Composition of the activated complex in the stereoselective deprotonation of cyclohexene oxide by a chiral lithium amide

Chiral lithium amides are being developed for stereoselective synthesis of chiral allylic alcohols in high yields and with high enantiomeric excess. However, rational design of the amides for improved stereoselectivity by computational methods, for example, has not been possible due to lack of knowledge of the activated complexes involved in the reactions. Kinetic results are presented for the stereoselective deprotonation by lithium (S)-1-(2-pyrrolidinylmethyl)pyrrolidide (1-Li) of cyclohexene oxide 2, in diethyl ether (DEE), to form (S)-2-cyclohexen-1-ol (S)-3 in high enantiomeric excess. The results show that the rate limiting activated complex is composed of one lithium amide monomer and one molecule of 2 and presumably a solvent molecule. The diamine 1 is found to catalyze the deprotonation.     

A new chiral lithium amide based on (S)-2-[1-(3,3-dimethyl)pyrrolidinylmethyl]pyrrolidine—synthesis,NMR studies and use in the enantioselective deprotonation of cyclohexene oxide

A new chiral lithium amide has been designed starting from (S)-proline. This new chiral lithium amide has been used for asymmetric deprotonation/ring opening of cyclohexene oxide to give (S)-2-cyclohexen-1-ol in 88% yield and 78% enantiomeric excess. NMR studies of the lithium amide and the ligand–substrate complex are also presented.     

Composition and structure of activated complexes in stereoselective deprotonation of cyclohexene oxide by a mixed dimer of chiral lithium amide and lithiated imidazole

Stereoselective deprotonation of cyclohexene oxide, using a mixed dimer built of the chiral lithium amide, lithium (1R,2S)-N-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinyl-propanamide, and 2-lithio-1-methylimidazole, has been studied. The composition of the rate limiting activated complex was determined by kinetics to be built from one mixed dimer molecule and one epoxide molecule. Based on this knowledge computational chemistry has been applied to gain insight into possible structures of the activated complexes.     

MM3 force field prediction of the enantioselective preference in the asymmetric synthesis of a chiral 2-cyclohexen-1-ol using a chiral lithium amide reagent

Enantioselective preference in the asymmetric synthesis where cyclohexene oxide is transformed enantioselectively to chiral (S)- or (R)-2-cyclohexen-1-ol by the reaction with the appropriate chiral lithium amide reagent has been evaluated theoretically using the MM3 force field. The plausible possible structures for each precursor (reaction intermediate complex) leading to a (S)- or (R)-2-cyclohexen-1-ol have been optimized with the extended MM3 force field applicable to the lithium amide functional group, and the populations of their (S)- or (R)-reaction intermediate complexes at an ambient temperature (298 K) were calculated. The initial structure for evaluating the reaction intermediates of this asymmetric synthesis was constructed on the basis of the optimized ab initio transition state structure (MP2/6-31+G^∗) comprising lithium amide LiNH₂ and propene oxide. To the thus obtained transition state structure composed of LiNH₂ and propene oxide, the other remaining Cartesian coordinates for the actual reaction intermediates composed of the chiral lithium amides and cyclohexene oxide were added to make the reaction intermediate structure. The conformational search for the reaction intermediate has been carried out by using the Stochastic search Algorithm, and the optimized geometries and their conformational energies (steric energies) have been calculated by the MM3 force field. The populations calculated from the conformational energies of the reaction intermediate leading to the (S)- or (R)-2-cyclohexen-1-ol were shown to be linearly well correlated with the experimentally reported enantiomer excess (% ee) values. The critical factors to control the enantioselectivity were investigated on the basis of the optimized structures of the reaction intermediate complexes. The MM3 force field approach was shown to be applicable to the theoretical evaluation of the enantioselectivity and be useful for designing a new functional chiral lithium amide reagent for the asymmetric synthesis.     

Homo- and heterocomplexes of sodium and lithium amides--structures in solution

Addition of the chiral amine (S)-methyl(1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinoethyl)[15N]amine (1) to a large excess of nBuNa resulted in the formation of a mixed sodium amide/nBuNa complex. This is the first observation of such a complex. Addition of nBuLi to the chiral sodium amide dimer 3 gave a new mixed lithium/sodium amide 5. The use of 15N,6Li coupling constants showed that the lithium in 5 occupied the tetracoordinated site. The use of chiral sodium amide 3 in the desymmetrization of cyclohexene oxide gave a modest enantiomeric excess (ee) of 37%. The corresponding lithium amide gave an ee of 70% of the same enantiomer. This is the first example of the comparison of asymmetric induction by sodium as cation with that of lithium.     

