Synthesis of enantiopure β-amino alcohols via AKR/ARO of epoxides using recyclable macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes

A series of chiral macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes 1-8 were synthesized and characterized. These complexes were found to be highly active, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective catalysts in aminolytic kinetic resolution (AKR) of racemic trans-epoxides as well as asymmetric ring opening (ARO) of prochiral meso-epoxides with various anilines as nucleophiles at room temperature in 18-24 h. Excellent yields (>99% with respect to the nucleophile) with high enantioselectivity (ee, >99%) of chiral anti-β-amino alcohols was achieved with concomitant recovery of corresponding epoxides in high ee (up to >99%). The complex 1 also catalyzed the ARO of meso-epoxides to provide corresponding syn-β-amino alcohols in high yield (99%) and ee (up to 91%). Due to built-in basic sites in the catalyst, no external base (as an additive) was required to promote AKR and ARO reactions. The catalyst 1 was conveniently recycled several times with retention of its performance. The AKR of trans-stilbene oxide with aniline was successfully demonstrated at relatively higher scale (10 mmol) using the catalyst 1.     

Novel organic catalysts for the direct enantioselective α-oxidation of carbonyl compounds

The proline-derived N-sulfonylcarboxamide-catalyzed direct enantioselective α-oxidation of ketones and aldehydes with nitrosobenzene is presented. The reactions proceed smoothly furnishing the corresponding α-aminoxylated compounds in good yields with up to >99% ee. The proline-derived N-sulfonylcarboxamides were also found to be excellent catalysts for the direct enantioselective nitroso Diels-Alder-type reaction between nitrosobenzene and α,β-unsaturated cyclic ketones yielding the corresponding bicyclic Diels-Alder adduct products with up to >99% ee. The proline-derived N-sulfonylcarboxamides represent a readily available and highly modular novel type of organic catalyst.     

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Addition of Naphthols and Electron‐Rich Phenols to Isatin‐Derived Ketimines: Highly Enantioselective Construction of Tetrasubstituted Stereocenters

A quinine‐derived thiourea organocatalyst promoted the highly enantioselective addition of naphthols and activated phenols to ketimines derived from isatins. The reaction afforded chiral 3‐amino‐2‐oxindoles with a quaternary stereocenter in high yields (up to 99 %) with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). To the best of our knowledge, this transformation is the first highly enantioselective addition of naphthols to ketimines.     

Double axially chiral bisphosphorylimides as novel Brønsted acids in asymmetric three-component Mannich reaction

A double axially chiral bisphosphorylimide has been demonstrated to be an efficient and highly sterically hindered Brønsted acid in asymmetric three-component Mannich reactions. Optically active syn-β-amino ketones were obtained in high yields (up to 99%) with excellent diastereoselectivity (99:1) and enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). A gram-scale reaction was also performed to prove the synthetic application value of this reaction.     

Highly enantioselective aza-henry reaction of ketimines catalyzed by a chiral bifunctional thiourea-tertiary amine derived from quinine

We have developed a highly enantioselective aza-Henry reaction of aryl α-ketoester-derived N-Ts ketimines with a wide range of substrate scope by a simpler bifunctional thiourea-tertiary amine catalyst derived from quinine. A variety of ketimines were investigated and corresponding products were obtained in excellent yields (up to 99% yield) with excellent enatioselectivities (up to 99% ee).     

N,N′-Dioxide-scandium(III) complex catalyzed highly enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indole to alkylidene malonates

A highly efficient enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with alkylidene malonates has been developed using chiral N,N′-dioxide L4-scandium(III) complex as the catalyst, giving the corresponding products in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield and 95% ee). The product 3a was facilely converted into several interesting compounds, such as tryptamines, indolepropionic acids and β-carbolines. It is noteworthy that the seven-membered β-carboline-like compound has been synthesized for the first time. Based on the crystal structure of the chiral N,N′-dioxide L10-scandium(III) complex, the proposed transition state and possible catalytic cycle were presented to elucidate the reaction mechanism.     

