Preparation of novel axially chiral NHC-Pd(II) complexes and their application in oxidative kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols

Novel axially chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) Pd(II) complexes were prepared from optically active 1,1′‐binaphthalenyl‐2,2′‐diamine (BINAM) and H8‐BINAM and their crystal structures were unambiguously determined by X‐ray diffraction. These chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) Pd(II) complexes were applied in the oxidative kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols using molecular oxygen as a terminal oxidant or under aerobic conditions, affording the corresponding sec‐alcohols in good yields with moderate to good enantioselectivities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Novel axially chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) Pd(II) complexes were prepared from optically active 1,1′‐binaphthalenyl‐2,2′‐diamine (BINAM) and H8‐BINAM and their crystal structures were unambiguously determined by X‐ray diffraction. These chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) Pd(II) complexes were applied in the oxidative kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols using molecular oxygen as a terminal oxidant or under aerobic conditions, affording the corresponding sec‐alcohols in good yields with moderate to good enantioselectivities.