Chiral-at-Metal Lewis Acid Catalysts

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Eric Leif Meggers
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2015 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 282767429

Octahedral chiral-at-metal complexes bearing solely achiral ligands constitute an underinvestigated class of metal complexes for applications in asymmetric catalysis. However, the close proximity of the metal-centered chirality to the metal-coordinated substrate promises a highly effective transfer of chirality in the course of the asymmetric induction. Goal of this project is therefore the development of octahedral chiral-at-metal complexes, particularly bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) and rhodium(III) complexes, as chiral Lewis acids for applications in asymmetric catalysis. The established photophysical properties of bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes provide an additional attractive feature for the development of visible-light-activated asymmetric catalysts. We anticipate the development of novel asymmetric catalysts and potentially novel reaction types in the course of this project.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants