Asymmetric Friedel–Crafts reaction of furans with alkyl glyoxylates catalyzed by (salen)Co(II) complexes

An asymmetric high-pressure (ca. 10 kbar) reaction of various 2-alkylfurans and atmospheric-pressure reaction of 2-methoxyfuran with alkyl glyoxylates, catalyzed by the chiral (salen)Co complexes, has been studied. The reaction afforded chiral furfuryl alcohols, compounds of significant synthetic interest, with moderate to good enantioselectivity (up to 76% ee).

Graphical abstractAn asymmetric high-pressure (ca. 10 kbar) reaction of various 2-alkylfurans and atmospheric-pressure reaction of 2-methoxyfuran with alkyl glyoxylates, catalyzed by the chiral (salen)Co complexes, has been studied. The reaction afforded chiral furfuryl alcohols, compounds of significant synthetic interest, with moderate to good enantioselectivity (up to 76% ee). Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide