Stereoselective total synthesis of almorexant

A highly stereoselective synthesis of almorexant has been achieved using (R)-tert-butanesulfinamide as a chiral source. The chiral tetrahydroisoquinoline core was constructed through allylation of chiral N-sulfinyl imine followed by ring closure of the secondary amide with a tethered halide. The chiral α-phenyl amide was introduced by means of S_N2 substitution of (S)-methyl 2-phenyl-2-(tosyloxy)acetate with chiral tetrahydroisoquinoline.     

Application of phosphorylated reagents derived from N,N′-di-[(S)-α-phenylethyl]-cyclohexane-1,2-diamines in the determination of the enantiomeric purity of chiral alcohols

The synthesis of two new N-[(S)-α-phenylethyl] substituted P-chloro-1,3-diazaphospholidines derived from C₂-symmetric trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexanes, and their application as chiral derivatizing agents in the determination of enantiomeric purities of chiral alcohols by means of ³¹P NMR spectroscopy is described.     

Synthesis of chiral vicinal C2 symmetric and unsymmetric bis(sulfonamide) ligands based on trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine by aminolysis of N-tosylaziridines

The ring opening of N-tosylaziridines with aliphatic amines can be efficiently catalyzed by lithium perchlorate to provide derivatives of the trans-1,2-diamine in high yields. The reaction was used in desymmetrization of several cyclic N-tosylaziridines using chiral amines. Using this strategy, an efficient synthesis of chiral vicinal C₂ symmetric bis(sulfonamide) and unsymmetrical bis(sulfonamide) ligands based on trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine was developed.     

Enantioselective synthesis of butadien-2-ylcarbinols via (silylmethyl)allenic alcohols from chromium-catalyzed additions to aldehydes utilizing chiral carbazole ligands

The synthesis of chiral, nonracemic butadienylcarbinols by employing intermediate (trimethylsilyl)methylallenic alcohols is described. Allenic alcohols are obtained by treatment of aldehydes with (4-bromobut-2-ynyl)trimethylsilane in the presence of a catalytic amount of CrCl₃ or CrCl₂. Several new tridentate bis(oxazolinyl)carbazole ligands were synthesized and evaluated as the source of chirality. The synthesis of chiral allenic alcohols can be achieved in good yields (58-88%) and enantioselectivities (55-78% ee). Allenic alcohols may be treated with TBAF or 2 M HCl to provide the desired dienes in 43-86% yields. Alternatively, the (trimethylsilyl)methyl allenic alcohols afford iodobutadienyl carbinols when treated with N-iodosuccinimide.     

A synthesis of levetiracetam based on (S)-N-phenylpantolactam as a chiral auxiliary

The synthesis of levetiracetam and its enantiomer by deracemization of (±)-2-bromobutyric acid using either (S)- or (R)-N-phenylpantolactam as chiral auxiliaries, followed by S_N2 substitution of the bromine atom by a 2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl group and amidation of the carboxylic acid, is described.     

Synthesis of chiral β2-amino acids by asymmetric hydrogenation

The synthesis of chiral β²-amino acids by homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation is discussed. Prochiral β-aryl- or β-hetaryl-α-N-benzyl/N-acetyl/N-Boc substituted α-aminomethylacrylates used as substrates were prepared by a Baylis–Hillman reaction, followed by acylation and amination. For the asymmetric hydrogenation, a large variety of chiral, preferentially rhodium catalysts bearing commercially available phosphorus ligands were tested. Conversions and enantioselectivities were dependent on the reaction conditions and varied strongly between the substrates used. A chiral N-α-phenylethyl group supports the stereoface discriminating ability of the chiral catalysts and thus a matching pair effect could be realized. In strong contrast, a chiral ester group has almost no effect in this respect. In some cases the use of the corresponding substrate acid was better in comparison to the use of its ester. After optimization of the hydrogenation conditions (chiral catalyst, H₂-pressure, temperature, solvent), full conversions and products with up to 99% ee were achieved.     

Intramolecular asymmetric C–H insertion of N-arylalkyl,N-bis(trimethylsilyl)methyldiazoamides mediated by chiral rhodium(II) catalysts. Synthesis of (R)-β-benzyl-γ-aminobutyric acid

