Asymmetric Borohydride Reduction of Acetophenone Catalyzed by Chiral Salen-Co(Ⅱ) Complex Using Sodium Borohydride

Development of efficient catalytic asymmetric reactions is the most challenging task in current synthetic chemistry; much effort has been devoted to create the chiral metal complexes of asymmetric catalysis. In the last two decades' many brand-new ligands had been synthesized and their combination with various metal ions has been applied in asymmetric catalysis. However, most ligands have only narrow applications and their use is limited to some reactions. Exceptionally, a few ligands and their metal complexes such as binaphthol, semicollin,and binap show wide applicability. Chiral salen ligand is one of such ligands and their metal complexes are now used as the catalysts for a variety of asymmetric reactions such as epoxidation^[1], aziridination^[2], cyclopropanation^[3], Diels-Alder reaction^[4], asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones^[5] and kinetic resolution of racemic epoxides^[6] and so on.     

Enantioselective Hydroarylation of Olefins Using Palladium/Chiral Quinoline Oxazolines

Palladium-catalyzed arylation and alkenylation of olefins, known as the Heck reaction, is one of the most efficient catalytic methods for carbon-carbon bond formation in organic synthesis^[1]. During the last decade, asymmetric Heck reactions have attracted great attention, and a number of highly enantioselective chiral ligands have been developed to enhance chiral discrimination in these reactions^[2]. However, asymmetric Heck-type hydroarylations of olefins, addition of aryl halides or triflates to carbon-carbon double bonds, have not been well studied. In 1991, Brunner reported an asymmetric hydroarylation of norbornene and norbornadiene with aryl iodides using chiral bisphosphine ligands, and around 40% ee was achieved^[3]. Later on, Achiwa reached around 70% ee in the asymmetric hydroarylation of norbornene with phenyl triflate by using chiral P-N ligands^[4,5]. Herein, we wish to describe our investigations on chiral quinolinyl-oxazoline ligands that provide the first examples of efficient bisnitrogen ligands in Heck-type hydroarylation and the application of this reaction in the asymmetric synthesis of Epibatidine.     

Enantioselective Addition of Phenylacetylene to Aldehydes Catalyzed by Polymer-Supported Sulfonamide

Enantioselective formation of C-C bonds is an area of intense research. Among them, the asymmetric addition of alkynyl reagents to aldehydes is very useful for the synthesis of chiral secondary propargyl alcohols.[1] Recently, many significant homogeneous chiral ligands have been disclosed,[2,3] but very few efficient heterogeneous catalysts have been reported. Herein, we report our research results in the asymmetric addition of phenylacetylene to aldehydes catalyzed by polymer-supported chiral sulfonamide.     

Recent Advances in Amino Acid-Based Phosphine Catalysts and Their Applications in Asymmetric Reactions

Amino acid-based catalysts have been intensively researched in recent years. Amino acid-derived phosphines possess high nucleophilicity and exhibit unique catalytic activities in asymmetric synthesis. L-Threonine and valine are most utilized natural amino acids in the preparation of chiral phosphines. The efficient and versatile chiral phosphine catalysts are applied in a wide range of reactions such as MBH reaction, Rauhut–Currier reaction, Michael addition, [4 + 2]-annulation, [3 + 2]-annulation, 1,4-dipolar cycloaddition. They are also widely used in the construction of core structures of natural products. Amino acid-based phosphine catalysts and their applications in asymmetric synthesis are summarized.     

Synthetic and Organocatalytic Studies of Quinidine Analogues with Ring‐Size Modifications in the Quinuclidine Moiety

Six highly enantiopure analogues of [2.2.2] were synthesized with five‐ or seven‐membered rings in the (original) quinuclidine skeleton. Five of these compounds were prepared through epoxide opening by a secondary cyclic amine, providing the nor‐ and homoquinuclidine moieties through five‐ and six‐membered ring formation. This method failed in the case of seven‐membered ring formation, so for that particular ring size a different synthetic route starting from 3‐quinuclidone was applied. The six novel analogues were examined as organocatalysts in four asymmetric conjugate addition reactions and the results compared with those of known cinchona alkaloid catalysts. This study shows that modification of the quinuclidine ring can have a substantial influence on catalyst activity and enantioselectivity. To acquire more insight into the characteristics of the new catalysts, the pK_aH values were determined by means of fluorescence spectroscopy. Furthermore, relative reaction rates of conjugate thiol additions reactions catalyzed by these quinidine analogues were measured through polarimetry.     

Asymmetric Michael Addition of Activated Alkenes to Nitro Alkenes Catalyzed by Organic Catalyst

Enantioselective Michael addition is one of the most powerfulbond-forming reaction in organic synthesis. [1] A mong the Michael acceptors, nitro alkenes are very attractive, because the nitro group is the most electron-withdrawing group known and it can serve as masked functionality to be further transformed after the addition has taken place. [2] Recently, asymmetric Michael reactions catalyzed by organic catalyst have draw much attention.[3]     

Alkenes in [2+2+2] Cycloadditions

Participation of alkenes and allenes in [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions has attracted much attention recently. This version of the well‐established alkyne cyclotrimerization renders interesting products, such as cyclohexadienes and other polycycles, through cascade processes. Many mechanistic variations are observed when using certain metal complexes as catalysts. The frequent generation of stereogenic centers has prompted the development of efficient asymmetric versions. This Minireview summarizes the efforts reported to date on the use of double bonds as partners in [2+2+2] cyclotrimerizations.     

Direct observation of enantioselective synergism at trimetallic centers

[structure: see text] [structure: see text] New oligomeric chiral macrocyclic ligands have been synthesized using an efficient self-assembly method. High enantioselective cooperativity in the catalytic asymmetric aldol reactions was directly observed using the conceptually novel chiral multinuclear complex catalysts.     

手性胺-质子酸催化剂在有机催化不对称合成中的应用

手性胺-质子酸是近年来发展起来的新型高效、高对映选择性的有机催化体系, 已成功应用于催化不对称Aldol反应、Michael加成反应、Diels-Alder反应和Strecker反应等许多重要的有机合成反应. 价廉易得的质子酸的引入不仅可促进活性中间体烯胺的生成, 并可通过形成的氢键稳定反应的过渡态, 从而显著提高该催化体系的催化活性和立体选择性. 对各类手性胺-质子酸催化剂在有机催化不对称合成反应中的应用、不对称诱导反应的机理、手性胺和质子酸的分子结构对其催化活性和不对称诱导活性的影响进行了评述.     

Bicyclic proline analogues as organocatalysts for stereoselective aldol reactions: an in silico DFT study

Density functional theory has been employed in investigating the efficiency of a series of bicyclic analogues of proline as stereoselective organocatalysts for the aldol reaction. Three classes of conformationally restricted proline analogues, as part of either a [2.2.1] or [2.1.1] bicyclic framework, have been studied. Transition states for the stereoselective C-C bond formation between enamines derived from [2.2.1] and [2.1.1] bicyclic amino acids and p-nitrobenzaldehyde, leading to enantiomeric products, have been identified. Analysis of the transition state geometries revealed that the structural rigidity of catalysts, improved transition state organization as well as other weak interactions influence the relative stabilities of diastereomeric transition states and help contribute to the overall stereoselectivity in the aldol reaction. These bicyclic catalysts are predicted to be substantially more effective in improving the enantiomeric excess than the widely used organocatalyst proline. Enantiomeric excesses in the range 82-95% are predicted for these bicyclic catalysts when a sterically unbiased substrate such as p-nitrobenzaldehyde is employed for the asymmetric aldol reaction. More interestingly, introduction of substituents, as simple as a methyl group, at the ortho position of the aryl aldehyde bring about an increase in the enantiomeric excess to values greater than 98%. The reasons behind the vital energy separation between diastereomeric transition states has been rationalized with the help of a number of weak interactions such as intramolecular hydrogen bonding and Coulombic interactions operating on the transition states. These predictions could have wider implications for the rational design of improved organocatalysts for stereoselective carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions.     

Asymmetric heterogeneous catalysis

Limited natural resources and an increasing demand for enantiomerically pure compounds render catalysis and especially heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis a key technology. The field has rapidly advanced from the initial use of chiral biopolymers, such as silk, as a support for metal catalysts to the modern research areas. Mesoporous supports, noncovalent immobilization, metal-organic catalysts, chiral modifiers: many areas are rapidly evolving. This Review shows that these catalysts have more to them than facile separation or recycling. Better activities and selectivities can be obtained than with the homogeneous catalyst and novel, efficient reaction mechanisms can be employed. Especially fascinating is the outlook for highly ordered metal-organic catalysts that might allow a rational design, synthesis, and the unequivocal structural characterization to give tailor-made catalysts.     

Anionic four-electron donor-based palladacycles as catalysts for addition reactions of arylboronic acids with alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, aldehydes, and alpha-ketoesters

Anionic four-electron donor-based palladacycle-catalyzed 1,4-additions of arylboronic acids with alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and 1,2-additions of arylboronic acids with aldehydes and alpha-ketoesters are described. Our study demonstrated that palladacycles were highly efficient, practical catalysts for these addition reactions. The work described here not only opened a new paradigm for the application of palladacycles, but may also pave the road for other metalacycles as practically useful catalysts for such addition reactions including asymmetric ones. [reaction: see text].     

Effect of ligand structure on the zinc-catalyzed Henry reaction. Asymmetric syntheses of (-)-denopamine and (-)-arbutamine

[reaction: see text] Syntheses of variously modified ligands for the dinuclear zinc catalysts for the asymmetric aldol and nitroaldol (Henry) reactions are reported. Catalytic enantioselective nitroaldol reactions promoted by these modified ligands led to efficient syntheses of the beta-receptor agonists (-)-denopamine and (-)-arbutamine.     

Small peptides catalyze highly enantioselective direct aldol reactions of aldehydes with hydroxyacetone: unprecedented regiocontrol in aqueous media

[reaction: see text] L-Proline-based small peptides have been developed as efficient catalysts for the asymmetric direct aldol reactions of hydroxyacetone with aldehydes. Chiral 1,4-diols 7, which are disfavored products in similar aldol reactions catalyzed by either aldolases or L-proline, were obtained in high yields and enantioselectivities of up to 96% ee with peptides 3 and 4 in aqueous media.     

从碳中心到硅中心:手性螺环双膦配体研究的发展

手性螺环配体和催化剂已被公认是一类优势手性配体和催化剂。手性螺环配体的相关研究，促进了不对称催化领域的发展。根据螺环骨架类型进行分类，分别讨论具有螺[4.4]壬烷骨架、螺二氢茚骨架、螺[4.4]壬二烯骨架以及螺二色烷骨架的手性螺环双膦配体的合成及在不对称催化反应中的应用，为今后发展新的不对称催化体系提供了重要参考。     

Ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of olefins using H2O2, part I: synthesis of new chiral N,N,N-tridentate pybox and pyboxazine ligands and their ruthenium complexes

The synthesis of chiral tridentate N,N,N-pyridine-2,6-bisoxazolines 3 (pybox ligands) and N,N,N-pyridine-2,6-bisoxazines 4 (pyboxazine ligands) is described in detail. These novel ligands constitute a useful toolbox for the application in asymmetric catalysis. Compounds 3 and 4 are conveniently prepared by cyclization of enantiomerically pure alpha- or beta-amino alcohols with dimethyl pyridine-2,6-dicarboximidate. The corresponding ruthenium complexes are efficient asymmetric epoxidation catalysts and have been prepared in good yield and fully characterized by spectroscopic means. Four of these ruthenium complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. For the first time the molecular structure of a pyboxazine complex [2,6-bis-[(4S)-4-phenyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-[1,3]oxazinyl]pyridine](pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate)ruthenium (S)-2 aa, is presented.     

Synthesis of novel planar chiral Ag and Rh N-heterocyclic carbene complexes derived from [2.2]paracyclophane and their application in ultrasound assisted asymmetric addition reactions of organoboronic acids to aldehydes

Three novel planar chiral N-heterocyclic carbene silver and rhodium complexes based on [2.2]paracyclophane have been prepared. These could be used as catalysts/precatalysts for the asymmetric 1,2-addition of organoboronic acids to aldehydes. We optimized the reaction conditions and have applied ultrasonic irradiation in the asymmetric arylation for the first time. Under ultrasound irradiation, the combination of planar chiral NHC–Ag complex 5 and RhCl₃ can achieve higher catalytic activities in the asymmetric addition of organoboronic acids to aldehydes.     

高分子支载手性催化剂在Michael反应中的研究进展

高分子手性催化剂用于不对称有机合成,它易与产物分离、可通过适当的处理后回收重复使用;具有毒性或气味的手性催化剂支载在高分子上后,使用更加安全和方便;而且,适当结构的高分子聚合物可以为不对称反应提供更有利的微环境,提高立体选择性.正是这些优点,高分子手性催化剂的研究越来越受到人们的关注.不对称Michael反应是形成手性碳-碳、碳-杂键的重要反应,在有机合成和药物合成中起着重要的作用.本文综述了近年来的高分子手性催化剂在Michael反应中的应用及最新进展.     

C-C coupling reactions of aryl bromides and arylsiloxanes in water catalyzed by palladium complexes of phosphanes modified with crown ethers

[reaction: see text] The complexes [PdCl2L2], where L is a crown-ether-containing triarylphosphane, catalyze the formation of biaryls from arylsiloxanes and aryl bromides with high yields in water as solvent and under air. The water-insoluble catalysts [PdCl2(PhCN)2] and [PdCl2(PPh3)2] are also efficient, although they decompose more quickly to form black Pd0.     

Asymmetric Carbon–Carbon Bond Formation under Continuous‐Flow Conditions with Chiral Heterogeneous Catalysts

Catalytic asymmetric carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions provide one of the most efficient ways to synthesize optically active compounds, and, accordingly, many chiral catalysts for these reactions have been developed in the past two decades. However, the efficiency of the catalysts in terms of turnover number (TON) is often lower than that of some other reactions, such as asymmetric hydrogenation, and this has been one of the obstacles for industrial applications. Although there are some difficulties in increasing the efficiency, the issues might be solved by using continuous flow in the presence of chiral heterogeneous catalysts. Indeed, continuous‐flow systems have several advantages over conventional batch systems. Here we summarize the recent progress in asymmetric C? C bond‐forming reactions under continuous‐flow conditions with chiral heterogeneous catalysts.