Podand-based dimeric chromium(III)-salen complex for asymmetric Henry reaction: cooperative catalysis promoted by complexation of alkali metal ions.

A new kind of podand-based dimeric salen ligand was synthesized, and its association with potassium cations was investigated by (1) H NMR spectroscopy. The corresponding Cr(III) -salen dimer was assembled by a supramolecular host-guest self-assembly process and was then used as a catalyst in highly efficient and enantioselective asymmetric Henry reactions. Regulation by KBArF (BArF =[3,5-(CF3 )2 C6 H3 ]4 B) led to remarkable improvements in yield (by up to 58 %) and enantioselectivity (for example, from 80 % ee to 96 % ee).