Stereoselective synthesis of 5,6-disubstituted 5,6-dihydro-1,10-phenanthrolines and a rare example of axially constrained 2,2'-bipyridines

The stereoselective synthesis of 5,6-disubstituted 5,6-dihydro-1,10-phenanthrolines and (5S,6S)-5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydro-1,10-phenanthroline cyclic o-xylylene diether, a rare example of an axially constrained 2,2?-bipyridine is reported. The strategy to obtain such compounds is based on two highly efficient reactions, the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and the Ullmann intramolecular coupling.