Asymmetric hydrodimerization of styrene by a chiral zirconium complex containing a tetradentate [OSSO]-type bis(phenolato) ligand

The chiral non racemic (Λ,R,R)-[OSSO]Zr(CH2Ph)2 (1a) activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO) and in presence of H2 produces the chiral hydrodimer (S)-1,3-diphenylbutane with good selectivity respect to the achiral 1,4-diphenylbutane. The absolute configuration of the chiral dimer and the effect of the hydrogen pressure on the ratio between 1,3-diphenylbutane and 1,4-diphenylbutane give useful information about the regiochemistry and stereochemistry of insertion of the styrene into the Zr–H bond.

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► Chiral zirconium [OSSO] complex promotes styrene hydrodimerization.
► The stereochemistry and regiochemistry of insertion into the Zr–H bond is elucidated.
► The chiral molecule (S)-1,3-diphenylbutane can be used as chiral building block.