Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Helicenes

Helicenes and helicene-like molecules, usually containing multiple ortho-fused aromatic rings, possess unique helical chirality. These compounds have found a wide range of important applications in many research fields, such as asymmetric catalysis, molecular recognition, sensors and responsive switches, circularly polarized luminescence materials and others. However, the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of helicenes was largely underexplored, when compared with the enantioselective synthesis of molecules bearing other stereogenic elements (e.g. central chirality and axial chirality). Since the pioneer work of asymmetric synthesis of helicenes via enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition of triynes by Stará and Starý, last two decades have witnessed the tremendous development in the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of helicenes. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the advances in this field, which include methods enabled by both transition metal catalysis and organocatalysis, and provide our perspective on its future development.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Halocyclopropanes

A catalytic asymmetric synthesis of halocyclopropanes is described. The developed method is based on a carbenoid cyclopropanation of 2‐haloalkenes with tert‐butyl α‐cyano‐α‐diazoacetate using a chiral rhodium catalyst that permits access to a broad range of highly functionalized chiral halocyclopropanes (F, Cl, Br, and I) in good yields, moderate diastereoselectivity, and excellent enantiomeric ratios. The reported methodology represents the first general catalytic enantioselective approach to halocyclopropanes.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of 2,5-Dihydrooxepines

A Michael addition initiated cyclopropanation/retro-Claisen rearrangement tandem reaction was developed for the enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized 2,5-dihydrooxepines. In the presence of a chiral oxazaborolidinium ion (COBI) catalyst, the reaction proceeds to give good yields and high enantioselectivity.     

Catalytic,Enantioselective Synthesis of α-Aminonitriles with a Novel Zirconium Catalyst

Strecker reactions of aldimines with Bu₃SnCN in the presence of the novel chiral zirconium binuclear catalyst 1 provide α-aminonitriles in good yields and with high enantioselectivities. The reaction can be applied to a wide range of substrates. Since both enantiomers of the chiral sources are readily avaibable, both enantiomers of the α-aminonitriles are easily prepared according to this method. L=N-methylimidazole.     

Total Synthesis of Macrolactin A with Versatile Catalytic,Enantioselective Dienolate Aldol Addition Reactions

A highly convergent total synthesis of macrolactin A ( 1 ) utilizes modern asymmetric catalytic C–C coupling methods. The longest linear sequence in the route is 16 steps with an average yield of 86% per step. This total synthesis is valuable, because 1 , which has been shown to possess activity against HIV, is not readily accessible from its natural source, a taxonomically unclassified deep-sea bacterium.     

Highly Enantioselective Catalytic Synthesis of Neurite Growth-Promoting Secoyohimbanes

1. Download : Download high-res image (165KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Difluoromethylated Cyclopropanes

The first catalytic asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized difluoromethylated cyclopropanes is described. The method, based on a rhodium‐catalyzed cyclopropanation of difluoromethylated olefins, gives access to a broad range of cyclopropanes bearing ester, ketone, or nitro functional groups. By using Rh₂((S )‐BTPCP)₄ as a catalyst, the corresponding products were obtained in high yields and high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities (up 20:1 d.r. and 99 % ee ). This methodology allowed preparation of enantioenriched difluoromethylcyclopropanes for the first time.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Carboannulation with Allylsilanes

The first catalytic asymmetric carboannulation with allylsilanes is presented. The enantioselective [3+2] annulation is catalyzed using a scandium(III)/indapybox complex with tetrakis‐[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]‐borate (BArF) to enhance catalytic activity and control stereoselectivity. Functionalized cyclopentanes containing a quaternary carbon center are derived from alkylidene oxindole, coumarin, and malonate substrates with high stereoselectivity. The enantioselective 1,4‐conjugate addition and enantioselective lactone formation (by trapping of the β‐silyl carbocation) is also described.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of anti-Vicinal Silylboronates by Conjunctive Cross-Coupling

Chiral 1,2-bimetallic reagents are useful motifs in synthetic chemistry. Although syn-1,2-bimetallic compounds can be prepared by alkene dimetallation, anti-1,2-bimetallics are still rare. The stereospecific 1,2-metallate shift that occurs during conjunctive cross-coupling is shown to enable a practical and modular approach to the catalytic synthesis of enantioenriched anti-1,2-borosilanes. In addition to reaction development, the synthetic utility of anti-1,2-borosilanes was investigated, including applications to the synthesis of anti-1,2-diols and anti-1,2-amino alcohols     

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of 2,5‐Dihydrooxepines

A Michael addition initiated cyclopropanation/retro‐Claisen rearrangement tandem reaction was developed for the enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized 2,5‐dihydrooxepines. In the presence of a chiral oxazaborolidinium ion (COBI) catalyst, the reaction proceeds to give good yields and high enantioselectivity.     

A Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Biologically Interesting Cyclopropane Amines

The synthesis of cyclopropane amine has attracted considerable interest from organic chemists because of the biologically importance and its occurrence in numerous natural products¹. Several synthetic cyclopropane amines have been used as drugs, e.g. the monoamine oxidase inhibitor tranylcypromine (1)². However, it has been found that two enantiomers of chiral cyclopropane amine have different pharmacological effects³,which demands organic chemists to develop efficient methods to prepare them enantioselectively. Previous synthesis of enantiomerically pure cyclopropane amines involves resolution of racemic cyclopropane carboxylic acid followed by Curtius degradation⁴.     

Catalytic,Enantioselective Ring Opening of Aziridines

Cooperative metal centers in a bimetallic catalyst facilitate the highly enantioselective ring opening of meso aziridines 1 with silyl nucleophiles (see scheme; TMS=trimethylsilyl). The 1,2‐azidoamides 2 and 1,2‐amidonitriles 3 obtained in this way in high yields and with up to 99 % ee are valuable precursors to enantiomerically pure 1,2‐diamines and β‐amino acids.

     

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Allylic Boronates Bearing a Trisubstituted Alkenyl Fluoride and Related Derivatives

The first catalytic method for diastereo‐ and enantioselective synthesis of allylic boronates bearing a Z‐trisubstituted alkenyl fluoride is disclosed. Boryl substitution is performed with either a Z‐ or E‐allyldifluoride and is catalyzed by bisphosphine/Cu complexes, affording products in up to 99 % yield with >98:2 Z/E selectivity and 99:1 enantiomeric ratio. A variety of subsequent modifications are feasible, and notable examples are diastereoselective additions to aldehydes/aldimines to access homoallylic alcohols/amines containing a fluorosubstituted stereogenic quaternary center.