An Amphiphilic (salen)Co Complex – Utilizing Hydrophobic Interactions to Enhance the Efficiency of a Cooperative Catalyst

An amphiphilic (salen)Co(III) complex is presented that accelerates the hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of epoxides almost 10 times faster than catalysts from commercially available sources. This was achieved by introducing hydrophobic chains increase rate reaction in one two ways – enhancing cooperativity under homogeneous conditions, and increasing interfacial area biphasic conditions. While numerous strategies have been employed to efficiency cooperative catalysts, utilization interactions scarce. With recent upsurge green chemistry methods conduct reactions ‘on water’ at oil-water interface, introduction has potential become a general strategy for catalytic systems.