Concerning the application of the 1H NMR ABX analysis for assignment of stereochemistry to aldols deriving from aldehydes lacking beta-branches

[reactions: see text] Attempts to apply the 1H NMR ABX method for assignment of stereochemistry of beta-hydroxy ketones to aldols 4-10 deriving from alpha-methyl aldehydes lacking beta-branches reveals that the presence of a beta-branch in the aldehyde reaction partner is necessary so that the average chemical environment of Ha and Hb is different for the Felkin and anti-Felkin aldols (see conformational pairs A/B and C/D, respectively). When the chiral alpha-methyl aldehyde lacks a beta-branch, as in the case of the aldehyde precursors to 4-10, the conformational energies of E and F (for the Felkin beta-hydroxy ketone derivatives), and conformers G and H for the anti-Felkin aldols, are too close in energy (within each pair), such that the average chemical and magnetic environments of Ha and Hb in the two diastereomers cannot be easily distinguished. This analysis provides a rational basis for application of the 1H NMR ABX pattern analysis to other beta-hydroxy ketone derivatives.     

Structurally well-defined, recoverable C3-symmetric tris(beta-hydroxy phosphoramide)-catalyzed enantioselective borane reduction of ketones

[reaction: see text] A series of new chiral C(3)-symmetric tris(beta-hydroxy phosphoramide) ligands have been synthesized via the reaction of trisphosphoramide ester and Grignard reagents. The catalytic asymmetric borane reduction of ketones with these new C(3)-symmetric chiral tris(beta-hydroxy phosphoramide)s was investigated. Structurally well-defined, recoverable ligand 1d is an efficient catalyst for the enantioselective borane reduction of both electron-deficient and electron-rich ketones, and high enantioselectivities were achieved (up to 98% ee).     

Catalytic asymmetric methallylation of ketones with an (H8-BINOLate)Ti-based catalyst

The first catalytic asymmetric methallylation of ketones is reported. The catalyst, which is generated from titanium tetraisopropoxide, H8-BINOL, 2-propanol, and tetramethallylstannane, reacts with ketones in acetonitrile to afford tertiary homoallylic alcohols in fair to excellent yields (55-99%) and fair to high enantioselectivities (46-90%). Ozonolysis of the resulting products provides access to chiral beta-hydroxy ketones, which are not readily prepared from direct asymmetric aldol reaction of acetone with ketones.     

Synthesis of chiral building blocks for cephalostatin analogues

The present paper describes the synthesis of 5‐azido‐6‐ketones (14) and 6‐hydroxy‐5‐ketone (20) from Hajos Wiechert ketone as chiral building blocks for cephalostatin analogues. The synthesis of symmetric cephalostatin analogue from 6‐hydroxy‐5‐ketone has also been reported. The characterization of the each synthesized compounds was carried out by IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR and High resolution Mass Spectrometry.     

Development of 4,4'-substituted-XylBINAP ligands for highly enantioselective hydrogenation of ketones

[reaction: see text] A family of 4,4'-substituted-xylBINAPs was synthesized in multistep sequences and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Ru(diphosphine)(diamine)Cl(2) complexes based on these 4,4'-substituted-xylBINAPs and chiral diamines (DPEN and DAIPEN) were synthesized by treatment of [(benzene)RuCl(2)](2) with 4,4'-substituted-xylBINAP followed by chiral diamine, and characterized by (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. These Ru complexes were used for asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic ketones in a highly enantioselective manner with complete conversion. With 0.1% catalyst loading, complete conversion and enantioselectivity greater than 99% were obtained for most of the aromatic ketones examined. These Ru catalysts thus gave the highest ee for asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic ketones among all of the catalysts reported in the literature. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of Ru[(R)-L(4)()][(R,R)-DPEN]Cl(2) indicated that the 4-methyl group of the naphthyl ring and the methyl groups of the two xylyl moieties form a fence on the opposite side of the DPEN ligand of the Ru center. These three methyl groups will have significant repulsive interactions with the bulky aryl ring of the hydrogen-bonded aromatic ketone in the disfavored transition state. These results support our hypothesis of combining dual modes of enantiocontrol (i.e., the substituents on 4,4'-positions of the binaphthyl framework and the methyl groups on the bis(xylyl)phosphino moieties) to achieve higher stereoselectivity in the hydrogenation of aromatic ketones.     

Asymmetric reduction of ketones with sodium aluminum hydride modified by various chiral diols

New stereoselective reducing reagents were preparedin situ by modification of NaAlH₄ with various chiral diols. The efficiency of 1,4- and 1,3-diols as chiral auxiliaries in the reactions of alkyl aryl ketones with modified NaAlH₄ was considerably higher than that of 1,2-diols. The effect of the nature of the achiral ligand additionally introduced into the chiral hydride reagent on the enantioselectivity of ketone reduction was studied. It was proposed that the sodium cation does not necessarily participate at the stage governing the reaction stereochemistry. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp 459–464, March, 2000.     

S-Substituted-2-mercaptobenzthiazolium-based chiral ionic liquids: efficient organocatalysts for enantioselective sodium borohydride reductions of prochiral ketones

Novel chiral ionic liquids having chirality in their cationic part have been synthesized for evaluation of their catalytic potential as organocatalysts in sodium borohydride reduction of prochiral ketones to yield optically active secondary alcohols. The chiral ionic liquids have been synthesized from the reaction of (?)-menthol or (?)-borneol, chloroacetic acid and S-methyl/benzyl-2-mercaptobenzthiazole. The synthesized chiral ionic liquids have been characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and Mass spectrometry. Moderate to excellent enantiomeric excess (ee > 99%) has been obtained in asymmetric sodium borohydride reduction of prochiral ketones using these salts as chiral catalysts.     

Catalytic, enantioselective aldol additions to ketones

Catalytic, enantioselective additions of a trichlorosilyl ketene acetal to ketones have been demonstrated. The trichlorosilyl enolate of methyl acetate undergoes a rapid and high-yielding aldol addition to a wide range of ketones (aromatic, olefinic, acetylenic, aliphatic) in the presence of a catalytic amount of pyridine N-oxide. Moreover, in the presence of a catalytic amount (10 mol %) of a chiral bispyridine bis N-oxide (possessing both axial and central chiral elements) the aldol addition takes place again in excellent yield and with good stereoselectivity. The enantioselectivities of the additions are highly variable (7-86% ee) and are strongly dependent on the structure of the ketone acceptor. Aromatic methyl ketones gave the highest selectivity, whereas olefinic ketones were the least selective.     

Highly enantioselective phase-transfer-catalyzed alkylation of protected alpha-amino acid amides toward practical asymmetric synthesis of vicinal diamines, alpha-amino ketones, and alpha-amino alcohols

Highly enantioselective alkylation of protected glycine diphenylmethyl (Dpm) amide 1 and Weinreb amide 10 has been realized under phase-transfer conditions by the successful utilization of designer chiral quaternary ammonium salts of type 4 as catalyst. Particularly, remarkable reactivity of the chiral ammonium enolate derived from 1b and 4c allowed the reaction with less reactive simple secondary alkyl halides with high efficiency and enantioselectivity. An additional unique feature of this chiral ammonium enolate is its ability to recognize the chirality of beta-branched primary alkyl halides, which provides impressive levels of kinetic resolution and double stereodifferentiation during the alkylation, allowing for two alpha- and gamma-stereocenters to be controlled. Combined with the subsequent reduction using LiAlH4 in cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME), this system offers a facile access to structurally diverse optically active vicinal diamines. Furthermore, the optically active alpha-amino acid Weinreb amide 11 can be efficiently converted to the corresponding amino ketone by a simple treatment with Grignard reagents. In addition, reduction and alkylation of the optically active alpha-amino ketone into both syn and anti alpha-amino alcohols with almost complete relative and absolute stereochemical control have been achieved. With (S,S)- and (R,R)-4 in hand, the present approach renders both enantiomers of alpha-amino amides including Weinreb amides readily available with enormous structural variation and also establishes a general and practical route to vicinal diamines, alpha-amino ketones, and alpha-amino alcohols with the desired stereochemistry.     

Asymmetric solid-phase alkylation of ketones immobilized via SAMP hydrazone analogue linkers

The preparation and application of new solid supports with chiral linkers, analogues of SAMP hydrazine on solid-phase, are described. The supports were used for immobilization of ketones (diethylketone, cyclohexanone, 4- tert-butylcyclohexanone), and diastereoselective alkylation of formed chiral ketone hydrazones. The enantiomeric purities of cleaved alpha-alkylated chiral ketones ranged from 10 to 73%. The use of chiral lithium amides for metalation of hydrazones of t-butylcyclohexanone increased the enantiomeric excess of the alkylated product by 25-47%.     

Reduction of Delta2-isoxazolines to beta-hydroxy ketones with iron and ammonium chloride as reducing agent

A detailed study of a procedure for the selective reduction of Delta(2)-isoxazolines to the corresponding beta-hydroxy ketones is reported. The use of iron and ammonium chloride as the reducing agent in the presence of water results in a facile and chemoselective protocol for the preparation of beta-hydroxy ketones, including the conjugated beta-hydroxy ketones.     

Chiral fluoro ketones for catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of alkenes with oxone

Two structurally dissimilar, chiral fluoro ketones have been prepared and their potential as enantioselective catalysts for asymmetric epoxidation with Oxone has been evaluated. The tropinone-based ketone (-)-5 was easily prepared and showed excellent reactivity but only modest enantioselectivity. The biphenyl-based ketone (-)-6 was prepared in a somewhat lengthy synthesis (along with its monofluoro and geminal fluoro analogues). This ketone exhibited only modest reactivity; 30 mol % of (-)-6 was needed to bring about complete conversion in a reasonable time. The enantioselectivity of this catalyst was generally much higher, but again very substrate dependent.     

Stereochemical study of hindered α-glycols by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy

Sterically hindered α-glycols, obtained from electrochemical hydrodimerization of polycyclic ketones (indanone, tetralone, chromanone, flavanone, xanthone and fluorenone), were studied by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. Evidence of conformational hindrance was deduced from the ¹H spectra; meso or racemic configurations and the conformational stereochemistry of these molecules in solution were assigned.     

Catalytic hydrogenation of alpha,beta-epoxy ketones to form beta-hydroxy ketones mediated by an NADH coenzyme model

[reaction: see text] The hydrogenation of alpha,beta-epoxy ketones can be mediated by a catalytic amount of BNAH or BNA(+)Br(-) to form corresponding beta-hydroxy ketones in high yield. Na2S2O4 is used as the reducing agent to convert BNA(+)Br(-) to BNAH. A radical mechanism has been proposed to understand many observations of this catalytic reaction.     

Catalytic asymmetric borylative aldol reaction of 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one and ketones

A copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric borylative aldol reaction of 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one and simple ketones (including aromatic ketones and an aliphatic ketone) was disclosed, which afforded a series of chiral diols after an oxidative work-up in moderate yields with moderate to high diastereoselectivity and excellent enantioselectivity. The lactone moiety was easily opened with methanol to generate a chiral triol in moderate yield.     

Catalytic asymmetric vinylation of ketones

This communication describes the catalytic asymmetric 1,2-addition of vinylzinc reagents to aromatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated, and dialkyl ketones with enantioselectivities between 79 and 97% and with yields ranging from 84 to 98%. The products of these reactions are tertiary allylic alcohols with chiral quaternary centers that are useful in organic synthesis. The reaction involves hydrozirconation of a terminal alkyne, transmetalation to zinc, and addition to a ketone in the presence of a chiral titanium-based Lewis acid catalyst. The reactions proceed smoothly at room temperature in under 24 h.     

Condensations en milieu aprotique des enolates de cetones sur le chloro-1 cyclohexene en presence de bases—II : Synthèse d'alkylidène-2 cyclohexyl cétones et de bicyclo [4.2.0] octène-1 ols-7

Aprotic condensation of diisopropyl and diethyl ketone enolates with 1-chlorocyclohexene leads to 2-alkylidene cyclohexyl ketones and bicyclo [4.2.0] 1-octene-7-ols in good yields. Their stereochemistry is determined by NMR studies with Eu(DPM)₃. Solvent effects are studied and the mechanism of these reactions is discussed.     

In- or in(I)-employed diastereoselective Reformatsky-type reactions with ketones: 1H NMR investigations on the active species

An efficient In- or In(I)-based stereoselective C-C bond formation is reported; the diastereoselective Reformatsky-type reactions of ketones. The predominant formations of anti isomers, confirmed by the X-ray structure analyses of ester derivatives of respective alcohols 9a(1)() and 13a(1)(), conclusively revealed the stereochemistry of the reaction path. (1)H NMR investigations revealed the formation of two types of alpha-metalated transient species from alpha-halo esters with In or In(I) halides. [reaction: see text]     

In- or In(I)-employed tailoring of the stereogenic centers in the Reformatsky-type reactions of simple ketones, alpha-alkoxy ketones, and beta-keto esters

[reactions: see text] Comprehensive studies were carried out on efficient In- or In(I)-based diastereoselective Reformatsky-type reactions of simple ketones, alpha-alkoxy ketones, and beta-keto esters. High anti selectivity was established in the addition of the branched alpha-halo ester derivatives to simple ketones using indium metal under THF-refluxing conditions. The stereochemistry undoubtedly indicated that the involvement of a cyclic transition state, formed from the ketone and stereochemically preferred transient E-enolate derived from the branched alpha-halo ester. Next, with the view of tailoring high degree of stereoselection, the concept of chelation-controlled addition of indium enolates was envisioned. In this line, marvelously syn selective additions to alpha-alkoxy ketones and beta-keto esters were established. Interestingly, these diastereoselective additions to alpha-alkoxy ketones and beta-keto esters require either In(I)X or In-InCl3 systems in toluene under ultrasonication, while very poor efficiency and diastereoselectivity were obtained using indium metal or THF as solvent. The stereochemistry of key products was unambiguously determined by the single-crystal X-ray structure analyses. On the basis of the observed astonishing diastereoselectivities due to strong chelation plausibly, a low-valent RIn(I)-type transient spices could be projected as very reactive spices in the Reformatsky-type reactions.     

Enzyme-catalysed synthesis and absolute configuration assignments of cis-dihydrodiol metabolites from 1,4-disubstituted benzenes

A series of ten cis-dihydrodiol metabolites has been obtained by bacterial biotransformation of the corresponding 1,4-disubstituted benzene substrates using Pseudomonas putida UV4, a source of toluene dioxygenase (TDO). Their enantiomeric excess (ee) values have been established using chiral stationary phase HPLC and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Absolute configurations of the majority of cis-dihydrodiols have been established using stereochemical correlation and X-ray crystallography and the remainder have been tentatively assigned using NMR spectroscopic methods but finally confirmed by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. These configurational assignments support and extend the validity of an empirical model, previously used to predict the preferred stereochemistry of TDO-catalysed cis-dihydroxylation of ten 1,4-disubstituted benzene substrates, to more than twenty-five examples.