Syntheses and properties of a new type of Lewis acids incorporating linked bisphenoxide moiety

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.71.2393

Several ligands for a new type of Lewis acid, which incorporates two linked phenols, were synthesized and the reaction of these ligands with trimethylaluminum quantitatively gave Lewis acids. These Lewis acids were found to be an efficient promoter for the rearrangement of epoxides to carbonyl compounds as well as a useful protector of acetophenone against hydride-reduction. The VT-NMR spectrum and NOESY spectrum of a 1:1 complex of Lewis acid 2a (methyl[2,2′-(m-xylene-α,α′-diyl)bis(4,6-di-t- butylphenoxido)aluminum and acetophenone provided data on the structure of a complex of acetophenone and 2a.