Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.131, No.17, 6082-6082, 2009
Iron-Catalyzed Asymmetric Aerobic Oxidation: Oxidative Coupling of 2-Naphthols
Fe(salan) complexes were found to be efficient catalysts for the asymmetric aerobic oxidative coupling of 2-naphthol. derivatives. This reaction can be carried out in air at 60 degrees C with high enantioselectivity up to 97% ee. This is the first report for asymmetric aerobic oxidation using molecular oxygen in air in the absence of additives.