Chiral salen complexes in polymeric main-chains for heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis - a brief account

This brief account summarizes our contribution to the field of heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis with salen complexes. We have developed two different procedures to immobilize these highly efficient catalysts in polymeric main chains for multiple reasons. These heterogenized structures possess indeed solubility properties allowing their easy recovery by simple filtration. Furthermore, by avoiding the use of large either organic or inorganic supports, the introduced catalytic mass does not so much differ from the homogeneous one. Finally, catalytic sites location is precisely controlled, a parameter of major importance for some reactions in which bimetallic activation is needed. Their use and efficiency as insoluble catalysts is here described for the promotion of C-O and C-C bonds formation, with a specific emphasis on their reusability and cooperativity.