Erwin Schrödinger Fellowship J 1914 Catalytic Asymmetric Hydroamination of Activated Olefins Ulrike
NETTEKOVEN 08.05.2000
The research project the applicant is planning to perform deals with the asymmetric hydroamination of activated
olefines. This addition reaction of a primary or secondary amine across the double bond of alkane substrates such
as methacrylonitrile, methylmethacrylate or methyl crotonate yields potentially chiral functionalized amines, which
serve as important building blocks in the manufacture of agrochemicals or pharmaceuticals.
Recently, in the group of Prof. Hartwig it was found that late transition metal complexes catalyze this
transformation in good yields and excellent selectivities, constituting a breakthrough in the possibility of an
asymmetric reaction variant. These constitute the topics the applicant is planning to pursue during her post-doctoral
research stay.
Testing of readily available enantiopure ligands by employment of high-throughput screening techniques as well as
development of analysis for the determination of enantiomeric excess values are planned during the first stage of
the project. Afterwards, synthesis and application of promising chiral ligand structures will be performed as well as
mechanistic investigations, which, ultimately, are hoped to constribute to the establishment of a practical process
for the enantioselective hydroamination.