Oxygenated verticillene derivatives from Bursera suntui

Medium polarity fractions of the hexane extracts of the stems of Bursera suntui afforded six previously known (1-6) and four hitherto unknown verticillane derivatives: (1S,3Z,7S,8S,11S,12S)-(+)-7,8-epoxyverticill-3-en-12,20-diol (7), (1S,3Z,7S,8S,11S,12S)-(+)-7,8-epoxyverticill-3-en-12,20-diol 20-acetate (8), (1S,3Z,7S,11S,12S)-(+)-verticilla-3,8(19)-dien-7,12,20-triol (9), and (1S,3Z,7S,11S,12S)-(+)-verticilla-3,8(19)-dien-7,12,20-triol 20-acetate (10). Acetylation of 9 and 10 yielded (1S,3Z,7S,11S,12S)-(+)-verticilla-3,8(19)-dien-7,12,20-triol 7,20-diacetate (11), while hydrolysis of 8 gave 7. The structures and stereochemistry of 7-11 were established by spectroscopic analyses, particularly by 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HRESIMS. The conformational preferences of 7-11 were studied by molecular mechanics modelling employing the Monte Carlo protocol followed by B3LYP/DGDZVP DFT calculation, thus supporting the observed ¹H NMR NOESY cross peaks.     

Withanolides from Withania aristata and their cytotoxic activity

Seven new withanolides (1-7), along with three known ones (8-10), were isolated from the leaves of Withania aristata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR experiments and spectrometric techniques, and the absolute configuration of 1 and 2 was established by CD analysis. In the search for new cytotoxic compounds from Withania species, the isolated compounds 1-9, along with two derivatives, were assayed for their cytotoxicity against HeLa, MCF-7 and A-549 human tumor cell lines. Derivative (4S,20R,22R)-27-acetoxy-4-p-bromobenzoyloxy-1-oxo-witha-2,5,16,24-tetraenolide (13) showed cytotoxicity against all the cell lines assayed with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.8 to 3.6 μM, and (4S,20R,22R)-4,27-diacetoxy-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2,5,16,24-tetraenolide (12) exhibited an IC₅₀ value of 5.4 μM on the MCF-7 cell line.     

Novel dammarane-type sapogenins from Panax ginseng berry and their biological activities

Three new dammarane-type sapogenins (1, 3, and 5) together with two known ones (2 and 4) were isolated from the total hydrolyzed saponins extracted from Panax ginseng berry. Their structures were elucidated using a combination of 1D and 2D ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra and mass spectroscopy as 20(R)-25-methoxyl-dammarane-3β,12β,20-triol (1), 20(R)-25-methoxyl-dammarane-3β,6α,12β,20-tetrol (2), 20(R)-20-methoxyl-dammarane-3β,12β,25-triol (3), 20(R)-20,25-dimethoxyl-dammarane-3β,12β-diol (4), and (12R,20S,24S)-20,24-; 12,24-diepoxy-dammarane-3β-ol (5). Their antitumor activities were evaluated in six human cancer cell lines. The novel compounds 1 and 3 showed significant cytotoxic activity against the six cell lines. The IC₅₀ values of 3 against HepG2, Colon205, and HL-60 were the lowest (8.78, 8.64, and 3.98 μM, respectively). Compounds 1 and 20(S)-25-OCH₃-PPD, which are a pair of configuration isomers, showed a 10- to 100-fold greater growth inhibition than ginsenoside-Rg₃ (an anti-cancer clinical agent in China). The data presented here may be useful for the development of novel anti-cancer agents.     

Synthesis, characterization of [{(N-methyl-N-benzyl)amino}methyl]ferrocenes and their cyclopalladated complexes: Crystal structure of σ-Pd[(η-C5H5)Fe(η-C5H3CH2N(CH3)CH2C6H4NO2-4)]Cl(PPh3)

Condensation of aminomethylferrocene (1) and substituted benzaldehydes resulted in aldimines 2a-c which followed by reduction with sodium borohydride to give 3a-c. N-methylation of 3a-c with HCHO/NaCNBH₃/HOAc led to 4a-c. Treatment of 4a-c with sodium palladium tetrachloride in the presence of sodium acetate afforded cleanly cyclopalladated 5a-c in which configurations consisted of the R_NR_C, S_NS_C. The preferable activation of C_Ferrocenyl-H bond over C_Phenyl-H bond was also observed. All compounds 2-5 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR. In addition, the molecular structure of 5c was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The possible mechanism for the formation of 5 was also discussed.     

