Synthesis of Chiral Bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) Palladium and Rhodium Complexes with 1,1′-Biphenyl Scaffold and Their Application in Asymmetric Catalysis

Axially chiral bis(NHC) Pd(II) and Rh(III) complexes with a 1,1′-biphenyl scaffold have been successfully synthesized from the corresponding chiral 6,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl-2,2′-diamine. These interesting NHC-metal complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystal structure diffraction. When applied in the oxidative kinetic resolution of sec-alcohols and hydrosilylation of ketones, these catalysts showed good catalytic activities with moderate to high enantioselectivities.