Investigation of site selectivity of the stereoselective deprotonation of cyclohexene oxide using kinetic resolution of isotopic enantiomers in natural abundance

Stereoselective deprotonation of epoxides with lithium amides can occur by abstraction of protons from more than one site. The site selectivity of the deprotonation of cyclohexene oxide by several chiral and achiral lithium amides has been investigated. ²H NMR has been used to measure the relative abundances of the isotopomers of the epoxide containing one deuterium. An isotopic stereoisomer, with deuterium in the site undergoing abstraction, reacts slower than its enantiomer and other isotopomers having protium in the same site due to a kinetic isotope effect. This results in a kinetic resolution yielding a relative excess of the less reactive isotopic stereoisomer. Thus, the relative abundance of such an enantiomer increases when compared with those having protium at the site in question as the reaction proceeds. It can be concluded that deprotonation of cyclohexene oxide using some chiral- and non-chiral lithium amides occurs by β_syn-deprotonation.     

Imidazolium-based chiral ionic liquids: synthesis and application

Synthesis of chiral ionic liquids containing an imidazole nucleus and chiral centers on N-substituents is reported. [(2S,3S)-2,3-Dihydroxybutane-1,4-bis(3-butylimidazolium)]-[bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide]₂ and [(4S,5S)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-bis(1-methylimidazolium)]-[bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide]₂ induced enantioselectivity in the Michael addition of malonic esters to chalcones.     

Aggregation behavior of imidazolium-based chiral surfactant in aqueous solution

A novel imidazolium-based chiral surfactant with a Y-type hydrophobic chain, (S)-(+)-1-(2,3-bis(octanoyloxy)propyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bopmim]Cl), was synthesized. The aggregation behavior of [Bopmim]Cl in aqueous solution was then investigated by surface tension, electrical conductivity, ¹H NMR, and fluorescence measurements. Compared with [C₁₂mim]Cl, the critical micelle concentration for [Bopmim]Cl is lower, indicating that the novel chiral surfactant has superior capacity to form micelles. A larger value of pC ₂₀, a greater minimum area per surfactant molecule (A _min), a smaller degree of counterion binding (β), and a looser aggregate are caused by the relatively larger Y-type hydrophobic chain of [Bopmim]Cl. Furthermore, analysis of the ¹H NMR spectra revealed that the introduced Y-type hydrophobic chain may prevent the hydrophobic group from forming an extended chain configuration and cause a changeover from trans to gauche conformations upon micellization. The micelles of the novel chiral surfactant may provide some potential applications in the stereochemical recognition of surfaces or of biological structures.     

Computational study of solvation and stereoselectivity in deprotonation of cyclohexene oxide by a chiral lithium amide

A detailed computational investigation of possible activated complexes in the epoxide opening of cyclohexene oxide by a chiral lithium amide is presented. Transition states for the two routes giving (S)- and (R)-alkoxides with and without solvent have been calculated. Geometry optimizations at PM3 and HF/3-21G levels of theory, and single point calculations at B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level have been used. The experimentally obtained stereoselectivity is semi-quantitatively reproduced at all levels except PM3//PM3. The factors found to control the stereoselectivity are solvation and some non-bonded interactions other than those previously proposed.     

Double asymmetric induction as a mechanistic probe: the doubly diastereoselective conjugate addition of enantiopure lithium amides to enantiopure α,β-unsaturated esters and enantiopure α,β-unsaturated hydroxamates

The doubly diastereoselective conjugate addition of the antipodes of lithium N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide to a range of enantiopure α,β-unsaturated esters [derived from Corey’s 8-phenylmenthol chiral auxiliary] and enantiopure α,β-unsaturated hydroxamates [derived from our ‘chiral Weinreb amide’ auxiliary (S)-N-1-(1′-naphthyl)ethyl-O-tert-butylhydroxylamine] has been used as a mechanistic probe to determine the reactive conformations of these acceptors.     