Towards absolute asymmetric synthesis. Synthesis and crystal structure of stereochemically labile MCl2 (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) complexes with diamine ligands

In search for new conglomerates, seven stereochemically labile complexes between MCl₂ (M = Co, Cu, Ni, Zn) and bidentate ligands, the commercially available N,N,N′-trimethylethane-1,2-diamine (trimeda) and the somewhat bulkier N-isopropyl-N,N′,N′-trimethylethane-1,2-diamine (itmeda), have been synthesized and characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The trimeda and itmeda ligands exhibit chirogenic nitrogen centers and may form chiral metal complexes that are candidates for total spontaneous resolution. Copper(II) chloride forms the dimeric meso complexes [{CuCl₂(trimeda)}₂] (1) and [{CuCl₂(itmeda)}₂] (2), while [CoCl₂(trimeda)₂] (3) and [NiCl₂(trimeda)₂] (4) exhibit six-coordinate but chiral (R,R)- and (S,S)-complexes. Three examples of the chiral target complex, comprising four-coordinate stereochemically labile monomers, was successfully prepared, viz. [NiCl₂(itmeda)] (5), [ZnCl₂(itmeda)] (6), and [CoCl₂(itmeda)] (7).In all seven complexes, the λ-conformation of the five-membered trimeda-metal chelate ring corresponds to the (S)-configuration at nitrogen, and vice versa. Supramolecular interactions in 3 and 4 form hydrogen-bonded heterochiral ribbons. However, crystals of 5-7 display homochiral interactions resulting in polar phases. Weak CH-Cl interactions in 5 and 6 form homochiral layers. In 7, interactions form homochiral helices along the a-axis.     

Cyclic and high molecular weight chiral binaphthoxy-phosphazene polymers carrying Br or trimethylsilyl-acetylene groups

The new chiral and functionalized cyclic binaphthoxyphosphazenes R,R,R-[N₃P₃(O₂C₂₀H₁₀Br₂)₃] (R-1), R,R,R-[N₃P₃(O₂C₂₀H₁₀(CCSiMe₃)₂)₃] (R-2), and the high molecular weight linear polymers R/S-[NP(O₂C₂₀H₁₀Br₂)]_n (R/S-3), R-[NP(O₂C₂₀H₁₀Br₂)]_n (R-3), and R-{NP[O₂C₂₀H₁₀(CCSiMe₃)₂]}_n, (R-4), with M_w on the order of 10⁶ and very high T_g, have been synthesized and characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy. The optically active polymer (R-3) was configurationally stable below 300 °C, but at higher temperatures an atropisomerization process took place that became faster near the glass transition temperature (ca. 350 °C).     

Cycloartane glycosides from Astragalus campylosema Boiss. ssp. campylosema

Four cycloartane glycosides, 3-O-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-3β,6α,16β,23α,25-pentahydroxy-20(R),24(S)-epoxycycloartane (1), 3-O-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-16-O-hydroxyacetoxy-23-O-acetoxy-3β,6α,25-trihydroxy-20(R),24(S)-epoxycycloartane (2), 3-O-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-3β,6α,23α,25-tetrahydroxy-20(R),24(R)-16β,24;20,24-diepoxycycloartane (3), 3-O-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-25-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,25-tetrahydroxy-20(R),24(S)-epoxycycloartane (4), along with three known cycloartane glycosides were isolated from the MeOH extract of the roots of Astragalus campylosema ssp. campylosema. Their structures were established by the extensive use of 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments along with ESIMS and HRMS analysis. The occurrence of the hydroxyl function at position 23 (1-2) and of the ketalic function at C-24 (3) are very unusual findings in the cycloartane class.     

Diheteroarylmethyl substituted titanocenes: A novel class of possible anti-cancer drugs

From the reaction of tert-butyl lithium or n-butyl lithium with N-methylpyrrole (1a), furan (1b) or 2-bromo-thiophen (1c), 2-N-methylpyrrolyl lithium (2a), 2-furyl lithium (2b) or 2-thiophenyl lithium (2c), respectively, was obtained. When reacted with 6-(2-N-methylpyrrolyl) fulvene (3a), 6-(2-furyl) fulvene (3b) or 6-(2-thiophenyl) fulvene (3c), the corresponding lithiated intermediates were formed (4a-c). Titanocenes (5a-c) were obtained through transmetallation with titanium tetrachloride. When these titanocenes were tested against pig kidney epithelial (LLC-PK) cells, inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 32 μM, 140 μM, and 240 μM, respectively, were observed. These values represent improved cytotoxicity against LLC-PK, compared to their ansa-analogues.     

