Projects of the Akiyama Group

1. Development of Chiral Bronsted Acid

We have developed chiral phosphoric acid, derived from (R)-naphthol. The phosphoric acid turned out to be efficient chiral Bronsted acid catalyst for nucleophilic addition and cyloaddition reaction toward aldimines. Nitrogen-containing compounds were obtained with high to excellent enantioselectivities.

2. Activation of C-F Bond and C-H Bond by means of the Low Valent Nb: Preparation of Fluorene and Indene Derivatives

Low valent Nb species, generated from NbCl5 and LiAlH4 effectively activated both C-H bond and C-F bond and C-C bond formation occurred to give fluorene derivatives in good yields.

3. Enantioselective Cycloaddition Reaction Mediated by Chiral Cu(I) Catalyst

[3+2] Cycloaddition reaction of allenylsilane with aldimine proceeded smoothly by means of Cu(I) species to afford proline derivative with good enantioselectivity.

4. Synthesis of Heterocycles by means of Cr-Carbene Complexes

Cr-carbene complex underwent [3+2] cycloaddition with a,b-unsaturated aldehyde to give pyrrole derivatives with good yields.