Catalytic enantioselective allylboration of ketones

The first example of catalytic enantioselective allylboration and crotylboration of simple ketones is described. High enantioselectivity (up to 93% ee) was obtained using 3 mol % CuF-iPr-DuPHOS as a chiral catalyst and 4.5 mol % La(OiPr)3 as a cocatalyst. Mechanistic studies strongly suggested that the active nucleophile of the present reaction is an allylcopper, and that La(OiPr)3 facilitates the generation of an active allylcopper from the allylboronate, without affecting the transition-state structure of the ketone allylation step.     

An efficient synthesis of dinitrile derivatives by the reaction of oxime esters or acid anhydrides with cyanotrimethylsilane catalyzed by La(O(i)()Pr)(3)

The reaction of oxime esters with cyanotrimethylsilane (Me(3)SiCN) under the influence of a catalytic amount of lanthanide compounds produced alpha-trimethylsilyloxydinitrile derivatives in excellent yields accompanied with the formation of trimethylsilyl oxime ethers. Among the lanthanoid catalysts examined, La(O(i)()Pr)(3) was found to be the best catalyst. The reaction seems to proceed through the formation of acyl cyanides as intermediates, followed by the addition of Me(3)SiCN to them. Additionally, the reaction of acetic anhydride with Me(3)SiCN catalyzed by La(O(i)()Pr)(3) gave 1-trimethylsilyloxyethane dinitrile. Thus, various alpha-trimethylsilyloxydinitriles were synthesized in good yields by allowing oxime esters or acid anhydrides to react with Me(3)SiCN in the presence of a catalytic amount of La(O(i)()Pr)(3).     

A Hg(ClO4)2·3H2O catalyzed Sakurai-Hosomi allylation of isatins and isatin ketoimines using allyltrimethylsilane

It is reported that Hg(ClO(4))(2)·3H(2)O could efficiently activate the cheap but less reactive allyltrimethylsilane for the allylation of isatins or isatin ketoimines, with catalyst loading down to 0.1 mol %. This is the first example of Sakurai-Hosomi allylation of ketoimines using allyltrimethylsilane. A rare example of chiral mercury catalysis is also reported.     

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of key intermediates for triazole antifungal agents

[reaction: see text] A short-step synthesis of versatile chiral building blocks for triazole antifungal agents such as ZD0870 and Sch45450 was developed via catalytic enantioselective cyanosilylation of electron-deficient ketones as the key step. High enantioselectivity was produced using a catalyst prepared from Gd(HMDS)(3) and ligand 5 in a 2:3 ratio. This new catalyst preparation method was superior to the previous method using Gd(O(i)Pr)(3) as a metal source. A rationale for the difference is proposed on the basis of structural studies of the catalyst complexes using ESI-MS.     

General and practical catalytic enantioselective Strecker reaction of ketoimines: significant improvement through catalyst tuning by protic additives

Significant improvement in enantioselectivity and catalyst activity was achieved for the catalytic enantioselective Strecker reaction. Using a catalyst (1-2.5 mol %) prepared from Gd(OⁱPr)₃ and d-glucose derived ligand 1, and in the presence of 2,6-dimethylphenol as an additive, high enantioselectivity was obtained from a wide range of ketoimines, including heteroaromatic and cyclic ketoimines. The new method was applied to an efficient catalytic asymmetric synthesis of sorbinil, a therapeutic agent for diabetic complications.     

Imidazolium-tagged ferrocenyl diphosphanes in allylic substitution with heteroatom nucleophiles

Imidazolium-tagged ferrocenyl diphosphanes are useful ligands in palladium-catalyzed allylic substitutions with heteroatom nucleophiles. Substitution with phthalimide proceeds with high enantioselectivity (up to 92% ee) in various ionic liquids. Reaction with p-cresol as nucleophile affords allylation product in up to 62% ee, while using tolylsulfinate as a nucleophile gives a product with very little or no enantioselectivity. Under these reaction conditions, catalyst recyclability is challenging, and decrease in activity as well as enantioselectivity was observed.     

Asymmetric [2 + 1] Cycloaddition Reactions of 1-Seleno-2-silylethene

The reaction of (E)-1-(phenylseleno)-2-(trimethylsilyl)ethene (1) and vinyl ketones 2a-d in the presence of a chiral Lewis acid prepared from TiCl(4), Ti(O(i)Pr)(4), (R)- or (S)-1,1'-binaphthol (BINOL), and MS4A gave enantiomerically enriched cis cyclopropane products 3a-d. The enantiomeric excess and chemical yield varied depending on the ratio of TiCl(4) and Ti(O(i)Pr)(4) to 1. Reproducible results (43-47% ee/33-41% yields) for cis-1-acetyl-2-[(phenylseleno)(trimethylsilyl)methyl]cyclopropane (3a) were obtained using 1.1 equiv of TiCl(4), 0.54-0.65 equiv of Ti(O(i)Pr)(4), and 1.65 equiv of BINOL. The observed enantioselectivity was explained by consideration of the structure of the postulated intermediates, alkoxy titanium-carbonyl complexes, via ab initio MO calculations.     

Chiral 2,6-bis(oxazolinyl)pyridine-rare earth metal complexes as catalysts for highly enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of 2-benzopyrylium-4-olates

Significant levels of enantioselectivity were obtained in 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of 2-benzopyrylium-4-olate generated from the Rh(2)(OAc)(4)-catalyzed decomposition of o-methoxycarbonyl-alpha-diazoacetophenone. This reaction utilized chiral 2,6-bis(oxazolinyl)pyridine (Pybox)--rare earth metal triflate complexes as chiral Lewis acid catalysts. The reactions with several benzyloxyacetaldehyde derivatives catalyzed by a Sc(III)--Pybox-i-Pr complex (10 mol %) proceeded smoothly to yield endo-adducts selectively with high enantioselectivity (up to 93% ee). For the reaction with benzyl pyruvate, the Sc(III)-Pybox-i-Pr complex (10 mol %) catalyzed the reaction effectively in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (10 mol %) to yield an exo-adduct with both high diastereo- and enantioselectivity (94% ee). This catalytic system was efficiently applied to the reactions with several other alpha-keto esters with high exo- and enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). In contrast to the reaction with carbonyl compounds, Yb(III)--Pybox-Ph complex (10 mol %) was found to be effective to obtain high enantioselectivity (96% ee) of diastereoselectively produced exo-cycloadduct in the reaction with 3-acryloyl-2-oxazolidinone.     

Mild and selective vanadium-catalyzed oxidation of benzylic, allylic, and propargylic alcohols using air

Transition metal-catalyzed aerobic alcohol oxidation is an attractive method for the synthesis of carbonyl compounds, but most catalytic systems feature precious metals and require pure oxygen. The vanadium complex (HQ)(2)V(V)(O)(O(i)Pr) (2 mol %, HQ = 8-quinolinate) and NEt(3) (10 mol %) catalyze the oxidation of benzylic, allylic, and propargylic alcohols with air. The catalyst can be easily prepared under air using commercially available reagents and is effective for a wide range of primary and secondary alcohols.     

Catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of enones using La-BINOL-triphenylarsine oxide complex: structural determination of the asymmetric catalyst.

The catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of enones using the La-BINOL-Ph(3)As=O complex generated from La(O-i-Pr)(3), BINOL, and Ph(3)As=O in a ratio of 1:1:1 is described herein. Using 1-5 mol % of the asymmetric catalyst, a variety of enones, including a dienone and a cis-enone, were found to be epoxidized in a reasonable reaction time, providing the corresponding epoxy ketones in up to 99% yield and with more than 99% ee. The possible structure of the actual asymmetric catalyst has been clarified by various methods, including X-ray crystal structure analysis. This is the first X-ray analysis of an alkali-metal free lanthanoid-BINOL complex. Although La(binaphthoxide)(2)(Ph(3)As=O)(2) (7) was observed as the major complex in the complexes' solution, generated from La(O-i-Pr)(3), BINOL, and Ph(3)As=O in a ratio of 1:1:1, the possible active species turned out to be the La-BINOL-Ph(3)As=O complex in a ratio of 1:1:1. A probable reaction mechanism of the catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of enones is also proposed, suggesting that preferential formation of a heterochiral complex is the reason for asymmetric amplification. Moreover, the interesting role of La(O-i-Pr)(3) for accelerating the epoxidations while maintaining high ee's is discussed.     

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.     

BINOL-Salen-catalyzed highly enantioselective alkyne additions to aromatic aldehydes

[structure: see text] The BINOL-Salen compound (-)-1 can catalyze the addition of both aryl- and alkylalkynes to aromatic aldehydes at room temperature with high enantioselectivity (86-97% ee). The conditions for this catalytic process are both mild and simple. Unlike most other BINOL-based catalysts, using ligand (-)-1 not only avoids heating or cooling but also does not require the addition of Ti(O(i)Pr)(4).     

