The synthesis of chiral tridentate ligands from l-proline and their application in the copper(II)-catalyzed enantioselective Henry reaction

Abstract

A series of chiral tridentate ligands derived from readily available enantiopure l-proline were designed and synthesized. The ligands together with Cu(OAc)2 were successfully used in asymmetric Henry reactions. Various structurally divergent aldehydes and nitromethane were converted into versatile β-nitro alcohols in MeOH at room temperature with very good yields (up to 85%) and enantioselectivities (up to 86%).