Angewandte Chemie International Edition · 2020 · 62 citations · 31 references
Natural SciencesChemical EngineeringChemistryCatalysisInorganic ChemistryOrganic ChemistryCatalyst DesignCatalytic MaterialsCatalytic MechanismsCross-coupling ReactionsCatalytic Reaction MechanismsCross-coupling CatalysisIntermolecular Metal-ligand InteractionsLactic Acid ProductionMetal Ligand CoordinationOrganoiridium ChemistrySelectivityTransition Metal-catalyzed Synthesis
Abstract An atom‐economic approach that has an unprecedented high selectivity for the synthesis of lactic acid (LA) based on a catalytic dehydrogenative cross‐coupling by using inexpensive bulk ethylene glycol and methanol is described. This method relies on the synthesis and utilization of a novel iridium catalyst bearing three N‐heterocyclic carbenes derived from 1,3‐dimethylbenzimidazolium salts, and exhibits outstanding activity in the production of LA [turnover frequency (TOF) up to 3660 h −1 ] owing to an elegant metal–ligand cooperation.
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