PyBOX represents a very important subgroup of bis(oxazoline) (BOX) ligands for asymmetric synthesis. Often in PyBOX two enantiomeric oxazoline rings containing a bulky substituent at the 4- and/or the 5-carbon positions are bridged with the pyridine, forming a C2 symmetrical molecule.
PyBOX is a tridentate “pincer-type” ligand and able to coordinate with a wide range of metals including alkaline earth, d- and f-transition metal atoms. Upon coordination of oxazoline rings through the N atoms, two stereogenic centers are produced near the metal center. This can influence and control the enantioselective process.
Pyridine-linked bis(oxazoline) ligands were introduced by Hisao Nishiyama in 1989. He used RuCl3/(S)-(i-Pr)-PyBOX (07-0307) catalyst for asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones[2]. (R)-isomer of (i-Pr)-PyBOX (07-0306) is also highly effective in enantioselective transformations, e.g. Mannich reaction[3].
Today PyBOX ligands exist with a wide range of structural diversities. Metal complexes incorporating Phenyl [(R,R)-Ph-PyBOX (07-0303) (S,S)-Ph-PyBOX (07-0304)], benzyl [(R) 07-0390 and (S) 07-0391] and Indenyl-PYBOX (07-0280) ligands are effective enantioselective catalysts for a variety of asymmetric synthesis.
For more detailed descriptions of each catalytic process please review the corresponding technical note for each item on our website.
References:
Products mentioned in this blog and related products:
07-0306: (+)-2,6-Bis[(4R)-4-(i-propyl)-2-oxazolin-2-yl]pyridine, 98+% (R)-(i-Pr)-pybox [131864-67-0]
07-0307: (-)-2,6-Bis[(4S)-4-(i-propyl)-2-oxazolin-2-yl]pyridine, 98+% (S)-(i-Pr)-pybox [118949-61-4]
07-0303: (+)-2,6-Bis[(4R)-4-phenyl-2-oxazolin-2-yl]pyridine, 98+% (R,R)-Ph-pybox [128249-70-7]
07-0304: (-)-2,6-Bis[(4S)-4-phenyl-2-oxazolin-2-yl]pyridine, 98+% (S,S)-Ph-pybox [174500-20-0]
07-0390: 2,6-Bis[(4R)-benzyl-2-oxazolin-2-yl]pyridine, min. 98% [365215-38-9]
07-0391: 2,6-Bis[(4S)-benzyl-2-oxazolin-2-yl]pyridine, min. 98% [151670-69-8]
Visit the below links to view related oxazoline literature on our website: