title: Expanding the C2-symmetric bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene ligand family: concise synthesis and catalytic activity in rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric addition.
abstract: New C2-symmetric bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-dienes bearing methyl and phenyl substituents at the 2 and 5 positions were prepared enantiomerically pure through a two-step sequence starting from the readily available bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-dione. Due to the instability or volatility of these dienes, their isolation was achieved through the formation of the corresponding stable [RhCl(diene)]2 complexes. These chiral rhodium complexes displayed high activity and enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) in the rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-addition and 1,2-addition of phenylboronic acid to cyclic enones and N-sulfonylimines, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Berthon-Gelloz
authors.forename: Tamio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hayashi