Chiral C₁-symmetric 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ligands: Synthesis, characterization, complexation with copper(II), rhodium(III) and ruthenium(II) ions and use of the complexes in catalytic cyclopropanation of styrene

Three new optically pure C₁-terpyridine ligands (L1-3) were prepared and the copper(II) complexes, of formula [Cu(L)Cl₂], the rhodium(III) complexes, of formula [Rh(L)Cl₃], and the ruthenium(II) complexes, of formula cis- or trans-[Ru(L)(X)Cl₂] (X = DMSO or CO), were synthesized. Structures of a chiral C₁-ligand, a copper complex, a rhodium complex and a ruthenium DMSO complex were analysed using X-ray crystal structure analysis. The copper, rhodium and ruthenium complexes were shown to be precursors of catalysts for cyclopropanation. Reaction of [Cu(L)Cl₂], [Rh(L)Cl₃] or cis- or trans-[Ru(L)(X)Cl₂] with AgOTf converted the complex to catalyst, which in the case of trans-[Ru(L)(CO)Cl₂] gave enantioselectivities of up to 67% ee for the cis-isomers of styrene cyclopropanes with t-butyl diazoacetate. Comparisons with C₂-analog of copper, rhodium and ruthenium catalysts were made.