The enantio- and site-selectivity of the intramolecular C–H insertion reactions of acyclic N-arylalkyl, N-bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl α-diazoacetamides, and α-carboalkoxy-α-diazoacetamides 1a–g, catalyzed by chiral Rh(II) carboxamidates and Rh(II) carboxylates were studied. In general, the reaction showed good to excellent chemoselectivity. Regioselectivity for most of the reactions was high, but was also found to be influenced by the structure of the diazo substrate and the chiral Rh(II) catalyst employed. The highest enantioselectivity for the reactions catalyzed by chiral Rh(II) carboxamidates was 69% and Rh₂(4R-MEOX)₄ was found to be the most effective. For the chiral Rh(II) carboxylate catalyzed reactions, the highest ee obtained was 75% and Rh₂(S-PTTL)₄ is the optimal catalyst. The method was applied toward the synthesis of a GABA analogue, (R)-β-benzyl-γ-aminobutyric acid.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure 2-(N-aryl,N-alkyl-aminomethyl)aziridines: a new class of ligands for highly enantioselective asymmetric synthesis

A simple and effective synthesis of enantiomerically pure 2-(N-aryl-, N-alkyl-aminomethyl)aziridines from (2S)-N-tritylaziridine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester has been developed. Treating of this key ester with several primary and secondary amines in the presence of AlMe₃ provided the corresponding chiral N-trityl-2-carboxamides, and their reduction performed with different reagents resulted in the formation of the expected 2-(aminomethyl)aziridines. The choice of reaction conditions allows to either keep or leave the trityl substituent in the product. Such 2-(aminoalkyl)aziridines have shown very high catalytic efficiency in the asymmetric arylation of aldehydes and in other testing asymmetric reactions. On the other hand, homochiral N-trityl-2-carboxamides are interesting building blocks for the synthesis of various biologically active compounds.     

An effect of application of chiral aluminium alkoxides and amides as adducts to zirconium catalyzed carbo- and cycloalumination of olefins

This paper is dedicated to a study of properties of the following novel optically active organoaluminium compounds (OACs): (1S,2S)-l,7,7-trimethyl-2-[(dialkylalumina)oxy]-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes and (1S)-N-(dialkylalumina)-6,7-dimethoxy-1-methyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydroisoquinolines. The synthesis of the chiral OACs was carried out in the reaction of either natural camphor or salsolidine with both AlEt₃ and i-Bu₂AlH. The main goal of the research was to investigate the stereodifferentiating activity of the chiral OACs in the olefin carbo- and cycloalumination reactions, catalyzed by Cp₂ZrCl₂.     

Diastereoselective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated but-2-enamides to access the chiral 3-(p-tolyl) butanoic acids

An alternative methodology for the synthesis of chiral 3-(p-tolyl) butanoic acids is presented. This was accomplished through the diastereoselective hydrogenation reaction of different chiral N-3-(p-tolyl) but-2-enamides, using Pd/C in EtOH, to produce the corresponding chiral N-3-(p-tolyl) butanamides with high chemical yields and moderate diastereomeric ratios. Removal of the chiral auxiliary from N-3-(p-tolyl) butanamides gave the respective enantiomerically pure acids.     

A new chiral sulfinyl-NH-pyridine ligand for Ir-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reaction

A new flexible C₁-symmetric tridentate ligand (S)-N-(2-(tert-butylsulfinyl)benzyl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)methanamine sulfoxide (L1) was successfully prepared and utilized as a chiral ligand for Ir(I)-catalyzed ATH (asymmetric transfer hydrogenation) reactions. Without any cooperation of other chiral center, encouraging ee and conversion values have been achieved, which provide us a better understanding on these types of ligands and a new strategy to develop new high-efficiency chiral catalysts for asymmetric reaction.     

Chiral N-phosphonyl imine chemistry: new reagents and their applications for asymmetric reactions

Novel chiral N-phosphonyl imines 2 have been designed and synthesized using chiral N-phosphoramide 1. These N-phosphonyl imines have been successfully utilized for asymmetric aza-Darzens reaction and asymmetric aza-Henry reaction. The C₂-symmetric chiral auxiliary tolerates oxidation, is not sensitive to racemization and can be recycled for large scale synthesis.     

Novel C2-symmetric chiral O,N,N,O-tetradentate 2,2-bipyridyldiolpropane ligands: synthesis and application in asymmetric diethylzinc addition to aldehydes

First synthesis of C₂-symmetric chiral O,N,N,O-tetradentate 2,2-bipyridyldiolpropane ligands is described. The Mukaiyama–Michael reaction was applied as an important reaction for the synthesis of 2,2-bipyridylpropane 9. Among the ligands synthesized, ligand 11 exhibits excellent chiral induction (up to 97% ee) in diethylzinc addition to various aldehydes. The use of additional Lewis acid such as Ti(OⁱPr)₄ in diethylzinc addition reaction is not required for the present catalytic system.     

Asymmetric O-methylhalohydrin reaction of chiral N-enoyl-2-oxazolidinones: synthesis of N-protected syn-β-methoxyphenylalanine, an unusual amino acid component of cyclomarins

Asymmetric O-methylhalohydrin reactions of chiral N-enoyl-2-oxazolidinones were performed with halogens (Br₂/I₂) promoted by silver(I) in methanol with high regio- and anti-selectivity and moderate to good diastereoselectivity. Reagent-controlled opposite diastereoselectivity was observed especially for cinnamoyl and electron-deficient cinnamoyl substrates. This method was applied to the short enantioselective synthesis of N-protected syn-β-methoxyphenylalanine, an unusual amino acid component of cyclomarins.     

Efficient stereospecific synthesis of (S,S)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine

Efficient stereospecific synthesis of (S,S)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine, an important intermediate for a novel quinolone antitumor agent AG-7352 is presented. Starting from either d- or l-tartaric acid, a stereospecific synthesis of the chiral pyrrolidine was achieved via two S_N2 displacement reactions. From the results of this synthetic study, the absolute structure of AG-7352 was chemically determined.     

Silver(I)-promoted asymmetric halomethoxylation of chiral α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives: enantioselective synthesis of N-protected syn-β-methoxy-α-amino acids

Asymmetric halomethoxylation of chiral α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives was performed with halogens (Br₂/I₂) promoted by silver(I) salts with high regio- and anti-selectivity and moderate to good diastereoselectivity. Reagent controlled diastereoselectivity was observed for N-cinnamoyl-2-oxazolidinone substrates especially for cinnamoyl and electron-deficient cinnamoyl substrates, when Ag₂O was used as a promoter instead of AgNO₃. Enoyl substrates containing Oppolzer’s sultam chiral auxiliary are independent of the counter ion of the Ag(I) salt. This method was applied to a short synthesis of both enantiomers of N-protected syn-β-methoxyphenylalanine, and N- and O-protected syn-β-methoxytyrosine, unusual amino acid components of biologically active cyclic peptide and depsipeptide antibiotics.     

Proximal heteroalkylation of monoalkoxycalix[4]arenes in synthesis of inherently chiral molecules

Proximal heteroalkylation of monoalkyl ethers of calix[4]arenes or p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes in NaH/CH₃CN or NaOH/DMSO, respectively, was applied for synthesis of inherently chiral calixarenes with ABHH substitution pattern. The introduction by the method of (R)- or (S)-N-(α-phenylethyl)acetamide chiral auxiliary group gives mixtures of diastereomeric derivatives of inherently chiral calixarenes, which were separated by column chromatography. The chiral calixarenes were thoroughly characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and X-ray diffraction methods.     

Stereoselective synthesis of cis and trans-fused 3a-aryloctahydroindoles using cyclization of N-vinylic α-(methylthio)acetamides: synthesis of (−)-mesembrane

Treatment of N-(2-arylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)-α-(methylthio)acetamides with N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) gave 3a-aryl-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-3-(methylthio)indol-2-ones. Desulfurization of the cyclization products followed by a catalytic hydrogenation of the resulting hexahydroindol-2-ones gave predominantly or exclusively trans-fused octahydroindol-2-ones. On the other hand, reduction of the desulfurization products with Et₃SiH in CF₃CO₂H exclusively provided cis-fused octahydroindol-2-ones. A chiral induction of N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxy)phenylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl]-α-(methylthio)acetamide having an (R)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl group on the nitrogen atom led to the synthesis of (−)-mesembrane and (−)-trans-mesembrane.     

Synthesis of hindered chiral guanidine bases starting from (S)-(N,N-dialkyl-aminomethyl)pyrrolidines and BrCN

An efficient method for the preparation of hindered chiral guanidines using cyanogen bromide is described. The reaction between BrCN and vicinal diamines derived from (S)-2-(N,N-dialkyl-aminomethyl)-pyrrolidines provides chiral substituted cyanamides. The cyanamide derivatives reacted with secondary amines in hexafluoroisopropanol at reflux to form chiral hindered guanidines, which were isolated in good to excellent yields (70–96%). The chiral guanidines were prepared in an effort to design sophisticated chiral guanidine catalysts for asymmetric synthesis.     

New non-C2-symmetric phosphine-phosphonites as ligands in asymmetric metal catalysis

Starting from 1,2-dibromobenzene, the synthesis of N,N,N′,N′-tetraethyl-[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]phosphonous acid tetraamide is possible in two simple steps. This key compound reacts with a variety of chiral diols such as (R)- and (S)-binaphthol, 1,2:5,6-diisopropylidene-d-mannitol or (1R,2R)-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethane diol to form the corresponding non-C₂-symmetric phosphine-phosphonite compounds. These ligands react with Rh(COD)₂BF₄ to form bidentate Rh-complexes which serve as catalysts in the asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate with ee values of up to 88%.