triblock copolymers of poly(2-oxazoline)s with orthogonal functional groups on the side chain that can be used to cross-link covalently the micelle and to conjugate two metal catalysts in different domains of the micelle. The micelle core and shell provide different microenvironments for the transformations: Co-catalyzed hydration of an alkyne proceeds in the hydrophobic core, while the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of the intermediate ketone into a chiral alcohol occurs in the hydrophilic shell.
Catalyst immobilization through covalent attachment onto a support is one strategy to provide recyclable systems. Here, soluble and surface-functionalized solid polymers were used as supports for a modified tethered rhodiumAThe supported catalysts were applied to the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of phenyl ketones in aqueous solution of sodium formate. High ee values (up to 99%) and good activities were achieved. It was discovered that the solid polymersupported catalyst could be recycled at least four times without a significant decrease of the activity when a mixture of sodium formate and formic acid was used as the hydrogen source. This catalytic system provides a promising approach towards an ecologically and economically rational production of enantioenriched building blocks.
Rh(III)-TsDPEN, an immobilized analog of the well-known [Cp*Rh(bpy)(H2O)]2+ was evaluated as a heterogeneous, recyclable regeneration catalyst for reduced oxidoreductase cofactors [NAD(P)H]. Repeated use of this catalyst was established and the catalytic properties were initially investigated. Apparently, Rh(III)-TsDPEN is prone to severe diffusion limitations, necessitating further developments. Overall, a promising concept for chemoenzymatic redox catalysis is proposed, which may overcome some of the current limitations such as catalyst cost and incompatibility of Rh with some biocatalysts.
Heterogenization is a powerful approach for the generation of easily recyclable catalysts. In this study, a modified tethered rhodiumA C H T U N G T R E N N U N G (III)-p-toluenesulfonyl-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine (Rh-TsDPEN) complex immobilized on polymeric supports was applied to kinetic and up-scaling experiments on the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in water. Study of the catalyst has helped in understanding some aspects of its operating mode. The results indicate that, in the investigated range, a simple second-order model describes the enantioselective conversion of acetophenone to phenylethanol. Optimal reaction conditions were determined, and particularly the solution pH was found to play a decisive role for the activity and reusability of the catalyst. The good performance under optimized conditions emphasizes the practical usefulness of this recyclable catalytic system for environmentally benign asymmetric transfer hydrogenation processes.
Derivatives of Co-salen catalysts were tested in the asymmetric Henry reaction. Cyclic oligomers displayed a higher catalytic activity than their monomeric counterparts, and reduced Schiff-base versions showed a reversed enantioselectivity.
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