Direct catalytic asymmetric Mannich-type reaction of hydroxyketone using a Et2Zn/linked-BINOL complex: synthesis of either anti- or syn-beta-amino alcohols

Full details of a direct catalytic asymmetric Mannich-type reaction of a hydroxyketone using a Et2Zn/(S,S)-linked-BINOL complex are described. By choosing the proper protective groups on imine nitrogen, either anti- or syn-beta-amino alcohol was obtained in good diastereomeric ratio, yield, and excellent enantiomeric excess using the same zinc catalysis. N-Diphenylphosphinoyl (Dpp) imine 3 gave anti-beta-amino alcohols in anti/syn = up to >98/2, up to >99% yield, and up to >99.5% ee, while Boc-imine 4 gave syn-beta-amino alcohols in anti/syn = up to 5/95, up to >99% yield, and up to >99.5% ee. The high catalyst turnover number (TON) is also noteworthy. Catalyst loading was successfully reduced to 0.02 mol % (TON = up to 4920) for the anti-selective reaction and 0.05 mol % (TON = up to 1760) for the syn-selective reaction. The Et2Zn/(S,S)-linked-BINOL complex exhibited far better TON than in previous reports of catalytic asymmetric Mannich-type reactions. Mechanistic studies to clarify the reason for the high catalyst efficiency as well as transformations of Mannich adducts are also described.     

Camphor-based Schiff base ligand SBAIB: an enantioselective catalyst for addition of phenylacetylene to aldehydes

A series of Schiff base ligands were synthesized from (1R)-camphor. Under the optimal conditions, (+)-SBAIB-a, 10 was found to be an excellent catalyst for the enantioselective addition of phenylacetylene to various aldehydes without utilizing either achiral additives or Ti(O(i)Pr)(4). This approach yielded (R)-propargylic alcohols in extremely high yields (up to 99%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 92%). The corresponding (S)-propargylic alcohols were synthesized in good to high enantioselectivities (up to 91%) and excellent yields (up to 99%) using (-)-SBAIB-a, 41.     

Proline-based reduced dipeptides as recyclable and highly enantioselective organocatalysts for asymmetric Michael addition

A series of novel proline-based reduced dipeptides was developed and evaluated for a direct Michael addition of ketones and aldehydes to nitroalkenes. Excellent yields (up to 95%), diastereoselectivities (up to 98% dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee) were achieved in the presence of 5 mol% catalyst without any additional additives at room temperature.     

Oxazaborolidinium ion-catalyzed cyclopropanation of α-substituted acroleins: enantioselective synthesis of cyclopropanes bearing two chiral quaternary centers

A catalytic synthetic route to highly functionalized chiral cyclopropane derivatives was developed by Michael-initiated cyclopropanation of α-substituted acroleins with aryl- and alkyl diazoacetates. In the presence of chiral (S)-oxazaborolidinium cation 1b as a catalyst, the reaction proceeded in high yield (up to 93%) with high to excellent diastereoselectivity (up to 98% de) and enantioselectivity (up to 95% ee).     

Enantioselective synthesis of chiral sulfones by ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation: a facile approach to the preparation of chiral allylic and homoallylic compounds

A highly efficient and enantioselective Ir-catalyzed hydrogenation of unsaturated sulfones was developed. Chiral cyclic and acyclic sulfones were produced in excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). Coupled with the Ramberg-B?cklund rearrangement, this reaction offers a novel route to chiral allylic and homoallylic compounds in excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee) and high yields (up to 94%).     

Highly enantioselective synthesis of polysubstituted tetrahydroquinolines via organocatalytic Michael/Aza-Henry tandem reactions

Highly enantioselective chiral bifunctional thiourea catalyzed asymmetric tandem reactions for synthesis of substituted tetrahydroquinolines are described. Substituted tetrahydroquinolines were given in good yields (up to 98%), high enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee), and diastereoselectivities (up to 20:1 dr).     

Rationally designed organocatalyst for direct asymmetric aldol reaction in the presence of water

A rationally designed organocatalyst for direct asymmetric aldol reaction in the presence of water has been developed. High yield (up to 99%), diastereoselectivity (up to 99:1) and enantioselectivity (up to 97%) were obtained under optimal conditions.     

Asymmetric synthesis of spirocyclohexanone-pyrrolidine via AgI-catalysed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

Cinchonine was effectively used in an AgOAc-catalysed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with 2,6-bis(arylmethylidene) cyclohexanones, affording spiropyrrolidine derivatives with excellent yields (up to 99%), diastereoselectivities (up to 96:04 dr), and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).     

Synthesis and oxidation of sulfides based on (–)-caryophyllene oxide and <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butanethiol

An acid-catalyzed reaction of (–)-caryophyllene oxide with tert-butanethiol led to sulfides with the clovane structure of the sesquiterpene fragment in up to 63% yields. The oxidation of these sulfides gave sulfoxides in up to 38% yields (de 59%) and sulfones in up to 89%.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric cascade Michael/hemiketalization/retro-aldol reaction of 3-acetyl-oxindole with β,γ-unsaturated ketoesters catalyzed by bifunctional amino-squaramides

An unprecedented organocatalytic asymmetric Michael/Hemiketalization/retro-aldol cascade sequence catalyzed by bifunctional amino-squaramides is described. The corresponding adducts were generally obtained in high yields (up to 97%) with moderate diastereo- (up to 79:21 dr) and good enantioselectivities (up to 90% ee).     