Isolation of substances with antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities against leukemia cells from the leaves of Zanthoxylum ailanthoides Sieb. & Zucc

Extraction of the leaves of Zanthoxylum ailanthoides Sieb. & Zucc. affords extracts and four isolated compounds which exhibit activities against leukemia cells. The chloroform-soluble fraction (ZAC) of the crude extract of this plant showed cytotoxic activity against human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) and myelomonocytic leukemia (WEHI-3) cells with IC₅₀ values of 73.06 and 42.22 μg/mL, respectively. The active ZAC was further separated to yield pheophorbide-a methyl ester (1), pheophorbide-b methyl ester (2), 13²-hydroxyl (13²-S) pheophorbide-a methyl ester (3) and 13²-hydroxyl (13²-R) pheophorbide-b methyl ester (4) whose structures were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 2-4 showed cytotoxic activities against both leukemia cells with IC₅₀ value in the range of 46.76-79.43 nM, whereas compound 1 exhibited only weak cytotoxic activity. The extracts and compounds 1-4 also induced apoptosis and DNA damage in leukemia cells after treatment. The results suggested that the Z. ailanthoides is biologically active against leukemia cells.     

Two dimeric lignans with an unusual α,β-unsaturated ketone motif from Zanthoxylum podocarpum and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production

Two new dimeric lignans, zanthpodocarpins A (1) and B (2), and five known lignans, eudesmin (3), (1R,2R,5R,6S)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (4), dimethoxysamin (5), rel-(1R,5R,6S)-6-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-2-one (6), and magnone A (7), were isolated from the barks of Zanthoxylum podocarpum. Their structures were identified by using spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 2 are rare dilignans bearing an unusual α,β-unsaturated ketone group from a natural source. Bioassay showed that compounds 1 and 2 could inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 5.31 μM and 12.15 μM, respectively.     

Monoterpenoids from the aerial parts of Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus and their antioxidant and cytotoxic activities

The aerial parts of Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus afforded five new monoterpenoids (1-5): 4-(erythro-6,7-dihydroxy-9-methylpent-8-enyl)furan-2(5H)-one (1, aruncin A), 2-(8-ethoxy-8-methylpropylidene)-5-hydroxy-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-carboxylic acid (2, aruncin B), 4-(hydroxymethyl)-6-(8-methylprop-7-enyl)-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one-11-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3, aruncide A), (3S,4S,5R,10R)-3-(10-ethoxy-11-hydroxyethyl)-4-(5-hydroxy-7-methylbut-6-enyl)oxetan-2-one-11-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4, aruncide B), and (3S,4S,5R,7R)-5-(9-methylprop-8-enyl)-1,6-dioxabicyclo[3,2,0]heptan-2-one-7-(hydroxymethyl)-12-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5, aruncide C). Compound 2 showed potent cytotoxicity against Jurkat T cells with an IC₅₀ value of 17.15 μg/mL. In addition, compounds 7 and 10 exhibited moderate antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values of 46.3 and 11.7 μM, respectively.     

Steroids from the leaves of Chinese Melia azedarach and their cytotoxic effects on human cancer cell lines

Three new (1-3) and several known (4-6) steroids were isolated from the leaves of Chinese Melia azedarach. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR techniques and mass spectrometry to be (20S)-5,24(28)-ergostadiene-3β,7α,16β,20-tetrol (1), (20S)-5-ergostene-3β,7α,16β,20-tetrol (2), and 2α,3β-dihydro-5-pregnen-16-one (3). The cytotoxicities of the isolated compounds against three human cancer cell lines (A549, H460, U251) were evaluated; only compounds 1, 2, and (20S)-5-stigmastene-3β,7α,20-triol (4) were found to show significant cyctotoxic effects with IC₅₀s from 12.0 to 30.1 μg/mL.     

Inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells by lignans isolated from Euonymus alatus leaves and twigs

The 80% methanolic extract of Euonymus alatus leaves and twigs afforded three new lignans, (−)-threo-4,9,4′,9′-tetrahydroxy-3,7,3′,5′-tetramethoxy-8-O-8′-neolignan (1), (−)-threo-4,9,4′,9′-tetrahydroxy-3,5,7,3′-tetramethoxy-8-O-8′-neolignan (2), (7R,8R,7′R)-(+)-lyoniresinol (3), together with seventeen known lignans (4-20). The structures of 1-20 were elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D spectroscopic methods including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹H-¹H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY. All the isolated compounds except for dilignans (19 and 20) significantly inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of chiral Cu(II) and Ag(I) complexes with (S,S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-based N4-donor ligands

Condensation of (S,S)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine with 2 equiv. of 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde in toluene in the presence of molecular sieves at 70 °C gives N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-(S,S)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine (S,S-1) in 95% yield. Reduction of 1 with an excess of NaBH₄ in MeOH at 50 °C gives N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-(S,S)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine (S,S-2) in 90% yield. Reaction of 1 or 2 with 1 equiv. of CuCl₂ · 2H₂O in methanol gives complexes [N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-(S,S)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine]CuCl₂ (3) and [Cu(S,S-2)(H₂O)]Cl₂ · H₂O (4), respectively, in good yields. Complex 4 can further react with 1 equiv. of CuCl₂ · 2H₂O in methanol to give [Cu(S,S-2)][CuCl₄] (5) in 75% yield. The rigidity of the ligand coupled with the steric effect of the free anion plays an important role in the formation of the helicates. Treatment of ligand S,S-1 with AgNO₃ induces a polymer helicate {[Ag(S,S-1)][NO₃]}_n (6), while reaction of ligand 2 with AgPF₆ or AgNO₃ in methanol affords a mononuclear single helicate [Ag(S,S-2)][PF₆] (7) or a dinuclear double helicate [Ag₂(S,S-2)₂][NO₃]₂ · 2CH₃OH (8) in good yields, respectively. All compounds have been characterized by various spectroscopic data and elemental analyses. Compounds 1, 3-5, 7 and 8 have been further subjected to single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The Cu(II) complexes do not show catalytic activity for allylation reaction, in contrast to Ag(I) complexes, but they do show catalytic activity for Henry reaction (nitroaldol reaction) that Ag(I) complexes do not.     

Osteogenic activity of diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids derived from Acer nikoense

Osteogenic activity of six diarylheptanoids, acerogenin A (1), (R)-acerogenin B (2), aceroside I (3), aceroside B₁ (4), aceroside III (5) and (−)-centrolobol (6) and two phenolic compounds; (+)-rhododendrol (7) and (+)-cathechin (8), isolated from the stem bark of Acer nikoense (Nikko maple) was evaluated using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as a marker for early osteoblast differentiation. We found that the diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids 1-5 promoted ALP activity in mouse preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells without affecting cell proliferation, but linear-type diarylheptanoid 6 and phenolic compounds 7 and 8 did not. Diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids 1-4 also increased protein production of osteocalcin, a late stage maker for osteoblast differentiation, and induced osteoblastic mineralization. Structure-activity relationships of these compounds demonstrated that the stimulative efficacy of aglycones was higher than that of its glycosides. Taken together, diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids promote early- and late-stage osteoblastogenesis, which may open the possibility for the development of novel osteogenic agents.     

Facile route for the synthesis of the iminosugar nucleoside (3R,4R)-1-(pyren-1-yl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-3-ol

N-(Pyren-1-yl)-(3R,4S)-4-[(1S,2R)-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl]pyrrolidin-3-ol (4) was obtained in 36% yield from 3-deoxy-3-C-formyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose (3) by combined hydrolysis and aminoalkylation reactions with 1-aminopyrene in a one-pot reaction. Cleavage reactions of the exocyclic triol chain in 4 with NaIO₄ and NaBH₄ resulted in iminosugars 7 and 8, which are analogues of the furanose forms of 2-deoxy-d-allose and of 2-deoxy-d-ribose, the latter analogue N-(pyren-1-yl)-(3R,4R)-4-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-3-ol (8) being formed in 83% yield.     

Complexes of N-thiophosphorylthioureas RNHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)2 (HL) (R = pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, 6-amino-pyridin-2-yl) with copper(I): Crystal structures of Cu(PPh3)nL (n = 1, 2)

Reaction of the potassium salts of N-thiophosphorylated thioureas of common formula RNHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂ [R = pyridin-2-yl (HL^a), pyridin-3-yl (HL^b), 6-amino-pyridin-2-yl (HL^c)] with Cu(PPh₃)₃I in aqueous EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ leads to mononuclear [Cu(PPh₃)₂L^a,b-S,S′] (1, 2) and [Cu(PPh₃)L^c-S,S′] (3) complexes. Using copper(I) iodide instead of Cu(PPh₃)₃I, polynuclear complexes [Cu_n(L-S,S′)_n] (4-6) were obtained. The structures of these compounds were investigated by IR, ¹H, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, ES-MS and elemental analyses. The crystal structures of Cu(PPh₃)₂L^b (2) and Cu(PPh₃)L^c (3) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Phenolic compounds and their anti-oxidative properties and protein kinase inhibition from the Chinese mangrove plant Laguncularia racemosa

