A novel type of catalysts for asymmetric oxidative coupling of 2-naphthol

Stereochemically inert, positively charged chiral octahedral complexes of CoIII and CrIII were used as catalysts for asymmetric oxidative coupling of 2-naphthol. The reaction product 1,1´-bi-2-naphthol was produced with a yield of up to 74% and enantiomeric excess of up to 22%. The reduction and oxidation potentials of a series of CoIII and CrIII cationic complexes were measured.