Title:
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Synthesis of multifunctional ensembles for asymmetric catalysis and
chiral recognition : investigation of palladium-trost ligand complexes
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The palladium complex 1, bearing the Trost 'Standard' Ligandi (TSL) 2 is an efficient and highly
selective catalyst used to facilitate asymmetric allylic alkylation. Earlier research conducted by Lloyd Jones
and co-workers suggested that the selectivity of the catalyst 1 monomeric species may arise via
ligand-accelerated catalysis pathway. TSL 2 has a degree of flexibility that is crucial for the
selectivity, but also responsible for the rapid equilibrium of the Pd-TSL monomers 1 with the low
selectivity and diminished activity oligomers (I)n. The oligomers (I)n are known to be the dominant
catalyst 1 species at higher
concentrations
responsible for
effects observed
and are
memory
in allylic
alkylation catalytic cycle. The
aim of this work was to
further develop the
understanding of the
aggregated catalyst (I)n.
n
1 {(1 )4}n
Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) revealed that Pd-TSL oligomers (I-BArF)n readily aggregate
to form cylinders in common organic solvents. According to molecular mechanics modelling at MM3
theory level the architecture is the most consistent with linear stacks of cyclic disc-shaped tetramers
{(I-BArF)4}n. In low polarity solvents the rods can grow up to ~200 A long and may contain between
10 to 14 tetramer discs (1)4, sandwiched with bulky BArF anion layers. In polar organic media the
solvation is more effective and shorter (30 A) stacks were detected by SANS. Molecular dynamics
simulations also supported these observations. Finally, the kinetic SANS experiments showed that the
architecture remains effectively unchanged during the catalytic cycle.
1< ~ 200A >1
16-20 A
31p NMR measurements, however, indicated that the highest concentration of monomer 1 with only
trace amounts of oligomer {(I)4}n is accessible in very dilute dichloromethane solution of < 4 mM. In
contrast, high dielectric constant solvents favour almost complete oligomerisation.
Further experiments focused on the structure of {(I-BArF)4}n racemic mixtures. SANS measurements
required the complementary perdeuterated complex [Dd-I-BArF. An enantiopure, deuterium labelled
[Dd-I-BArF pseudo-enantiomer was prepared by a new divergent synthetic route of 8 steps
in the longest linear branch and employing simple commercially available starting materials. SANS
data analysis indicated that [Dd-I-BArF formed shorter cylinders than I-BArF. However, the
measurements were not sensitive enough to resolve the exact composition of pseudo-racemic mixtures
[DoID47I-I-BArF.
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