Diastereoselective Synthesis of P‐Chirogenic and Atropisomeric 2,2′‐Bisphosphino‐1,1′‐binaphthyls Enabled by Internal Phosphine Oxide Directing Groups

Diphosphine ligands that merge both axial and P‐centered chirality may exhibit superior or unique properties. Herein we report the diastereoselective introduction of P‐centered chirality at the 2‐position of the axially chiral 2′‐(phosphine oxide)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl scaffold. A lithium–bromide exchange reaction of a 2‐bromo‐2′‐(phosphine oxide)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl and treatment with dichlorophosphines followed by a nucleophilic organometallic reagent afforded unsymmetrical 2‐phosphino‐2′‐(phosphine oxide)‐1,1′‐binaphthyls with binaphthyl axial chirality and one or two phosphorus stereocenters with a variety of P substituents. The final diastereomerically pure 2,2′‐bisphosphino‐1,1′‐binaphthyls were obtained by reduction of the phosphine oxide directing group. Preliminary results demonstrated that a ligand with this hybrid chirality could induce higher stereoselectivity in the metal‐complex‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of a dialkyl ketone.     

Design of Binaphthyl‐Modified Symmetrical Chiral Phase‐Transfer Catalysts: Substituent Effect of 4,4′,6,6′‐Positions of Binaphthyl Rings in the Asymmetric Alkylation of a Glycine Derivative

A series of symmetrical chiral phase‐transfer catalysts with 4,4′,6,6′‐tetrasubstituted binaphthyl units have been designed, and these aryl‐ and trialkylsilyl‐substituted phase‐transfer catalysts, which included a highly fluorinated catalyst, were prepared. The chiral efficiency of these chiral phase‐transfer catalysts was investigated in the asymmetric alkylation of tert‐butylglycinate–benzophenone Schiff base under mild phase‐transfer conditions, and the eminent substituent effect of the 4,4′,6,6′‐positions of the binaphthyl units on enantioselection was observed. In particular, the OctMe₂Si‐substituted catalyst was found to be highly efficient for the phase‐transfer alkylation of tert‐butylglycinate–benzophenone Schiff base with various alkyl halides, including sec‐alkyl halides. The highly fluorinated catalyst was also utilized as a recyclable chiral phase‐transfer catalyst by simple extraction with fluorous solvents.     

Design and Catalytic Asymmetric Construction of Axially Chiral 3,3′‐Bisindole Skeletons

The first catalytic asymmetric construction of 3,3′‐bisindole skeletons bearing both axial and central chirality has been established by organocatalytic asymmetric addition reactions of 2‐substituted 3,3′‐bisindoles with 3‐indolylmethanols (up to 98 % yield, all >95:5 d.r., >99 % ee). This reaction also represents the first highly enantioselective construction of axially chiral 3,3′‐bisindole skeletons, and utilizes the strategy of introducing a bulky group to the ortho‐position of prochiral 3,3′‐bisindoles. This reaction not only provides a good example for simultaneously controlling axial and central chirality in one operation, but also serves as a new strategy for catalytic enantioselective construction of axially chiral 3,3′‐bisindole backbones from prochiral substrates.     

One Stone for Three Birds‐Rhodium‐Catalyzed Highly Diastereoselective Intramolecular [4+2] Cycloaddition of Optically Active Allene‐1,3‐dienes

RhCl(PPh₃)₃‐catalyzed [4+2] intramolecular cycloaddition of optically active axially chiral allene‐dienes afforded cis‐fused [3.4.0]‐bicyclic products with three chiral centers in good yields with an excellent chemo‐ and diastereoselectivity. A pair of enantiomers of such products was generated highly selectively from both enantiomers of starting allene‐dienes, indicating that the axial chirality dictated the absolute configurations of the three in situ generated chiral centers with a very high efficiency of chirality transfer.     

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Annulation of ortho‐Alkynylanilines: Synthesis of Axially Chiral Naphthyl‐C2‐indoles

A chiral Brønsted base catalyzed asymmetric annulation of ortho‐alkynylanilines has been developed to access axially chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles via vinylidene ortho‐quinone methide (VQM) intermediates. This strategy provides a unique organocatalytic atroposelective route to axially chiral aryl‐C2‐indole skeletons with excellent enantioselectivity and functional‐group tolerance. This transformation was applicable to decagram‐scale preparation (50.0 g) with perfect enantioselectivity through simple recrystallization. Moreover, the utility of this reaction was demonstrated by a variety of transformations towards chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles for a series of carbon–heteroatom bond formations. Furthermore, the prepared axially chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles were applied as a chiral skeleton for organocatalytic aza‐Baylis–Hillman reaction and asymmetric formal [4+2] tandem cyclization to give the corresponding adducts in high yields with improved enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.     

Chirality Relay in 2,2′‐Substituted 1,1′‐Binaphthyl: Access to Propeller Chirality of the Tricoordinate Boron Center

It is a challenging issue to achieve propeller chirality for triarylboranes owing to the low transition barrier between the P and M forms of the boron center. Herein, we report a new strategy to achieve propeller chirality of triarylboranes. It was found that the chirality relay from axially chiral 1,1′‐binaphthyl to propeller chirality of the trivalent boron center can be realized when a Me₂N and a Mes₂B group (Mes=mesityl) are introduced at the 2,2′‐positions of the 1,1′‐binaphthyl skeleton ( BN‐BNaph ) owing to the strong π–π interaction between the Me₂N‐bonded naphthyl ring and the phenyl ring of one adjacent Mes group, which not only exerts great steric hindrance on the rotation of the two Mes groups but also gives unequal stability to the two configurations of the boron center for a given configuration of the binaphthyl moiety. The stereostructures of the boron center were fully characterized through ¹H NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystal analyses, and theoretical calculations. Detailed comparisons with the analog BN‐Ph‐BNaph , in which the Mes₂B group is separated from 1,1′‐binaphthyl by a para‐phenylene spacer, confirmed the essential role of π–π interaction for the successful chirality relay in BN‐BNaph .     

Control of Circularly Polarized Luminescence by Using Open‐ and Closed‐Type Binaphthyl Derivatives with the Same Axial Chirality

The solution‐dispersed‐state and polymer‐dispersed‐state circular dichroism (CD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties of chiral binaphthyl fluorophores could be controlled by the choice of open‐ or closed‐type substituents on the binaphthyl units and by the axial chirality of the binaphthyls.     

Hydrogen‐Bond‐Induced Chiral Axis Construction: Theoretical Study of Cinchonine–Thiourea‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Intramolecular Cycloaddition

Theoretical calculations were performed to investigate the mechanism and enantioselectivity of cinchonine–thiourea‐catalyzed intramolecular hetero‐Diels–Alder cycloaddition of ethynylphenol derivatives to afford axial chirality naphthalenylpyran products via a vinylidene ortho‐quinone methide (VQM) intermediate. The results show that this transformation occurs through a reaction pathway involving the deprotonation of the naphthol moiety by the quinuclidine base, intramolecular proton transfer in ammonium naphthalenolate, and [4+2] cycloaddition. It is found that the axial chirality of the VQM intermediate is generated by the protonation step, which affects the enantioselectivity of the reaction. The enantioselectivity for the generation of the VQM intermediate is controlled by steric repulsion with the cinchonine framework, which provides an R‐axial chirality VQM as the major intermediate. Moreover, the enantioselectivity for the axial chirality of the naphthopyran product is controlled by the cycloaddition step, in which an extra hydrogen bond between the naphthalenol and cinchonine moieties leads to a favorable configuration for the generation of the S‐axial chirality naphthopyran product. The calculated enantioselectivity and enantiomeric excesses coincide with experimental observations.     

Axial Chirality in Alkylidene-Cyclic Molecules

Axial chirality is an interesting stereoisomeric phenomenon in organic chemistry and a key structural feature of several organic compounds. Atropisomers such as biaryls, anilides and diaryl ethers are one type of axially chiral compounds, whose axial chirality is resulted from rotationally blocked single bond. Allenes, spiranes and alkylidenecycloalkanes are another type of axially chiral compounds and their axial chirality come from the perpendicular geometry of two pairs of substituents. The axial chirality in atropisomers, allenes and spiranes has been widely investigated and well developed, while the similar chirality in alkylidene-cyclic molecules gained very limited attentions. This concept focuses on summarizing recent advances of axial chirality in alkylidene-cyclic molecules and arouses the research interests to this promising field.     

Synthesis of P‐Unsymmetrically Substituted Derivatives of NAPHOS

2, 2′‐Bromomethyl‐1, 1′‐binaphthyl reacted with di‐tert‐butylphosphine to form (R, S)‐4, 4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4, 5‐dihydro‐3Hdinaphtho[2, 1‐c:1′, 2′‐e] phosphepinium bromide 5a . The di‐iso‐propyl‐ ( 5b) and the phenyl‐ethyl ( 5c ) analogue of compound 5a were prepared by similar routes. Treatment of 5a with potassium diphenylphosphide, KPPh₂, afforded the corresponding bis‐phosphine, 2‐di‐tert‐butylphosphino‐methyl‐2′‐diphenylphosphino‐methyl‐1, 1′‐binaphthyl 6 . An attempt at the synthesis of the first example of a bis‐phosphonite ligand with a 2, 2′‐dimethyl‐1, 1′‐binaphthyl backbone unexpectedly led, in the first step, to 2, 2′‐bis[diethylamino‐methoxy‐phosphino]‐1, 1′‐binaphthyl 9 . X‐ray crystal structure analyses were carried out for the phosphepinium bromides 5a and 5c , and for the bis‐phosphines 6 and 9 . In compounds 5a and 5c the interplanar angle between the two parts of the binaphthyl group is 65.8° and 64.5°, respectively, as reflected in the conformation of the seven‐membered ring. In 5a the bromide and methanol residues are hydrogen‐bonded to form Br^— (···HOCH₃)₂ units. In 6 the binaphthyl interplanar angle is 86.1°; the two halves of the molecule show appreciably different conformations of the ring substituents, as do those of 9 (binaphthyl angle 78.6°).     

A Divergent Approach to the Diastereoselective Synthesis of 3,3‐Disubstituted Oxindoles from Atropisomeric N‐Aryl Oxindole Derivatives

3,3‐Disubstituted oxindoles were divergently synthesized by diastereoselective transformations including nucleophilic addition, alkylation, and cycloaddition using common, axially chiral N‐aryl oxindoles. Notably, high diastereoselectivities (up to >95:5) were observed with ortho‐monosubstituted N‐aryl oxindoles to give various oxindole scaffolds, and facile removal of the p‐(benzyloxy)aryl moiety in axially twisted amides was achieved by a mild, two‐step sequence.     

Control of Conformation and Chirality of Nonplanar π‐Conjugated Diporphyrins Using Substituents and Axial Ligands

Nonplanar conformations of pyrazine‐fused Zn^II diporphyrins could be controlled by the choice of the meso‐aryl substituents and an axial ligand on the central metals. Zn^II diporphyrins bearing sterically demanding meso‐aryl groups with ortho‐substituents led to a twisted chiral D₂ conformation, while an achiral C_2h form was preferred in the case of aryl groups without ortho‐substituents. Helical chirality induction on Zn^II diporphyrins in the twisted conformation was achieved by controlling their handedness of the molecular twist through coordination of optically active 1‐phenethylamine.     

Synthesis of ortho‐Phenylenebis(guanidine) Derivatives with Potential Chirality

We report the synthesis and potential chirality of ortho‐phenylenebisguanidines (BGs) with substituents at C(3) and C(6). Guanidinylation of 3,6‐disubstituted benzene‐1,2‐diamines with 2‐chloro‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐dimethyl‐1H‐imidazolium chloride gave the corresponding BGs. X‐Ray crystallography showed that the two guanidine moieties occupy different faces of the benzene ring, creating potential chirality, although optical resolution of ^tBu‐substituted BG by chiral HPLC failed. However, a methylated acyclic bisguanidinium salt (BGms) was obtained as a chiral crystal with a space group of P2₁2₁2₁.     

Unique Structural Properties of 2,4,6‐Tri‐tert‐butylanilide: Isomerization and Switching between Separable Amide Rotamers through the Reaction of Anilide Enolates

Herein, we report a unique structural property of 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylanilide, which can be separated into its amide rotamers at room temperature. Interconversion between the rotamers of anilide enolates occurs readily at room temperature and their reaction with electrophiles gives mixtures of the rotamers in a ratio that depends on the reactivity of the corresponding electrophile. That is, the reaction of the 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylacetanilide enolate with reactive electrophiles, such as allyl bromide or protic acids, gives mixtures of the anilide rotamers in which the E rotamer is the major component, whereas less‐reactive electrophiles, such as 1‐bromopropane and 2‐iodopropane, yield mixtures of the rotamers in which the Z rotamer is the major component. The rotameric ratio of the product is also strongly dependent on the reactivity of the anilide enolate. Switching between the anilide rotamers can be achieved through protonation of a less‐reactive enolate by a less‐reactive protic acid and thermal isomerization of the anilide.     

Organocatalytic Atroposelective Aldol Condensation: Synthesis of Axially Chiral Biaryls by Arene Formation

Axially chiral compounds are of significant importance in modern synthetic chemistry and particularly valuable in drug discovery and development. Nonetheless, current approaches for the preparation of pure atropisomers often prove tedious. We demonstrate here a synthetic method that efficiently transfers the stereochemical information of a secondary amine organocatalyst into the axial chirality of tri‐ortho‐substituted biaryls. An aromatic ring is formed during the dehydration step of the described aldol condensation cascade, leading to highly enantioenriched binaphthyl derivatives. The fundamental course of the reaction is related to the biosynthesis of aromatic polyketides.     

Atroposelective Synthesis of 3,3’‐Bisindoles Bearing Axial and Central Chirality: Using Isatin‐Derived Imines as Electrophiles

An atroposelective synthesis of a new class of 3,3’‐bisindoles bearing axial and central chirality has been established via catalytic asymmetric addition reactions using isatin‐derived imines as electrophiles (23 examples, up to 80% yield, > 95 : 5 dr, 98 : 2 er). This approach takes advantage of chiral phosphoric acid‐catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution of 2‐substituted 3,3’‐bisindoles via nucleophilic addition of such substrates with isatin‐derived imines. In this approach, isatin‐derived imines acted as a class of competent electrophiles due to their high reactivity and bulky size, which provided an easy access to axially chiral 3,3'‐bisindoles incorporated with a biologically important chiral 3‐aminooxindole unit. This approach has greatly expanded the generality and applicability of the strategy of dynamic kinetic resolution for the synthesis of enantioenriched 3,3’‐bisindole derivatives bearing both axial and central chirality.     

Asymmetric [2,3]‐Wittig Rearrangement of Oxygenated Allyl Benzyl Ethers in the Presence of a Chiral di‐tBu‐bis(oxazoline) Ligand: A Novel Synthetic Approach to THF Lignans

We have accomplished highly enantioselective [2,3]‐Wittig rearrangements of functionalized allyl benzyl ethers in the presence of a chiral di‐tBu‐bis(oxazoline) ligand. In various oxygenated benzylic ethers, the reactions proceeded with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities, although the presence of a methoxy substituent at the ortho‐position on the benzyl group drastically decreased the enantioselectivity. Conversely, o‐ethyl and o‐phenyl substituents had no significant effect on the selectivity. We found that the C2‐substituent of the allylic moiety played an important role in producing high enantioselectivity. Highly enantioselective [2,3]‐Wittig rearrangement in the presence of catalytic amounts of the chiral ligands is also described.     

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Atropisomeric Aryl‐p‐Quinones: Platform Molecules for Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis of Biaryldiols

Presented here is a class of novel axially chiral aryl‐p‐quinones as platform molecules for the preparation of non‐C₂ symmetric biaryldiols. Two sets of aryl‐p‐quinone frameworks were synthesized with remarkable enantiocontrol by means of chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed enantioselective arylation of p‐quinones by central‐to‐axial chirality conversion. These aryl‐p‐quinones were then used to access a wide spectrum of highly functionalized non‐C₂ symmetric biaryldiols with excellent retention of the enantiopurity.     

Phase‐Transfer‐Catalyzed Asymmetric SNAr Reaction of α‐Amino Acid Derivatives with Arene Chromium Complexes

Although phase‐transfer‐catalyzed asymmetric S_NAr reactions provide unique contribution to the catalytic asymmetric α‐arylations of carbonyl compounds to produce biologically active α‐aryl carbonyl compounds, the electrophiles were limited to arenes bearing strong electron‐withdrawing groups, such as a nitro group. To overcome this limitation, we examined the asymmetric S_NAr reactions of α‐amino acid derivatives with arene chromium complexes derived from fluoroarenes, including those containing electron‐donating substituents. The arylation was efficiently promoted by binaphthyl‐modified chiral phase‐transfer catalysts to give the corresponding α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acids containing various aromatic substituents with high enantioselectivities.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Axially Chiral 2‐Aminobiaryls by Rhodium‐Catalyzed Benzannulation of 1‐Arylalkynes with 2‐(Cyanomethyl)phenylboronates

Asymmetric benzannulation of 1‐arylalkynes, where the aryl group is an ortho‐substituted aromatic group, with 2‐(cyanomethyl)phenylboronate was catalyzed by a rhodium complex coordinated with a chiral diene ligand to give high yields of axially chiral 2‐aminobiaryls with greater than 90 % ee.