Reagent controlled addition of chiral sulfur ylides to chiral aldehydes

The degree of reagent and substrate control in the reaction of chiral sulfur ylides with chiral aldehydes has been investigated. Specifically, the reactions of the two enantiomers of the chiral benzyl sulfonium salt 1 with glyceraldehyde acetonide were studied in detail. Of the two new stereogenic centers created, it was found that the C1 stereochemistry was largely controlled by the reagent, whereas control at the C2 center was dependent on the aldehyde used. In one case, the trans isomer was produced via reversible formation of the intermediate betaine, whereas in the alternative case, the C2 center was under Felkin Anh/Cornforth control through non-reversible formation of the betaine. Thus, the aldehyde stereocenter influenced the degree of reversibility in betaine formation, which impacted on the stereocontrol at the C2 position.     

Asymmetric sulfonium ylide mediated cyclopropanation: stereocontrolled synthesis of (+)-LY354740

The reaction of ester-stabilized sulfonium ylides with cyclopentenone to give (+)-5 ((1S,5R,6S)-ethyl 2-oxobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-6-carboxylate), an important precursor to the pharmacologically important compound (+)-LY354740, has been studied using chiral sulfides operating in both catalytic (sulfide, Cu(acac)2, ethyl diazoacetate, 60 degrees C) and stoichiometric modes (sulfonium salt, base, room temperature). It was found that the reaction conditions employed had a major influence over both diastereo- and enantioselectivity. Under catalytic conditions, good enantioselectivity with low diastereoselectivity was observed, but under stoichiometric conditions low enantioselectivity with high diastereoselectivity was observed. When the stoichiometric reactions were conducted at high dilution, diastereoselectivity was reduced. This indicated that base-mediated betaine equilibration was occurring (which is slow relative to ring closure at high dilution). Based on this model, conditions for achieving high enantioselectivity were established as follows: use of a preformed ylide, absence of base, hindered ester (to reduce ylide-mediated betaine equilibration), and low concentration. Under these conditions high enantioselectivity (95 % ee) was achieved, albeit with low diastereocontrol. Our model for selectivity has been applied to other sulfonium ylide mediated cyclopropanation reactions and successfully accounts for the diastereoselectivity observed in all such reported reactions to date.     

Enantio- and diastereoselectivities in chiral sulfur ylide promoted asymmetric aziridination reactions

Density functional theory investigation on the factors controlling enantio- and diastereoselection in asymmetric aziridination reaction by the addition of chiral bicyclic sulfur ylides to substituted aldimines is presented. High levels of enantioselection are predicted toward the formation of (2S,3S)-cis and (2R,3S)-trans aziridines by the addition of stabilized ylide (R = COMe) respectively to SO2Me and CO2Me protected aldimines. Similarly, high %ee is predicted for the formation of (2S,3R)-cis aziridines from semistabilized (R = Ph) ylide. Moderate to high levels of diastereoselectivity is noticed as well. The present study highlights that a correct prediction on extent of enantioselection requires the knowledge of the activation barriers for elementary steps beyond the initial addition step. In the case of stabilized ylides the ring-closure (or elimination of sulfur compound) is found to be crucial in controlling enantio- and diastereoselection. A cumulative effect of electronic as well as other weak interactions is identified as factors contributing to the relative energies of transition states leading to enantio- and diastereomeric products for the stabilized ylide addition to aldimines. On the contrary, steric control appears quite dominant with semistabilized ylide addition. With the smallest substituent on ylide (R = Me), high enantioselectivity is predicted for the formation of (2R,3R)-trans aziridines although the %de in this case is found to be very low.     

A new protocol for the in situ generation of aromatic,heteroaromatic, and unsaturated diazo compounds and its application in catalytic and asymmetric epoxidation of carbonyl compounds. Extensive studies to map out scope and limitations,and rationalization of diastereo- and enantioselectivities

A variety of metalated tosylhydrazone salts derived from benzaldehyde have been prepared and were reacted with benzaldehyde in the presence of tetrahydrothiophene (THT) (20 mol %) and Rh(2)(OAc)(4) (1 mol %) to give stilbene oxide. Of the lithium, sodium, and potassium salts tested, the sodium salt was found to give the highest yield and selectivity. This study was extended to a wide variety of aromatic, heteroaromatic, aliphatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated, and acetylenic aldehydes and to ketones. On the whole, high yields of epoxides with moderate to very high diastereoselectivities were observed. A broad range of tosylhydrazone salts derived from aromatic, heteroaromatic, and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes was also examined using the same protocol in reactions with benzaldehyde, and again, good yields and high diastereoselectivities were observed in most cases. Thus, a general process for the in situ generation of diazo compounds from tosylhydrazone sodium salts has been established and applied in sulfur-ylide mediated epoxidation reactions. The chiral, camphor-derived, [2.2.1] bicyclic sulfide 7 was employed (at 5-20 mol % loading) to render the above processes asymmetric with a range of carbonyl compounds and tosylhydrazone sodium salts. Benzaldehyde tosylhydrazone sodium salt gave enantioselectivities of 91 +/- 3% ee and high levels of diastereoselectivity with a range of aldehydes. However, tosylhydrazone salts derived from a range of carbonyl compounds gave more variable selectivities. Although those salts derived from electron-rich or neutral aldehydes gave high enantioselectivities, those derived from electron-deficient or hindered aromatic aldehydes gave somewhat reduced enantioselectivities. Using alpha,beta-unsaturated hydrazones, chiral sulfide 7 gave epoxides with high diastereoselectivities, but only moderate yields were achieved (12-56%) with varying degrees of enantioselectivity. A study of solvent effects showed that, while the impact on enantioselectivity was small, the efficiency of diazo compound generation was influenced, and CH(3)CN and 1,4-dioxane emerged as the optimum solvents. A general rationalization of the factors that influence both relative and absolute stereochemistry for all of the different substrates is provided. Reversibility in formation of the betaine intermediate is an important issue in the control of diastereoselectivity. Hence, where low diastereocontrol was observed, the results have been rationalized in terms of the factors that contribute to the reduced reversion of the syn betaine back to the original starting materials. The enantioselectivity is governed by ylide conformation, facial selectivity in the ylide reaction, and, again, the degree of reversibility in betaine formation. From experimental evidence and calculations, it has been shown that sulfide 7 gives almost complete control of facial selectivity, and, hence, it is the ylide conformation and degree of reversibility that are responsible for the enantioselectivity observed. A simple test has been developed to ascertain whether the reduced enantioselectivity observed in particular cases is due to poor control in ylide conformation or due to partial reversibility in the formation of the betaine.     

Asymmetric Sulfonium Ylide Mediated Cyclopropanation: Stereocontrolled Synthesis of (+)‐LY354740

The reaction of ester‐stabilized sulfonium ylides with cyclopentenone to give (+)‐ 5 ((1S,5R,6S)‐ethyl 2‐oxobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane‐6‐carboxylate), an important precursor to the pharmacologically important compound (+)‐LY354740, has been studied using chiral sulfides operating in both catalytic (sulfide, Cu(acac)₂, ethyl diazoacetate, 60 °C) and stoichiometric modes (sulfonium salt, base, room temperature). It was found that the reaction conditions employed had a major influence over both diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity. Under catalytic conditions, good enantioselectivity with low diastereoselectivity was observed, but under stoichiometric conditions low enantioselectivity with high diastereoselectivity was observed. When the stoichiometric reactions were conducted at high dilution, diastereoselectivity was reduced. This indicated that base‐mediated betaine equilibration was occurring (which is slow relative to ring closure at high dilution). Based on this model, conditions for achieving high enantioselectivity were established as follows: use of a preformed ylide, absence of base, hindered ester (to reduce ylide‐mediated betaine equilibration), and low concentration. Under these conditions high enantioselectivity (95 % ee) was achieved, albeit with low diastereocontrol. Our model for selectivity has been applied to other sulfonium ylide mediated cyclopropanation reactions and successfully accounts for the diastereoselectivity observed in all such reported reactions to date.     

Carboxylate-stabilised sulfur ylides (thetin salts) in asymmetric epoxidation for the synthesis of glycidic acids. Mechanism and implications

The reaction of carboxylate-stabilised sulfur ylides (thetin salts) with aldehydes and ketones has been investigated. Using both achiral and chiral sulfur ylides, good yields were obtained with dimsylsodium or LHMDS as bases in DMSO or THF-DMSO mixtures. However, the enantioselectivities observed with a camphor-based sulfide were only moderate (up to 67%). The reaction was studied mechanistically by independent generation of the betaine (via the hydroxyl sulfonium salt) in the presence of a more reactive aldehyde, which resulted in incorporation of the more reactive aldehyde and showed that betaine formation was reversible. Thus, the moderate enantiomeric excess observed is a consequence of the enantiodifferentiating step being the ring closure step rather than the betaine forming step. We had expected betaine formation might be non-reversible because a carboxylate-stabilised ylide has only slightly higher stability than a phenyl-stabilised ylide, which does largely react non-reversibly with aldehydes. Evidently, a carboxylate-stabilised ylide is significantly more stable than a phenyl-stabilised ylide and as such reacts reversibly with aldehydes.     

Computational investigations on the general reaction profile and diastereoselectivity in sulfur ylide promoted aziridination

Mechanism and diastereoselectivity of sulfur ylide promoted aziridination reactions were studied by density functional theory with inclusion of solvent effects through the continuum solvation model. The general reaction pathway was modeled for the addition of substituted sulfur ylides (Me(2)S(+)CH(-)R) to an aldimine ((E)-methyl ethylidenecarbamate, MeHC=NCO(2)Me). The nature of the substituents on the ylidic carbon atom substantially affects the reaction profile. The stabilized (R=COMe) and semistabilized (R=Ph) ylides follow a cisoid addition mode leading to trans aziridines via anti betaine intermediates. The simplest model ylide (unstabilized, R=H) underwent cisoid addition in a similar fashion. In the case of stabilized ylides product diastereoselectivity is controlled by the barriers of the elimination step leading to the 2,3-trans aziridine, whereas it is decided in the addition step in the case of semistabilized ylides. The importance of steric and electronic factors in diastereoselective addition (2 and 5) and elimination (5) transition states was established. Comparison of results obtained with the gas-phase optimized geometries and with the fully optimized solvent-phase geometries reveals that the inclusion of solvent effects does not bring about any dramatic changes in the reaction profiles for all three kinds of ylides. In particular, diastereoselectivity for both kinds of ylides was found to be nearly the same in both these approaches.     

Mechanism and diastereoselectivity of aziridine formation from sulfur ylides and imines: a computational study

A computational investigation of the title reaction involving semistabilized (R = Ph) and stabilized (R = CO2Me) sulfur ylides has been performed using DFT methods including a continuum model of solvent. Our results provide support for the generally accepted mechanism and are in very good agreement with observed cis/trans selectivities. This study shows that betaine formation is nonreversible, and that selectivity is thereby determined at the initial addition step, in the case of semistabilized ylides. Our analysis indicates moreover that addition TS structures are governed by the steric strain induced by the N-sulfonyl group, which favors the transoid approach in the case of syn betaine formation and the cisoid mode of addition in anti TSs. The observed low trans selectivity is accounted for by the favorable Coulombic interactions and stabilization by C-H...O hydrogen bonding allowed in the cisoid anti addition TS. In the case of stabilized ylides, the endothermicity of betaine formation combined with the high barrier to ring closure render the elimination step rate- and selectivity-determining. Accordingly, the low cis selectivity observed in stabilized ylide reactions is explained by the lower steric strain in the elimination step generated by the formation of the cis aziridine (as compared to the trans case).     

Mixtures of monodentate P-ligands as a means to control the diastereoselectivity in Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of chiral alkenes

The previously reported concept of using mixtures of monodentate ligands in a combinatorial manner in order to influence enantio- or regioselectivity of transition metal catalyzed processes has been extended to include diastereoselectivity. Accordingly, 1,2- and 1,3-asymmetric induction in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of a chiral allylic alcohol and a chiral homo-allylic alcohol has been studied by using mixtures of monodentate P-ligands. It was found that appropriate 1:1 mixtures of two different P-ligands enhance the degree of diastereoselectivity relative to the use of the respective pure ligands themselves. Here, as in the previous cases regarding enantio- or regioselectivity, this type of combinatorial catalysis leads to improved catalytic profiles without the need to prepare new ligands.     

Reactions of silyl-stabilised sulfur ylides with organoboranes: enantioselectivity, mechanism, and understanding

The reaction of trimethylsilyl-substituted sulfonium ylides with organoboranes (Ph(3)B, Et(3)B) has been studied and although homologated products were obtained in good yield (after oxidation to the corresponding alcohols), the enantiomeric excesses were low with our camphor-based chiral sulfide (up to 40% ee, cf. corresponding phenyl-substituted sulfonium ylides gave >95% ee). Cross-over experiments were conducted to ascertain the nature of this difference in selectivity. Thus, aryl- and silyl-substituted sulfonium ylides (1 equiv.) were (separately) reacted with Et(3)B (1.5 equiv.) followed by Ph(3)B (1.5 equiv.) The experiments were repeated changing the order of addition of the two boranes. It was found that the aryl-substituted sulfonium ylide only trapped the first borane that was added indicating that ate complex formation was non-reversible and so was the selectivity determining step. In contrast the silyl-substituted sulfonium ylide only trapped Ph(3)B (it is more reactive than Et(3)B) indicating that ate complex formation was reversible and so 1,2-migration was now the selectivity determining step. The reactions have been studied computationally and the experimental observations have been reproduced. They have further revealed that the cause of reversibility in the case of the silyl-substituted sulfonium ylides results from ate complex formation being less exothermic and a higher barrier to 1,2-migration.     

Enantioselective synthesis of vinylcyclopropanes and vinylepoxides mediated by camphor-derived sulfur ylides: rationale of enantioselectivity, scope, and limitation

By a sidearm approach, camphor-derived sulfur ylides 1 were designed and synthesized for the cyclopropanation of electron-deficient alkenes and epoxidation of aldehydes. Under the optimal conditions, the exo-type sulfonium salts 4a and 4b reacted with beta-aryl-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters, amides, ketones, and nitriles to give 1,3-disubstituted-2-vinylcyclopropanes with high diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities. When the endo-type sulfonium salts 5a and 5b were used, the diastereoselectivities were not changed, whereas the absolute configurations of the products became the opposite to those of the reactions of 4a and 4b. An ylide cyclopropanation of chalcone derivatives with phenylvinyl bromide in the presence of catalytic amount of chiral sulfonium salts 4b and 5b has been developed. The sidearmed hydroxyl group was found to play a key role in the control of enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity. The origins of the high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity were also studied by density functional theory calculations, which reveal the importance of the hydrogen-bonding between the sidearmed hydroxyl group and the substrate in determining the diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. The ylides 1 were also successfully applied for the epoxidation of aromatic aldehydes.     

Direct catalytic asymmetric method for the synthesis of tetrahydropyranopyrazoles through allene zwitterion chemistry

The enantioselective synthesis of the tetrahydropyranopyrazole scaffold has been achieved. The quinidine catalyzed reaction of allenoates with arylidenepyrazolones proceeded with high enantio- and diastereoselectivity while the reactions of alkylidenepyrazolones were less efficient. Allene ketones also afforded tetrahydropyranopyrazole derivatives in high yields, however, with only moderate enantioselectivity. The primary adduct undergoes further functional group transformations without effecting the initially formed chiral centre.     

Enantio- and diastereoselective Michael reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to nitroolefins catalyzed by a bifunctional thiourea

We synthesized a new class of bifunctional catalysts bearing a thiourea moiety and an amino group on a chiral scaffold. Among them, thiourea 1e bearing 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene and dimethylamino groups was revealed to be highly efficient for the asymmetric Michael reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to nitroolefins. Furthermore, we have developed a new synthetic route for (R)-(-)-baclofen and a chiral quaternary carbon center with high enantioselectivity by Michael reaction. In these reactions, we assumed that a thiourea moiety and an amino group of the catalyst activates a nitroolefin and a 1,3-dicarbonyl compound, respectively, to afford the Michael adduct with high enantio- and diastereoselectivity.     

Highly enantioselective darzens reaction of a camphor-derived sulfonium amide to give glycidic amides and their applications in synthesis

The reaction of an amide-stabilized sulfonium ylide bearing chiral groups on sulfur has been investigated. We have discovered that the camphor-derived amide-stabilized ylide reacts with aldehydes at -50 degrees C in ethanol to give glycidic amides in one step with up to 99% ee and complete diastereoselectivity. From analyzing reactions of different ratios of diastereomers at sulfur it was found that the major diastereomer gave very high enantioselectivity, while the minor one gave much lower selectivity (54% ee). Further mechanistic studies have revealed that enantioselectivity is controlled not in the betaine-forming step (C-C bond formation is reversible) but in the different barriers to bond rotation around the newly formed C-C of the two diastereomeric betaines. Further transformations of epoxyamides were investigated. It was found that epoxyamides could be converted into epoxyketones by reaction with organolithium reagents and that they could be ring-opened by nucleophiles with complete regioselectivity using Yb(OTf)3. The practicality of the process has been exemplified in the synthesis of SK&F 104353, a leukotriene D4 antagonist in the potential treatment of bronchial asthma.     

