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The class of ligands represented by [CpCo(P(O)(OR)2)3]-, L- , were first synthesized by W. Kläui in 1977. These ligands have been found to coordinate to a variety of low and high oxidation state metals through the use of its three P=O oxygen atoms as donors. The ligands act as mono-anionic six electron donors which make them similar to the more widely known cyclopentadienyl ligands, (C5H5-xRx)-, but have electronic properties like those of fluoride or oxide. Also, it has been found that the coordination chemistry of L- resembles the unsubstituted tris(pryrazolyl)hydroborato six electron ligand, (RB(pz)3)-. All three of these ligands can be modified by changing the substituent R. The Kläui ligand offers a good opportunity to synthesize a chiral derivative. In the process to obtain the chiral version, (cyclopentadienyl)tris(biphenyl-phosphito-P)cobaltate(1-), 18, was synthesized from 2,2'-biphenol. This was characterized through NMR, mass spectroscopy, and XPS. Next, a racemic version, (cyclopentadienyl)tris(biphenylphosphito-P)cobaltate(1-), 17, was synthesized from (±)1,1′-bi-2-naphthol. A one-pot synthesis for the rac-binaphthyl phosphite derivative was developed with an increased yield from the previously published synthesis. The racemic version of the ligand was characterized by NMR and mass spectroscopy. The chiral version has not yet been synthesized, however, by following the developed procedure for the non-chiral version, the ligand could be synthesized from optically active 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol. / Master of Science

This thesis describes the development of the [RuCl₂(P N N)L] catalytic system for asymmetric hydrogenation. It has been demonstrated that the current system is efficient in preparing a range of bulky chiral alcohols in good enantioselectivity, many of which are likely to be inaccessible using the more classic [RuCl₂(P P)N N)] system developed by Noyori and coworkers. It has been shown that the current system is tolerant of a range of substrate electronic effects as well as the presence of heteroaromatic functionality, thus showing its applicability in synthesis. This has been extended to prepare a number of bulky derivatives of synthetically important molecules. The demonstration of this is significant as in drug design, for example, studies that aim to extend lipophilicity or steric bulk make the ability to prepare alcohols across the full range of steric properties important. We have shown that chiral alcohols with adjacent gem-dimethyl groups can be prepared in high enantioselectivity and their conversion into other valuable molecules, such as chiral lactones has been demonstrated. Detailed mechanistic studies have been undertaken for the present system in order to aid rational design of new, more active and selective catalysts. A number of achiral variants of the original system have been prepared and the key features of ligand structure for efficient catalysis have been identified. This was accomplished by rigorous kinetic analysis of each complex, using specialist gas-uptake monitoring equipment. The key features of catalyst structure and optimal reaction conditions for efficient asymmetric hydrogenation have been identified. Our greater understanding of the present system allowed us to rationally design new catalysts of for enantioselective hydrogenation. Our aim was to be able to tune the catalyst structure to carry out hydrogenation of a greater variety of ketone substrate with high activity and selectivity. We have successfully prepared second generation catalysts that show enhanced enantioselectivity for a variety of substrates, many of which were problematic with the Noyori system.