Kinetic and Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Racemic Tertiary Bromides by Pentanidium‐Catalyzed Phase‐Transfer Azidation

We have developed a method to afford enantiomerically enriched tertiary azides and bromides through pentanidium‐catalyzed kinetic resolution (KR) of racemic tertiary bromides under base‐free conditions. We found that the absence of water is crucial to attain a high selectivity factor (s). On the other hand, new experimental observations and DFT modeling led us to propose that enantioconvergent azidation of tertiary bromides proceeded through dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR). The investigations particularly identified the crucial roles of base and water in the enantioconvergent process, thus supporting the proposal that the tertiary bromide isomerizes in the presence of base and water through a S_N2X pathway.     

Nickel-Catalyzed Tunable Enantioconvergence and Kinetic Resolution in the Coupling of Tertiary Cyclobutenols with Arylboroxines

We report that a nickel catalyst system with a modified 1,1′-spirobiindane-7,7′-diol-phosphoramidite (SPINOL) as the chiral ligand can enable the coupling of tertiary cyclobutenols and arylboroxines in an enantioconvergent manner, providing cyclobutenes with an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter in good yields (up to 84 % yield) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee). Moreover, the catalytic system can be applied in the kinetic resolution of cyclobutenols under slightly modified conditions, giving enantioenriched tertiary cyclobutenols with an s factor of up to >200. The reaction uses free hydroxyl groups as the leaving group without additional activation while the strained ring remains untouched. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that the inherent discrepant reactivity of the two enantiomers is the key to the controllable enantioconvergent and kinetic resolution process.     

A Cationic Ruthenium Complex for the Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols

A synthetic protocol making use of a well‐defined cationic ruthenium complex 2 enabling the racemization of enantiomerically pure secondary alcohols in the presence of a weak base (K₂CO₃) is described. The compatibility of 2 with Candida Antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435) allows the development of an efficient dynamic kinetic resolution of sec‐alcohols in the absence of an additional strong base. This procedure involves the first example of a dynamic kinetic resolution of alcohols in the presence of a cationic ruthenium catalyst. In addition, we describe the conversion of ketones to the enantioenriched acetates in a one‐pot reaction, probing the versatility of complex 2 .     

(S)‐Selective Kinetic Resolution and Chemoenzymatic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols

(S)‐Selective kinetic resolution was achieved through the use of a commercially available protease, which was activated with a combination of two different surfactants. The kinetic resolution (KR) process was optimized with respect to activation of the protease and to the acyl donor. The KR proved to be compatible with a range of functionalized sec‐alcohols, giving good to high enantiomeric ratio values (up to >200). The enzymatic resolution was combined with a ruthenium‐catalyzed racemization to give an (S)‐selective dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of sec‐alcohols. The DKR process works under very mild reaction conditions to give the corresponding esters in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.     

A C=O⋅⋅⋅Isothiouronium Interaction Dictates Enantiodiscrimination in Acylative Kinetic Resolutions of Tertiary Heterocyclic Alcohols

A combination of experimental and computational studies have identified a C=O???isothiouronium interaction as key to efficient enantiodiscrimination in the kinetic resolution of tertiary heterocyclic alcohols bearing up to three potential recognition motifs at the stereogenic tertiary carbinol center. This discrimination was exploited in the isothiourea‐catalyzed acylative kinetic resolution of tertiary heterocyclic alcohols (38 examples, s factors up to >200). The reaction proceeds at low catalyst loadings (generally 1 mol %) with either isobutyric or acetic anhydride as the acylating agent under mild conditions.     

