Desymmetrization of meso diols using enantiopure zinc (II) dimers: Synthesis and chiroptical properties

The one-pot metal templated synthesis of enantiopure binuclear Zn (II) complexes Zn2L1-Zn2L4 were obtained by treating (1R,2R)-diphenylethylenediamine or (1S,2S)-diphenylethylenediamine with 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzenedicarboxaldehyde or 4-tert-butyl-2,6-diformylphenol and zinc acetate. The chiroptical properties of the complexes were studied by using circular dichroism spectroscopy. These Delta Delta and ?? complexes were used as enantioselective catalysts for desymmetrization of meso diol to achieve monobenzoylated product with 96% yield and 88% ee.