Catalytic, highly enantio- and diastereoselective pinacol coupling reaction with a new tethered bis(8-quinolinolato) ligand.

A new class of chiral ligand, tethered bis(8-quinolinol) (TBOxH), is developed. Its chromium complex, TBOxCrCl (3 mol %), effectively catalyzes the pinacol coupling reaction of aromatic aldehydes at room temperature with high yield (up to 94%), high diastereoselectivity (up to dl:meso = 98:2), and high enantioselectivity (up to 98%). The scope of the present method turns out not to be limited to aromatic aldehyde derivatives, as cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde undergoes pinacolization as well (44% yield, dl:meso = 93:7, 84% ee). The method provides an efficient access to enantioenriched 1,2-diols.