Kinetic Resolution of Racemic Allylic Alcohols by Catalytic Asymmetric Substitution of the OH Group with Monosubstituted Hydrazines

A new strategy has been established for the kinetic resolution of racemic allylic alcohols through a palladium/sulfonyl‐hydrazide‐catalyzed asymmetric OH‐substitution under mild conditions. In the presence of 1 mol % [Pd(allyl)Cl]₂, 4 mol % (S)‐SegPhos, and 10 mol % 2,5‐dichlorobenzenesulfonyl hydrazide, a range of racemic allylic alcohols were smoothly resolved with selectivity factors of more than 400 through an asymmetric allylic alkylation of monosubstituted hydrazines under air at room temperature. Importantly, this kinetic resolution process provided various allylic alcohols and allylic hydrazine derivatives with high enantiopurity.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Arylation of Racemic Ketones to Form Bridged Bicycles via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

Enantioselective α‐arylation of racemic ketones containing existing α′‐stereocenters is reported for the first time via base‐induced dynamic kinetic resolution. Bridged bicyclic rings are formed in good ee values, which are difficult to obtain otherwise. Furthermore, reactions in DMSO‐d₆ resulted in extensive deuteration of both α‐ and α′‐positions in the products, thus supporting a pathway involving rapid, reversible deprotonation of ketones under catalytic conditions.     

Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Heterobiaryl Ketones by Zinc‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrosilylation

A diastereo‐ and highly enantioselective dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of configurationally labile heterobiaryl ketones is described. The DKR proceeds by zinc‐catalyzed hydrosilylation of the carbonyl group, thus leading to secondary alcohols bearing axial and central chirality. The strategy relies on the labilization of the stereogenic axis that takes place thanks to a Lewis acid–base interaction between a nitrogen atom in the heterocycle and the ketone carbonyl group. The synthetic utility of the methodology is demonstrated through stereospecific transformations into either N,N‐ligands or appealing axially chiral, bifunctional thiourea organocatalysts.     

Lipase‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of C1‐ and C2‐Symmetric Racemic Axially Chiral 2,2′‐Dihydroxy‐1,1′‐biaryls

We have discovered that the racemization of configurationally stable, axially chiral 2,2′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐biaryls proceeds with a catalytic amount of a cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complex at 35–50 °C. Combining this racemization procedure with lipase‐catalyzed kinetic resolution led to the first lipase/metal‐integrated dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic axially chiral biaryl compounds. The method was applied to the synthesis of various enantio‐enriched C₁‐ and C₂‐symmetric biaryl diols in yields of up to 98 % and enantiomeric excesses of up to 98 %, which paves the way for new developments in the field of asymmetric synthesis.     

Isothiourea-Catalysed Regioselective Acylative Kinetic Resolution of Axially Chiral Biaryl Diols

An operationally simple isothiourea-catalysed acylative kinetic resolution of unprotected 1,1′-biaryl-2,2′-diol derivatives has been developed to allow access to axially chiral compounds in highly enantioenriched form (s values up to 190). Investigation of the reaction scope and limitations provided three key observations: i) the diol motif of the substrate was essential for good conversion and high s values; ii) the use of an α,α-disubstituted mixed anhydride (2,2-diphenylacetic pivalic anhydride) was critical to minimize diacylation and give high selectivity; iii) the presence of substituents in the 3,3′-positions of the diol hindered effective acylation. This final observation was exploited for the highly regioselective acylative kinetic resolution of unsymmetrical biaryl diol substrates bearing a single 3-substituent. Based on the key observations identified, acylation transition state models have been proposed to explain the atropselectivity of this kinetic resolution.     

Guanidine–Copper Complex Catalyzed Allylic Borylation for the Enantioconvergent Synthesis of Tertiary Cyclic Allylboronates

An enantioconvergent synthesis of chiral cyclic allylboronates from racemic allylic bromides was achieved by using a guanidine–copper catalyst. The allylboronates were obtained with high γ/α regioselectivities (up to 99:1) and enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee), and could be further transformed into diverse functionalized allylic compounds without erosion of optical purity. Experimental and DFT mechanistic studies support an S_N2′ borylation process catalyzed by a monodentate guanidine–copper(I) complex that proceeds through a special direct enantioconvergent transformation mechanism.     

A Practical Aryl Unit for Azlactone Dynamic Kinetic Resolution: Orthogonally Protected Products and A Ligation‐Inspired Coupling Process

The first strategy for bringing about enantioselective azlactone dynamic kinetic resolution to generate orthogonally protected amino acids has been developed. In the presence of a C₂‐symmetric squaramide‐based catalyst, benzyl alcohol reacts with novel yet readily prepared tetrachloroisopropoxycarbonyl‐substituted azlactones to generate trapped phthalimide products of significant synthetic interest with excellent enantiocontrol. These materials are masked amino acids which are demonstrably orthogonally protected: cleavage of the phthalimide can be achieved in the presence of the ester and vice versa. This process could be utilized to bring about a highly stereoselective ligation‐type coupling of protected serines (at stoichiometric loadings) with racemic azlactones derived from both natural and abiotic amino acids. After deprotection, a subsequent base‐mediated O→N acyl transfer occurs to form a dipeptide.     

Kinetic Resolution of Racemic Mandelic Acid Esters by N,N′‐Dioxide–Scandium‐Complex‐Catalyzed Enantiomer‐Selective Acylation

A simple and efficient acylative kinetic resolution of racemic mandelic acid esters was accomplished with a chiral N,N’‐dioxide–scandium(III) complex under mild and base‐free reaction conditions. A variety of mandelic acid esters performed well in the reaction, obtaining both acylated products (up to 49% yield, 97% ee) and recovered substrates (up to 49% yield, 95% ee) in high enantioselectivities with perfect selectivity factors (up to 247). The enantioselective recognition and catalytic models were also proposed for the catalytic KR reaction.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Desymmetrization of meso‐Alkynyl Diols and Kinetic Resolution of the Corresponding dl‐Diols: Effects of Celite Filtration and Silver Salts

The asymmetric desymmetrization of meso‐2‐alkynylbenzenediols through the use of a combination of axially chiral diphosphine(AuCl)₂ precatalysts and silver salt co‐catalysts gave optically active isochromene compounds with high enantioselectivities in good yields. The corresponding dl ‐diol isomers underwent efficient kinetic resolution to give the cyclized isochromenes and recovered diols with high enantioselectivities under similar conditions. The high reactivity and selectivity in the desymmetrization of the meso‐diols is independent of the combination of axially chiral diphosphine(AuCl)₂ precatalyst and silver salt co‐catalyst, whereas the corresponding tricarbonylchromium complexes of alkynylbenzenediols were affected by the combination of the diphosphine(AuCl)₂ and silver salt. The reactivity was largely dependent on the nature of the gold(I) species.     

Isothiourea‐Catalysed Acylative Kinetic Resolution of Aryl–Alkenyl (sp2 vs. sp2) Substituted Secondary Alcohols

The non‐enzymatic acylative kinetic resolution of challenging aryl–alkenyl (sp² vs. sp²) substituted secondary alcohols is described, with effective enantiodiscrimination achieved using the isothiourea organocatalyst HyperBTM (1 mol %) and isobutyric anhydride. The kinetic resolution of a wide range of aryl–alkenyl substituted alcohols has been evaluated, with either electron‐rich or naphthyl aryl substituents in combination with an unsubstituted vinyl substituent providing the highest selectivity (S=2–1980). The use of this protocol for the gram‐scale (2.5 g) kinetic resolution of a model aryl–vinyl (sp² vs. sp²) substituted secondary alcohol is demonstrated, giving access to >1 g of each of the product enantiomers both in 99:1 e.r.     

手性铝试剂促进的β-环氧醇动力学拆分研究

首次以手性联萘酚修饰的三乙基铝为催化剂对消旋的β-环氧醇的动力学拆分进行了研究, 初步研究结果表明其回收原料的ee值可达60%. 同时研究了不同条件下三乙基铝与手性配体形成的手性路易斯酸对β-环氧醇的动力学拆分的影响, 并探讨了在三乙基铝催化下的反应机理.     

