Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution using novel phosphino-ester (PHEST) ligands with 1,1′-binaphthyl skeleton

The asymmetric allylic alkylation of rac-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate 1 with dimethyl malonate 2a proceeded smoothly in the presence of lithium acetate, BSA (N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide), [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl]₂, and the chiral ligand (R)-i-Pr₂N-PHEST (R)-5a to give the allylic alkylation product (R)-3a in 89% yield with 99% ee. Furthermore, the asymmetric allylic amination of 1 with potassium phthalimide 2c has been carried out using the same ligand to give the allylic amination product (S)-3c in 10% yield with 66% ee.     

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of allylic tert-butyl sulfones and sulfides: Kinetic resolution of the allylic substrate by a chiral Pd-complex

The acyclic and cyclic allylic tert-butyl sulfones 3, ent-3, 11a, 11b and 15a–c of 89–98% ee were synthesized in 40–92% yield by a Pd-catalyzed reaction of the respective allylic acetates and carbonates rac-1a, rac-1b, rac-10a, rac-10b and rac-14a–c with LiO₂St-Bu in the presence of the chiral ligands 2a, ent-2b and 12. Formation of the n-butyl sulfones 13a and 13b of 95% ee was observed. Reactions of rac-1a and 1b/ent-1b with LiO₂St-Bu in the presence of 2a and ent-2b, respectively, in THF under heterogeneous conditions were accompanied by a kinetic resolution of the allylic substrates. The faster reacting allylic substrate and the preferentially formed sulfone had the same absolute configuration. The allylic tert-butyl sulfide 17 of 92% ee was obtained in 63% yield by the Pd-catalyzed reaction of rac-1b with Me₃SiSt-Bu in the presence of ent-2b.     

Induction of reversal chirality by C2-symmetric diamide linked-diphosphine ligands in catalytic asymmetric allylations

Bridging parts X between two amide skeletons of C₂-symmetric diphosphine ligands 1 were varied using various kinds of diacyl chlorides. The ligand 1c derived from phthaloyl chloride, which was remarkably effective in the asymmetric induction on palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitutions of 2-cyclohexenyl pivalate or acetate, exhibited a moderate level of enantioselectivity, 72% ee, in the transformations of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl pivalate. The newly developed ligands 1g–i having one carbon spacers X demonstrated higher degrees of enantiomeric excess up to 93% ee. Interestingly, the present reactions catalyzed by Pd–1c–e,g–j complexes afforded the product 4 with the opposite absolute configuration S compared with the reactions using VALAP, which has the same chiral source as that of 1. The ligands 1a,b,f exhibited the induction of R configuration although the yields were very low. The production of S-4 was discussed on the basis of the Pr/Mr chirality model.     

Palladium catalysed enantioselective asymmetric allylic alkylations using the Berens’ DIOP analogue

Berens’ DIOP analogue 1a was evaluated in a series of Pd(0) catalysed asymmetric allylic alkylations of both acyclic and cyclic substrates using both C- and N-nucleophiles. The reaction conditions were exhaustively analysed and a maximum ee of 60% was obtained using rac-1,3-diphenylpropenyl acetate 3 and malonate as the nucleophile. rac-3-Acetoxycyclohexene 5 gave inferior ee’s. Various solvents were applied including [bmim]PF₆. The results using benzylamine were comparable to those obtained using malonate. For 3, in all cases the reaction exclusively gave the branched alkylated product 4 and allylic amine 8, with no trace of their linear regioisomers. The [allylPd-1a]BF₄ complex 7 was prepared, characterised and screened in the asymmetric allylic alkylation of rac-1,3-diphenylpropenyl acetate 3. It was also immobilised on montmorillonite K-10 support and preliminary solid phase reactions were conducted with 3.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic nucleophilic substitution reactions using chiral tert-butanesulfinylphosphine ligands

The asymmetric allylic alkylation of racemic 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate 3 with dimethyl malonate proceeded smoothly in the presence of lithium acetate, BSA (N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide), [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl]₂, and chiral tert-butanesulfinylphosphine ligand 2c to give the allylic alkylation product in good yield and high enantiomeric excess (up to 93% ee), while the enantioselectivities of allylic amination of 3 with various amines were moderate (up to 76% ee).     

Synthesis of E-vinylogous (R)-amino acid derivatives via metal-catalyzed allylic substitutions on enzyme-derived substrates

Oxynitrilase-derived allylic (R)-cyanohydrin carbonates 3 and allylic (R)-α-hydroxy ester carbonates 6 were examined as substrates for a palladium(0)-catalyzed allylic azidation reaction. The enantioselectivities and cis/trans diastereoselectivities of the concomitant 1,3-chirality transposition step were studied. The cyano carbonates 3a–c were found to be unimpressive substrates producing γ-azido-α,β-unsaturated nitriles 4a–c with cis/trans ratios that approached unity and gave enantiomeric excesses that ranged from 57% to 85%. In contrast, ester carbonates 6a and b were excellent substrates for the reaction exclusively affording trans substitution products 7a and b in identical enantiomeric excesses of 95% ee.     

Asymmetric cyclopropanation catalyzed by fluorous bis(oxazolines)–copper complexes

Fluorous bis(oxazoline)–copper(I) complexes generated in situ were tested as catalysts in the metal-catalyzed cyclopropanation of styrene with various α-diazoacetates. Under optimized conditions in CH₂Cl₂, quite good yields were obtained. Diastereoselectivities were found to be substrate and, to a lesser extent, ligand dependent, with trans/cis ratios ranging from 62/38 (cyclopropanation with α-ethyldiazoacetate 2a using ligand 1a) to 98/2 (cyclopropanation with methyl phenyldiazoacetate 2c using ligand 1b). Enantioselectivities up to 84% ee for the trans-isomer and 81% ee for the cis-isomer were observed using ligand 1b. Fluorous bis(oxazoline)–copper(I) complexes could be very easily separated from the products by simple precipitation using hexane, and recycled without loss of stereo- as well as enantioselectivities.     

Asymmetric peroxidation of prochiral allylic and benzylic compounds with tert-butyl hydroperoxide and chiral bisoxazoline–copper complexes

The first enantioselective peroxidation of prochiral allylic and benzylic C–H compounds by the use of chiral bisoxazoline–copper(I) complexes, generated in situ from the ligands 3 and 4a–d, and t-BuOOH as oxidant is reported. Cyclohexene 1, cyclopentene 5, α-angelica lactone 7, allylbenzene 9 and 2-phenylbutane 11 were converted into the optically active allylic and benzylic tert-butyl peroxides 2, 6, 8, 10a and 12 in good yields and ee values of 4–20%. Oxidations of 1-substituted 1-cyclohexenes 13a–c led to mixtures of regioisomeric peroxides 16a–c, 17a–c and 18a–c with different regio- and enantioselectivities, depending on the 1-substituent and the ligand used. The highest ee values (up to 84%) were observed for (S)-3-tert-butylperoxy-1-methyl-1-cyclohexene 17a.     

Ferrocenyl-QUINAP: a planar chiral P,N-ligand for palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions

The new planar chiral P,N-ligands 1a and 1b were prepared via a straightforward enantioselective synthesis using a Negishi cross-coupling and a sulfoxide/lithium exchange. Ligand 1a was successfully applied to Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation (86% ee) and amination (83% ee) reactions.     

Malonate-type bis(oxazoline) ligands with sp hybridized bridge carbon: synthesis and application in Friedel-Crafts alkylation and allylic alkylation

A series of simple and new C₂-symmetric diphenylmethylidene malonate-type bis(oxazoline) ligands were synthesized and applied to the Friedel-Crafts reaction and allylic alkylation. The Cu(II) complex of ligand 4b bearing the benzyl group afforded good to excellent enantioselectivity for the F-C adducts (up to >99% ee) between indole and alkylidene malonate, and the palladium complex of ligand 4c bearing the phenyl group afforded excellent enantioselectivity (up to 94% ee) for the allylic alkylation product.     

N-Aryl indole-derived C–N bond axially chiral phosphine ligands: synthesis and application in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

N-Aryl indole-derived C–N bond axially chiral phosphine ligands 2a–c were obtained by DDQ oxidation of N-aryl indoline-derived phosphine oxide followed by silane reduction. Resolution of C–N bond atropisomers was achieved by chiral HPLC. The investigation of the rotation barrier for the C–N bond axial stability of phosphines and the determination of the absolute configuration of 2c are described. Finally, the ability of the chiral ligand 2c was demonstrated in a palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (up to 99% ee).     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric tandem allylic substitution using chiral 2-(phosphinophenyl)pyridine ligand

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric tandem allylic substitution of (Z)-1,4-diacyloxy- and (Z)-1,4-bis(alkoxycarbonyloxy)-2-butene (2a-c) using 2-(phosphinophenyl)pyridine 1 as chiral ligand provided optically active six-membered 2-vinyl-1,4-diheterocyclic compounds with good to high enantioselectivity. For example, the reactions with catechol, 2-(benzylamino)phenol, or 1,2-bis(benzylamino)ethane as a nucleophile gave 2-vinyl-1,4-benzodioxane (71% ee), 4-benzyl-2-vinyl-1,4-benzoxazine (86% ee), and 1,4-dibenzyl-2-vinylpiperazine (86% ee), respectively.     

New pinene-derived pyridines as bidentate chiral ligands

A synthesis of new bidentate pyridines 8a-d, 9, and 10 has been developed, starting from triflate 14, readily available from β-pinene 11. A copper complex of the pyridine-oxazoline ligands 8a has been found to catalyze asymmetric allylic oxidation of cyclic olefins 36a-c with good conversion rates and acceptable enantioselectivity (≤67% ee). The imidazolium salt 10 has been identified as a precursor of the corresponding N,N′-unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, whose complex with palladium catalyzed the intramolecular amide enolate α-arylation leading to oxindole 45 in excellent yield but with low enantioselectivity.     

Origin of enantioselectivity with heterobidentate sulfide-tertiary amine (sp) ligands in palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution

A series of new chiral heterobidentate sulfide-tertiary amine (sp³) ligands 3a-c, 6 were readily prepared from cheap and easily available (R)-cysteine and l-(+)-methionine. A Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate was used as a model reaction to examine the catalytic efficiencies of these aziridine sulfide ligands, and ligand 3b afforded the enantioselectivity of up to 91% ee. The origin of enantioselectivity for heterobidentate sulfide-tertiary amine (sp³) ligands was first rationalized based on X-ray crystallographic data, and NMR spectroscopic data for relevant intermediate palladium allylic complexes. Our results demonstrated that the sulfur atom was a better π-allyl acceptor than the nitrogen atom for heterobidentate sulfide-tertiary amine (sp³) ligands, and the steric as well electronic properties of the palladium allylic complexes were crucial for the enantioselectivity.     

A P-chiral bisdiamidophosphite ligand with a 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-d-mannite backbone and its application in asymmetric catalysis

A novel readily available P,P-bidentate diamidophosphite ligand with P^∗-stereocentres is prepared from an inexpensive C₂-symmetric 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-d-mannite. By using this efficient ligand, up to 98% ee is achieved in Pd-catalysed asymmetric allylic alkylation, up to 92% ee in Pd-catalysed asymmetric allylic amination and up to 87% ee in Rh-catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation. The influence of the precatalyst, substrate and solvent on the enantioselectivity is discussed.     

