Enantioselective Aldol Reactions Catalyzed by Chiral Phosphine Oxides

The development of enantioselective aldol reactions catalyzed by chiral phosphine oxides is described. The aldol reactions presented herein do not require the prior preparation of the masked enol ethers from carbonyl compounds as aldol donors. The reactions proceed through a trichlorosilyl enol ether intermediate, formed in situ from carbonyl compounds, which then acts as the aldol donor. Phosphine oxides activate the trichlorosilyl enol ethers to afford the aldol adducts with high stereoselectivities. This procedure was used to realize a directed cross‐aldol reaction between ketones and two types of double aldol reactions (a reaction at one/two α position(s) of a carbonyl group) with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities.     

Carbene‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Aldol Reaction: Post‐Aldol Stereochemistry Control and Formation of Quaternary Stereogenic Centers

The dominated approaches for asymmetric aldol reactions have primarily focused on the aldol carbon–carbon bond‐forming events. Here we postulate and develop a new catalytic strategy that seeks to modulate the reaction thermodynamics and control the product enantioselectivities via post‐aldol processes. Specifically, an NHC catalyst is used to activate a masked enolate substrate (vinyl carbonate) to promote the aldol reaction in a non‐enantioselective manner. This reversible aldol event is subsequently followed by an enantioselective acylative kinetic resolution that is mediated by the same (chiral) NHC catalyst without introducing any additional substance. This post‐aldol process takes care of the enantioselectivity issues and drives the otherwise reversible aldol reaction toward a complete conversion. The acylated aldol products bearing quaternary/tetrasubstituted carbon stereogenic centers are formed in good yields and high optical purities.     

Lewis Base Catalysis of the Mukaiyama Directed Aldol Reaction: 40 Years of Inspiration and Advances

Since the landmark publications of the first directed aldol addition reaction in 1973, the site, diastereo‐, and enantioselective aldol reaction has been elevated to the rarefied status of being both a named and a strategy‐level reaction (the Mukaiyama directed aldol reaction). The importance of this reaction in the stereoselective synthesis of untold numbers of organic compounds, both natural and unnatural, cannot be overstated. However, its impact on the field extends beyond the impressive applications in synthesis. The directed aldol reaction has served as a fertile proving ground for new concepts and new methods for stereocontrol and catalysis. This Minireview provides a case history of how the challenges of merging site selectivity, diastereoselectivity, enantioselectivity, and catalysis into a unified reaction manifold stimulated the development of Lewis base catalyzed aldol addition reactions. The evolution of this process is chronicled from the authors’ laboratories as well as in those of Professor Teruaki Mukaiyama.     

Using theozymes for designing transition‐state analogs for the intramolecular aldol reaction of δ‐diketones

Two theozymes for the intramolecular aldol reaction of δ‐diketones have been studied using ab initio methods. The presence of both acid/base residues favors several steps of the aldol reaction. The appropriate positioning of these residues can accelerate one of two diastereromeric reaction pathways, the catalyzed aldol reaction being highly stereoselective. Analysis of the geometrical parameters, charge distribution, and the shape of molecular electrostatic potential for the corresponding acid/base catalyzed transition structure allows us to design adequate transition‐state analogs to favor a reactive channel of this intramolecular aldol reaction. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 83: 338–347, 2001     

Asymmetric aldol reaction catalyzed by the anion of an ionic liquid

Herein we report the synthesis of a chiral imidazolium salt derived from trans-L-hydroxyproline and its applications as a catalyst for the asymmetric aldol reaction. By performing the aldol reaction in [Bmim]NTf(2) as a solvent, we report excellent isolated yields of the aldol product (up to 99%), as well as modest to excellent selectivities (dr superior to 99:1. ee up to 89%). Mechanistic insights and the origins of the selectivity of the aldol reaction are discussed on the basis of the results obtained with two catalytic imidazolium salts having different H-bonding potential.     

Fluorogenic probes for aldol reactions: tuning of fluorescence using π-conjugation systems

Fluorogenic aldehydes or probes for monitoring of the progress of aldol reactions have been developed. Fluorescence of benzaldehydes conjugated with aryl groups via a double or triple bond and of their aldol products was evaluated in aqueous solutions. Based on the fluorescence, fluorogenic aldol reaction substrates and retro-aldol reaction substrates were identified. Use of the probe system with optimal fluorescence properties for aldol reactions was demonstrated in assays with purified protein catalysts and with overproduced crude protein catalysts in cell lysates.     

Sequential hydroformylation/aldol reactions: versatile and controllable access to functionalised carbocycles from unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Three different modes of hydroformylation/aldol reaction sequences involving either acid-catalysed aldol reactions, Mukaiyama aldol addition of pre-formed enolsilanes or aldol addition of in situ generated boron enolates can be applied to unsaturated ketones and ketoesters to afford the corresponding carbocyclic aldol adducts in good yields proceeding through the intermediate activated ketoaldehydes. In selected cases, complimentary, synthetically useful diastereoselectivities were observed in the products.     

The Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction: 40 Years of Continuous Development

A directed cross‐aldol reaction of silyl enol ethers with carbonyl compounds, such as aldehydes and ketones, promoted by a Lewis acid, a reaction which is now widely known as the Mukaiyama aldol reaction. It was first reported in 1973, and this year marks the 40th anniversary. The directed cross‐aldol reactions mediated by boron enolates and tin(II) enolates also emerged from the Mukaiyama laboratory. These directed cross‐aldol reactions have become invaluable tools for the construction of stereochemically complex molecules from two carbonyl compounds. This Minireview provides a succinct historical overview of their discoveries and the early stages of their development.     

Pyrrolidine as an efficient organocatalyst for direct aldol reaction of trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal with ketones

Pyrrolidine-catalyzed aldol reaction of trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal (1) with ketones or aldehydes was described. In the presence of 20 mol % of pyrrolidine, the reaction proceeded smoothly at room temperature to afford the aldol products in good to excellent yields (up to 95%). Pyrrolidine showed a much higher catalytic activity than piperidine in the reaction with less reactive ketones. GC analysis clearly indicated that the catalyst and the enamine intermediates were kept at extremely low concentration during the reaction. Based on these observations, we suggested that formation of the enamine would be a rate-determining step for the catalytic aldol reaction. In addition, the asymmetric aldol reaction of 1 with cyclohexanone catalyzed by l-proline derivatives was also discussed.     

A Closer Look at Spontaneous Mirror Symmetry Breaking in Aldol Reactions

The aldol reaction between acetone and 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde run in the nominal absence of any enantioselective catalyst was monitored by chiral HPLC with the aid of an internal standard. The collected data show the presence of a detectable initial enantiomeric excess of the aldol product in the early stages of the reaction in about 50 % of the experiments. Only a small fraction of the reaction contained the non‐racemic aldol product after 24 h. This temporary emergence of natural optical activity could be the signature of a coupled reaction network that leads to a spontaneous mirror‐symmetry‐breaking process, which originates at very low conversions (i.e., strongly depends on events taking place at the very first stages of the process). The reaction is not autocatalytic in the aldol product, which rules out a simple Frank‐type reaction network as the source of the observed symmetry breaking. On the other hand, the isolation and characterisation of a double‐aldol adduct suggested a reaction network that involved both indirect autocatalysis and indirect mutual inhibition between the enantiomers of the reaction product.     

NMR investigations on the proline-catalyzed aldehyde self-condensation: Mannich mechanism, dienamine detection, and erosion of the aldol addition selectivity

The proline-catalyzed self-condensation of aliphatic aldehydes in DMSO with varying amounts of catalyst was studied by in situ NMR spectroscopy. The reaction profiles and intermediates observed as well as deuteration studies reveal that the proline-catalyzed aldol addition and condensation are competing, but not consecutive, reaction pathways. In addition, the rate-determining step of the condensation is suggested to be the C-C bond formation. Our findings indicate the involvement of two catalyst molecules in the C-C bond formation of the aldol condensation, presumably by the activation of both the aldol acceptor and donor in a Mannich-type pathway. This mechanism is shown to be operative also in the oligomerization of acetaldehyde with high proline amounts, for which the first in situ detection of a proline-derived dienamine was accomplished. In addition, the diastereoselectivity of the aldol addition is evidenced to be time-dependent since it is undermined by the retro-aldolization and the competing irreversible aldol condensation; here NMR reaction profiles can be used as a tool for reaction optimization.     

Current applications of organocatalysts in asymmetric aldol reactions: An update

The aldol reaction is one of the most important carbon–carbon bond formations in synthetic organic chemistry. An enantioselective aldol reaction should provide an enantioenriched product. The organocatalytic asymmetric aldol reaction via an in situ generated enamine intermediate is one of the most powerful synthetic tools to achieve enantiomerically pure products. This approach is often used to obtain chiral β-hydroxycarbonyl compounds with excellent enantioselectivity. In this report, we update our previous review regarding the applications of organocatalysts in asymmetric aldol reactions leading to chiral β-hydroxycarbonyl compounds as versatile synthetic motifs frequently found in pharmaceutically desired intermediates and biologically active naturally occurring compounds.     

脯氨酸催化不对称羟醛缩合反应机理研究进展

脯氨酸催化不对称直接羟醛缩合反应是近年来不对称合成研究的热点. 综述并讨论了分子内和分子间不对称直接羟醛缩合的反应机理及其微观过程.     

Direct catalytic enantio- and diastereoselective aldol reaction of thioamides

A direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of thioamides using a soft Lewis acid/hard Br?nsted base cooperative catalyst comprising (R,R)-Ph-BPE/[Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)]PF(6)/LiOAr is described. Exclusive enolate generation from thioacetamides through a soft-soft interaction with the soft Lewis acid allowed for a direct aldol reaction to α-nonbranched aliphatic aldehydes, which are usually susceptible to self-condensation under conventional basic conditions. A hard Lewis basic phosphine oxide has emerged as an effective additive to constitute a highly active ternary soft Lewis acid/hard Br?nsted base/hard Lewis base cooperative catalyst, enabling a direct enantio- and diastereoselective aldol reaction of thiopropionamides. Strict control of the amount of the hard Lewis base was essential to drive the catalytic cycle efficiently with a minimized retro-aldol pathway, affording syn-aldol products with high stereoselectivity. Divergent transformation of the thioamide functionality is an obvious merit of the present aldol methodology, allowing for a facile transformation of the aldol product into the corresponding aldehyde, ketone, amide, amine, and ketoester. An aldehyde derived from the direct aldol reaction was subjected to a second direct aldol reaction, which proceeded in a catalyst-controlled manner to provide 1,3-diols with high stereoselectivity.     

Synthetic control leading to chiral compounds

A highly diastereoselective cross aldol reaction is developed using divalent tin enolates formed from stannous trifluoromethanesulfonate and carbonyl compounds. The reaction is extended to a highly enantioselective cross aldol reaction employing chiral diamines derived from (S)-proline as ligands.     

Synthesis of the C1-C12 fragment of iriomoteolide 1a by sequential catalytic asymmetric vinylogous aldol reactions

An efficient synthesis of the C1-C12 fragment of iriomoteolide 1a has been accomplished via sequential application of two catalytic, asymmetric, vinylogous aldol reactions: a catalytic vinylogous aldol reaction was used to enantioselectively introduce the C5-C8 segment, and a second catalytic vinylogous aldol reaction was used to install the remaining two stereocenters and a stereodefined alkene in the form of an alpha,beta-unsaturated delta-lactone in one step.     

Cs/ZSM-35 分子筛催化甲缩醛和乙酸甲酯发生一步法羟醛缩合反应

丙烯酸及其酯是重要的化工原料, 广泛应用于涂料、粘结剂、纤维等领域, 目前工业上常采用丙烯两段氧化法进行制备. 然而该方法以石油基原料丙烯为源头, 采用 V/Mo/Bi 等金属催化剂, 不符合可持续发展理念, 且存在环境污染及氧气下产物易过度氧化等问题. 因此, 如何高效、安全、大规模工业化制备丙烯酸及其酯是研究者追求的目标. 以乙酸甲酯(MAc) 和甲醛为原料, 通过羟醛缩合一步制备丙烯酸及其酯是一条完全不同于丙烯氧化法的合成路径, 原料均可由煤基甲醇得到, 符合我国"富煤、贫油、少气"的基本能源结构, 且该方法碳原子利用率为 100%, 副产物仅为水, 属于绿色环保合成路径.羟醛缩合是典型的碳链增长反应, 可在酸性催化剂、碱性催化剂、以及酸碱双功能催化剂存在下发生. 碱性催化剂一般为负载型碱金属氧化物, 例如以 SiO2为载体的负载型 Na, K, Cs 氧化物催化剂等, 但都存在活性组分流失的问题, 进而导致催化剂的失活, 难以实现工业化. 酸碱双功能催化剂是目前研究的热点, 由于具有酸催化剂的高选择性和碱催化剂的高活性, 其反应性能要远优于单一酸性催化剂和单一碱性催化剂, 广大研究者对此进行了深入广泛的研究, 目前基本处于实验室阶段. 相对而言, 目前酸性催化剂上通过羟醛缩合反应制备丙烯酸及其酯的研究工作较少, 特别是以固体酸为催化剂进行乙酸甲酯和甲醛气固相反应研究非常少见.我们以甲缩醛为甲醛源, 创新性地采用固体硅铝分子筛为酸性催化剂, 催化甲缩醛 (DMM) 和 MAc 发生羟醛缩合反应来制备丙烯酸. 硅铝分子筛具有较高的活性, 可高效地催化羟醛缩合反应, 且由于分子筛催化剂具有很好的再生性能, 即使催化剂寿命较短, 也可采用流化床或移动床等反应器进行工业化, 因此存在良好的工业化前景. 为了进一步深入研究酸性位和碱性位各自对 DMM 和 MAc 羟醛缩合反应的影响, 本文以 HZSM-35 分子筛为载体, 采用浸渍法制备不同碱金属铯氧化物含量的催化剂, 利用氮气吸附/脱附方法和化学程序升温 (NH3-TPD) 方法对其孔结构和酸性质进行表征, 并进一步考察催化剂的性能. 结果表明, 微孔体积随着碱金属 Cs 负载量的增加而逐渐减小, 当 Cs 负载量增加至 10 wt% 时, 样品微孔体积从初始 0.105 cm3/g 降至 0.063 cm3/g. NH3-TPD 结果显示, 当 Cs 负载量为 1 wt%, 酸性催化剂载体上的强酸和弱酸活性位被大量碱性氧化物占据; 当负载量超过 5 wt% 时, 所有的酸性位均被覆盖. 随后考察负载不同碱金属含量分子筛的羟醛缩合反应性能, 发现碱金属氧化物的引入不利于羟醛缩合反应的进行, 这主要是由于作为甲醛源的 DMM 只有在酸中心上才能进行分解产生甲醛, 促使羟醛缩合反应顺利进行. 当采用 DMM 为甲醛源时, 体系中必须有酸性位存在. 同时得知, 分子筛 HZSM-35 中强酸和弱酸均是羟醛缩合反应的有效酸性位, 但强酸同时催化原料发生类甲醇制烯烃过程, 致使大量烃类副产物生成, 产生较重的积炭物种. 羟醛缩合反应在含有大量弱酸催化剂上 (如γ-Al2O3) 也可顺利进行, 且具有较高的活性和稳定性.     

Enantioselective aldol reaction of trimethoxysilyl enol ether catalyzed by lithium binaphtholate

[reaction: see text] An aldol reaction of trimethoxysilyl enol ether catalyzed by lithium binaphtholate, in which water serves as an additive and plays a pivotal role in stereoselectivities, was developed. This is the first example of an aldol reaction of trimethoxysilyl enol ether catalyzed by a chiral base.     

Substrate-controlled stereoselectivity in the Yamamoto aldol reaction

The Yamamoto aldol reaction is a vinylogous aldol reaction that relies on bulky aluminium-based Lewis acids. These activate both the aldehyde as well as become part of the enolate moiety. The report discloses the first detailed study on the substrate-controlled Yamamoto aldol reaction in which 2,3-syn and 2,3-anti disubstituted aldehydes serve as the stereodirecting elements. The "size" of the substituent in the β-position strongly determines the facial selectivity of enolate addition to the aldehyde. Large substituents favour formation of 1,3-syn diols while slim alkynyl groups preferentially lead to 1,3-anti products.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric direct vinylogous aldol reactions of γ-crotonolactone with aromatic aldehydes

The direct aldol reaction of γ-crotonolactone and various aromatic aldehydes is catalyzed by bifunctional aminothiourea and aminosquaramide organocatalysts to provide diastereomerically and enantiomerically enriched 5-substituted 2(5H) furanones (γ-butenolides). The reaction is a simple alternative to the classical vinylogous aldol reaction of silyloxy furans.