(S)-Threonine/α,α-(S)-diphenylvalinol-derived chiral ionic liquid: an immobilized organocatalyst for asymmetric syn-aldol reactions

Chiral ionic liquids containing (S)- or (R)-threonine amide and α,α-(S)-diphenylvalinol units were synthesized In the presence of the (S)-threonine-derived catalyst reactions between ketones with secondary carbon atom(s) at the α-position with respect to the carbonyl group and aromatic (heteroaromatic) aldehydes afforded the corresponding syn-aldols in high yields (up to 99%) and with high diastereo-(syn/anti up to 97:3) and enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee), which was maintained over three reaction cycles.     

Chiral Diamine-catalyzed Asymmetric Aldol Reaction

A highly efficient catalytic system composed of a simple and commercially available chiral primary diamine (1R,2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine(6) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was employed for asymmetric Aldol reaction in em-PrOH at room temperature. A loading of 10%(molar fraction) catalyst 6 with TFA as a cocatalyst could catalyze the Aldol reactions of various ketones or aldehydes with a series of aromatic aldehydes, furnishing Aldol pro- ducts in moderate to high yields(up to >99%) with enantioselectivities of up to >99% and diastereoselectivities of up to 99:1.     

Pt(IV)-catalyzed generation and [4+2]-cycloaddition reactions of o-quinone methides

Novel intermolecular and intramolecular generations of ortho-quinone methides and their formal [4+2]-cycloaddition reactions with olefins catalyzed by PtCl₄ and AuCl₃ under mild conditions have been developed. Good to excellent yields (up to 99%) and diastereoselectivity (up to >99:1) of the chromans were obtained. PtCl₄ was found to be effective and compatible with various functional groups present in the substrates. A mechanism accounting for its catalytic cycle is proposed and discussed.     

Simple chiral sulfonamide primary amine catalysed highly enantioselective Michael addition of malonates to enones

A chiral sulfonamide primary amine-organocatalysed, highly enantioselective Michael addition of malonates to enones has been developed. This reaction afforded the corresponding products in excellent yields (up to 99%) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee).     

Construction of Optically Active Quaternary Propargyl Amines by Highly Enantioselective Zinc/BINOL‐Catalyzed Alkynylation of Ketoimines

A general and efficient method for the highly enantioselective alkynylation of ketoimines through a zinc/1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol (BINOL)‐catalyzed process has been developed. A variety of ketoimines, including α‐fluoroalkyl α‐imine esters, α‐aryl α‐imine esters, and trifluoromethyl aryl ketoimines, are applicable and provide their corresponding quaternary propargyl amines in excellent yields with high ee values (up to 99 % ee). Both the steric and electronic effects of substituents at the 3,3′ positions of BINOL are critical for the reaction efficiency and enantioselectivity. To demonstrate the usefulness of the method, (R)‐α‐CF₃ α‐proline has been prepared in a highly efficient manner. The notable features of this protocol are its broad substrate scope, high reaction efficiency (up to 99 %) and enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee), low catalyst loading (5 mol % of BINOL derivative), and mild reaction conditions.     

Stereoselective synthesis of trans-disubstituted-β-lactams from N-phenylsulfenylimines

N-Phenylsulfenylimines derived from aliphatic, aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes act as nucleophilic partners in the Staudinger reaction with acetoxyacetyl chloride. Disubstituted-β-lactams are obtained with a surprisingly high trans diastereoselection (up to 99%).     

Aromatic l-prolinamide-catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to nitroalkenes

Two chiral aromatic l-prolinamides were synthesized in high overall yield (95%) from N-Boc-l-proline and served as organocatalysts in asymmetric Michael reactions of aldehydes to nitroalkenes. Under the optimized reaction conditions, (S)-N-tritylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamide 4 was found to be a highly efficient organocatalyst for the Michael addition, and the corresponding Michael adducts were obtained in good yields (up to 94%), with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) and diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr).     

