Asymmetric Ring Opening of Terminal Epoxides Catalyzed by Chiral Co(III)-BF₃ Salen Complex Immobilized on SBA-16

The homogeneous B$F_3$ containing chiral Co(III) salen complexes were anchored non-covalently on the surfaces of mesoporous SBA-16 silica containing aluminum species. The Brönsted and Lewis acidic sites are attributed to the immobilization of fluorine functionalized chiral salen complexes on the supports. The FT-IR, UV, ESCA, and NMR analyses were performed to determine the structure of synthesized chiral salen catalysts. These heterogeneous catalysts could be applied in asymmetric ring opening of terminal epoxides by water and phenol derivatives. They showed very high enantioselectivity and yield more than 98% in the catalytic synthesis of optically active products.