Shibasaki's REMB catalysts, [M3(THF)n][(BINOLate)3RE] (RE = La�Lu, Y; M = Li, Na, K; BINOLate = 1,1'-bi-2-naphtholate), are among the most versatile and highly enantioselective catalysts known.  The drawback of these catalysts, however, is the difficulty of their synthesis.  As a result, they are infrequently employed.  We have developed a series of air and water stable pre-catalysts that can be synthesized from inexpensive rare Earth hydrates.  These precatalysts are readily converted into Shibasaki's catalysts and their performance in several catalytic asymmetric reactions is comparable to those of the original catalysts.  The synthesis, generation, and reactivity of these species will be presented.

Precatalysts for Shibasaki's highly enantioselective RMB catalysts: Synthesis, structures, and applications

247th National Meeting (2014)

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