Kinetic resolution of vic-diols by Bacillus stearothermophilus diacetyl reductase

The kinetic resolution of several racemic syn- and anti-1,2-diols by enzymatic oxidation with Bacillus stearothermophilus diacetyl reductase is described. The enantiomerically pure (R,R)- and (R,S)-diols are recovered in almost quantitative yield.     

Asymmetric electrochemical oxidation of 1,2-diols, aminoalcohols, and aminoaldehydes in the presence of chiral copper catalyst

Asymmetric oxidation of 1,2-diols, aminoalcohols, and aminoaldehydes in the presence of copper(II) triflate and (R,R)-Ph-BOX was accomplished by electrochemical method using Br⁻ as a mediator. This oxidation was applicable to kinetic resolution of racemic cis-cycloalkane-1,2-diols, aminoalcohols, and aminoaldehydes to afford optically active compounds with good to high enantioselectivity.     

A new synthetic approach to enantiomerically enriched dihydrobenzofurans: use of a hydrolytic kinetic resolution and an intramolecular epoxide ring opening protocol using 1-benzyloxy-2-oxiranylmethylbenzenes

A novel approach towards the preparation of racemic 1-benzyloxy-2-oxiranylmethylbenzenes using dimethyldioxirane and their hydrolytic kinetic resolution using (R,R)(Salen)Co(III)(OAc) (Jacobsen’s catalyst) to afford the (R)-epoxides and (S)-1,2-diols, enantioselectively, is described. The (R)-1-benzyloxy-2-oxiranylmethylbenzenes were then cyclized via an intramolecular epoxide opening reaction to give (S)-2-hydroxymethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans.     

A rare case of facial selectivity inversion for Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation in a series of structurally homogeneous substrates: synthesis of non-racemic 3-(nitrophenoxy)-propane-1,2-diols

Asymmetric dihydroxylation of mono nitrophenyl allyl ethers leads to the corresponding non-racemic 3-(nitrophenoxy)-propane-1,2-diols 1a–c. As this takes place, regardless of the reagent used (AD-mix-α or AD-mix-β), the configuration of the predominant enantiomer for the para- and meta-nitrosubstituted products is opposite to the configuration of the ortho-nitrophenyl derivative. A correlation between the melting points and vibrational spectra of the racemic and enantiopure diols 1a–c allowed us to establish that all of the chiral substances investigated formed stable racemic compounds in the solid phase.     

Ruthenium- and lipase-catalyzed DYKAT of 1,2-diols: an enantioselective synthesis of syn-1,2-diacetates

Regio- and stereoselective lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolutions were investigated for some unsymmetrical, secondary/secondary syn-diols. Candida antarctica lipase B-catalyzed transesterifications of a few aryl/alkyl- and alkyl/alkyl 1,2-diols were coupled in one-pot for efficient ruthenium-catalyzed epimerization and intramolecular acyl migration to give a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) affording enantioenriched (ee up to >99%) syn-diacetates as the main diastereomers (syn:anti ∼2:1 to 10:1).     

Syntheses of new C2-symmetric,optically active 1,2-diols bearing tertiary alkyl groups

New C₂-symmetric chiral 1,2-diols, 1,2-bis(1-adamantyl)-1,2-ethanediol and 3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-1,2-cyclohexanediol, were synthesized by the use of a new resolution method.     

Enantiomeric excess of 1,2-diols by formation of cyclic boronates: an improved method

A reliable method for determining the enantiomeric composition of 1,2-diols by the formation of diastereomeric cyclic esters with boronic acid is described. Starting from a previously reported structure of boronic chiral derivatizing agent (CDA), seven structurally related racemic CDAs were synthesized and their discriminating ability towards diols measured. The most promising amongst these was synthesized in its enantiomerically pure form according to Matteson’s protocol for the stereoselective homologation of pinanediol boronates; this CDA quantitatively and rapidly reacts with 1,2-diols in very mild conditions affording a couple of diastereoisomers, whose composition can be determined via ¹H NMR analysis. In particular, an attractive feature is that the resonance used for the analysis originated from the CDA as a couple of baseline-separated singlets (Δδ up to 0.3 ppm) is useful for integration.     

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of cyclic trans-1,2-diols bearing a diester moiety: synthetic application to chiral seven-membered-ring alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acid

Chiral cycloalkane-trans-1,2-diols (+/-)-3 and (+/-)-8 having a diester moiety have been prepared from dimethyl dialkenylmalonate using olefin metathesis by Grubbs catalyst, followed by epoxidation and acidic hydrolysis. Kinetic resolution of racemic cyclopentane-trans-1,2-diol (+/-)-3 by lipase-catalyzed transesterification afforded an optically active monoacetate (-)-5 of 95% ee in 46% yield and the recovered diol (-)-3 of 92% ee in 51% yield, and that of cycloheptane-trans-1,2-diol (+/-)-8 gave a monoacetate (+)-10 of 95% ee in 51% yield and the diol (-)-8 of >99% ee in 43% yield, respectively. The enantiomer selectivity of racemic cyclic trans-1,2-diols bearing a diester moiety by lipases (Amano PS and Amano AK) was opposite to that of the reported simple racemic cycloalkane-trans-1,2-diols. To explain the lipase-catalyzed enantiomer selectivity, computer modeling of lipase-substrate complexes was performed. Furthermore, the optically active diester (-)-8 could be efficiently converted into an optically active seven-membered-ring alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acid (4R,5R)-(-)-15.     

