Abstract
Crystallographic characterization of RuX(CO)(eta(3)-C3H5)-(JOSIPHOS), where X = Cl, Br, or I, reveals a halide-dependent diastereomeric preference that defines metal-centered stereogenicity and, therefrom, the enantioselectivity of C-C coupling in ruthenium-catalyzed anti-diastereo- and enantioselective C-C couplings of primary alcohols with 1-aryl-1-propynes to form products of carbonyl anti-(alpha-aryl)allylation. Computational studies reveal that a non-classical hydrogen bond between iodide and the aldehyde formyl CH bond stabilizes the favored transition state for carbonyl addition. An improved catalytic system enabling previously unattainable transformations was developed that employs an iodide-containing precatalyst, RuI(CO)(3)(eta(3)-C3H5), in combination with trifluoroethanol, as illustrated by the first enantioselective ruthenium-catalyzed C-C couplings of ethanol to form higher alcohols.