Cobalt(III) catalysts of a novel trianionic ligand have been investigated in regioselective epoxide ring opening reactions with alcohols. The new ligand is related to both salen and porphyrin ligands that have been shown to be effective ligands for cobalt in the ring opening of epoxides. However, both salen and porphyrin exhibit two minus charges when they coordinate to cobalt(III), requiring a counter-ion, resulting in counter anion loss and metal center reduction as key catalyst deactivation modes. Therefore, the current effort is aimed at three goals: (1) development of new active cobalt(III) catalysts without counter anions;  (2)  stabilization of the metal center at its active valence state; and (3) achievement of high recyclability when the catalysts are immobilized onto a solid support.

Regioselective epoxide ring opening with alcohols catalyzed by Co(III) catalyst with trianionic ligand

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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