Well-defined binuclear chiral spiro copper catalysts for enantioselective N-H insertion.

An asymmetric N-H insertion of α-diazoesters with anilines catalyzed by well-defined copper complexes of chiral spiro bisoxazoline ligands was studied in detail. The copper-catalyzed asymmetric N-H insertion of a wide range of α-alkyl-α-diazoacetates with anilines was accomplished with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee) and provided an efficient method for the preparation of optically active α-amino acid derivatives. A correlation study of the electronic properties of the substrates with the enantioselectivity of the N-H insertion reaction supports a stepwise insertion mechanism, and the significant first-order kinetic isotope effect proves that the proton transfer is most likely the rate-limiting step. A binuclear chiral spiro copper catalyst having 14-electron copper centers, a trans coordination model, a perfect C(2)-symmetric chiral pocket, and significant Cu-Cu interaction was isolated and extensively studied. The novel structure of the binuclear chiral spiro copper catalyst leads to unique reactivity as well as enantioselectivity in the N-H insertion reaction.