Trading N and O. Part 2: Exploiting aziridinium intermediates for the synthesis of β-hydroxy-α-amino acids

The β-hydroxy-α-amino acids (S,S)-allo-threonine, (S,S)-β-hydroxyleucine and a range of aryl substituted (S,S)-β-hydroxyphenylalanines were prepared from the corresponding enantiopure anti-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters via a rearrangement protocol, which proceeds via the intermediacy of the corresponding aziridinium ions. The starting anti-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters were prepared in >99:1 dr using our diastereoselective aminohydroxylation procedure, whereby conjugate addition of lithium (R)-N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide to an α,β-unsaturated ester is followed by oxidation of the resultant enolate with (−)-camphorsulfonyloxaziridine. Subsequent activation of the hydroxyl group within the anti-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters promoted aziridinium ion formation [which proceeds with inversion of configuration at C(2)], and regioselective ring-opening of the intermediate aziridinium ions with H₂O [which proceeds with inversion of configuration at C(3)] gave the corresponding anti-β-hydroxy-α-amino esters as single diastereoisomers (>99:1 dr). Deprotection of these substrates via sequential hydrogenolysis and ester hydrolysis gave the corresponding β-hydroxy-α-amino acids in good yield and high diastereoisomeric and enantiomeric purity.     

Trading N and O. Part 4: Asymmetric synthesis of syn-β-substituted-α-amino acids

A total of nine enantiopure syn-β-substituted-α-amino acids have been synthesised, comprising both syn-β-hydroxy-α-amino acids and syn-β-fluoro-α-amino acids. The key step in the synthetic strategy towards these syn-β-substituted-α-amino acids involves a stereospecific rearrangement, which proceeds via the intermediacy of the corresponding aziridinium ions. The requisite enantiopure syn-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters were prepared via asymmetric aminohydroxylation of the corresponding α,β-unsaturated esters followed by epimerisation of the resultant anti-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters at the C(2)-position. Subsequent activation of the α-hydroxy moiety as a leaving group followed by displacement by the β-amino substituent gave the corresponding aziridinium species. Regioselective in situ ring-opening of the aziridinium intermediates with either water or fluoride gave the corresponding syn-β-hydroxy-α-amino ester or syn-β-fluoro-α-amino ester, respectively, and N-deprotection and ester hydrolysis afforded the target syn-β-substituted-α-amino acids as single diastereoisomers in good overall yield.     

Catalytic syntheses of γ-functionalized α-keto esters from thioacetals and N,O-acetals

Ethyl 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)acrylic ester (1a) reacts with thioacetals providing the corresponding α-keto-γ-thio esters in good to satisfactory yields. Whereas aminals do not react, N,O-acetals lead to γ-amino-α-keto esters in good to excellent yields. All reactions proceed under mild reaction conditions, and no additional work up is required. Subsequent transformations of the obtained products to the corresponding α-oximes have been demonstrated.     

Synthesis of N-phenyl β-amino acids via iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation using mixed monodentate ligands

The iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of N-phenyl-β-dehydroamino acid derivatives was examined using monodentate phosphoramidite ligands. The highest yields and enantioselectivities were obtained using a mixed ligand approach with PipPhos L1 and achiral triphenylphosphine (full conversion, 70% ee).     

Syntheses and lipophilicity measurement of N/N-terminus-1,1-dihydroperfluoroalkylated α-amino acids and small peptides

(1,1-Dihydroperfluoroalkyl)phenyliodonium N,N-bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imides (4, n = 0-2) were synthesized and used to transfer the corresponding 1,1-dihydroperfluoroalkyl groups to the α-amino group of (l)tyrosine. The obtained N^α-2,2,2-trifluoroethylated (l)tyrosine (6, n = 0) was further used as the N-terminus in the solid phase peptide synthesis of leucine enkephalin analogue. The lipophilicity of the N^α-1,1-dihydroperfluoroalkylated (l)tyrosines (6, n = 0-2) and N-terminus-2,2,2-trifluoroethylated leucine enkephalin analogue (7), as well as the corresponding parent compounds, was measured.     

Regio- and diastereoselective Reformatsky reaction of chiral fluoroalkyl α,β-unsaturated N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimines: Efficient asymmetric synthesis of β-fluoroalkyl β-vinyl β-amino esters

Highly regio- and diastereoselective Reformatsky reaction of stable, chiral fluoroalkyl α,β-unsaturated N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimines was developed, which provided an efficient method for the asymmetric synthesis of structurally diverse β-tetrasubstituted β-fluoroalkyl β-vinyl β-amino esters in good yields and with excellent diastereoselectivities (dr up to 96:4).     

Asymmetric synthesis of anti-β-hydroxy-α-amino acids

The stereoselective aldol addition reactions of chiral haloacetate enolates is reported. The conversion of these adducts to enantiomerically pure anti-β-hydroxy-α-amino acids is demonstrated (Eq 2).     

γ-Hydroxy-α,β-acetylenic esters: asymmetric syntheses and applications

γ-Hydroxy-α,β-acetylenic esters are versatile synthetic precursors to many organic compounds. This paper reviews the synthesis of chiral γ-hydroxy-α,β-acetylenic esters by asymmetric reduction of γ-oxo-α,β-acetylenic esters, enantioselective addition to aldehydes in the presence of chiral catalysts, and diastereoselective addition to chiral aldehydes. The preparation of racemic γ-hydroxy-α,β-acetylenic esters is also included. Examples are provided for the application of γ-hydroxy-α,β-acetylenic esters in organic synthesis.     

