Molybdenum(VI)-complexes with chiral N,O-ligands derived from carbohydrates:: synthesis, structure and catalytic properties in asymmetric olefin epoxidation

Novel chiral 2'-pyridinyl alcohols derived from isopropylidene-protected carbohydrates are reported. They show different characteristics at the hydroxy group, but are all suitable ligands for chiral molybdenum(VI) complexes of the type MoO2L2 (L =chiral 2'-pyridinyl alcoholate). MoO2(acac)(2) served as starting material in the complex syntheses. The structure of one ligand and one dioxo complex were exemplary established by X-ray crystallography. For catalytic runs in the enantioselective epoxidation catalysis trans-methylstyrene was used as model substrate, tert-butylhydroperoxide and cumolhydroperoxide, resp., as the oxidant. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.