Enantioselective synthesis of fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors with 1,3-disubstituted butan-2-one scaffold

Fatty acid amide hydrolase is a key enzyme in the inactivation of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory endocannabinoid anandamide. Previously, the chiral compound 1-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-3-(4-phenylphenoxy)butan-2-one was identified as a potent inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase and is therefore of interest as a potential agent against pain and inflammation. Two different approaches for the enantioselective synthesis of fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors with a 1,3-disubstituted butan-2-one scaffold were carried out. The first one uses the chiral epoxide 2-[1-(4-phenylphenoxy)ethyl]oxirane with an (R)- or (S)-configuration at the exocyclic stereocenter as central intermediates. These substances were obtained by separation of the non-stereoselectively synthesized epoxide into its racemic diastereomers by reversed phase chromatography followed by Jacobsen’s hydrolytic kinetic resolution of each enantiomer with the (S)-configured oxirane ring. Furthermore, a chiral pool based enantioselective synthesis was developed. In that case, the starting compound for both target enantiomers was methyl 3,4-O-isopropylidene-l-threonate. In comparison to the first approach, the chiral pool synthesis consisted of more steps, but generated the enantiomers with much better enantiomeric excess. Biological evaluation showed that the (R)-enantiomer inhibits isolated fatty acid amide hydrolase with a 200-fold higher activity than the (S)-enantiomer.     

Diastereoselective cyclocarbonylation of isopulegol by palladium(II) complexes containing no chiral ligands

The cyclocarbonylation of isopulegol catalyzed by palladium(II) complexes containing no chiral ligands produces the two compounds (1R,5R or 5S,6S,9R)-5,9-dimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[4.4.0]decan-3-one with a diastereoisomeric excess up to 60%. X-Ray diffraction of the 5S stereoisomer, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and NOE measurements have allowed complete characterization of the two diastereoisomers. These results gave more details about the mechanism of cyclocarbonylation, and particularly the role of the OH group in the substrate.     

Lithium enolates from a (−)-quinic acid-derived cyclohexanone with a β-alkoxy leaving group: regioselective preparation and evaluation of enolate stability towards β-elimination

Deprotonation of a (−)-quinic acid-derived ketone {(2S,3S,4aR,8R,8aS)-8-[(tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl)oxy]-2,3-dimethoxy-2,3-dimethylhexahydro-1,4-benzodioxin-6(5H)-one} using lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LHMDS) at −78 °C gave one regioisomeric enolate. The regiocontrol is governed by the axial β-silyloxy substituent and the resulting lithium enolate is stable towards β-elimination at temperatures up to −40 °C. It was found that the axial β-silyloxy group could be conveniently eliminated using 2.1 equiv of LHMDS at 0 °C for 1 h and that an equatorial β-alkoxy group was much more resistant to β-elimination. A chiral lithium amide base was used to overturn the inherent regioselectivity of ketone deprotonation with LHMDS.     

trans-Dichlorobis{(1R,4S)-1,7,7-trimethyl-3-[(S)-α-methylbenzylimino]bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one-N}Palladium(II): Synthesis and structural examination

A reaction of (1R,4S)-1,7,7-trimethyl-3-[(S)-α-methylbenzylimino]bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one with lithium tetrachloropalladate gave a chiral palladium(II) complex with monodentate coordination of the organic ligand. The structure of the complex was confirmed by NMR spectra and X-ray diffraction data.     

Diastereo- and enantioselective aldol reaction of granatanone (pseudopelletierine)

Granatanone (granatan-3-one, 9-methyl-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one, pseudopelletierine or pseudopelletrierin) undergoes deprotonation with lithium amides giving a lithium enolate, which reacts with aldehydes diastereoselectively giving exclusively exo isomers and anti/syn selectivity up to 98:2. Granatanone can be enantioselectively lithiated by chiral lithium amides and the resulting non-racemic enolate can be reacted with aldehydes giving aldols with enantiomeric excess up to 93% (99% ee after recrystallization). The absolute and relative configuration of the aldol products was determined by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis.Granatanone; aldol reaction; asymmetric synthesis; enantioselective deprotonation; chiral lithium amide.     

Synthesis of enantiomeric pure lithium and potassium benzamidinate complexes

A new synthesis leading to the chiral amidines (S,S)- and (R,R)-N,N-bis-(1-phenylethyl)benzamidine ((S)- and (R)-HPEBA) in good yields is presented. Further reaction of (S)-HPEBA with n-BuLi gave the chiral lithium salt (S)-LiPEBA. Treatment of KH with (S)-HPEBA in boiling THF afforded the corresponding potassium salt (S)-KPEBA. In contrast by performing the reaction in boiling toluene a fast racemization was observed. In the solid state racemic KPEBA formed a dimer, in which all four nitrogen atoms are in a plane. To each potassium atom a toluene molecule is η⁶-coordinated.     