A Nonenzymatic Kinetic Resolution of (±)-trans-2-Arylcyclohexanols via Esterification Using Polymer-Supported DCC,DMAP, and 3β-Acetoxyetienic Acid

A nonenzymatic kinetic resolution of (±)-trans-2-arylcyclohexanols was carried out by esterification using polymer-supported N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), and 3β-acetoxyetienic acid. The efficiency of the kinetic resolution was comparable to the enzymatic method when arylcyclohexanols bearing a condensed-aromatic ring were used.

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Asymmetric Synthesis of 2-Arylindolines and 2,2-Disubstituted Indolines by Kinetic Resolution

Kinetic resolution of 2-arylindolines (2,3-dihydroindoles) was achieved by treatment of their N-tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) derivatives with n-butyllithium and sparteine in toluene at −78 °C followed by electrophilic quench. The unreacted starting materials together with the 2,2-disubstituted products could be isolated with high enantiomer ratios. Variable temperature NMR spectroscopy showed that the rate of Boc rotation was fast (ΔG^≠≈57 kJ/mol at 195 K). This was corroborated by DFT studies and by in situ ReactIR spectroscopy. The enantioenriched N-Boc-2-arylindolines were converted to 2,2-disubstituted products without significant loss in enantiopurity. Hence, either enantiomer of the 2,2-disubstituted products could be obtained with high selectivity from the same enantiomer of the chiral ligand sparteine (one from the kinetic resolution and the other from subsequent lithiation-trapping of the recovered starting material). Secondary amine products were prepared by removing the Boc group with acid to provide a way to access highly enantioenriched 2-aryl and 2,2-disubstituted indolines.     

Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution of 2‐Amido Benzyl Alcohols: Asymmetric Synthesis of 4H‐3,1‐Benzoxazines

An efficient method for the asymmetric synthesis of 4H‐3,1‐benzoxazines was developed by kinetic resolution of 2‐amido benzyl alcohols using chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed intramolecular cyclizations. A broad range of benzyl alcohols (both secondary and tertiary alcohols) were kinetically resolved with high selectivities, with an s factor of up to 94. Mechanistic studies were performed to elucidate the mechanism of these reactions, wherein the amide moieties reacted as the electrophiles. Gram‐scale reaction and facile transformations of the chiral products demonstrate the potential of this method in asymmetric synthesis of biologically active chiral heterocycles.     

New Chiral Auxiliaries for Dynamic Kinetic Resolution: From Theory to Experiment

New efficient chiral auxiliaries for dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of bromides into amines are proposed, based on a theoretical rationalisation of known literature results. One example was synthesized and tested, affording diastereoselectivities up to 100 %. Several results of DKR reactions are known, based on oxazolidinone or imidazolidinone units as chiral auxiliaries. Nevertheless, their behaviour was not fully understood until a recent paper that we published. We now used our proposed mechanism to rationalize the behaviour of other similar chiral auxiliaries and to propose small structure changes in imidazolidinone rings which could largely improve their performance. We could show that the good performance of these molecules as chiral auxiliaries for DKR reactions where bromine is the leaving group and a primary or secondary amine is the nucleophile is due, in a first step, to the formation of a hydrogen bond between the amine and the ring carbonyl oxygen and, in a second step, to the strong electrostatic interaction between the leaving bromide and the carbonyl oxygen in the C‐3 substituent. Considering the behaviour of this substituent which rotates to minimize the electrostatic repulsion with the bromide when reaching the transition state, we proposed the introduction of a second substituent in the C‐4 position of the imidazolidinone ring, which prevents such rotation, thus increasing the energy difference between the transition states of the two distereoisomers. With such an auxiliary we were able to increase the best de known in literature (88 %), when benzylamine is used as nucleophile, to 99, or even 100 %, when iodide replaces the bromide in the substrate.