γ-Hydroxy-α,β-acetylenic esters:asymmetric syntheses and applications

γ-Hydroxy-α,β-acetylenic esters are versatile synthetic precursors to many organic compounds.This paper reviews the synthesis of chiral γ-hydroxy-α,β-acetylenic esters by asymmetric reduction of γ-oxo-α,β-acetylenic esters,enantioselective addition to aldehydes in the presence of chiral catalysts,and diastereoselective addition to chiral aldehydes.The preparation of racemic γ-hydroxy-α,β-acetylenic esters is also included.Examples are provided for the application of γ-hydroxy-α,β-acetylenic esters in organi...     

Glycosylation-induced asymmetric synthesis: β-amino acid esters via Mannich reactions

Activation of Schiff bases by N-glycosylation induces asymmetric Mannich reactions with O-silyl ketene acetals to give β-amino acid esters in good yields.     

Electrophilic asymmetric syntheses of α-hydroxy carboxylic acids

Asymmetric electrophilic synthesis of α-hydroxy carboxylic acids from chiral amide derivatives of tert-butyl- and trialkylsilyl- protected glycolic and lactic acids are described which lead to chiral α-hydroxy carboxylic acids in 60–95% diastereomic excess.     

Photocatalytic aerobic cross-coupling reaction of N-substituted anilines with N-aryl glycine esters: Synthesis of α-aryl α-amino esters

A novel photocatalytic cross dehydrogenative coupling reaction of N-aryl glycine esters with N-substituted anilines has been developed. The reaction proceeds effectively using methylene blue as a photocatalyst under visible light irradiation without any metal, chemical oxidant or additive. A variety of α-aryl α-amino derivatives were prepared in moderate to excellent yields with a high para-regioselectivity.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of γ-hydroxy-α-amino acids via intramolecular amidomercuration

A general method for the stereoselective conversion of homoallylic alcohols to erythro- or threo-β-hydroxy-α-amino acids is described. The key step is the stereoselective mercuric ion-initiated cyclofunctionalization of acylaminomethyl ether derivatives of the homoallylic alcohols (3 → 8). The stereochemistry of the products obtained from the cyclofunctionalization is controlled by the choice of reaction conditions. Reaction under conditions of kinetic control leads to predominant formation of cis 4,6-disubstituted tetrahydro-1,3-oxazines, while reaction under conditions which allow for equilibration of the organomercurial intermediates results in the formation of the trans stereoisomer with very high stereoselectivity. Oxidative demercuration and oxidation of the resulting alcohol produces a protected form of the title amino acids (8 → 9 → 10). Cleavage of the tetrahydrooxazine ring with hydrobromic acid then produces the amino acid products asγ-butyrolactone hydrobromides (11 and 12). This general method thus allows for stereoselective synthesis of either diastereomer of the amino acid product starting with a single homoallylic alcohol.     

Synthesis of α,α-dideutero-β-amino esters

A straight forward entry to α,α-dideutero-β-amino esters starting from the corresponding imines and deuterated acetonitrile has been developed involving a two-step process.     

Total asymmetric syntheses of β-hydroxy-δ-lactones via Umpolung with sulfur dioxide

Cyclic stereotriads and stereotetrads of the β-hydroxy-δ-lactone type, e.g. prelactones B and E, common in polyketides and polypropionates, are prepared via SO(2)-induced oxyallylations of enoxysilanes with (1E,3Z)-1-(1-phenylethoxy)penta-1,3-dien-3-yl carboxylates. Using (Z)- or (E)-enoxysilanes both 4,5-cis- or 4,5-trans-δ-lactones are obtained. Depending on the reduction method applied to the obtained aldol intermediates 5,6-trans or 5,6-cis-derivatives are formed. The δ-lactones can be prepared in both their enantiomeric forms depending on the (1R)- or (1S)-configuration of the starting 1-(1-phenylethoxy)penta-1,3-dienes.     

Stoichiometric and catalytic methods of asymmetric synthesis of nonproteinogenic α-and β-amino acids via transition metal coordination compounds

The complexes of glycine, -alanine, and -alanine with (S)-[N-(N-benzylprolyl)amino] benzophenone formed by Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions and Schiff bases enter into different nucleophilic and electrophilic reactions with the formation of diastereoisomeric complexes which decompose into proteinogenic and nonproteinogenic L-amino acids with a high chemical yield and elevated optical purity (70–90%). Optically pure amino acids can be obtained from diastereoisomerically pure complexes after the complexes are separated by recrystallization of the mixture of diastereoisomeric complexes formed. A new type of interphase catalysts of C-alkylation of achiral Schiff bases was proposed. The catalysts are positively charged Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of Schiff bases of chiral diamines. In some cases, these complexes have a higher activity and capacity to execute asymmetric alkylation than traditional chiral interphase catalysts based on cinchonidine.Based on materials in the section report by Yu. N. Belokon' to the 7th European Symposium on Organic Chemistry, ESOC-7.A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelemental Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117813 Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1106–1127, May, 1992.     

Absolute asymmetric synthesis of tertiary α-amino acids

Frozen: the spontaneous crystallization of an achiral compound in a chiral conformation is used as the unique source of chirality in an absolute asymmetric synthesis of tertiary amino acids. The dynamic axial chirality of tertiary aromatic amides is frozen in a crystal and is responsible for the stereoselectivity of the deprotonation/alkylation. α-Amino acid derivatives are synthesized in up to 96 % ee.     

Efficient synthesis of N-acyl-α-amino acids via polymer incarcerated palladium-catalyzed amidocarbonylation

A novel polymer incarcerated Pd catalyst (PI Pd 7c) was synthesized from amide-containing polymer 6b, and this catalyst was shown to be effective in amidocarbonylation, which is a versatile one-pot method for the preparation of N-acyl-α-amino acids. The reactions proceeded smoothly with a wide variety of substrates, and no leaching of the Pd metal to the reaction mixture was detected.