Coordination behaviour in transition metal complexes of asymmetric NPN ligands

Two bicyclic, chiral aminophosphine ligands, namely 4R, 9R-1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-propyl)octahydro-1H-1,3,2-benzodiazaphosphole (1) and 4R, 9R-1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-ethoxy)octahydro-1H-1,3,2-benzodiazaphosphole (2) have been prepared from 1R, 2R-diaminocyclohexane and the appropriate dichlorophosphine and the nature of their coordination to a number of transition metals explored. Ligand 1 coordinates to Pd(II) and Pt(II) as a terdentate donor to give complexes of the type [M(κ³-N,P,N-1)Cl]⁺ whereas ligand 2 favours bidentate κ²-P,N coordination to give the complexes M(κ²-P,N-2)Cl₂. The study of the coordination chemistry of the NPN ligand 1 is frustrated by its ready decomposition to an unknown species which appears to be promoted by transition metals. The ligand 2 does not undergo such a transformation and its metal chemistry is more readily examined. Aside from the Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes above, 2 has been coordinated to Cr(0) and Mo(0) in the octahedral complexes M(κ²-P,N-2)(CO)₄ and Au(I) in linear Au(κ¹-P-2)Cl. All the complexes have been fully characterised by spectroscopic and analytical techniques including a single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of [Pt(κ³-N,P,N-1)Cl]Cl, 3.     

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.     

Asymmetric allylation of N-benzoylhydrazones promoted by novel C2-symmetric bis-sulfoxide organocatalysts

Novel C₂-symmetric bis-sulfoxide/N-oxide (R,R)-5 was prepared in good yield according to the Andersen protocol with (S)-menthyl p-tolyl sulfinate (2 equiv) and the dilithium derivate of 2,6-dimethylpyridine N-oxide. Reduction of (R,R)-5 to pyridine/bis-sulfoxide (R,R)-6 was accomplished by means of Katritzky’s procedure (Fe⁰/AcOH). Both bis-sulfoxides (R,R)-5 and (R,R)-6 are efficient chiral organocatalysts in the asymmetric allylation of N-benzoyl hydrazones derived from both aldehydes and ketones.     

Synthesis of the C6–C18 bis-tetrahydrofuran fragment of the proposed structure of iriomoteolide-2a via stepwise double SN2 cyclization reactions

The C6–C18 bis-tetrahydrofuran (bis-THF) fragment of the proposed structure of iriomoteolide-2a has been synthesized via stepwise double intramolecular S_N2-type etherifications. The C11 and C16 stereogenic centers could be secured in the forms of propargyl alcohols by asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of the corresponding propargyl ketones. The C9–C12 THF ring was first constructed via a tandem asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD)–S_N2 sequence while the C13–C16 THF ring was later installed via an intramolecular S_N2 reaction of a chiral propargyl mesylate. During the latter THF ring formation, epimerization at the propargylic carbon was not observed. Since the initially proposed (9R,11S,12R) configuration of iriomoteolide-2a has recently been revised to (9S,11R,12S), the established synthesis of the C6–C18 bis-THF fragment could be easily amended by using the opposite enantiomers of the chiral ligands for AD and asymmetric transfer hydrogenation.     

Resolution of 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one via cyclic aminals

High yielding resolution of racemic 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one (±)-1 (`7-oxanorbornenone') via aminal formation with (R,R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine 2 is reported. Acidic hydrolysis furnishes the enantiomeric ketones (+)-1 and (−)-1 (≥95% ee). The chiral diamine is efficiently recovered.     

Highly enantioselective copper-catalyzed conjugate addition of diethylzinc to cyclic enones with spirocyclic phosphoramidite ligands

A series of spirocyclic phosphoramidite ligands 6-9 with different substituents on the amine moiety were synthesized from the chiral spirocyclic diol (R)-5. These monodentate ligands have been applied in copper-catalyzed conjugate addition of diethylzinc to cyclic enones. Excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) can be achieved by the use of ligand (R,S,S)-9 bearing stereochemically matched structure derived from the C₂-symmetric (S,S)-bis(α-methylbenzyl)amine.     

Novel chiral tetraaza ligands: synthesis and application in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Novel chiral tetraaza ligands, N¹,N²-bis(2-(piperidin-1-yl)benzylidene)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine 1 and N¹,N²-bis(2-(piperidin-1-yl)benzyl)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine 2, have been synthesized and fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. The structure of (R,R)-1 has been established by X-ray crystallography. Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones with the catalysts prepared in situ from [IrHCl₂(COD)]₂ and the chiral tetraaza ligands in 2-propanol gave the corresponding optically active secondary alcohols in high conversions and good ees (up to 91%) under mild reaction conditions.     

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.     