Phenolic compounds, named integracin D (1), (7′R, 8′S, 8S)-8-hydroxyisoguaiacin (3), (2R, 3R) pinobanksin-3-caffeoylate (5) and threo-8S-7-methoxysyringylglycerol (6), respectively, were isolated from the Chinese mangrove plant Laguncularia racemosa (L) Gaertn. f. (Combretaceae), together with 23 known phenolic metabolites. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses including that of IR, UV, MS, CD, 1D and 2D NMR spectra as well as by comparison with literature data. Compound 5 showed significant anti-oxidative activity in the DPPH and TEAC free-radical-scavenging assays, while several of the phenolic compounds were tested for protein kinase inhibitory activity in an assay involving 24 different human tumor related protein kinases. Compounds 5, 7, and 23 showed potential inhibition with IC₅₀ values between 2.2 and 3.6 μg/mL toward individual kinases. The ellagic acid derivatives were tested for insecticidal activity.     

Diamidato-bis(diphenylphosphino) platinum(II) complexes: Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity in the presence of acid

The reaction of Pt(COD)Cl₂, where COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene, with one equivalent of a diamidato-bis(phosphino) Trost ligand ((R,R)-2 = N,N′-bis(2-diphenylphosphino-1-benzoyl)-(1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, (R,R)-3 = N,N′-bis(2-diphenylphosphino-1-naphthoyl)-(1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, or (±)-4 = N,N′-bis(2-diphenylphosphino-1-benzoyl)-1,2-bis(aminobenzene)) in the presence of base afforded square planar diamidato-bis(phosphino) platinum(II) complexes (R,R)-2-Pt, (R,R)-3-Pt, (±)-4-Pt. Characterization of all complexes included the solution and solid state structure determination of each complex based on multinuclear NMR and X-ray analyses, respectively. Stability of the complexes in acid was examined on addition of HCl to (R,R)-2-Pt in chloroform and compared to the unreactive nature of the similar diamidato-bis(phosphino) complex 1-Pt (1 = 1,2-bis-N-[2′-(diphenylphosphino)benzoyl]diamino-benzene) in the presence of acid. Protonation of the bound amidato nitrogen atoms of (R,R)-2-Pt was observed along with decoordination of the nitrogen atoms from the platinum(II) center producing (R,R)-2-PtCl₂ in quantitative yield by NMR analysis. Confirmation of the product was made on comparison of the NMR spectra to that of authentic (R,R)-2-PtCl₂ prepared on reaction of Pt(COD)Cl₂ with (R,R)-2 in CH₂Cl₂ and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and NMR spectroscopy. Results add to the knowledge of rich coordination chemistry of bis(phosphino) ligands with late transition metals, metal-amidato chemistry, and has implications in catalysis.     

Chiral-at-metal tetrahydrosalen complexes of resolved titanium(IV) sec-butoxides: Ligand wrapping and multiple asymmetric catalytic induction

The reaction of the racemic and resolved tetrahydrosalen derivative LH₂ (LH₂ = N,N’-bis(3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) with the resolved titanium(IV) sec-butoxides Ti(O^R-2Bu)₄ or Ti(O^S-2Bu)₄ yielded a series of four compounds, LTi(O²Bu)₂ (1-4), which have been characterized by IR, elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and X-ray crystallography. X-ray crystallography revealed the co-crystallization of two pseudo-C₂-symmetric products from racemic LH₂, whereas a perfect chiral induction of the ligand to the metal occurred when resolved (R,R)-LH₂ was used, resulting in a Δ fac-fac wrapping mode of the tetradentate ligand about the titanium center. Ab initio electronic structure calculations (DFT) are in agreement that the lowest energy isomer is that which is experimentally observed. Catalysis screenings show that Ti(O^S-2Bu)₄, in conjunction with (R,R)-LH₂, forms a matched pair that catalyzes the addition of dimethyl zinc to benzaldehyde with higher enantioselectivity than that observed for resolved (R,R)-LH₂ with Ti(O^R-2Bu)₄ or achiral Ti(OⁱPr)₄. Increasing the temperature of the system results in slightly increased enantiomeric excess.