Mechanism of the Enantioselective Oxidation of Racemic Secondary Alcohols Catalyzed by Chiral Mn(III)−Salen Complexes

The experiments described here clarify the mechanism and origin of the enantioselectivity of the oxidation of racemic secondary alcohols catalyzed by chiral Mn(III)−salen complexes using HOBr, Br₂/H₂O/KOAc or PhI(OAc)₂/H₂O/KBr as a stoichiometric oxidant. Key points of the proposed pathway include (1) the formation of a Mn(V)−salen dibromide, (2) its subsequent reaction with the alcohol to give an alkoxy-Mn(V) species, and (3) carbonyl-forming elimination to produce the ketone via a highly organized transition state with intramolecular transfer of hydrogen from carbon to an oxygen of the salen ligand.