Direct enantioselective Michael addition of aldehydes to vinyl ketones catalyzed by chiral amines

Chiral amines such as (S)-2-[bis(3,5-dimethylphenyl)methyl]pyrrolidine and the C(2)-symmetric (2S,5S)-2,5-diphenylpyrrolidine can catalyze the direct enantioselective Michael addition of simple aldehydes to vinyl ketones. The conditions for this organocatalytic reaction have been optimized and it has been found that the chiral amines catalyze the formation of optically active substituted 5-keto aldehydes in good yields and enantioselectivities, using aldehydes and, e.g., methyl vinyl ketone as starting compounds. Taking into account that the chiral amine can activate the aldehyde and/or the enone, the mechanism for the reaction has been investigated. On the basis of intermediate synthesis, nonlinear effect, and theoretical investigations, the mechanism for the catalytic direct enantioselective Michael addition of aldehydes to vinyl ketones is discussed.     

A practical catalytic asymmetric addition of alkyl groups to ketones

Many catalysts will promote the asymmetric addition of alkylzinc reagents to aldehydes. In contrast, there are no reports of additions to ketones that are both general and highly enantioselective. We describe herein a practical catalytic asymmetric addition of ethyl groups to ketones. The catalyst is derived from reaction of camphor sulfonyl chloride and trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane. The resulting diketone is reduced with NaBH4 to give the C2-symmetric exo diastereomer. Use of this ligand with titanium tetraisopropoxide and dialkylzinc at room temperature results in enantioselective addition of the alkyl group to the ketone. The resulting tertiary alcohols are isolated with high enantiomeric excess (all cases give greater than 87% ee, except one). The reaction has been run with 37 mmol (5 g) 3-methylacetophenone and 2 mol % catalyst to afford 73% yield of the resulting tertiary alcohol with 99% ee.     

Catalytic asymmetric aziridination of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

The development, scope, and application of the highly enantioselective organocatalytic aziridination of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes is presented. The aminocatalytic azirdination of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes enables the asymmetric formation of β-formyl aziridines with up to >19:1 d.r. and 99% ee. The aminocatalytic aziridination of α-monosubstituted enals gives access to terminal α-substituted-α-formyl aziridines in high yields and up to 99% ee. In the case of the organocatalytic aziridination of disubstituted α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, the transformations were highly diastereo- and enantioselective and give nearly enantiomerically pure β-formyl-functionalized aziridine products (99% ee). A highly enantioselective one-pot cascade sequence based on the combination of asymmetric amine and N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis (AHCC) is also disclosed. This one-pot three-component co-catalytic transformation between α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, hydroxylamine derivatives, and alcohols gives the corresponding N-tert-butoxycarbonyl and N-carbobenzyloxy-protected β-amino acid esters with ee values ranging from 92-99%. The mechanisms and stereochemistry of all these catalytic transformations are also discussed.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric epoxidation reactions in water-alcohol solutions

The diastereo- and enantioselective organocatalytic epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes in aqueous solutions is presented. By the screening of the reaction conditions for the epoxidation of cinnamic aldehyde applying hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant and 2-[bis-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-trimethylsilanyloxy-methyl]-pyrrolidine as the catalyst, a highly stereoselective reaction has been developed. The scope of the diastereo- and enantioselective organocatalytic epoxidation in aqueous solutions is documented by the asymmetric epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes with enantioselectivities up to 96% ee.     

tert-Butyl esters of tripeptides based on Pro-Phe as organocatalysts for the asymmetric aldol reaction in aqueous or organic medium

The enantioselective aldol reaction between ketones and aldehydes constitutes one the most common reaction models for the evaluation of novel organocatalysts. The last few years, it has been shown that the organocatalytic aldol reaction can be performed in water. A family of tripeptides consisting of proline, phenylalanine, and tert-butyl esters of amino acids was successfully employed in this asymmetric transformation. The products of the reaction between various ketones and aldehydes were obtained in high yields (up to 99%) with excellent diastereo- (up to 97:3 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). The C-terminal amino acid determines the ability of the tripeptide (Pro-Phe-AA-O^tBu) to act efficiently in aqueous or organic medium.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric multi-component [C+NC+CC] synthesis of highly functionalized pyrrolidine derivatives

The highly chemo- and enantioselective organocatalytic [C+NC+CC] coupling process between aldehydes, dialkyl 2-aminomalonates and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes is presented. The reaction gives access to highly functionalized pyrrolidine derivatives in good yields with >10:1 dr and 90-98% ee.     

Synthesis of C3-symmetric tris(beta-hydroxy amide) ligands and their Ti(IV) complex-catalyzed enantioselective alkynylation of aldehydes

[reaction: see text]. A series of new chiral C3-symmetric tris(beta-hydroxy amide) ligands have been synthesized via the reaction of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic chloride and optically pure amino alcohols (up to 96% yield). The asymmetric catalytic alkynylation of aldehydes with these new C3-symmetric chiral tris(beta-hydroxy amide) ligands and Ti (O(i)'Pr)4 was investigated. Ligand 4c synthesized from (1R,2S)-(-)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol is effective for the enantioselective alkynylation of various aldehydes, and high enantioselectivity was obtained with aromatic aldehydes and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde (up to 92% ee).     

Synthesis of enantiopure axially chiral C3-symmetric tripodal ligands and their application as catalysts in the asymmetric addition of dialkylzinc to aldehydes

The enantioselective synthesis of a novel-type C(3)-symmetric tripodal ligand that is composed of a central mesitylene-derived core and three functionalized, axially chiral biaryl subunits is described. The triol (M,M,M)-3 is a suitable catalyst for the enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc to various aromatic aldehydes with asymmetric inductions of up to 98% ee.     

Organocatalytic highly enantioselective α-selenenylation of aldehydes

The highly enantioselective organocatalytic α-selenenylation of aldehydes is presented. The reaction gives access to α-phenylselenoaldehydes and β-selenoalcohols in high yields with up to >99% ee.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric 1,4-addition of aldehydes to acridiniums catalyzed by a diarylprolinol silyl ether

The organocatalytic enantioselective 1,4-addition of aldehydes to acridiniums catalyzed by diarylprolinol silyl ether was achieved to furnish chiral acridanes in both high yields (82-96%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee), which also provides the highly enantioselective intermolecular α-alkylation of aldehydes with acridiniums salt.     

Synthesis of novel C2-symmetric chiral crown ethers and their application to enantioselective trifluoromethylation of aldehydes and ketones

Synthesis of novel C2-symmetric chiral crown ethers and their application to enantioselective trifluoromethylation of aldehydes and ketones are discussed. The use of a series of C2-symmetric chiral crown ethers 2 or 3 derived from commercially available (R)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol for the enantioselective trifluoromethylation of 2-naphthyl aldehyde 1a with (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane in the presence of a base was attempted. Iodo-substituted crown ether 2b was found to be the most effective in the model reaction. Moderate enantioselectivities were observed for the trifluoromethylation of both aryl or alkyl aldehydes and alkyl aryl ketones in 21-44% ees. Although the ees are still improvable, this is the first example of a chiral crown ether-catalyzed enantioselective trifluoromethylation reaction.     

Structurally well-defined, recoverable C3-symmetric tris(beta-hydroxy phosphoramide)-catalyzed enantioselective borane reduction of ketones

[reaction: see text] A series of new chiral C(3)-symmetric tris(beta-hydroxy phosphoramide) ligands have been synthesized via the reaction of trisphosphoramide ester and Grignard reagents. The catalytic asymmetric borane reduction of ketones with these new C(3)-symmetric chiral tris(beta-hydroxy phosphoramide)s was investigated. Structurally well-defined, recoverable ligand 1d is an efficient catalyst for the enantioselective borane reduction of both electron-deficient and electron-rich ketones, and high enantioselectivities were achieved (up to 98% ee).     

Multifunctional asymmetric catalysis

Two types of general and practical enantioselective catalysts, namely, bimetallic complexes and Lewis acid-Lewis base bifunctional catalysts were developed based on the concept of multifunctional catalysis. In the first part of this review, the first example of a catalytic enatioselective nitro-Mannich reaction as well as a direct catalytic enantioselective aldol reaction of 2-hydroxyacetophenone using bimetallic complexes is discussed. The new complex, composed of ytterbium, potassium, and BINOL in a ratio of 1:1:3, promoted the nitro-Mannich reaction of nitromethane with up to 91% ee. On the other hand, second generation ALB catalyzed an enantioselective and diastereoselective nitro-Mannich reaction of nitroalkanes in up to 83% ee with a diastereomeric ratio up to 7:1. Moreover, the reaction of aldehydes with 2-hydroxyacetophenone in the presence of LLB, KHMDS, and H2O selectively gave the corresponding anti-alpha,beta-dihydroxy ketones in up to 95% ee and, in the presence of the catalyst prepared from linked-BINOL and 2 eq of Et2Zn, selectively afforded the syn-alpha,beta-dihydroxy ketones in up to 86% ee. In the second part, the development of new catalysts displaying a Lewis acidity and a Lewis basicity is described. The Lewis acid of the catalyst activates aldehydes, imines, acyl quinoliniums, and ketones. At the same time, the Lewis base activates the nucleophile (TMSCN). Catalysts of this type produced a highly enantioselective cyanation of these electrophiles. Application of the catalytic enantioselective cyanosilylation of aldehydes to a total synthesis of epothilones is also described.     

Direct organocatalytic asymmetric α-oxidation of ketones with iodosobenzene and N-sulfonyloxaziridines

The novel, direct amino acid-catalyzed α-oxidation of ketones with iodosobenzene and N-sulfonyloxaziridines is presented. A screen of several synthetically common oxidants revealed that iodosobenzene and N-sulfonyloxaziridines act as electrophiles in the direct organocatalytic asymmetric α-hydroxylation of ketones. The direct proline-catalyzed asymmetric α-oxidation of ketones with iodosobenzene yielded the corresponding α-hydroxylated ketones with up to 77% ee. Furthermore, several amino acid derivatives catalyze the stereoselective α-oxidation of ketones with N-sulfonyloxaziridines. For example, the direct diamine-catalyzed enantioselective α-hydroxylation of ketones with N-sulfonyloxaziridines furnished the corresponding α-hydroxylated products in moderate yield with up to 63% ee.     

Organocatalytic highly enantioselective synthesis of secondary alpha-hydroxyphosphonates

[reaction: see text] The first organocatalytic cross aldol reaction of ketones and diethyl formylphosphonate hydrate has been realized by using readily available l-prolinamide as the catalyst. Secondary alpha-hydroxyphosphonates have been synthesized in high enantioselective (up to >99% ee) and good diastereoselectivity.     

C2-Symmetric 4,4′,5,5′-Tetrahydrobi(oxazoles) and 4,4′,5,5′-Tetrahydro-2,2′-methylenebis[oxazoles] as Chiral Ligands for Enantioselective Catalysis Preliminary Communication

The synthesis of a series of enantiomerically pure, C₂-symmetric 4,4′,5,5′-tetrahydro-2,2′-methylenebis[oxazoles] and 4,4′,5,5′-tetrahydro-2,2′-bi(oxazoles) is reported. Copper complexes with anionic tetrahydromethylenebis[oxazole] ligands are efficient catalysts for the enantioselective cyclopropane formation from olefins and diazo compounds (up to 96% ee in the reaction of styrene with menthyl diazoacetate). Tetrahydrobi(oxazole)iridium(I) complexes were found to catalyze transfer hydrogenations of aryl alkyl ketones with i-PrOH (up to 91% ee). Tetrahydrobi(oxazole)palladium complexes can be used as enantioselective catalysts for allylic nucleophilic substitution (up to 77% ee in the reaction of PhCH?CHCH(OAc)Ph with NaHC(COOMe)₂).     

A route to 1,2-diols by enantioselective organocatalytic α-oxidation with molecular oxygen

A route to 1,2-diols by the direct organocatalytic enantioselective α-oxidation of aldehydes using molecular oxygen is presented. Protected commercially available chiral pyrrolidines catalyze the asymmetric α-oxidation of aldehydes with singlet molecular oxygen with high enantioselectivity to furnish the corresponding diols after in situ reduction in high yield with up to 98% ee. Electrophilic singlet molecular oxygen was photo or chemically generated (‘dark’ ¹O₂).     

Highly enantioselective direct aldol reaction catalyzed by cinchona derived primary amines

Highly enantioselective aldol reactions of aldehydes with cyclic ketones catalyzed by a primary amine derived from cinchonine are reported. Aromatic aldehydes reacted with various cyclic ketones cleanly to afford the anti-aldol adducts in up to 99% yield, with good diastereoselectivities (up to 9 : 1) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).     

Highly enantioselective organocatalytic addition of unmodified aldehydes to N-Boc protected imines: one-pot asymmetric synthesis of β-amino acids

Highly enantioselective catalytic routes to Boc protected β-amino aldehydes, β-amino acids and γ-amino alcohols are presented. The organocatalytic asymmetric reactions between unmodified aldehydes and N-Boc protected aryl imines proceed with excellent chemo- and enantioselectivities to give the corresponding compounds in high yields with up to >19:1 dr and 93% to >99% ee.     

Asymmetric catalyzed intramolecular aza-Michael reaction mediated by quinine-derived primary amines

An intramolecular organocatalytic enantioselective aza-Michael reaction of carbamates, sulfonamides and acetamides to a,b-unsaturated ketones was developed. This process is promoted by 9-amino-9-deoxy-epi-quinine and diphenyl hydrogen phosphate to afford a straightforward and expeditious synthesis of several synthetically useful five-and six-membered heterocycles with excellent enantioselectivity(92%–97.5% ee) and very good yields(up to 99%).