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of glycine imino ester using a chiral phase-transfer catalyst

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of the glycine imino ester 1a has been developed using a chiral quaternary ammonium salt 3d without chiral phosphine ligands. The proper choice of the achiral Pd ligand, P(OPh)3, is important to achieve high enantioselectivity. By this method with the dual catalysts, numerous enantiomerically enriched alpha-allylic amino acids 4a-h could be prepared with comparable to higher enantioselectivity than that of the conventional asymmetric alkylation of 1a. In addition, the Pd-catalyzed reaction of 1a with 1-phenyl-2-propenyl acetate 2i afforded the branch product 6 with high enantio- and diastereoselectivity (>95% de, 85% ee).     

Recoverable (R)- and (S)-binap-Ag(I) complexes for the enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides

The first enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of amino acid derived azomethine ylides and maleimides catalyzed by very stable and recyclable chiral (R)- or (S)-binap-AgClO(4) complexes is described. The reactions are performed at room temperature, in good yields, with high endo diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity, the complex being recovered by simple filtration.     

Hemiaminals as substrates for sulfur ylides: direct asymmetric syntheses of functionalised pyrrolidines and piperidines

Phenyl stabilised chiral sulfur ylides react with five-membered-ring hemiaminals to give functionalised pyrrolidines directly with high enantioselectivity. The reaction can be diverted to give piperidines instead by isolation of the intermediate epoxide and treatment with TMSOTf.     

Density functional theory investigations on sulfur ylide promoted cyclopropanation reactions: insights on mechanism and diastereoselection issues

The mechanism and diastereoselectivity of synthetically useful sulfur ylide promoted cyclopropanation reactions have been studied using the density functional theory method. Addition of different substituted ylides (Me2S+CH-R) to enone ((E)-pent-3-en-2-one, MeHC=CH-COMe) has been investigated. The nature of the substituent on the ylidic carbon brings about subtle changes in the reaction profile. The stabilized (R=COMe) and semistabilized (R=Ph) ylides follow a cisoid addition mode, leading to 1,2-trans and 1,2-cis cyclopropanes, respectively, via syn and anti betaine intermediates. The simplest and highly reactive model ylide (R=H) prefers a transoid addition mode. Diastereoselectivity is controlled by the barrier for cisoid-transoid rotation in the case of stabilized ylides, whereas the initial electrophilic addition is found to be the diastereoselectivity-determining step for semistabilized ylides. High selectivity toward trans cyclopropanes with stabilized ylides are predicted on the basis of the relative activation energies of diastereomeric torsional transition states. The energy differences between these transition states could be rationalized with the help of weak intramolecular as well as other stereoelectronic interactions.     

Oxyanion steering and CH-π interactions as key elements in an N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition

The N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition has been shown to give γ,δ-unsaturated δ-lactones in excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity. However, preliminary computational studies of the geometry of the intermediate enolate rendered ambiguous both the origins of selectivity and the reaction pathway. Here, we show that a concerted, but highly asynchronous, Diels-Alder reaction occurs rather than the stepwise Michael-type or Claisen-type pathways. In addition, two crucial interactions are identified that enable high selectivity: an oxyanion-steering mechanism and a CH-π interaction. The calculations accurately predict the enantioselectivity of a number of N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts in the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction.     

Asymmetric synthesis of multifunctionalized pyrrolines by a ruthenium porphyrin-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction

[reaction: see text] Chiral multifunctionalized pyrrolines have been synthesized by a ruthenium porphyrin catalyzed three-component coupling reaction. In a one-pot reaction, ruthenium porphyrins catalyzed in situ generation of chiral azomethine ylides from chiral diazo esters and imines. Asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of the chiral azomethine ylides with dipolarophiles afforded the corresponding pyrrolines in good yields and high diastereoselectivity (up to 92% de).