Interplay of synthesis and mechanism in asymmetric homogeneous catalysis*
Nicholas J. Adams1, Joachim Bargon2, John M.
Brown1,**, Edward J. Farrington1, Erwan Galardon1,
Ralf Giernoth1, Hanjo Heinrich2, Benjamin D. John1,
and Kenji Maeda1
1Dyson Perrins Laboratory,
South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK; 2Institut für
Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie der Universität Bonn, Wegelerstrasse
12, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
Abstract: Asymmetric homogeneous catalysis forms one of the
main planks of modern organic synthesis. It has developed rapidly and
largely through the application of novel ligands, whose design is very
much based on insight and intuition. At the same time, a better understanding
of catalytic reaction mechanisms can contribute to further progress,
since it can identify the intimate relationship between ligand structure
and successful applications. The presentation will concentrate on the
author's research with complexes of the late transition metals and include
the search for superior methodologies in hydroboration, as well as ventures
into the chemistry of reactive intermediates. The latter will be exemplified
from work with rhodium and palladium catalysts.
* Lecture presented at the XIXth International Conference
on Organometallic Chemistry (XIX ICOMC) , Shanghai, China, 23-28 July
2000. Other presentations are published in this issue, pp. 205-376.
** Corresponding author
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