Mesoporous SBA-15-supported chiral catalysts: preparation,characterization and asymmetric catalysis

Two mesoporous silica-supported chiral Rh and Ru catalysts 5 and 6 with ordered two-dimensional hexagonal mesostructures were prepared by directly postgrafting organometallic complexes RhCl[(R)-MonoPhos(CH₂)₃Si(OMe)₃][(R,R)-DPEN] and RuCl₂[(R)-MonoPhos(CH₂)₃Si(OMe)₃][(R,R)-DPEN] (DPEN = 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine) on SBA-15. During the asymmetric hydrogenation of various aromatic ketones under 40 atm H₂, both catalysts exhibited high catalytic activities (more than 97% conversions) and moderate enantioselectivities (33–54% ee). Furthermore, the chiral Rh catalyst 5 could be easily recovered and used repetitively five times without significantly affecting its catalytic activity and enantioselectivity. A catalytic comparison of the mesoporous silica-supported chiral Rh catalyst 4 prepared by a postmodification method is also discussed.     

Screening of a library of hemisalen ligands in asymmetric H-transfer: Reduction of aromatic ketones in water

A library of chiral hemisalen ligands (30) was realized. The ligands were synthesized by the condensation of salicylaldehyde derivatives with amino-alcohols (amino-indanol or substituted amino-ethanol) and characterized. These ligands associated with ruthenium (II) precursors were tested on the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of aromatic ketones by sodium formate in water. The different substituent pattern on the ligand (electronic and hindrance effects on different positions) as well as the ruthenium precursor were investigated. The best compromise in terms of conversion and chiral induction led to the complex [RuCl₂(mesitylene)]₂ coordinated to (1S,2R)-1-((E)-(3-(dimethyl(phenyl)silyl)-2-hydroxy-5-methoxy benzylidene) amino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-ol (L25). It reduces acetophenone in 95% yield and 91% ee in 18 h at 30 °C.     

Chiral cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes with P,P-ligands derived from (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane: Synthesis,crystal structures and catalytic activity in Diels–Alder reactions

Chiral cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes [CpRu(L1–L3)Cl] (5–7) have been prepared by reaction of [CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl] with chiral P,P-ligands (1R,2R)-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinamino)cyclohexane (L1), N,N′-[bis-(3,3′-bis-tert-butyl-5,5′-bis-methoxy-1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-diyl)phosphite]-(1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (L2) and N,N′-[bis-(R)-1,1′-binaphtyl-2,2′-diyl)phosphite]-(1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (L3). The molecular structures of 5 and 6 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Studies on catalytic activity of the cations derived from (5–7) by treatment with AgSbF₆, are also reported.     

Asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketones using in situ generated oxazaborolidine derived from (1S,2S,3R,4R)-3-amino-7,7-dimethoxynorbornan-2-ol. An efficient synthesis of enantiopure (R)-tomoxetine

Catalytic asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketones was examined in the presence of chiral oxazaborolidine catalyst 2 prepared in situ from (1S,2S,3R,4R)-3-amino-7,7-dimethoxynorbornan-2-ol (1). The optically active secondary alcohols were generally obtained in moderate to high enantiomeric excesses (ee 43-95%) and good yields (75-94%), except for ketones bearing electron-withdrawing groups. The methodology was applied to the synthesis of enantiopure (R)-tomoxetine, a potent anti-depressant drug.     

Enantioselective arylation of aldehydes catalyzed by a soluble optically active polybinaphthols ligand

A soluble chiral polymer ligand was synthesized by the polymerization of (R)-6,6′-dibutyl-3,3′-diformyl-2,2′-binaphthol (R-M-1) with 2,5-diaminopyridine (M-2) via a nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction. While arylboronic acids were used as the source of the transferable aryl group, the chiral polybinaphthols ligand in combination with Et₂Zn without Ti(OⁱPr)₄ exhibited higher enantioselectivity in asymmetric addition to aromatic aldehydes than alphatic aldehydes. When aromatic aldehydes with electron-withdrawing groups were chosen as substrates, the resulting diarylmethanols were produced in higher ee values than those with electron-donating groups as substrates. 2-Naphthaldehyde used as a substrate afforded product in 95% ee, which could be ascribed to the steric effect influence on this asymmetric arylation reaction. Moreover, the chiral polymer was easily recovered and reused, but exhibited a decrease of enantioselectivity in the third recycle.     

Electron transfer-initiated asymmetric photocyclization of chiral auxiliary-substituted N-acyl-α-dehydro(1-naphthyl)alaninamides to the corresponding 3,4-dihydrobenzo[f]quinolinone derivatives

Photoinduced electron transfer reactions of the title N-acyl-α-dehydronaphthylalaninamides [(Z)-1] with (S)-1-phenylethylamino and (S)-alaninamide auxiliary groups in methanol containing a tertiary amine were shown to form (R,S)- and (S,S)-3,4-dihydrobenzo[f]quinolinone derivatives (2) in excess at rt, respectively. The magnitude of diastereomeric excess (de) was varied in the range of −5-26% for (R,S)-2 and 16-92% for (S,S)-2, depending on the chiral auxiliary and reaction temperature. The mechanism of asymmetric induction in the photocyclization process eventually affording diastereomeric 2 was discussed based on solvent, tertiary amine, chiral auxiliary and temperature effects on the de value as well as on MM2 and PM5 calculations for the diastereomeric enol intermediates.     

