A general platform for the synthesis of various chiral halogen-bond (XB) donors based on the triazole core and the characterisation of factors that influence the strength of the halogen bond in the solid state and in solution are reported. The characterisation of XB donors in the solid state by X-ray crystallography and in solution by H NMR titration can be used to aid the design of new XB donors. We describe the first example of a XB between iodotriazoles and thioureas in solution. In addition, the enantiodiscrimination of acceptors in solution through halogen-bond participation is described.

New N-alkyl-3,3'-bimorpholine derivatives (iPBM) were revealed to be efficient organocatalysts for the asymmetric direct Michael addition of aldehydes to nitroolefins and a vinyl sulfone. In these transformations using iPBM, 1,4-adducts were afforded in high yields, with good to high levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivity. The stereochemical outcome of the reaction could be explained by an acyclic synclinal model. [reaction: see text]

In the past decade halogen bond (XB) catalysis has gained considerable attention. Halo-triazoles are known XB donors, yet few examples detail their use as catalysts. As a continuation of our previous work the catalytic properties of substituted enantiomerically pure halo-triazolium salts were explored in the reaction between an imine and Danishefsky’s diene leading to the formation of dihydropyridinone. The catalytic activity of the XB donors was highly dependent on the choice of the halogen atom and on the counterion. Also, it was found that impurities in the diene affected the rate of the reaction.

Monosalts of N-substituted bimorpholine derivatives are efficient organocatalysts in intramolecular and intermolecular aldol reactions. The properties of the catalysts can be tuned either by the selection of an appropriate acid for the salt formation or by the change of a substituent at the nitrogen atom. In aldol condensation, i-Pr-substituted bimorpholine is the most stereoselective catalyst affording products in high yield with enantioselectivities up to 95% ee.