In the chemical industry, oxidation reactions are not often performed in green chemistry conditions. Our group has been studying N-hydroxyphthalimides (NHPI) catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of various organic substrates in mild conditions. In order to obtain more active catalysts, two families of analogs, showing high substitution on the phthalimide core, have been prepared, following two new synthetic methodologies. The first one consists of the bis-ortho-metalation / silylation of unprotected ortho-phthalic acids, for the efficient access to silylated analogs of NHPI. Preliminary tests in aerobic oxidation catalysis show an interesting influence of the bulkiness of the silyl groups towards the active species, because of increases in catalytic activities. The second strategy includes a totally intramolecular [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of ene-diyne diesters, affording an innovative pentacyclic bis-ortho-lactone scaffold. These intermediates are easily converted to 3,6-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-diarylphthalimides, which present C2 symmetry and two atropoisomeric axis. The resolution of both enantiomers has been performed, in order to access aerobic oxidation catalysts with potent enantioselective activity.
