Design of C2-symmetric salen ligands and their Co(II)- or Yb(III)-complexes, and their role in the reversal of enantioselectivity in the asymmetric Henry reaction

Reversal of enantioselectivity in asymmetric Henry reactions was achieved with novel chiral C2-symmetric salen ligands bearing morpholine moieties by changing the Lewis acid center from Co(II) to Yb(III). The possible transition state models were supported by mass spectrometry experiments.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide