2-Methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid,a powerful chiral auxiliary for enantioresolution of alcohols and determination of their absolute configurations by the 1H NMR anisotropy method

Racemic 2-methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid (1, MαNP acid) was enantioresolved as its esters derived from various chiral alcohols. For example, a diastereomeric mixture of esters prepared from (±)-1 and (1R,3R,4S)-(−)-menthol was easily separated by HPLC on silica gel yielding esters (−)-2a and (−)-2b, the separation factor α=1.83 being unusually large. The ¹H NMR chemical shift differences, Δδ=δ(R)–δ(S), between diastereomers 2a and 2b, are much larger than those of conventional chiral auxiliaries, e.g. Mosher’s MTPA and Trost’s MPA acids. This acid 1 is therefore very powerful for determining the absolute configuration of chiral alcohols by the ¹H NMR anisotropy method. Solvolysis of the separated esters yielded enantiopure acids (S)-(+)-1 and (R)-(−)-1, which are useful for enantioresolution of racemic alcohols.     

Optically active 1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethanols and ethane-1,2-diols by enantiotopic selective bioreductions

Enantiotopic selective reduction of 1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethanones 1a–d, 1-(benzofuran-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethanones 4a–c and 2-acetoxy-1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethanones 3a–c was performed by baker's yeast for preparation of optically active (benzofuran-2-yl)carbinols [(S)-5a–d, (S)-6a–c and (R)-6a–c, enantiomeric excess from 55 to 93% ee].     

(R)- and (S)-3-Hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinone as chiral auxiliaries in the enantioselective preparation of α-aryloxypropanoic acid herbicides and α-chlorocarboxylic acids

rac-α-Chlorocarboxylic acids, rac-9a–e, were formally deracemized by reaction of the corresponding acyl chlorides with the chiral auxiliaries (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinone, (R)- and (S)-4, followed by mild alkaline hydrolysis. The highest o.p. (99%) was obtained in the case of (S)-α-chloropropanoic acid, a known precursor for the synthesis of (R)-α-aryloxypropanoic acid herbicides such as dichlorprop-P, (R)-3a, or mecoprop-P, (R)-3b, which, together with their enantiomers, were also obtained in moderate e.e.s by dynamic kinetic resolution from (αRS,3S)-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxo-1-phenylpyrrolidin-3-yl α-bromopropanoate, (αRS,3S)-6, by reaction with the corresponding phenoxide followed by mild acid hydrolysis.     

Kinetic resolution of 1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethanols by lipase-catalyzed enantiomer selective reactions

Kinetic resolution of racemic 1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethanols rac-1a–d was performed by lipase-catalyzed enantiomer selective acylation (E≫100) yielding (1R)-1-acetoxy-1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethanes (R)-2a–d and (1S)-1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethanols (S)-1a–d in highly enantiopure form. The degree of enantiomer selectivity for enzymatic alcoholysis/hydrolysis processes starting from racemic 1-acetoxy-1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethane rac-2 was also tested under various conditions including supercritical CO₂ medium. Racemization-free lipase-catalyzed ethanolysis of the (1R)-1-acetoxy-1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethanes (R)-2a–d yielded almost quantitatively the enantiopure (1R)-1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethanols (R)-1a–d.     

Synthesis and epimerization of 10-N-(6-deoxy-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranos-6-yl)-(11aS)-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5,11-dione

The reaction of the 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-6-O-tosyl-α-d-galactopyranose 2 with (11aS)-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5,11-dione 1, prepared from l-proline and isatoic anhydride, gave two products which were previously reported as conformational isomers. In this work, an X-ray crystallographic study showed these to be the diastereomeric pair (11aS)- and (11aR)-10-N-(6-deoxy-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranos-6-yl)-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5,11-diones as a consequence of C(11a) epimerization in the benzodiazepine moiety during glycosylation under basic reaction conditions. The hydrosolubility of the deprotected products were compared with those of the analogous benzodiazepine derivatives.     

Highly diastereoselective alkylation,acylation and aldol condensation of cis- and trans-(N-acyloyl)hexahydrobenzoxazolidin-2-ones

The potential of hexahydrobenzoxazolidinones 1a–d as chiral auxiliaries was explored. N-Acylation of 1a–d, 2a–d and 3a–d was followed by methylation and benzylation via the corresponding sodium enolates generated by treatment with NaHMDS. Diastereoselectivities of 98% or higher were observed. The absolute configuration of the newly created stereogenic center was established by chemical correlation with 2-benzyl-1-propanol. The stereochemical results are congruent with addition to the electrophile from the less hindered face of a (Z)-configured enolate, the sodium cation being coordinated by both carbonyl oxygens of the substrate. cis- and trans-N-Propionyl derivatives 2a–d were treated with Bu₂BOTf/Et₃N to give dialkylboron enolates 6a–d, which were then reacted with acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde. ¹H and ¹³C NMR analyses showed the formation of a single diastereomeric aldol addition product, whose relative configuration was ascertained as syn from the measurement of the ³J_{H(2′)/H(3′)} coupling constants, and whose absolute configuration was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The results are rationalized in terms of a Zimmerman–Traxler transition state, with a (Z)-configured enolate where boron is coordinated to the aldehyde carbonyl rather than the oxazolidinone carbonyl. Substrate 2a was also reacted with acyl chlorides via the sodium enolate (NaHMDS). The effect of reaction conditions on O- versus C-acylation, as well as the influence of solvent and additives on diastereoselectivity, are discussed.     

Synthesis of chiral 1- and 2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-3-trimethylsilyloxybuta-1,3-dienes and their behaviour in Diels–Alder cycloadditions

The synthesis of (±)-(E)-1-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-3-trimethylsilyloxybuta-1,3-diene 1 and (S_S)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-3-trimethylsilyloxybuta-1,3-diene 2 and their reactions with cyclic dienophiles are described. Cycloaddition of diene 1 with N-methylmaleimide 10 was performed under pressure affording a complex reaction mixture from which two epimers at C-3′, (±)-11a and (±)-11b [2,3,3a,4,5,7a-hexahydro-2-methyl-7a-(1-methylsuccinimide-3-yl)-1H-isoindole-1,3,5-triones], were isolated in equal amounts. Diene (±)-1 cycloadded to the more reactive 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione 14 at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. However, nothing can be said about the stereochemical outcome of this addition since the loss of the chiral auxiliary via the sulfoxide–sulfenate rearrangement gave the bicyclic α,β-unsaturated ketone 17 (2-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,2-a]pyridazine-1,3,6-trione). Diels–Alder cycloaddition of enantiopure diene 2 with 10 occurred under pressure leading to a diastereomeric mixture of adducts where the trimethylsilyl enol ether moiety spontaneously evolved to the ketone function. The major enantiopure product 18a [(3aS,6S,7aR,R_S)-2-methyl-6-(p-tolylsulfinyl)perhydroisoindole-1,3,5-trione] was isolated and characterized. Cycloadditions of both dienes to dienophile 10 appear highly stereoselective.     

The cooperative effect of a hydroxyl and carboxyl group on the catalytic ability of novel β-homoproline derivatives on direct asymmetric aldol reactions

Novel β-homoproline derivatives, 2-hydroxy-2-(pyrrolidin-2-yl)acetic acids (R,S)- and (S,S)-1a-d, were synthesized. All of the prepared compounds were used as organocatalysts in the direct asymmetric aldol reaction of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde with several ketones. Among these catalysts, (R)-2-hydroxy-2-((S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl)acetic acid (R,S)-1a showed good catalytic ability in the formation of aldol product 13 (up to 69% ee, 95% yield), which was similar to the results catalyzed by l-proline (71% ee, 96% yield). Relatively low yields and low enantioselectivities were observed in aldol reactions catalyzed by (S,S)-1a, for example, 13 was obtained in 55% yield and 13% ee. The aldol reaction catalyzed by the methyl-protected carboxylic acid 1b and esters 1c,d produced much lower chemical yields and enantioselectivities during the formation of 13. The cooperative effect of the (R)-configured hydroxyl group and the carboxyl group was found to play an important role in inducing enantioselectivity in the aldol reaction. Relatively high diastereoselectivities (anti:syn = 85:15) and enantioselectivity (anti, 83% ee) were observed in the aldol reactions of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde with cyclohexanone, which was catalyzed by (R,S)-1a.     

Chiral solvating properties of (S)-1-benzyl-6-methylpiperazine-2,5-dione

In CDCl₃ solution, enantiopure (S)-1-benzyl-6-methylpiperazine-2,5-dione (S)-1a formed diastereomeric CO⋯H–N hydrogen-bonded associates with racemic (RS,Z)-1-benzyl-3-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]piperazine-2,5-diones 2a and 2b, (RS)-tert-butyl pyroglutamate (RS)-2c and (RS)-N-benzoylalanine methyl ester (RS)-2d. This resulted in splitting (doubling) of the characteristic signals in the ¹H NMR and ¹³C spectra of racemic compounds 2a–d in the presence of 1 equiv of (S)-1a. The formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers in CDCl₃ solution was studied by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and 2D NMR and confirmed by the intermolecular NOE observed between the hydrogen-bonded amide protons from each of the monomeric units, (S)-1a and 2a–c. On the other hand, a slightly different binding mode was proposed for association of (S)-1a with alaninamide (RS)-2d. Enantiomer compositions of known (weighed) mixtures of both enantiomers of tert-butyl pyroglutamate 2c were re-determined by ¹H NMR in the presence of (S)-1a in CDCl₃. The experimental values were in good agreement with the theoretical values, thus indicating the potential applicability of (S)-1a and related diketopiperazines as chiral solvating agents in NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure diethyl (R)- and (S)-2-hydroxy-3-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propylphosphonates

The synthesis and ee determination of diethyl 3-azido-2-hydroxypropylphosphonates from 2,3-epoxypropylphosphonates have been optimised. Enantiomerically enriched diethyl (R)- and (S)-2-hydroxy-3-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propylphosphonates (R)-3a–j and (S)-3a–h as well as (S)-3j were synthesised from diethyl (R)- and (S)-2,3-epoxypropylphosphonates in a reaction sequence including azidolysis followed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with selected alkynes.     

Practical and efficient synthesis of the (R)-atropisomer of a 4-phenyl 1,2,4-triazole derivative as a selective GlyT1 inhibitor

Herein we describe a novel and efficient method for synthesizing the (R)-atropisomer of 3-[3-ethyl-5-(6-phenylpyridin-3-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl]-2-methylbenzonitrile 1, a novel GlyT1 inhibitor. The diastereomeric salt formation of 3-[3-ethyl-5-(6-phenylpyridin-3-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl]-2-methylbenzoic acid 7 with (1R,2S)-(?)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol afforded the desired (R)-atropisomer. We also report the determination of the absolute configuration of (R)-7 by powder X-ray diffraction.     

Asymmetric synthesis of β-amino acids through application of chiral sulfoxide

This paper describes asymmetric synthesis of β-aminophenylpropionic acid through application of a homochiral sulfoxide auxiliary. High kinetically controlled (3R,2S,R_S)-diastereoselectivity (−60°C) is achieved during addition of the lithium enolate of tert-butyl (+)-(R)-p-toluenesulfinylacetate to substituted N-(benzylidene)toluene-4-sulfonamides 2a–2d. The reductive cleavage of adduct 3a with sodium amalgam yielded tert-butyl 3-(toluene-4-sulfonamido)-3-phenylpropionate 5a, which was subjected to ester hydrolysis and subsequent detosylation with sodium in liquid ammonia to yield (S)-β-aminophenylpropionic acid in good yield and high 91% e.e.     

Photoinduced electron transfer-initiated asymmetric cyclization of N-benzoyl-α-dehydronaphthylalanine alkyl esters carrying chiral and bulky auxiliaries

The irradiation of the title compounds [(Z)-1] having (S)-(+)-sec-butyl, (−)-mentyl and related chiral auxiliaries in methanol and 1,2-dichloroethane containing 2-(diethylamino)ethanol afforded chiral auxiliary-substituted (4S,5S)-, (4R,5R)-, (4R,5S)- and (4S,5R)-4,5-dihydrooxazole derivatives (2) along with (E)-1. It was found that the photoinduced electron transfer-initiated cyclization of 1 gives either of the two diastereomers for cis-2 and trans-2 in diastereomeric excess whose value varies from 6% to 81% depending on solvent and chiral auxiliary.     

(1-Benzylpiperazin-2-yl)methanols: novel EPC synthesis from (S)-serine and transformation into ligands for central nervous system receptors

A novel three-step synthesis of 4-substituted-(1-benzylpiperazin-2-yl)methanols 5a–5c is described starting from the methyl ester of the proteinogenic amino acid (S)-serine, which involves the diastereomeric oxazolidine derivatives 11a–11c as key intermediates. 5b and 5c were transformed into the chiral, non-racemic bicyclic lactams 14b and 14c via Swern oxidation followed by Wittig reaction and subsequent hydrogenation. In the screening for central nervous system receptor affinity the butyl derivative 14b was found to have promising interaction with σ₁-receptors (K_i=345 nM).     