Selective oxidation of benzylic or allylic hydroxyl group of sec-1,2-diols

A mild and efficient method to selectively oxidize chiral sec-1,2-diols has been developed, which demonstrates that 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) can selectively oxidize benzylic or allylic hydroxyl group of sec-1,2-diols under ultrasound wave promotion. The configuration of the adjacent chiral center is retained.     

Five-Membered 2,3-dioxoheterocycles: XCV. Recyclization of 4-benzoyl-5-phenylfuran-2,3-dione at the action of substituted 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-enes. Crystal and molecular structure of substituted 5-(2-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ylidene)cyclopent-3-ene-1,2-dione

4-Benzoyl-5-phenylfuran-2,3-dione reacts with 2′,5′,5′-trimethyl-4′,5′-dihydro-4H-spiro[naphthalene-1,3′-pyrrol]-4-one and 8-(2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl)-1,3,3,9-tetramethyl-2-azaspiro[4.5]deca-1,7-dien-6-one with the formation of (Z)-3-benzoyl-5-(5′,5′-dimethyl-4-oxo-4H-spiro[naphthalene-1,3′-pyrrolidin]-2′-ylidene)-4-phenylcyclopent-3-ene-1,2-dione, whose structure was proved by XRD analysis, and of (Z)-3-benzoyl-5-{8-(2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl)-3,3,9-trimethyl-6-oxo-2-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-en-1-ylidene}-4-phenylcyclopent-3-ene-1,2-dione.     

Asymmetric oxidation of 1,2-diols using N-bromosuccinimide in the presence of chiral copper catalyst

Asymmetric oxidation of 1,2-diols using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in the presence of copper(II) triflate and (R,R)-Ph-BOX has been exploited. This oxidation was applicable to asymmetric desymmetrization of meso-hydrobenzoin and kinetic resolution of dl-hydrobenzoin and racemic-cycloalkane-cis-1,2-diols to afford optically active α-ketoalcohols with good to high enantiomeric excess.     

Stability of boronic esters - Structural effects on the relative rates of transesterification of 2-(phenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane

Relative rates of reaction of the achiral cyclic phenylboronic ester 2-(phenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane with a wide variety of structurally modified diols, have been studied to understand the factors influencing the relative stabilities of boronic esters. It is found that the alkyl substituents on the α-carbons of diols slow down the transesterification, but produce thermodynamically more stable boronic ester. Six-membered boronic esters are thermodynamically more stable than their corresponding five-membered analogs. Amongst cyclic 1,2-diols, cis-1,2-cyclopentanediol displaces ethylene glycol instantaneously whereas trans-1,2-cyclopentanediol is totally unreactive, which suggests that the cis-stereochemistry of the 1,2-diol is a prerequisite for transesterification. Among the 1,5-diols, diethanolamine displaces ethylene glycol quite rapidly forming a more stable bicyclic chelate in which nitrogen is attached to boron by a coordinating bond (as evident by ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy). The oxygen atom of di(ethylene glycol) and the sulfur atom of 2,2′-thiodiethanol do not assist in displacing the ethylene glycol from their boronic esters.     

Enantioselective microbial hydrolysis of dissymmetrical cyclic carbonates with disubstitution

Enantioselective microbial hydrolysis of C₁ and C₂ dissymmetrical cyclic carbonates with disubstitution (methyl and another groups) has been developed. Pseudomonas diminuta (FU0090), a bacterium, efficiently catalyzes the hydrolysis of five-membered cyclic carbonates. While the trans-substrates are hydrolyzed with low enantioselectivities and/or reactivities, the microbe hydrolyzes the cis-substrates with very high enantioselectivities to afford the corresponding almost optically pure anti-(2R,3S)-diols. On the other hand, six-membered trans-cyclic carbonates are enantioselectively hydrolyzed to afford the corresponding optically active syn-(2R,4R)-diols, although the hydrolysis of the cis-substrates gives racemic compounds. In all cases, the enzyme prefers the (R)-enantiomer for the carbon atom bearing a methyl group.     

