Approaches to enantioselective syntheses using tricarbonyl(diene)iron complexes

Abstract

Methods for the resolution of tricarbonyl(1–5-η-cyclohexadienyl)iron salts are described involving the separation of diastereoisomeric pairs obtained by nucleophilic attack using chiral phosphines, alkoxides, and amines. Nucleophilic attack by CN^– on [Fe(η⁵-C₆H₇)(CO)₂L*] BF₄ to give [Fe(C₆H₇CN-exo-5)(CO)₂L*][L*=(+)-neomenthyldiphenylphosphine] proceeds with significant asymmetric induction at the chiral carbon so formed.