A metallopeptoid as an efficient bioinspired cooperative catalyst for the aerobic oxidative synthesis of imines

3 years ago

A metallopeptoid as an efficient bioinspired cooperative catalyst for the aerobic oxidative synthesis of imines

Enzymatic catalysis is largely based on intramolecular cooperativity between a metal center and functional organic molecules located on one scaffold. Inspired by this concept we have designed the metallopeptoid trimer BT, which is a unique intramolecular cooperative oxidation catalyst incorporating two catalytic centers, phenanthroline-copper and TEMPO, as well as one non-catalytic benzyl group. Herein we explore the capability of BT to act asan efficient catalyst for the oxidative synthesis of imines, which are versatile intermediates in the fine chemicals and pharmaceutical industries. We demonstrate that BT, combined with CuI, can catalyze the production of benzyl, aryl, heteroaryl, allylic and aliphatic imines from various alcohols and amines with a turn-over-number up to 45 times higher than this achieved when phenanthroline, copper and TEMPO are mixed in solution. Moreover, in low catalyst(s) loading, BT enables transformations that are not possible when a mixture of the individual catalysts is employed.

Publisher URL: www.sciencedirect.com/science

DOI: S0021951717303470