Described herein are catalytic systems that can catalyze enantioselective CH functionalization reactions and methods of using thereof are described. These catalytic systems contain iron complexes as host catalysts and diammonium guest templates as co-catalysts. The iron-based host catalysts contain crown-ether phthalocyanine ligands. The diammonium guest templates are bidentate compounds with chirality. The iron-based host catalysts and the bidentate ammonium guest templates can provide a complex steric environment with the for stereospecific and site-selective CH functionalization, such as CH amination. For example, enantioselective CH amination reaction performed using the disclosed methods can achieve high enantiomeric ratio (i.e., at least 2:1) and optionally high yield (i.e., at least 30%).

The present invention provides a catalyst for synthesizing a cyclic carbonate and a preparation method and use thereof. A diamine compound X, a salicylaldehyde-containing compound and a metal source M are subjected to reaction, and then added with a phenothiazine compound Y for continuous reaction to obtain a phenothiazine metal Schiff base catalyst. The formation of phenothiazine free radicals by phenothiazine compounds with a central metal can protect the central metal in the course of reaction and inhibit inactivation caused by the self-polymerization of the central meta, thus improving the activity and stability of a catalyst. Phenothiazine compounds can be present as a polymerization inhibitor to inhibit the generation of by-products such as polycarbonates and polyethylene glycol and enhance the selectivity of the catalyst during the reaction. The phenothiazine compounds are alkaline and can adsorb and activate carbon dioxide during reaction, which helps to improve the reaction efficiency. The phenothiazine metal Schiff base catalyst prepared in the present invention has high activity, strong stability and good selectivity and thus, can achieve the efficient catalyzed synthesis of cyclic carbonates under mild conditions.

The present invention provides a catalyst for synthesizing a cyclic carbonate and a preparation method and use thereof. A diamine compound X, a salicylaldehyde-containing compound and a metal source M are subjected to reaction, and then added with a phenothiazine compound Y for continuous reaction to obtain a phenothiazine metal Schiff base catalyst. The formation of phenothiazine free radicals by phenothiazine compounds with a central metal can protect the central metal in the course of reaction and inhibit inactivation caused by the self-polymerization of the central meta, thus improving the activity and stability of a catalyst. Phenothiazine compounds can be present as a polymerization inhibitor to inhibit the generation of by-products such as polycarbonates and polyethylene glycol and enhance the selectivity of the catalyst during the reaction. The phenothiazine compounds are alkaline and can adsorb and activate carbon dioxide during reaction, which helps to improve the reaction efficiency. The phenothiazine metal Schiff base catalyst prepared in the present invention has high activity, strong stability and good selectivity and thus, can achieve the efficient catalyzed synthesis of cyclic carbonates under mild conditions.

The present invention relates to a ligand compound having a novel structure of the following, a transition metal compound and a catalyst composition including the same: ##STR00001## Wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.7, and n are described herein.