A Sterically Modified (Salen)Chromium(III) Complex - An Efficient Catalyst for High-Pressure Asymmetric Allylation of Aldehydes

A novel (salen)chromium(III) catalyst with a modified salen ligand was synthesised in a simple way starting from readily available precursors. Highpressure allylation reaction of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes with allyltributyltin upon application of 1 mol% of a modified (salen)chromium(III) complex provides homoallylic alcohols in good yield and with high enantioselectivity (up to 92%). The catalyst reveals higher enantioselectivity than the classic Jacobsen’s complex.