New reagents and catalysts for the asymmetric halogenation of alkenes

Basic data for this project

Description

The addition of halogen electrophiles to the C-C-double bond is one of the most prevalent methods for the functionalisation of alkenes. Even simple (non-activated) alkenes react with chlorine, bromine and iodine electrophiles to give cyclic halonium intermediates which are subsequently opened by suitable nucleophiles. Despite the long history of these reactions, reagent-controlled asymmetric variants are very rare. Therefore the aim of this project will be the development of novel reagents and catalysts for the asymmetric addition of halogen electrophiles to alkenes. Particularly interesting will be chiral, sulfur-based reagents and catalysts like thioethers and halosulfoniumions, which should be very reactive in this type of reactions. Based on these reagents asymmetric halogen addition reactions to alkenes with subsequent C-C- bond formation will be developed allowing the efficient synthesis of complex halogenated carbon skeletons.