Synthesis of 1', 2', 3', 4', 5'-Pentamethyl-3, 4-diphenylazaferrocene and Its Enantioselective C-2 Functionalization via (-)-Sparteine-Mediated Lithiation
Lithiation of 1', 2', 3', 4', 5'-pentamethyl-3, 4-diphenylazaferrocene (9) with sec-BuLi/(-)- sparteine (2) in Et2O at-78° C followed by quenching with electrophiles gave the C-2 functionalized azaferrocenes (17) in good enantioselectivities (up to 79% ee). In contrast, treatment of 9 with tert-BuLi/(-)-sparteine (2) leaded to lateral lithiation at the methyl group of cyclopentadienyl ring.
[Medforth, Craig J.; Senge, Mathias O.; Smith, Kevin M.; Sparks, Laurie D.; Shelnutt, John A. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1992 , vol. 114, # 25 p. 9859 - 9869]