Synthesis of novel β-amino alcohols and their application in the catalytic asymmetric sulfoxidation of sulfides

Novel chiral norephedrine-based β-amino alcohol ligands containing a thiophene ring were prepared from norephedrine and substituted furan carbaldehydes (methyl- or ethyl-substituted) and used in combination with VO(acac)₂ for the asymmetric oxidation of aryl methyl sulfides using H₂O₂ as an oxidant. Amino alcohol derived Schiff bases 4,5a–b gave higher enantiomeric excesses than amino alcohol-derived reduced Schiff based ligands 6,7a–b. Of these chiral ligands, (1S,2R)-5b and (1S,2R)-7b gave high yields (90%) with moderate to high enantioselectivities (78%, 96% ee, respectively). The oxidation of other aryl methyl sulfides with (1S,2R)-5b and (1S,2R)-7b as ligands afforded the corresponding sulfoxides in 60–89% yields and with 92–99% ee.     

C2-Symmetric bisphosphinites and a bisaminophosphine as new chiral ligands for Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution

A family of C₂-symmetric bisphosphinites 3, 5, 7, 9 and bisaminophosphine 11 were prepared and were probed in the prototypical reaction system of palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution. The highest ee of 86% was achieved by employing ligand 3.     

Asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes by chiral ferrocene-based catalysts

A series of chiral C₁- and C₂-symmetric ferrocenyl Schiff bases (1a-c), ferrocenyl aminoalcohols (2a), ferrocenylphosphinamides (2b-c), 1,1′-ferrocenyl-diol (3), and 1,1′-ferrocenyl-disulfonamide (4) were prepared and employed as base catalysts or as ligand for titanium(IV) complexes in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes. High enantioselectivity up to almost 100% ee was achieved for the alkylation of benzaldehyde and p-methoxybenzaldehyde with 1 or 3. In contrast, however, the β-aminoalcohol (2a) and phosphinamides (2b and c) that are ubiquitous classes of base catalysts for this reaction proved inefficient in our hands, regardless of the types of substrates or reaction conditions. Comparative studies show that there exist various reaction parameters governing not only chemical yields but also optical yields. These include steric and electronic environment of the substrate, the solvent, the reaction temperature, and the nature of the ferrocene moieties.     

Electronic tuning of the PNNP ligand for the asymmetric cyclopropanation of olefins catalysed by [RuCl(PNNP)]+

Cationic ruthenium complexes of the type [RuCl(L)(PNNP)]⁺ (L=OEt₂, OH₂), where PNNP is the CF₃-subsituted PNNP ligand N,N′-bis[o-(bis(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)phosphino)benzylidene]-(1S,2S)-diaminocyclohexane 1b, catalyse the asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene, α-Me-styrene, and 1-octene with ethyl diazoacetate. These complexes are more active and give higher cis- and enantioselectivities than their analogues containing the unsubstituted ligand 1a. Thus, [RuCl(OEt₂)(1b)]PF₆ cyclopropanates α-Me-styrene with 85% cis selectivity and 86% ee in 94% isolated yield.     

Screening of ligands in the asymmetric metallocenethiolatocopper(I)-catalyzed allylic substitution with Grignard reagents

Screening of metallocenethiolate ligands for copper(I)-catalyzed substitution of allylic acetates with Grignard reagents has been carried out. The previously used ligand, lithium (R,S_p)-2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)ferrocenylthiolate (4a), possessing both central and planar chirality, was the starting point for the screening. It was found that the diastereomeric ligand lithium (R,R_p)-2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)ferrocenylthiolate (4b) exhibiting reversed planar chirality gave increased enantioselectivity in the allylic substitution, at least when cinnamyl acetate was used as a substrate. The ruthenocene-based ligand lithium (R,S_p)-2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)ruthenocenylthiolate (4c) gave an enhanced reaction rate, but lower chiral induction. The use of disulfide bis[(R,S_p)-2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)ferrocenyl]disulfide (7a) as a ligand precursor worked well but resulted in lower enantioselectivity.