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective 1,4-conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to α,β- and α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones

An enantioselective Cu(II)-catalyzed conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to α,β- or α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones with chiral cyclohexane-based amidophosphine ligands was developed. With 2 mol% of Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O/L5, the conjugate addition of diethylzinc to α,β-unsaturated ketones was achieved in good-to-excellent yields (up to 98%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee). This catalytic system was shown to be efficient for the 1,4-conjugate addition of Et₂Zn to (2E,4E)-1,5-diphenylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one with 85% yield and 90% ee. Moreover, with 1 mol% of Cu(OTf)₂/L11, the conjugate addition of α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones was accomplished with 1,4-regioselectivity, good yields (79–86%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).     

Diastereoselective LiAlH4 reduction of chiral ketone hydrazones derived from (R)-(–)-2-aminobutan-1-ol

Various chiral N,N-dialkylhydrazines were prepared in four to five steps from (R)-(–)-2-aminobutan-1-ol 6. They reacted with various prochiral ketones, thus giving the corresponding hydrazones. Reduction of the latter by means of LiAlH₄ afforded N,N,N′-trisubstituted hydrazines whose d.e.s were in the range 43–100%. Interestingly, LiAlH₄ reduction of the four N-trifluoroethylhydrazones 34 and 38–40 yielded the hydrazines 46 and 48–50, respectively, and with d.e.s=100% by ¹H and ¹³C NMR.     

High asymmetric induction using a diastereomeric mixture of axially dissymmetric ligands

We have reported that our new axially dissymmetric ligand with two chiral centers, (R_a)-2,2′-bis[(R)-1H-1-hydroxyperfluorooctyl]biphenyl ((R_a)-(R)₂-1c, or tentatively called as (R_a)-(R)₂-PFCAB-7), worked as a good asymmetric inducer for the reaction of benzaldehyde with diethylzinc. Now, a mixture of (R_a)-(R)₂- and (S_a)-(R)₂-PFCAB-7 even in 1:4 ratio (−60% de) was found to give nearly the same asymmetric induction as pure (R_a)-(R)₂-PFCAB-7 of the corresponding molar percents. This result suggests that both isomers do not form complex and that (R_a)-(R)₂-PFCAB-7 accelerates the reaction and induces high asymmetry, while (S_a)-(R)₂-1c does not accelerate the reaction significantly and does not induce asymmetry at all. This ligand of low ee, (R_a)-(R)₂-PFCAB-7 of 20% ee, did not show appreciable asymmetric amplification, suggesting no formation of heterochiral complex.     

Chiral diphenylthiophosphoramides: a new class of chiral ligands for the silver(I)-promoted enantioselective allylation of aldehydes

Chiral C₂-symmetric diphenylthiophosphoramides 1 and 2 were prepared in high yields from the reaction of diphenylthiophosphinic chloride with (1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and (1R,2R)-(+)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine, respectively. Another novel chiral ligand 4 was prepared from reaction of diphenylthiophosphinic chloride with (R)-(+)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine using butyllithium as a base. They were used as catalytic chiral ligands in the silver(I)-promoted enantioselective allylation reaction of aldehydes with allyltributyltin.     

Total synthesis of the 5-epimers of naturally occurring (−)-hyacinthacine A5 and unnatural (+)-hyacinthacine A4

(1R,2S,3R,5S,7aR)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine 10 [(+)-5-epihyacinthacine A₅] and (1R,2S,3R,5S,7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine 17 [ent-5-epihyacinthacine A₄] have been synthesized by either Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) or Wittig methodology using aldehydes 6 and 13, prepared from (2R,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine 5 (partially protected DALDP) and (2R,3S,4R,5S)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2′-O-pivaloylpyrrolidine 12 (partially protected DGADP), respectively, and the appropriated ylide, followed by cyclization through an internal reductive amination process of the corresponding intermediate pyrrolidinic ketones 7 and 14 and subsequent deprotection.     

Chiral diphenylselenophosphoramides: a new class of chiral ligands for the titanium(IV) alkoxide-promoted addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes

Chiral C₂-symmetric diphenylselenophosphoramides 1 and 2 were prepared from the reaction of diphenylselenophosphinic chloride with (1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and (1R,2R)-(+)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine, respectively, in high yields. Another novel chiral ligand 3 was prepared from the reaction of diphenylselenophosphinic chloride with (R)-(+)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine using butyllithium as the base. The ligands were used as catalytic chiral ligands in the titanium(IV) alkoxide-promoted enantioselective addition reaction of diethylzinc to aldehydes.