Asymmetric cyclopropanation of olefins catalysed by Cu(I) complexes of chiral pyridine-containing macrocyclic ligands (Pc-L*)

The synthesis and characterisation of copper(I) complexes of chiral pyridine-containing macrocyclic ligands (Pc-L*) and their use as catalysts in asymmetric cyclopropanation reactions are reported. All ligands and metal complexes were fully characterised, including crystal structures of some species determined by X-ray diffraction on single crystals. This allowed characterising the very different conformations of the macrocycles which could be induced by different substituents or by metal complexation. The strategy adopted for the ligand synthesis is very flexible allowing several structural modifications. A small library of macrocyclic ligands possessing the same donor properties but with either C-1 or C-2 symmetry was synthesized. Cyclopropane products with both aromatic and aliphatic olefins were obtained in good yields and enantiomeric excesses up to 99%

Mild Regiospecific Synthesis of 1‑Alkoxy-isochromenes Catalyzed by Well-Defined [Silver(I)(Pyridine-Containing Ligand)] Complexes

The synthesis of 3-substituted-1-alkoxyisochromenes starting from 2-alkynylbenzaldehydes and different alcohols is reported. The reaction is catalyzed by a silver­(I) complex with an original macrocyclic pyridine-containing ligand. The approach is characterized by absolute regioselectivity, mild reaction conditions, good to excellent reaction yields, cleanness of the reaction, and reduced purification steps. The reaction mechanism was investigated by in-depth ¹H NMR experiments and an aimed “trapping” experiment