Efficient synthesis of (S)-(−)- and (R)-(+)-enantiomers of 15-deoxyspergualin (15-DSG)

An efficient synthesis of the (S)-(−)- and (R)-(+)-enantiomers of 15-deoxyspergualin (15-DSG) is reported. The synthesis involves preparative HPLC separation and subsequent hydrogenolysis of two diastereoisomers 10a and 10b of fully protected 15-DSG penultimates. Alternatively, diastereomerically pure amide 10b (97% de) was also prepared from acid 8b (97% de), which was obtained via crystallization of a 1:1 diastereomeric mixture of 8a and 8b.     

Synthesis and configuration of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor roscovitine and its enantiomer

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (R)-2-(6-benzylamino-9-isopropyl-9H-purin-2-ylamino)butan-1-ol (roscovitine, 1a), as well as its (S)-enantiomer 1b, were synthesised. The chemical structure and absolute configuration of both enantiomers was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, high enantiomeric excess (>98%) was demonstrated by chiral chromatography of 1a and 1b, as well as NMR analysis of the diastereomeric Mosher's ester derivatives 2a and 2b.     

Resolution of 1-arylalkylamines with 6-(1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranosyl)hydrogen phthalate

The resolving ability of a new acidic resolving agent, the hydrogen phthalate of 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranose 1, against various 1-arylalkylamines 2a–k is described. Treatment of 1 with amines 2a–f to obtain diastereomeric salts 1·(S)2a–f in 2-propanol allowing the corresponding (S)-amines 2a–f to be recovered in good yield and 61–89% ee. Recrystallization in dichloromethane/hexane, and regeneration gave the amines in enhanced enantiomeric purity (>98% ee). 1 resolved 1-phenylpropylamine 2f in high enantiomeric purity (99% ee) than 1-phenylethylamine 2g (11% ee) and o- and m-methoxy 2h–i, o-chloro-2j and p-fluoro-2k substituted 1-arylamines (11–19% ee). A possible chiral recognition mechanism based on the ability of 1 to exist in two conformations is described.     

Resolution of 3-methyl-3-phospholene 1-oxides by molecular complex formation with TADDOL derivatives

The antipodes of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-3-phospholene 1-oxide 1a were separated in good yield and in high enantiomeric excess (∼99% ee) by resolution via formation of diastereomeric complexes with (4R,5R)-(−)- and (4S,5S)-(+)-4,5-bis(diphenylhydroxymethyl)-2,2-dimethyldioxolane 2 (TADDOL) or (−)-(2R,3R)-α,α,α′,α′-tetraphenyl-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decan-2,3-dimethanol 3. The method was also suitable for the resolution of the 1-ethoxy-3-phospholene derivative 1b, suggesting that our novel procedure may be of general value, both for the resolution of chiral phosphine oxides and phosphinates.     

Asymmetric route to spirotetracyclic (1S)-5′,11′-dihydro-3H-spiro[cyclopentane-1,10′-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten]-3-one derivatives

A new synthetic pathway to the final compound 1-[(1S)-5’,11’-dihydrospiro[cyclopentane-1,10’-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten]-3-yl]-3-azetidinecarboxylic acid (1) was set up. The two preparative chiral HPLC separations needed in the first route were successfully avoided and replaced by two diastereomeric crystallizations of intermediate compounds 5 and 10.     

Lipase mediated enantiomer and diastereomer separation of 2,2′-[1,2- and 1,3-phenylenebis(oxy)]dicyclohexanols

Separation of diastereomeric and enantiomeric mixtures of 2,2′-[1,2- and 1,3-phenylenebis(oxy)]dicyclohexanols rac-3a and meso-3a, and rac-3b and meso-3b—resulting from the reactions of pyrocatechol 1a and resorcinol 1b with cyclohexene oxide 2—were performed using acetylation catalyzed by the highly stereoselective Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435). The absolute configurations of the resulting diols (S,S,S,S)-3a,b, monoacetates (R,R,S,S)-4a,b and diacetates (R,R,R,R)-5a,b were assigned on the basis of the steric analogy to the acetylation of racemic trans-2-phenoxycyclohexanol rac-6 with the same enzyme resulting in the known acetate (−)-(R,R)-7.