title: A short desymmetrization protocol for the coordination environment in bis-salphen scaffolds.
abstract: A remarkable short preparation of desymmetrized bis-salphen scaffolds is presented. The protocol consists of an hydroxide-mediated hydrolysis of Lewis acidic bis-Zn(salphen) complexes yielding C(s)-symmetric diimine/amine salts that can be selectively transformed into bis-salphens with dissymmetric substitution patterns within each salphen unit under mild conditions. These isolated nonsymmetrical bis-salphen derivatives do not show signs of imine scrambling or decomposition due to a metal template effect. A possible rationale is provided for the formation and isolation of one of the intermediate bis-phenolate salts, and the hypothesis involves H-bond directed hydrolysis of the nearest located imine bond across the bis-salphen scaffold.
authors: Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Av. Països Catalans 16, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
authors: Eduardo C
authors: EC
authors: Escudero-Adán
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Martínez Belmonte
authors: Eddy
authors: E
authors: Martin
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Salassa
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Benet-Buchholz
authors: Arjan W
authors: AW
authors: Kleij