Iron catalyzed highly enantioselective cis-dihydroxylation of quinones

Abstract

Methods for asymmetric cis-dihydroxylation ('AD') of quinones to produce cis-diols of quinones with high yield (i.e. a yield ≥30%) and high enantioselectivity (i.e. an enantiometric excess ≥30%) are disclosed. The method uses an iron-based catalyst, such as one or more Fe(II) complexes, as the catalyst, and can be performed under mild reaction conditions (e.g. a temperature ≤50° C. at 1 atom in open air). The method generally includes: (i) maintaining a reaction mixture at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product, where the reaction mixture contains a quinone, one or more iron-based catalyst(s), and a solvent, and where the product contains a chiral cis-diol. Optionally, the method also includes adding an oxidant into the reaction mixture prior to and/or during step (i), such as a hydrogen peroxide solution.