Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Aromatic Ketones Catalyzed by New Chiral C2-Symmetric Bis(sulfonyl) tetraaza Ligands Complexed with [Ru(η 6-p-cymene)Cl2]2 in Water

Abstract

In this report, a new series of C2-symmetric bis(sulfonyl) tetraaza ligands were synthesized from (1S,2S)-1,2-diarylethylenediamine analogues and tested in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of aromatic ketones by complexing with [Ru(η 6-p-cymene)Cl2]2 employing sodium formate as hydrogen source in neat water. A moderate to excellent conversion (~99.8 %) and overall satisfying enantioselectivity (~92.8 %) were obtained with varied electronic and steric effects of the substituents on ligands and substrates. A new series of C2-symmetric bis(sulfonyl) tetraaza ligands was synthesized from (1S,2S)-1,2-diarylethylenediamine analogues and tested in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones by complexing with [Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2]2 employing formate sodium as hydrogen source in neat water. A moderate to excellent conversion (~99.8 %) and overall satisfying enantioselectivity (~92.8 %) were obtained with varied electronic and steric effects of the substituents on ligands and substrates.