No abstract

[reaction: see text] The poly(ethylene glycol)-supported ruthenium precatalyst shown above is highly effective for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of unfunctionalized aromatic ketones by HCOONa in neat water, affording fast rates, good to excellent enantioselectivities, and outstanding reusability.

No abstract

The copper-catalysed aziridination of styrene with copper-exchanged zeolite Y (CuHY) and copper() triflate (trifluoromethanesulfonate) (Cu(OTf ) 2 ) as catalysts is described in detail. Two nitrene donors, [N-( p-tolylsulfonyl)imino)]phenyliodinane (PhI᎐ ᎐ NTs) and [N-( p-nitrophenylsulfonyl)imino]phenyliodinane (PhI᎐ ᎐ NNs) are compared. Modification of the catalyst with bis(oxazolines) affords enantioselective catalysts and a range of chiral bis-(oxazolines) has been studied. The ratio of nitrene donor to styrene is shown to be an important factor controlling both the yield and ee of aziridine formed. The best results are obtained with PhI᎐ ᎐ NNs; ee, ≥ 90%, together with high yields (≥ 85%), can readily be achieved with this nitrene donor using acetonitrile as solvent. Addition of the nitrene donor over a period of time, rather than all at the start of the reaction, is shown to enhance the yield of the aziridine but the ee is significantly decreased for both the homogeneous and the heterogeneous catalysts. Experiments in which the breakdown products of the nitrene donor, iodobenzene and the corresponding sulfonamide, are added at the start of the reaction show that a complex interplay exists at the copper active site between the reactants, products, chiral modifier and the solvent. However, the heterogeneous catalyst, CuHY, is found to give enhanced enantioselection for a range of bis(oxazolines) compared to the homogeneous catalyst, and the effect is considered to be due to the confinement of the catalyst within the micropores of the zeolite.