Proline‐Modified Porphyrin Catalysts for Enantioselective Epoxidations: Design, Synthesis, and Reactivity

Abstract

AbstractThe syntheses of various strapped and ‘picket‐fence’ chiral porphyrins are described, and their reactivities towards the enantioselective epoxidation of alkenes are reported. Four L‐proline residues provide the chirality for the various meso‐substituted catalysts, which differ by either the spatial arrangement of the stereogenic centers or the nature and length of the straps. The resulting bridged structures possess four amide linkages in each strap, leading to highly rigid molecules with well‐defined geometries whereas the strapped Fe catalysts gave rise to only moderate enantioselectivities, the C2‐symmetrical ones being superior to the D2‐symmetrical compounds. The D2‐symmetrical ‘picket‐fence’ porphyrins were as selective as their strapped counterparts.