Chiral 3,3,3′,3′-Tetramethyl-1,1′-Spirobiindanyl Cyclopentadienyl (TMSCp) Ligands: Design, Synthesis, and Applications

Chiral cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rhodium(III) are powerful catalysts for achieving asymmetric C–H activation. This paper describes the design and synthesis of a new type of chiral Cp ligand bearing a chiral 3,3,3′,3′-tetramethyl-1,1′-spirobiindanyl backbone. It features convenient synthesis, easy modification, and relatively low cost. Moreover, it holds great potential in achieving asymmetric C–H activation as exemplified by four examples examined in this work.