Volume 60, Issue 24 pp. 13198-13224
Review

Chiral Cyclopentadienyl Ligands: Design, Syntheses, and Applications in Asymmetric Catalysis

Dr. Josep Mas-Roselló

Dr. Josep Mas-Roselló

Laboratory of Asymmetric Catalysis and Synthesis, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland

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Dr. Ana G. Herraiz

Dr. Ana G. Herraiz

Laboratory of Asymmetric Catalysis and Synthesis, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Benoît Audic

Benoît Audic

Laboratory of Asymmetric Catalysis and Synthesis, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Aragorn Laverny

Aragorn Laverny

Laboratory of Asymmetric Catalysis and Synthesis, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland

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Prof. Dr. Nicolai Cramer

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Nicolai Cramer

Laboratory of Asymmetric Catalysis and Synthesis, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland

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First published: 16 July 2020
Citations: 226

Graphical Abstract

Chiral cyclopentadienyls (CpX) have emerged as powerful steering ligands in asymmetric catalysis. This Review discusses the existing ligand classes, their design, syntheses, and metalation methods. Details on the successful application of the metal complexes in numerous catalytic processes are provided. Those include C−H bond functionalization chemistry and beyond, enabling access to valuable chiral molecules.

Abstract

The creation of new chiral ligands capable of providing high stereocontrol in metal-catalyzed reactions is crucial in modern organic synthesis. The production of bioactive molecules as single enantiomers is increasingly required, and asymmetric catalysis with metal complexes constitutes one of the most efficient synthetic strategies to access optically active compounds. Herein we offer a historical overview on the development of chiral derivatives of the ubiquitous cyclopentadienyl ligand (CpX), and detail their successful application in a broad range of metal-catalyzed transformations. Those include the functionalization of challenging C−H bonds and beyond, giving access to an extensive catalogue of valuable chiral molecules. A critical comparison of the existing ligand families, their design, synthesis, and complexation to different metals is also provided. In addition, future research directions are discussed to further enhance the performance and application of CpX ligands in enantioselective catalysis.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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