Synthesis 2005(19): 3196-3198  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-918444
SHORTPAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A Convenient and Scaleable Synthesis of 11,12-Diamino-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene and Its Enantiomers

Martin E. Fox, Arne Gerlach, Ian C. Lennon*, Graham Meek, Céline Praquin
Dowpharma, Chirotech Technology Ltd, A Subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, Unit 321 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WG, UK
Fax: +44(1223)506701; e-Mail: ilennon@dow.com;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 6 September 2005
Publication Date:
25 October 2005 (online)

Abstract

A convenient synthesis of 11,12-diamino-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene (1) is described. A Diels-Alder reaction between fumaryl chloride and anthracene provides an acid chloride. Conversion into an acyl azide followed by a thermal Curtius rearrangement and saponification affords the racemic diamine. Diastereoisomeric salt resolution provides the single enantiomer products, which are used as the chiral backbone of several ligands in asymmetric catalysis, including the Trost asymmetric allylic alkylation ligand 2.

1

Current address: Bayer Cropscience AG, Industriepark Höchst, D-65926, Frankfurt, Germany.