(N,N-Diisopropylcarbamoyloxy)-methyl p-tolyl sulfone: preparation and application for the syntheses of 1,2-diols

1-(N,N-Diisopropylcarbamoyloxy)-1-tosyl-methane (CbOCH₂Ts, Cb=N,N-diisopropylcarbamoyl) was readily prepared from p-TolSH, paraformaldehyde and CbCl. With the dual activation of CbO- and Ts-substitutions, deprotonation of CbOCH₂Ts could be effected not only by n-BuLi, but also by Grignard reagents. Upon deprotonation, the title compound adds to various carbonyl structures. By choosing proper organometallic reagents for consecutive steps, the addition intermediate undergoes in situ conversions to efficiently yield regioselectively O-Cb protected and unprotected 1,2-diols.     

Studies on the Conversions of Diols and Cyclic Ethers. Part 48. Dehydration of alcohols and diols on the action of dimethylsulfoxide

The transformations of 13 alcohols and 13 diols in the presence of a small amount dimethylsulfoxide (1/16 mol) were studied. Relationships were found between the type of the hydroxy compound and the selectivity of the transformation, and conclusions were drawn regarding the transformation mechanism. The ether formation observed with certain alcohols proceeds via a carbenium cation. The reaction conditions applied were found suitable for inducing water elimination from the ditertiary 1,2- and 1,3-diols (pinacol rearrangement, 1,2-elimination). From the 1,4- and 1,5-diols the corresponding oxacycloalkanes can be obtained in good yield. Cyclodehydration occurs by intramolecular nucleophilic substitution, via a concerted mechanism. The effect of DMSO is exerted directly, and protoncatalysis occurs simultaneously.     

Electrochemically driven stereoselective approach to syn-1,2-diol derivatives from vinylarenes and DMF

We have developed an electrochemically driven strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of protected syn-1,2-diols from vinylarenes with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The newly developed system obviates the need for transition metal catalysts or external oxidizing agents, thus providing an operationally simple and efficient route to an array of protected syn-1,2-diols in a single step. This reaction proceeds via an electrooxidation of olefin, followed by a nucleophilic attack of DMF. Subsequent oxidation and nucleophilic capture of the generated carbocation with a trifluoroacetate ion is proposed, which gives rise predominantly to a syn-diastereoselectivity upon the second nucleophilic attack of DMF.

An electrochemical method that provides an operationally simple synthesis of masked syn-1,2-diols from styrenes and DMF has reported. The TFA ion is engaged in the formation of a key intermediate, which gives rise predominantly to syn-selectivity.     

Crystallization of chiral compounds 3. 3-phenoxypropane-1,2-diol and 3-(2-halophenoxy)propane-1,2-diols

Specific features of melting of crystalline samples of 3-(2-R-phenoxy)propane-1,2-diols with different enantiomeric compositions were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The melting points and enthalpies of melting for the racemate and individual stereoisomers were determined. Binary phase diagrams were constructed. The entropy of mixing of individual enantiomers in the liquid phase and the free energy of formation of the racemic compound were calculated. The thermochemical data indicate that the racemates are formed upon the crystallization of phenoxy-and 2-fluorophenoxy-containing compounds, while crystallization of the chloro-, bromo-, and iodo-substituted analogs would form racemic conglomerates. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 225—232, February, 2006.     

(Triisopropylsilyl)acetaldehyde acetal as a novel protective group for 1,2-diols

(Triisopropylsilyl)acetaldehyde dimethyl acetal (TIPS-ADMA) was synthesized from chlorotriisopropylsilane in three steps. Cyclic and acyclic 1,2-diols can be transformed to (triisopropylsilyl)ethylidene acetals (TIPS-AA). Removal of the acetal by LiBF₄ regenerates the starting diol in excellent yield even in the presence of an acetonide of 1,2-diol. The TIPS-AA group can survive under the deprotection conditions of the acetonide in acetic acid at 80 °C. Selective protection of 2,3- and 4,6-diols for O-methyl d-mannoside with TIPS-ADMA and selective deprotection of the acetals have been achieved.     

Jacobsen-type enantioselective hydrolysis of aryl glycidyl ethers. 31P NMR analysis of the enantiomeric composition of oxiranes

The enantioselective partial hydrolysis of a number of racemic aryl glycidyl ethers in the presence of chiral Co(salen)-catalyst was studied. The enantiomeric composition of the isolated (R)-aryl glycidyl ethers was analyzed by ³¹P NMR using optically active substituted 2-chloro-1,3,2-dioxaphospholanes. A synthesis of -adrenoblocking agents (S)-toliprolol and (S)-moprolol based on the simultaneously obtained (S)-3-aryloxypropane-1,2-diols was proposed.     

Stereoelectronic effects in the reactions of conformationally restricted,substituted cyclohexane-1,2-diones with 1,2-diols

The asymmetric synthesis of a C₂-symmetric cyclic 1,2-diketone is reported along with investigations into its properties as a potential asymmetric protecting group for 1,2-diols as the corresponding 1,2-diacetal.