Heterobimetallic Bi(III)-Ti(IV) coordination complexes: synthesis and solid-state structures of BiTi4(sal)6(mu-OiPr)3(OiPr)4, and the cyclic isomers Bi4Ti4(sal)10(mu-OiPr)4(OiPr)4 and Bi8Ti8(sal)20(mu-OiPr)8(OiPr)8

The reaction of a 1:2 mixture of bismuth(III) salicylate with titanium(IV) isopropoxide in refluxing toluene has been investigated and found to proceed with ligand exchange to produce the new heterobimetallic complexes BiTi(4)(sal)(6)(mu-O(i)Pr)(3)(O(i)Pr)(4) (1), Bi(4)Ti(4)(sal)(10)(mu-O(i)Pr)(4)(O(i)Pr)(4) (2), and Bi(8)Ti(8)(sal)(20)(mu-O(i)Pr)(8)(O(i)Pr)(8) (3). Complex 1 is the major product, while 2 and 3 were identified as minor products from the reaction. Compound 1 is produced pure and in high yield by employing stoichiometric amounts of reagents; its crystal structure consists of a [Ti(4)(sal)(6)(O(i)Pr)(7)](3)(-) ion capped by a Bi(3+) ion. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibit cyclic ring structures of bismuth and titanium atoms showing crystallographically imposed inversion symmetry. Both structures occlude large quantities of lattice solvent. The compositional and structural parameters from the single crystal studies indicate that complexes 2 and 3 may represent sequential steps in a ligand exchange process between the two metal species, while the reactivity patterns that were observed provide clues about the solution state structure of bismuth(III) salicylate itself. The 2D COSY (1)H NMR spectrum of 1 indicates retention of the asymmetric structure in solution as evidenced by the presence of 14 diastereotopic isopropoxide methyl resonances.     

A terminal nickel(II) anilide complex featuring an unsymmetrically substituted amido pincer ligand: synthesis and reactivity

This work describes preparation and reaction chemistry of a terminal nickel(II) anilide complex supported by an unsymmetrically substituted diarylamido diphosphine ligand, [N(o-C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(o-C(6)H(4)P(i)Pr(2))](-) ([Ph-PNP-(i)Pr](-)). Treatment of NiCl(2)(DME) with H[Ph-PNP-(i)Pr] in THF at room temperature produced [Ph-PNP-(i)Pr]NiCl as green crystals in 82% yield. Salt metathesis of [Ph-PNP-(i)Pr]NiCl with LiNHPh(THF) in THF at -35 °C generated cleanly [Ph-PNP-(i)Pr]NiNHPh as a greenish blue solid. The anilide complex deprotonates protic (e.g., PhOH and PhSH) and aprotic (e.g., trimethylsilylacetylene, phenylacetylene, and acetonitrile) acids in benzene at room temperature to give quantitatively [Ph-PNP-(i)Pr]NiX (X = OPh, SPh, C≡CSiMe(3), C≡CPh, CH(2)CN). In addition, [Ph-PNP-(i)Pr]NiNHPh also behaves as a nucleophile to react with acetyl chloride to yield [Ph-PNP-(i)Pr]NiCl and N-phenylacetamide quantitatively. Carbonylation of [Ph-PNP-(i)Pr]NiNHPh with carbon monoxide affords cleanly the carbamoyl derivative [Ph-PNP-(i)Pr]Ni[C(O)NHPh]. The relative bond strengths of Ni-E in [Ph-PNP-(i)Pr]NiEPh (E = NH, O, S, C≡C) are assessed and discussed.     

Catalytic enantioselective Strecker reaction of ketoimines

A new method for the catalytic enantioselective Strecker reaction (cyanation) of N-diphenylphosphinoyl ketoimines is described. The asymmetric catalyst is a chiral gadolinium complex prepared from Gd(OiPr)3 and the d-glucose-derived ligand 3 in a 1:2 ratio. The reaction has a broad substrate generality, giving high enantioselectivity from aromatic, ethyl, primary alkyl, and alpha,beta-unsaturated ketoimines. The products could be easily converted to disubstituted alpha-amino acids and their derivatives.     

Enantioselective synthesis of β-pyrazole-substituted alcohols through an asymmetric ring-opening reaction of meso-epoxides

An efficient and practical synthesis of optically pure β-pyrazole-substituted alcohols was achieved by an asymmetric ring-opening reaction of meso-epoxides with pyrazole derivatives as the nucleophile. In the presence of 1?mol?% of an N,N'-dioxide-Sc(OTf)(3) complex, excellent enantioselectivity and yields were obtained from meso-epoxides. The process could also be used for a mixture of cis- and trans-stilbene oxides. A proposed transition-state model is provided.     

