Enantioselective Hydroboration of Ketones Catalyzed by Rare-Earth Metal Complexes Containing Trost Ligands.

Four chiral dinuclear rare-earth metal complexes [REL1]2 (RE = Y(1), Eu(2), Nd(3), La (4)) stabilized by Trost proligand H3L1 (H3L1 = (S,S)-2,6-bis[2-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl]-4-methylphenol) were first prepared, and all were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Complex 4 was employed as the catalyst for enantioselective hydroboration reaction of substituted ketones, and the corresponding secondary alcohols with excellent yields and high ee values were obtained using reductant HBpin. The same result was also achieved using the combination of lanthanium amides La[N(SiMe3)2]3 with Trost proligand H3L1 in a 1:1 molar ratio. The experimental findings and DFT calculation revealed the possible mechanism of the enantioselective hydroboration reaction and defined the origin of the enantioselectivity in the current system.