Steering Asymmetric Catalysis with Metal-Centered Chirality

This presentation will give an overview of recent contributions from the laboratory of the author to design novel asymmetric catalysts based on exploiting octahedral metal-centered stereochemistry. 1.) Metal-templated asymmetric "organocatalysts": The central transition metal solely serves as a structural anchor, while catalysis is mediated through the organic ligand sphere (e.g. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 8774). 2.) Chiral Lewis acid catalysis with chiral-at-metal complexes: The metal fulfills a dual function by coordinatively activating a substrate and at the same time serving as the exclusive source of chirality (e.g. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 2990). 3.) Asymmetric photoredox catalysis with chiral-at-metal complexes: Iridium (e.g. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 9551) and rhodium (e.g. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 6936) catalyzed reactions have been developed in which chiral Lewis acid catalysis cooperates with visible-light-activated redox chemistry.

Eric Meggers (University of Marburg, Germany)