Asymmetric synthesis of 3,4-diaminochroman-2-ones promoted by guanidine and bisguanidium salt

A highly enantioselective synthesis of 3,4-diaminochroman-2-ones has been realized via the domino reaction of o-hydroxy aromatic aldimines and azlactones. Notably, a cis-product was obtained as the major product by the use of guanidine 2a whereas a trans-product was the major product with bisguanidium salt 3?HBAr(F)(4). In two cases, various substituted 3,4-dihydrocoumarins were obtained with high yields (up to 99%) as well as excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) and diastereoselectivities (up to >99:1 cis:trans and 98:2 trans:cis, respectively) under mild reaction conditions.     

Enantioselective anti-Mannich reaction catalyzed by modularly designed organocatalysts

A highly stereoselective method for achieving the anti-Mannich reaction of aldehydes and ketones with ethyl (4-methoxyphenylimino)acetate was realized using the modularly designed organocatalysts (MDOs) self-assembled from cinchona alkaloid derivatives and (R)-pyrrolidien-3-carboxylic acid in the reaction media. The desired anti-Mannich products were obtained in good to excellent yields (up to 93%), excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr), and good to high enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).     

l-Proline derived triamine as a highly stereoselective organocatalyst for asymmetric Michael addition of cyclohexanone to nitroolefins

l-Proline derived triamine 4 has been developed as a highly efficient and stereoselective organocatalyst for the asymmetric Michael addition of cyclohexanone to nitroolefins. In the presence of (CF₃SO₂)₂NH, 4 catalyzed the reaction of cyclohexanone to a variety of nitroolefins with high yields (up to 99%) and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee).     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Tetrahydroindolizines by Bimetallic Relay Catalyzed Cycloaddition of Pyridinium Ylides

A highly enantioselective synthesis of tetrahydroindolizines by catalytic multicomponent cycloaddition reactions of diazoacetate, pyridine, and alkenyloxindole was developed. Under the relay catalysis, involving an achiral iron(III) catalyst and chiral N,N′‐dioxide‐scandium(III) complex, a series of tetrahydroindolizines bearing different substituents were obtained in moderate to high yields (up to 99 %) with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities (up to >19:1 d.r., 99 % ee).     

Polymeric salen-Ti(IV) or V(V) complex catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of O-acetylcyanohydrins from KCN, Ac2O and aldehydes

Polymeric salen-Ti(IV) and V(V) complexes were employed in the enantioselective O-acetyl cyanation of aldehydes with potassium cyanide and acetic anhydride. The crosslinked polymeric salen-Ti(IV) catalyst exhibited good activities and enantioselectivities, up to 91% ee with 99% conversion was obtained at −20 °C with 1 mol% of catalyst (based on bimetallic catalytic unit). Moreover, six consecutive recyclings with the easily recovered crosslinked polymeric catalyst showed no obvious decrease in either activity or enantioselectivity. Linear polymeric salen-V(V) catalyst showed good catalytic efficiency too, up to 94% ee with 99% conversion was obtained at −42 °C with 5 mol% of catalyst.     

Preparation of optically pure (3E,5E)-alkyl-2-hydroxy-6-arylhexa-3,5-dienoates by Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 mediated deracemisation of the racemates

Biocatalytic deracemisation of a range of racemic (3E,5E)-alkyl-2-hydroxy-6-arylhexa-3,5-dienoates using Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 resulted in pure (S)-enantiomers in yields of up to 80% and ee>99%.     

Enantioselective synthesis of nitrocyclopropanes via conjugate addition of bromomalonate to nitroalkenes catalyzed by Ni(II) complexes

A novel one-pot methodology for the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized nitrocyclopropanes promoted by chiral nickel complexes is developed. The treatment of bromomalonates with nitroalkenes under the mild reaction conditions afforded the corresponding Michael adducts which cyclizes to controlled reaction conditions with excellent diasteroselectivities (>99 de) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).