Chiral discrimination in lithium complexes of bis(5H-pyrroles) and bis(oxazolines)

The 1:1 and 2:1 complexes of chiral bis(5H-pyrroles) and bis(oxazolines) with the lithium cation have been studied by means of DFT methods (B3LYP/6-31G and B3LYP/6-311+G). The energetic, geometric, electronic, and orbital properties of the complexes have been analyzed. The chiral discrimination in the 2:1 complexes (homo vs heterochiral ones) indicate that in all the cases the heterochiral complexes are more stable than the homochiral ones, except for the tert-butyl derivatives. The chiral discrimination energies will be discussed on the basis of different parameters related to the lithium atom such as the N-Li distance, the orbital interaction between the lone pair of the nitrogen and an empty orbital of the lithium, and its atomic contribution to the total energy of the complexes.     

Efficient enantiomeric analysis of primary amines and amino alcohols by high-performance liquid chromatography with precolumn derivatization using novel chiral SH-reagent N-(R)-mandelyl-(S)-cysteine

Novel N-acylated-(S)-cysteine derivative-N-(R)-mandelyl-(S)-cysteine (R-NMC), containing additional chiral center, aromatic and polar alpha-substituents in contrast to the traditionally used enantiomerically pure thiols, has been demonstrated to be an efficient SH-reagent for enantiomeric HPLC analysis of primary nonfunctionalized amines and amino alcohols after precolumn derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde. The R-NMC-derived isoindoles as well as adducts formed using traditional SH-reagents had a characteristic absorption maximum at 340 nm with a molar absorbance 6000 M(-1) cm(-1), were stable during the HPLC-analysis and highly fluorescent allowing to detect 1 fmol of amino compound. Using diastereomeric R-NMC all tested amino alcohols were resolved effectively as well as nonfunctionalized amines, some of which were not resolved by a direct method on a chiral phase. Applying traditional enantiomeric N-acetyl-(S)-cysteine (NAC) only some isoindoles formed by aliphatic amino alcohols have been separated satisfactorily. The enhanced selectivity for R-NMC-derived isomers has been achieved, obviously, due to the involvement of the substituents at an extra chiral center into additional intramolecular interactions.     

Efficient syntheses of four stable-isotope labeled (1R)-menthyl (1S,2S)-(+)-2-phenylcyclopropanecarboxylates

Many carbenoid cyclopropanation reactions promoted by chiral catalysts give product mixtures reflecting impressive diastereo- and enantioselectivities. Few provide a single chiral product efficiently. This limitation has been overcome in cyclopropanations of styrene and isotopically labeled styrenes with alpha-diazoacetates. Convenient syntheses on a 20 g scale of each of four chiral isotopically labeled (1R)-menthyl (1S,2S)-2-phenylcyclopropanecarboxylates (the 1-d-3-(13)C, 1,(3S)-d2, 1,2,(3S)-d3, and 1,3,3-d3 isotopomers) of better than 99% ee have been realized.     

Synthesis of (R)-3-Methylpyrrolidine Alkaloids Using (S)-Malic Acid as a Chiral Pool

Previous work in our laboratory was around the development of chiral 2-pyrrolidinone synthon A. Malimides 1 and 2, which can be easily prepared from (S)-malic acid, have been shown to be versatile chiral synthetic intermediates. All the reactivities showed in synthon A have been exploited.1     

Convenient Syntheses of Some C4 Chiral Building Blocks Starting From (S)-Malic Acid

In the field of chiral technology, the synthesis of chiral intermediates and chiral building blocks occupies an important position. Chiral building blocks bearing double and / or multiple functionalities is particularly useful for the synthesis of chiral pharmaceuticals and chiral agrochemicals. In the recent years, we have been engaged in the development of synthetic methodology based on (S)-malic acid1-s. In these studies, malimide 2, easily accessible from (S)-malic acid, was shown to be a useful multifunctional building block in the asymmetric synthesis of natural products and chiral drugs (Scheme 1).     

Enantio- and diastereocontrolled synthesis of (-)-iridolactone and (+)-pedicularis-lactone

[structure: see text]. Two iridoid lactones, (-)-iridolactone and (+)-pedicularis-lactone, have been synthesized in an enantio- and diastereocontrolled manner starting from a tricyclic chiral building block serving as a synthetic equivalent of chiral 3-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-ol.     

Electrochemically Induced N-Alkylation of Chiral 2-(Methylsulfinyl) 1H-Benzimidazole

Galvanostatic electrolysis of chiral 2-(methylsulfinyl) 1H-benzimidazole in an acetonitrile/tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate system has been exploited to carry out the selective N-alkylation of the benzimidazole moiety with organohalides, thus obtaining chiral derivatives with potential use in drug research. Theoretical determination of the redox potential for the title compound has been effected, and plausible pathways for its electroactivation have been described. Furthermore, by means of this electrochemical strategy, the access to enantioenriched N-alkylated 2-(methylsulfinyl)benzimidazole has been established.     

Synthesis and structural chemistry of alkali metal tris(HMDS) magnesiates containing chiral diamine donor ligands

Six alkali metal tris(HMDS) magnesiate complexes (HMDS, 1,1,1,3,3,3,-hexamethyldisilazide) containing chiral diamine ligands have been prepared and characterised in both the solid- and solution-state. Four of the complexes have a solvent-separated ion pair composition of the form [{M·(chiral diamine)(2)}(+){Mg(HMDS)(3)}(-)] [M = Li for 1 and 3, Na for 2 and 4; chiral diamine = (-)-sparteine for 1 and 2, (R,R)-TMCDA for 3 and 4, (where (R,R)-TMCDA is N,N,N',N'-(1R,2R)-tetramethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine)] and two have a contacted ion pair composition of the form [{K·chiral diamine}(+){Mg(HMDS)(3)}(-)](n) [chiral diamine = (-)-sparteine for 5 and (R,R)-TMCDA for 6]. In the solid-state, complexes 1-4 are essentially isostructural, with the lithium or sodium cation sequestered by the respective chiral diamine and the previously reported anion consisting of three HMDS ligands coordinated to a magnesium centre. As such, complexes 1-4 are the first structurally characterised complexes in which the alkali metal is sequestered by two molecules of either of the chiral diamines (-)-sparteine (1 and 2) or (R,R)-TMCDA (3 and 4). In addition, complex 4 is a rare (R,R)-TMCDA adduct of sodium. In the solid state, complexes 5 and 6 exist as polymeric arrays of dimeric [{K·chiral diamine}(+){Mg(HMDS)(3)}(-)](2) subunits, with 5 adopting a two-dimensional net arrangement and 6 a linear arrangement. As such, complexes 5 and 6 appear to be the only structurally characterised complexes in which the chiral diamines (-)-sparteine (5) or (R,R)-TMCDA (6) have been incorporated within a polymeric framework. In addition, prior to this work, no (-)-sparteine or (R,R)-TMCDA adducts of potassium had been reported.     

(S)-(-)-alpha,alpha-Di(2-naphthyl)-2-pyrrolidinemethanol, a useful tool to study the recognition mechanism in chiral ligand-exchange chromatography

A dynamic coating of the RP-18 carbon chain layers with the new chiral selector (S)-(-)-alpha,alpha-di(2-naphthyl)-2-pyrrolidinemethanol allowed the formation of a mixed chiral stationary phase that has been used in the separation of a selected set of amino acid racemates. Both a representative model and classification structure-property relationship studies have been performed in order to study the contribution of hydrophobic, bulky and electron-donating groups in the side chain of the chiral selector to the mechanism of chiral recognition.     

(+)-(5R,6S)-2-(1′-Aminoalkyl)-6-(hydroxyalkyl)penem-3-carboxylic Acids

In continuation of our work on penem antibiotics, novel chiral (5R,6S)-2-(1′-aminoalkyl)-6-(hydroxyalkyl)-derivatives 1 have been synthesized by two essentially different strategies. Whereas the starting materials for 1a - f , azetidinones 2 and 5 , were obtained from chiral building blocks (6-aminopenicillanic acid and L-threonine, resp.), the one for 1g , azetidinone 9 , was derived from racemic 4-acetoxyazetidinone and, as chiral auxiliary, (2R)-2-mercaptopropan-1-ol. The 2-aminomethyl derivatives 1a (CGP 30 779) and 1f (CGP 31 608) proved the most potent compounds in the antibacterial tests in vitro and showed a well-balanced spectrum of activity by comparison with that of established β-lactams.     

Macromolecular chirality induction on optically inactive poly(4-carboxyphenyl isocyanide) with chiral amines: a dynamic conformational transition of poly(phenyl isocyanide) derivatives

Optically active polyisocyanides (poly(iminomethylenes)) have been prepared with much interest in developing new functional materials. Polyisocyanides have been considered to have a stable 4(1) helical conformation even in solution when they have a bulky side group. However, the conformational characteristics of poly(phenyl isocyanide) (PPI) derivatives are still under debate. We now report that an optically inactive PPI derivative, poly(4-carboxyphenyl isocyanide) (poly-1), shows optical activity in the polymer backbone induced by external, chiral stimuli through acid-base interactions under thermodynamic control and exhibits induced circular dichroism (ICD) in the UV-visible region in DMSO. The ICD intensities of the poly-1-chiral amine complexes in DMSO gradually increased with time, and, in one case, the value reached 3 times that of the original value after 2 months at 30 degrees C. The conformational changes also occurred very slowly for poly-1 alone and its ethyl ester with time on the basis of (1)H NMR spectroscopic analysis. These results indicate that PPIs bearing a less bulky substituent may not have a 4(1) helical conformation but have a different type of prochiral conformation, for instance, an s-trans (zigzag) structure which may transform to a dynamic, one-handed helical conformation when the PPIs have a functional group capable of interacting with chiral compounds. The mechanism of helicity induction on poly-1 through a dynamic conformational transition is discussed on the basis of the above results together with molecular dynamic simulation results for PPI.     

Enantiomer recognition of amides by dirhodium(II) tetrakis[methyl 2-oxopyrrolidine-5(S)-carboxylate

Association constants of the chiral dirhodium(II) carboxamidate Rh(2)(5S-MEPY)(4) with Lewis bases including acetonitrile and amides have been determined by UV-vis titration experiments. With chiral lactams and acyclic acetamides in their R- and S-configurations equilibrium constants with chiral dirhodium carboxamidates are measures of chiral differentiation, and equilibrium constant ratios as high as three have been determined. From equilibrium associations with acetamide, N-methylacetamide, and N,N-dimethylacetamide, as well as equilibrium constants for lactams and acyclic amides, higher values occur when both the amide carbonyl oxygen and N-H are bound to Rh(2)(5S-MEPY)(4). This cooperative bonding mode is confirmed by NMR measurements that show a distinctive shift of a N-H absorption, as well as perturbation of the ligands on dirhodium compound, and they suggest N-H association with a ligated oxygen of Rh(2)(5S-MEPY)(4). Measurements were made on the dirhodium(II) compound from which protective axial ligands have been removed to enhance their reliability.     

Ferroelectric liquid crystal materials synthesized from 2(S)-[2(S)-methylbutyloxy]propanol

A new chiral alcohol, 2(S)-[2(S)-methylbutyloxy]propanol (3), containing two chiral centres has been synthesized from ethyl lactate and (S)-1-iodo-2-methylbutane. It was used as a chiral building block for the preparation of ferroelectric liquid crystal materials. Several of the new materials exhibit an enantiotropic S*_c phase with a wide temperature range. The results indicate that the molecular structure of 3 is useful for synthesizing ferroelectric liquid crystal materials.     

A New Method of Resolution of Racemic 6,6''''-Dihydroxy-5,5''''- biquinoline Using (S)-( + )-Camphorsulfonyl Chloride

The chiral ligand bearing C2-symmetric binaphthyl backbonce (e. g. BINOL, BINAP) is one of the widely used chiral auxiliaries in catalytic asymmetric synthesis. [1] Numerous synthetic approaches to these two compounds have been developed. In contrast, the C2-symmetric ligands containing heterocyclic moiety has been relatively less explored.     

Synthesis of Novel Chiral Dibenzo [ a, c ] cycloheptadiene Bis(oxazoline) and Catalytic Asymmetric Reactions

Over the last decade, C2-symmetric chiral oxazoline metal complexes have been recognized as an effective classof chiral catalyst in a variety of transition metal catalyzed asymmetric reactions. [1] High catalytic activities and enantiomeric excesses have been obtained using C2-symmetric chiral ligands in conjunction with suitable transition metal ion, for example, the hydrosilylation of ketone, allylic alkylation, Michael addition, Diels-Alder cycloaddition, and cyclopropanation. Thus, the design and synthesis of new chiral oxazoline ligands have inspired many scientists to work with great efforts.     

Convenient access to new chiral ferroceno-(iso)quinolines

[Chemical reaction: see text] New chiral pyridine derivatives possessing the planar chirality of the ferrocene have been prepared by means of an aldolization-crotonization reaction. This very simple reaction has been applied to the synthesis of isomers 1-4 that differ in the position of the nitrogen atom on the pyridine ring. Following the same procedure, asymmetric synthesis of 1 has been achieved using an enantiopure ferrocenylzinc intermediate. This method has also allowed the preparation of a chiral analogue of 2,2'-bipyridine.     

Enantioselective hydrogenation of tetrasubstituted olefins of cyclic beta-(acylamino)acrylates

Hydrogenation of a series of cyclic beta-(acylamino)acrylates with tetrasubstituted olefins has been accomplished successfully with the use of Ru catalysts with chiral biaryl ligands such as C3-TunaPhos, and up to over 99% ee's have been achieved. This methodology provides an efficient catalytic method for the synthesis of both cis and trans chiral cyclic beta-amino acid derivatives.     

Recent advances in chiral phosphine-silver(I) complex-catalyzed asymmetric reactions

Since the first report of silver(I)-catalyzed asymmetric aldol-type reaction of activated isocyanides with aldehydes using a chiral ferrocenylphosphine as a chiral phosphine ligand has been appeared in 1990, various chiral phosphine-silver(I) catalysts have been utilized in asymmetric transformations. This feature articles describes recent examples of chiral phosphine-silver(I) complex-catalyzed asymmetric reactions such as allylation, aldol reaction, Mannich-type reaction, hetero-Diels-Alder reaction, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and nitroso aldol reaction.     

Aspects of enantioselective heterogeneous catalysis: structure and reactivity of (S)-(-)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine on Pt[111

The molecular orientation, spatial distribution, and thermal behavior of the powerful chiral catalyst modifier precursor (S)-naphthylethylamine adsorbed on Pt[111] have been studied by NEXAFS, XPS, STM, and temperature programmed reaction. At 300 K, both in the presence and in the absence of coadsorbed hydrogen, the strongly tilted molecules do not form ordered arrays. These results constitute the first direct evidence against the template model and are at least consistent with the 1:1 interaction model of chiral induction in the enantioselective hydrogenation of alkyl pyruvates. Raising the temperature beyond 320 K (the temperature of enantioselectivity collapse) leads either to irreversible dimerization with hydrogen elimination or to dissociation of the ethylamine moiety, depending on whether coadsorbed H(a) is present. Either way, the stereogenic center is destroyed. These findings provide the first direct clue as to the possible origin of enantioselectivity collapse, by a mechanism not previously considered. When NEA and methyl pyruvate are coadsorbed in the presence of H(a), STM reveals entities that could correspond to a 1:1 docking complex between the prochiral reactant and the chiral modifier.     

Synthesis and Study of the Thermal and Chiro-Optical Properties of Polyacetylenes with Bulky Side Groups: Poly(1-ethynyl-4-biphenyl), Poly(1-ethynyl-4- phenoxybenzene) and Poly(1-ethynyl-4-pentylbenzene)

The monosubstituted acetylenes 1-ethynyl-4-biphenyl, 1-ethynyl-4-phenoxybenzene and 1-ethynyl-4-pentylbenzene were polymerized to the corresponding polyacetylenes with bulky side substituents: PEBIP, PEPHENO and PEPB, respectively, using a Rh(I) complex as polymerization catalyst. The FT-IR and UV-VIS spectra of PEBIP, PEPHENO and PEPB were studied using the corresponding spectra of polyphenylacetylene (PPA), polytolylacetylene (PETOL) and poly(1-ethynyl-naphthalene) PEN as reference. Based on the spectral analysis, high cis-trasoid structures were assigned to PEBIP, PEPHENO and PEPB. The specific optical rotation of PEBIP, PEPHENO and PEPB was measured in the chiral solvent α (-)pinene and, only for PEPB, also in α (+)pinene. It was found that even at low concentration PEBIP, PEPHENO and PEPB cause changes in the specific optical rotation of the chiral medium where they have been dissolved. This phenomenon has not been observed when toluene or atactic polystyrene are dissolved in the same chiral solvent in similar concentration. This suggests that the polyacetylenes with bulky side groups are able to rearrange in a helical configuration (prevalently right-handed or vice-versa, depending on the type of chiral medium used) once hosted in a chiral medium giving a contribution to the chirality of the solvent where they have been dissolved. The thermal stability of PEBIP, PEPHENO and PEPB was studied under N₂ flow by thermal analysis (TGA, DTG and DTA) in comparison to reference monosubstituted polyacetylenes PPA, PETOL and PEN. The results show that the thermal stability of monosubstituted polyacetylenes is greatly improved by the presence of bulky substitutents as theoretically expected, and similarly, also the char-forming tendency increases with the bulkiness of the side groups.