Self-assembled nanoreactors as highly active catalysts in the hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of epoxides in water

Abstract

CoIII(salen) complexes have been immobilized on amphiphilic block copolymers, which self-assemble in water to give micellar aggregates with a hydrophobic Co(salen) core and a water-soluble shell (see picture). These aggregates were used to catalyze the hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of racemic aromatic epoxides over four consecutive cycles and gave the epoxides in up to 99 % ee. H2salen = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine. (Chemical Equation Presented). © 2006 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.