Nitrogen-, phosphorus-, and oxygen-based ligands with chiral backbones have been the historic workhorses of asymmetric transition-metal-catalyzed reactions. On the contrary, sulfoxides containing chirality at the sulfur atom have mainly been used as chiral auxiliaries for diastereoselective reactions. Despite several distinct advantages over traditional ligand scaffolds, such as the proximity of the chiral information to the metal center and the ability to switch between S and O coordination, these compounds have only recently emerged as a versatile class of chiral ligands. In this Review, we detail the history of the development of chiral sulfoxide ligands for asymmetric catalysis. We also provide brief descriptions of metal-sulfoxide bonding and strategies for the synthesis of enantiopure sulfoxides. Finally, insights into the future development of this underutilized ligand class are discussed.
Enantiomerically enriched [3.1.0] bicycles containing vicinal quaternary centers were synthesized from [1,6]-enynes using a cyclopentadienylruthenium catalyst containing a tethered chiral sulfoxide. The reaction was complicated by the fact that the substrates contained a racemic propargyl alcohol that could affect the selectivity of the process. Nonetheless, high levels of enantioinduction were observed, despite complications arising from the use of racemic substrates. Mechanistic studies showed that while the utilization of either enantiomer of the propargyl alcohol led to high product enantiomeric ratios when the reaction was conducted in acetone, a significant matched/mismatched effect was observed in tetrahydrofuran.
An atom-economical method for the direct synthesis of [3.1.0]- and [4.1.0]-bicyclic frameworks via Ru-catalyzed redox bicycloisomerization of enynols is reported. The presented results highlight the unique reactivity profile of propargyl alcohols, which function as β-oxocarbene precursors, in the presence of a ruthenium(II) complex. Furthermore, a rare case of a formal vinylic C-H insertion reaction is described.
The design and synthesis of a novel chiral sulfoxide-ligated cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complex is described. Its utility as an asymmetric variant of [CpRu(MeCN)3]PF6 is demonstrated through its ability to function in the branched-selective asymmetric allylic alkylation of phenols and carboxylic acids. Water has also been shown to act as a competent nucleophile in this reaction to generate branched allyl alcohols with good regio- and enantioselectivities.
SummaryA full account of our efforts toward an asymmetric redox bicycloisomerization reaction is presented in this article. Cyclopentadienylruthenium (CpRu) complexes containing tethered chiral sulfoxides were synthesized via an oxidative [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between an alkyne and an allylruthenium complex. Sulfoxide complex 1 containing a p-anisole moiety on its sulfoxide proved to be the most efficient and selective catalyst for the asymmetric redox bicycloisomerization of 1,6- and 1,7-enynes. This complex was used to synthesize a broad array of [3.1.0] and [4.1.0] bicycles. Sulfonamide- and phosphoramidate-containing products could be deprotected under reducing conditions. Catalysis performed with enantiomerically enriched propargyl alcohols revealed a matched/mismatched effect that was strongly dependent on the nature of the solvent.
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