Copper-catalyzed asymmetric oxidation of sulfides

Copper-catalyzed asymmetric sulfoxidation of aryl benzyl and aryl alkyl sulfides, using aqueous hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant, has been investigated. A relationship between the steric effects of the sulfide substituents and the enantioselectivity of the oxidation has been observed, with up to 93% ee for 2-naphthylmethyl phenyl sulfoxide, in modest yield in this instance (up to 30%). The influence of variation of solvent and ligand structure was examined, and the optimized conditions were then used to oxidize a number of aryl alkyl and aryl benzyl sulfides, producing sulfoxides in excellent yields in most cases (up to 92%), and good enantiopurities in certain cases (up to 84% ee).     

Catalytic, highly enantio- and diastereoselective pinacol coupling reaction with a new tethered bis(8-quinolinolato) ligand

A new class of chiral ligand, tethered bis(8-quinolinol) (TBOxH), is developed. Its chromium complex, TBOxCrCl (3 mol %), effectively catalyzes the pinacol coupling reaction of aromatic aldehydes at room temperature with high yield (up to 94%), high diastereoselectivity (up to dl:meso = 98:2), and high enantioselectivity (up to 98%). The scope of the present method turns out not to be limited to aromatic aldehyde derivatives, as cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde undergoes pinacolization as well (44% yield, dl:meso = 93:7, 84% ee). The method provides an efficient access to enantioenriched 1,2-diols.     

Design,Synthesis, and Application of Chiral C2‐Symmetric Spiroketal‐Containing Ligands in Transition‐Metal Catalysis

We present an expedient and economical route to a new spiroketal‐based C₂‐symmetric chiral scaffold, termed SPIROL. Based on this spirocyclic scaffold, several chiral ligands were generated. These ligands were successfully employed in an array of stereoselective transformations, including in iridium‐catalyzed hydroarylations (up to 95 % ee), palladium‐catalyzed allylic alkylations (up to 97 % ee), intermolecular palladium‐catalyzed Heck couplings (up to 94 % ee), and rhodium‐catalyzed dehydroalanine hydrogenation (up to 93 % ee).     

Design,Synthesis, and Application of Chiral C2‐Symmetric Spiroketal‐Containing Ligands in Transition‐Metal Catalysis

We present an expedient and economical route to a new spiroketal‐based C₂‐symmetric chiral scaffold, termed SPIROL. Based on this spirocyclic scaffold, several chiral ligands were generated. These ligands were successfully employed in an array of stereoselective transformations, including in iridium‐catalyzed hydroarylations (up to 95 % ee), palladium‐catalyzed allylic alkylations (up to 97 % ee), intermolecular palladium‐catalyzed Heck couplings (up to 94 % ee), and rhodium‐catalyzed dehydroalanine hydrogenation (up to 93 % ee).     

Highly stereoselective direct aldol reaction of 4-formylcoumarins with acetone catalyzed by L-proline in water–acetone mixtures

Organocatalyzed direct intermolecular aldol reactions have been developed for substituted 4-formylcoumarins with acetone in water using L-proline and phthalimido-prolinamide catalysts without use of additives. Stereoselective products obtained were in excellent yields (up to 97%) with high purity (up to 99%) and enatioselectivities (up to 95%). The isolated compounds were confirmed by infrared, NMR, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry and some of them by single-crystal x-ray crystallography.     

Rhodium catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to β,γ-unsaturated α-keto ester using chiral tert-butanesulfinylphosphines ligands

Rh-Catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-selective addition of arylboronic acids to β,γ-unsaturated α-keto ester was developed using chiral tert-butanesulfinylphosphine as ligand, good yields (up to 87%), good 1,4-regioselectivities (up to 96:4), and high enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee) were achieved.     

A highly organocatalytic stereoselective double Michael reaction: efficient construction of optically enriched spirocyclic oxindoles

An effective double Michael reaction has been disclosed to access spirocyclic oxindoles in high yields (up to 98%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee).     

Practical copper-catalyzed N-arylation of amines with 20% aqueous solution of n-Bu4NOH

N-Arylation of a wide variety of amines with phenylboronic acid catalyzed by copper acetate under 20%aqueous solution of n-Bu₄NOH was accomplished in good to excellent yields（up to 92%） and substrate conversions（up to 96%）.     

Organocatalyzed Cascade Aza‐Michael/Michael Addition for the Asymmetric Construction of Highly Functionalized Spiropyrazolone Tetrahydroquinolines

An organocatalyzed diastereo‐ and enantioselective cascade aza‐Michael/Michael addition of 2‐tosylaminoenones to unsaturated pyrazolones has been developed to afford novel chiral spiropyrazolone tetrahydroquinolines containing three contiguous stereocenters. This cascade reaction proceeded well with 2 mol % chiral bifunctional tertiary amine squaramide catalyst to give the desired products in excellent yields (up to 99 %) with excellent diastereoselectivity (up to >25:1 diastereomeric ratio) and high enantioselectivity (up to 91 % enantiomeric excess).     

Cymantrene-based iminodiamidophosphites: the first phosphite-type ligands with planar chirality

Optically active phosphite-type ligands with planar chirality have been synthesized for the first time. The new cymantrene-based P,N-iminodiamidophosphites demonstrated high enantioselectivity in the Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylallyl acetate with dimethyl malonate (up to 94% ee), pyrrolidine (up to 78% ee) and sodium para-toluene sulfinate (up to 84% ee).