Design of a polymer supported chiral cobalt catalyst for heterogeneous enantioselective C–H activations

Abstract

Cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric C–H activations have played a significant role in the synthesis of complex chiral molecules. However, challenges remain regarding catalyst activation, separation, regeneration and the use of excess cobalt salt. Here, we prepared a heterogeneous chiral catalyst with catalytic units embedded in the skeleton of porous organic polymers (POPs). This work was validated through various heterogeneity tests, and the catalyst was fully characterized using multiple microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, which highlighted its physical and chemical stability. The catalyst exhibited high reactivity and enantioselectivity across several C–H functionalization reactions assisted by aminoquinoline (AQ). Furthermore, such catalysts could be readily recycled and utilized in continuous flow processes without severe loss of activity and selectivity, underscoring their industrial potential.