An improved synthesis of deuterated Schöllkopf’s bis-lactim ether and its use for the asymmetric synthesis of (R)-[α-2H]-phenylalanine methyl esters

Treatment of (S)-3-isopropyl-2,5-dimethoxy-3,6-dihydropyrazine with trifluoroacetic acid in MeOD results in regioselective deuteration at its C₆-position affording its corresponding (S)-[6-²H₂]-isotopomer in excellent yield with no loss of stereochemical integrity at its C₃-stereocentre. The lithium aza-enolate of this deuterated chiral template has been alkylated with a range of substituted benzyl bromides to afford (3S,6R)-[6-²H]-3-isopropyl-6-benzyl-bis-lactim ethers that were hydrolysed to afford their corresponding (R)-[α-²H]-phenylalanine methyl esters as hydrochloride salts in good yield.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (1R,2S)- and (1S,2R)-1-amino-cis-3-azabicyclo[4.4.0]decan-2,4-dione hydrochlorides: bicyclic glutamic acid derivatives

Asymmetric synthesis of (1R,2S)- and (1S,2R)-1-amino-cis-3-azabicyclo[4.4.0]decan-2,4-diones has been achieved. The underlying second generation asymmetric synthesis proceeds via a Strecker reaction with commercially available (R)-1-phenylethylamine (1-PEA) as chiral auxiliary, TMSCN as cyanide source and racemic ethyl 2-(2-oxocyclohex-1-yl)ethanoate. A ring closure addition-elimination reaction between an amide nitrogen and the ester functionality leads to the 1-amino-3-azabicyclo[4.4.0]decan-2,4-diones. The absolute configurations of the title compounds have been assigned based on detailed NMR-spectroscopic analysis and X-ray data.     

Synthesis of some new tertiary amines and their application as co-catalysts in combination with l-proline in enantioselective Baylis-Hillman reaction between o-nitrobenzaldehyde and methyl vinyl ketone

A chiral benzodiazepine derivative 1 was synthesized starting from o-nitrobenzoyl chloride and methyl l-prolinate hydrochloride. Diastereomeric (1R,2R,1′S)-(+)-2-[N-methyl-N-(α-phenylethyl)amino]cyclohexanol 3a and (1S,2S,1′S)-(+)-2-[N-methyl-N-(α-phenylethyl)amino]cyclohexanol 3b were synthesized starting from (S)-α-phenylethylamine and cyclohexene oxide via ring-opening, diastereomer separation and N-methylation. (S,S)-octahydrodipyrrolo[1,2-a:1′,2′-d]pyrazin 5 was synthesized from methyl l-prolinate. Chiral tertiary amines 1, 3a, 3b and 5 almost cannot catalyze the Baylis-Hillman reaction between o-nitrobenzaldehyde and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK). However, they functioned as efficient catalysts for this reaction in the presence of l-proline. The corresponding adducts were obtained in good yields with enantioselectivity of 83% ee, 81% ee, 51% ee and 66% ee, respectively.     

Solvent effects on the mixed aggregates of chiral 3-aminopyrrolidine lithium amides and alkyllithiums

The condensation of n-butyllithium on o-tolualdehyde in the presence of a chiral 3-aminopyrrolidine lithium amide led to the expected alcohol with ee strongly dependent on the solvent (THF, diethylether and toluene). A NMR and theoretical study of this effect was undertaken to rationalize these results. The addition of two equivalents of methyllithium to a 3-aminopyrrolidine [benzhydryl-(1-benzylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-amine] led, in THF-d₈ and at −90 °C, to an exo aza-norbornyl-type mixed aggregate, similar to that characterized previously between the lithium amide and n-butyllithium in the same solvent. In diethyl ether, a non-covalent complex presenting a comparable exo topology was obtained despite a ∼1 ppm high-field drift of the chemical shift of one of its two ⁶Li nuclei (Li²). The progressive addition of THF to the medium brought the Li² signal back to its original value, suggesting that this atom could also be the target of the incoming aldehyde. When reacting the same aminopyrrolidine with MeLi and BuLi in toluene, the expected lithium amide was recovered, apparently under two forms, which did not aggregate with the excess MeLi or BuLi until THF was added to the medium. Reacting the aminopyrrolidine with n-butyllithium, which is more soluble in toluene, led to a comparable complex. Finally, a discussion on the interaction between a mixed aggregate and the aldehyde, based on a theoretical analysis of the solvation energies of the two lithium atoms by three different ethers, is proposed.