Design, synthesis and evaluation of chiral nonracemic ligands and catalysts for asymmetric synthesis

The work described in this thesis concerns the design, synthesis and evaluation of new chiral nonracemic ligands and catalysts for use in asymmetric reactions.;A new class of C2-symmetric 2,2'-bipyridyl ligands were prepared in one step from the chloroacetals via a nickel(0)-mediated homo-coupling reaction. These ligands were then evaluated as chiral directors in copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopropanation reactions of styrene and diazoesters (up to 44% ee).;A chiral pyridine N-oxide and a C 2-symmetric 2,2'-bipyridyl N,N'-dioxide were also prepared by direct oxidation of the corresponding pyridine and the 2,2'-bipyridine, respectively. These chiral N-oxides were evaluated as chiral catalysts in desymmeterization reactions of cis-stilbene oxide (up to 20% ee).;A series of pyridylphosphine ligands (P,N-ligands) were subsequently prepared in two steps from the chloroacetals via a Suzuki coupling reaction with ortho-fluorophenylboronic and on subsequent displacement of the fluoride with the potassium anion of diphenylphosphine. These ligands were then evaluated in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions of racemic 3-acetoxy-1,3-diphenyl-1-propene with dimethyl malonate. Optimization of the reaction conditions resulted in the formation of the alkylated product in excellent yield (91%) and in high enantiomeric excess (90%).;A series of chiral nonracemic chloroacetals were prepared from 2-chloro-4-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5 H-[1]pyrindine-7-one and a variety of C2-symmetric and chiral nonracemic 1,2-ethanediols (R = Me, i-Pr and Ph). These chloroacetals were further elaborated, in a modular fashion, to provide a series of chiral ligands and catalysts.;A related chiral nonracemic and C2-symmetric 2,2'-bipyridyl ligand was prepared from 2-chloro-4-methyl-5H-[1]pyrindine. This pyrindine was prepared from a common intermediate that was used in the synthesis of the first generation of ligands. The chirality of this second generation ligand was installed by a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation reaction (90% ee). The subsequently elaborated 2,2'-bipyridyl ligand (enriched to >99% ee) was then evaluated in copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopropanation reactions of alkenes and diazoesters. In the case of the reaction of para-fluorostyrene and tert-butyl diazoacetate, the corresponding cyclopropane was formed in good diastereoselectivity (92:8) and in excellent enantioselectivity (99% ee). This ligand was also evaluated in copper(II)-catalyzed asymmetric Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions of various substituted indoles (up to 90% ee) and in copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric allylic oxidation reactions of cyclic alkenes with tert-butyl peroxybenzoate (up to 91% ee).