Chiral iron(ii)-bis(isonitrile) complexes catalyse the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones with enantioselectivities up to 91% ee, most likely via hydride transfer through imine intermediates, generated by in situ reduction of the isonitrile ligands, whereas iron acts as a Lewis acid to activate the ketone.

The palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alkenes and especially styrenes (Wacker oxidation) by using chiral pseudo C(2)-symmetrical bis(isonitrile) ligands in the absence of further cocatalysts gives rise to methyl ketones in a highly chemoselective manner. The palladium bis(isonitrile) catalyst was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray structure analysis, revealing a dissymmetric coordination of palladium by the two isonitrile moieties.

Iron(II)-Bis(isonitrile) Complexes: Novel Catalysts in Asymmetric TransferHydrogenations of Aromatic and Heteroaromatic Ketones. -Under the optimized conditions, moderate enantioselectivities are observed in most cases. -(NAIK, A.; MAJI, T.; REISER*, O.; Chem.

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Efficient Aerobic Wacker Oxidation of Styrenes Using Palladium Bis(isonitrile)Catalysts. -Bidentate isonitrile ligands are synthesized from readily available oxazolines. Their palladium complexes proved to be effective in the oxidation of terminal aliphatic and aromatic alkenes to give the corresponding ketones. Molecular oxygen at ambient pressure is employed as the oxidant without the need of additional cocatalysts.-(NAIK, A.; MEINA, L.; ZABEL, M.; REISER*, O.; Chem. Eur.