Transition metal complexes in organic synthesis, part 49. Development of novel chiral catalysts for the asymmetric catalytic complexation of prochiral cyclohexa-1,3-dienes by the tricarbonyliron fragment - Mechanism of the asymmetric catalysis and involvement of a dinuclear iron cluster

Planar-chiral tricarbonyliron-diene complexes are obtained quantitatively i n up to 73% ee by asymmetric catalytic complexation of prochiral cyclohexa- 1,3-dienes. A series of novel chiral 1-azabuta-1,3-diene catalysts is inves tigated. The mechanism is shown to involve at least in some cases dinuclear iron cluster compounds which lead to a lower asymmetric induction.