Abstract

Treatment of 2,2‘-methylenebis(4,6-di(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)phenol (MMPEP-H2) with 1 molar equiv of Me3Al in toluene gives [(μ-MMPEP)AlMe]2, which further reacts with 2 molar equiv of 2-propanol or benzyl alcohol, affording a four-coordinated aluminum complex, [(MMPEP)Al(μ-OR)]2 (1, R = iPr; 2, R = Bn) in high yield, whereas [(MMPEP)Al(μ-OBn)(OCHPh)]2 (3) can be obtained either by the reaction of 2 with 2 molar equiv of benzaldehyde or by the reaction of 1 with 4 molar equiv of benzaldehyde. Compound 1 has shown great catalytic activities toward Meerwein−Ponndorf−Verley (MPV) hydrogen transfer reactions of aldehydes and ketones. A melting point depressing experiment indicates that in the catalytic reaction a four-coordinated aluminum complex [(MMPEP)Al(OiPr)(OCRR‘)] formed as an intermediate.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call