Crystal structure and morphology evolution in the LaXO3, X = Al, Ga, In nano-oxide series. Consequences for the synthesis of luminescent phosphors

The LaXO(3):Tb(3+) (X = Al(3+), Ga(3+), In(3+)) perovskite nanoparticles were obtained using the nonhydrolytic treatment (Bradley reaction) of the molecular precursors of the La(O(i)Pr)(3), Al(O(i)Pr)(3), Ga(O(i)Pr)(3), In(5)O(O(i)Pr)(13), and Tb(acac)(3), respectively. It was shown that crystal structure and morphology evolution in the LaXO(3), X = Al, Ga, In nano-oxide series depended on the size and chemical properties of the X-metal atom. Formation of the LaInO(3):Tb(3+) nanoparticles is distinctly less thermodynamically demanding on contrary to the LaAlO(3):Tb(3+) and LaGaO(3):Tb(3+) since it provided crystalline product directly in the solution synthesis at 202 °C, which is the lowest reported synthesis temperature for this compound up-to-date. This behavior was ascribed to the effects directly connected with the dopant substitution (exchange of bigger La(3+) cation with smaller Tb(3+)) as well as reduction of the particle size. The size effects are mostly reflected in the expansion of the cell volume, changes of the cell parameters as well as shifting and broadening of the Raman bands. Indirectly, size reduction has also an effect on the luminescence properties through the higher probability of presence of surface and net defects as well as heterogeneous distribution of the Tb(3+) ions caused by high surface-to-volume ratio. The prepared nanophosphors show basically green emission with exception of white-green in case of the LaInO(3):Tb(3+). Strong emission quenching was found in the latter case being most likely a consequence of the nonradiative energy transfer between Tb(3+) and In(3+) as well as the presence of defects. In comparison to the Pechini's method, the LaXO(3) nanoparticles required significantly lower annealing temperature (700 °C) necessary for complete crystallization. Generally the resulting particles are distinctly smaller (5 to 25 nm) and less agglomerated (50-100 nm) depending on the reaction conditions as well as thermal treatment. For the first time, it was shown that the LaGaO(3):Tb(3+) nanopowder has crystallized in the high-temperature rhombohedral R3c phase.     

A solid lithium electrolyte via addition of lithium isopropoxide to a metal-organic framework with open metal sites

The uptake of LiO(i)Pr in Mg(2)(dobdc) (dobdc(4-) = 1,4-dioxido-2,5-benzenedicarboxylate) followed by soaking in a typical electrolyte solution leads to the new solid lithium electrolyte Mg(2)(dobdc)·0.35LiO(i)Pr·0.25LiBF(4)·EC·DEC (EC = ethylene carbonate; DEC = diethyl carbonate). Two-point ac impedance data show a pressed pellet of this material to have a conductivity of 3.1 × 10(-4) S/cm at 300 K. In addition, the results from variable-temperature measurements reveal an activation energy of just 0.15 eV, while single-particle data suggest that intraparticle transport dominates conduction.     

Tert-butylamidinate tin(ii) complexes: high activity, single-site initiators for the controlled production of polylactide

The tin(ii) coordination chemistry of two monoanionic N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)alkylamidinate ligands is described. Complexation studies with the acetamidinate, [MeC(NAr)(2)](-), (Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)) are complicated by the side formation of the bis(amidinate) tin(ii) compound, [MeC(NAr)(2)](2)Sn. By contrast, the bulkier tert-butylamidinate, [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)](-), allows tin(ii) mono-halide, -alkoxide and -amide complexes to be isolated cleanly in high yields. Thus, the reaction of [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]H with (n)BuLi and subsequent treatment with SnCl(2) generates [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]SnCl, in ca. 70% yield. Reactions of with LiO(i)Pr, LiNMe(2) and LiNTMS(2) afford [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]Sn(O(i)Pr), [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]Sn(NMe(2)), and [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]Sn(NTMS(2)), respectively. The molecular structures of complexes are reported. Complexes, and have been investigated as initiators for the ring-opening polymerisation of rac-lactide: and display characteristics of well-controlled polymerisation initiators, but high molecular weight polymer is observed with due to inefficient initiation, a consequence of the steric bulk of the NTMS(2) unit. Polymerisations with and are faster than for the corresponding beta-diketiminate tin(ii) complexes, consistent with the more open nature of the tin(ii) coordination sphere.     

Highly enantioselective phenylacetylene additions to both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes

The readily available and inexpensive BINOL in combination with Ti(O(i)Pr)(4) is found to catalyze the reaction of an alkynylzinc reagent with various types of aldehydes including aliphatic aldehydes, aromatic aldehydes, and other alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes to generate chiral propargyl alcohols with 91-99% ee at room temperature. No previous chiral catalysts have exhibited such a broad scope of enantioselectivity with respect to the type of aldehydes for this reaction. [reaction: see text]