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.