Enantioselective carbonyl-ene reaction catalyzed by chiral metal-organic framework-based heterogeneous catalyst

Chiral metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) constitute a unique class of multifunctional hybrid materials, and are envisioned as a useful platform for various enantioselective applications, including the separation of optical isomers and the promotion of catalytic enantioselective reactions. The catalytic asymmetric carbonyl-ene reaction of substrate 1 by heterogeneous catalysts based on the MOF has been studied. Throughout this study, the benefits of utilizing MOF-based heterogeneous catalysts compared to the conventional homogeneous system have been high-lighted. These experiments were unambiguously carried out; notably, there was no concern about the scrambling of ligands, which cannot be excluded completely during a homogeneous catalytic reaction. In addition, it has been demonstrated that most catalytic reactions must be taking place on the MOF crystal surface rather than at active sites inside the crystals.