Recent Advances in Asymmetric Iron Catalysis

Abstract

Asymmetric transition-metal catalysis represents a fascinating challenge in the field of organic chemistry research. Since seminal advances in the late 60s, which were finally recognized by the Nobel Prize to Noyori, Sharpless and Knowles in 2001, the scientific community explored several approaches to emulate nature in producing chiral organic molecules. In a scenario that has been for a long time dominated by the use of late-transition metals (TM) catalysts, the use of 3d-TMs and particularly iron has found, recently, a widespread application. Indeed, the low toxicity and the earth-abundancy of iron, along with its chemical versatility, allowed for the development of unprecedented and more sustainable catalytic transformations. While several competent reviews tried to provide a complete picture of the astounding advances achieved in this area, within this review we aimed to survey the latest achievements and new concepts brought in the field of enantioselective iron-catalyzed transformations.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Azacycles Induced by Group 8–11 Late Transition Metals

“…Iron complexes are less effective and only a handful of studies exist. [8] With respect to nitrogen ring formation, a single example is shown here.…”

Progress on Biological Activity Study and Enantioselective Synthesis of Sulfoxides

“…本文将着重介绍近十年有 关手性亚砜合成的重要进展和新策略 [81] , 包括廉价金 属铁络合物催化剂、 多金属氧酸盐、 有机小分子催化剂、 生物催化和电催化作用下的硫醚不对称氧化反应, 以及 经由次磺酸阴离子中间体的转化途径等策略. 与其他过渡金属相比, 采用价廉、丰富且低毒的铁 盐作为催化剂 [82] , 并以 H 2 O 2 为氧化剂, 通过硫醚不对 称氧化反应合成手性亚砜, 是一种"可持续"的催化体 系.…”

Chiral Iron Complexes in Asymmetric Organic Transformations

“…With its various oxidation states and the wide variety of organic transformations in which it has been applied, iron emerged as one of the most interesting 3d metal for creating novel asymmetric catalysts [19] . Moreover, the attractiveness of iron from both academia and industry is based on its earth abundancy, low cost and environmental safety [20] …”

“…[19] Moreover, the attractiveness of iron from both academia and industry is based on its earth abundancy, low cost and environmental safety. [20] This review is focused on the efforts addressed to the synthesis and application of chiral iron octahedral and tetrahedral complexes featuring configurationally stable iron stereocenter, which plays a decisive role in addressing the stereochemical outcome of the reaction catalyzed by these systems. [21]…”