Catalytic asymmetric cyanosilylation of ketones by a chiral amino acid salt

In this Communication, we describe the first highly enantioselective cyanosilylation of ketones catalyzed by simple chiral amino acid salt. A broad range of aromatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated, heterocyclic ketones catalyzed by l-phenylglycine sodium salt gave the corresponding trimethylsilyl ethers of cyanohydrins in 75-96% yields with 86-97% enantioselectivities. A catalytic cycle based on experimental phenomena and studies has been proposed to explain the origin of this activation. The reaction employed commercially available and fully recyclable catalysts and involves a simple experimental procedure.     

Catalytic cyanosilylation of ketones with simple phosphonium salt

In the presence of 1-5 mol % of benzyltriphenylphosphonium chloride, a wide variety of unconjugated and conjugated, acyclic and cyclic ketones were transformed to their corresponding cyanohydrin silyl ethers in excellent yields.     

A mild and efficient cyanosilylation of ketones catalyzed by a Lewis acid-Lewis base bifunctional catalyst

A new family of bifunctional catalysts (N-oxides-Ti(OⁱPr)₄ (2:1)) containing a Lewis acid and a Lewis base was developed and applied to the catalytic cyanosilylation of ketones. Utilizing rac((1R,2S) and (1S,2R))-1-(2′-pyridylmethyl)-2-diphenylhydroxymethylpyrrolidine N-oxide-titanium (2:1) complex and N-benzyl-diethanolamine N-oxide-titanium (2:1) complex as catalysts, the cyanosilylation products were obtained in 42-97% yield. Based on experimental phenomena and kinetic studies, a catalytic cycle was proposed to explain the remarkable activities of these catalysts. Investigations indicated that rac((1R,2S) and (1S,2R))-1-(2′-pyridylmethyl)-2-diphenylhydroxymethylpyrrolidine N-oxide-titanium (2:1) complex and N-benzyl-diethanolamine N-oxide-titanium (2:1) complex should promote the reaction via a dual activation of the ketone by the titanium and TMSCN by the N-oxide.     

Catalytic asymmetric Nazarov reactions promoted by chiral Lewis acid complexes

Divinyl ketones bearing alpha-ester or alpha-amide groups undergo Nazarov cyclizations to give cylopentenones using copper-bisoxazoline Lewis acid complexes with moderate to good ees. [reaction: see text]     

Enantioselective cyanosilylation of ketones by a catalytic double-activation method employing chiral Lewis acid and achiral N-oxide catalysts

[reaction: see text] Enantioselective addition of TMSCN to ketones is achieved by a catalytic double-activation method using 1a-Ti(IV) complex as the Lewis acid and achiral N-oxide 2 as the Lewis base to activate ketones and TMSCN, respectively.     

Catalytic asymmetric borane reduction of prochiral ketones using chiral camphor-derived mercapto-alcohols

Easily available D-(+)-camphor-derived chiral mercapto-alcohols 2 and 3 were employed for catalytic asymmetric borane reduction of aromatic ketones. Moderate enantioselectivities with e.e. 20.2-72.1% were obtained with 10 mol% catalyst. Opposite asymmetric induction was achieved when mercapto-alcohols 2 and 3 were used.     

Catalytic cyanosilylation of ketones using organic catalyst 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine

1,1,3,3-Tetramethylguanidine acts as a highly effective catalyst for cyanosilylation of various ketones and aldehydes to the corresponding cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers in up to 99% yield. The reaction proceeds smoothly with 0.1 mol % catalyst loading at 25 °C under solvent-free conditions.     

Enantioselective cyanosilylation of ketones catalyzed by a chiral oxazaborolidinium ion

The chiral oxazaborolidinium salt 1 (X = TfO) is an excellent catalyst for the cyanosilylation of methyl ketones promoted by trimethylsilyl cyanide and diphenylmethyl phosphine oxide as co-reactants (to generate Ph(2)MePOTMS(N=C:) as a reactive intermediate). The face selectivity of this reaction parallels that previously observed for the corresponding reaction of aldehydes. A unifying and rational mechanistic explanation is provided for these enantioselective reactions. Evidence is presented to support the importance of alpha-C-H...O hydrogen bonding, pi,pi-interaction of the complexed ketonic carbonyl with the mexyl group of 1, and an early transition state for high enantioselectivity. The cyanosilylation reaction described herein provides access to many useful chiral compounds.     

Catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones using terpene-based chiral β-amino alcohols

Catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenations of aromatic alkyl ketones have been studied using [RuCl₂(p-cymeme)]₂ and terpene-based β-amino alcohols. The limonene derived amino alcohol, (1S,2S,4R)-1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexanol gave the most promising results. Chiral secondary alcohols were obtained in good to excellent yields and moderate enantioselectivities (up to 71%).     

Enantioselective cyanocarbonation of ketones with chiral base

A highly enantioselective cyanocarbonation of dialkyl ketones catalyzed by commercially available and easily recyclable cinchona alkaloid derivatives has been developed. The reaction provides a useful approach for the enantioselective construction of tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters. Mechanistic studies have been carried out to shed light on the origin of the catalytic activity of the cinchona alkaloid and the asymmetric induction step.     

Catalytic asymmetric vinylation of ketones

This communication describes the catalytic asymmetric 1,2-addition of vinylzinc reagents to aromatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated, and dialkyl ketones with enantioselectivities between 79 and 97% and with yields ranging from 84 to 98%. The products of these reactions are tertiary allylic alcohols with chiral quaternary centers that are useful in organic synthesis. The reaction involves hydrozirconation of a terminal alkyne, transmetalation to zinc, and addition to a ketone in the presence of a chiral titanium-based Lewis acid catalyst. The reactions proceed smoothly at room temperature in under 24 h.     

Catalytic enantioselective allylation with chiral Lewis bases

The advent of chiral Lewis base-promoted allylation of aldehydes has opened a new direction in the catalytic enantioselective construction of homoallylic alcohols. This short review outlines the conceptual framework for the creation of this new process and the interplay of mechanistic investigations and synthetic studies that have conspired to produce a useful new reaction. The current state-of-the-art in catalyst design and application of the reaction in synthesis are briefly illustrated.     

Development of chiral dinitrones as modular Lewis base catalysts: asymmetric allylation of aldehydes with allyltrichlorosilanes

Chiral dinitrones were synthesized by the condensation of a C₂-symmetrical chiral dihydroxylamine with various aldehydes. The electronic and steric properties of the dinitrones can be modified by changing the aldehyde component. The activity of dinitrones as Lewis base catalysts was examined for the asymmetric allylation of aldehydes with allyltrichlorosilanes. Using DMPU as an additive in chloroform, the reaction proceeded at room temperature to afford allylated products in good yields and good enantioselectivities.     

Thiourea-catalyzed enantioselective cyanosilylation of ketones

The new chiral amino thiourea catalyst 3d promotes the highly enantioselective cyanosilylation of a wide variety of ketones. The hindered tertiary amine substituent plays a crucial role with regard to both stereoinduction and reactivity, suggesting a cooperative mechanism involving electrophile activation by thiourea and nucleophile activation by the amine.     

Practical synthesis of chiral ligands for catalytic enantioselective cyanosilylation of ketones and ketoimines

A practical synthesis of chiral ligands that are useful for catalytic enantioselective cyanosilylation of ketones and ketoimines is described. Compared with the previous synthetic route, the number of total steps is decreased and the total yield is greatly improved. Furthermore, both (+)- and (-)-ligands are readily available by this new synthetic route.     

Catalytic asymmetric vinylation and dienylation of ketones

A solution to the long-standing problem of catalytic asymmetric vinylation of ketones is reported. Vinylzinc reagents are generated via hydrozirconation of terminal alkynes followed by transmetalation to zinc. In the presence of our catalyst, which is formed in situ from a bis(sulfonamide) diol ligand (1) and titanium tetraisopropoxide, the vinylzinc reagent undergoes 1,2-addition to a variety of ketones and enones with enantioselectivities (typically >90%) and high yields. This method is tolerant of functional groups, including alkyl, aryl and vinyl halides, esters, silyl protected alcohols, sulfides, and alkenes. Thus, enantioenriched tertiary allylic alcohols bearing a variety of functional groups can be prepared. It has also been found that 2,2-disubstituted vinylzinc reagents, substitution patterns not accessible through hydrozirconation, can be added to ketones with high enantioselectivities to generate trisubstituted allylic alcohols. Furthermore, we have developed an asymmetric addition of dienyl groups to ketones in the presence of our catalyst. This method enables the synthesis of dienols in high yields with enantioselectivities as high as 94%.     

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of chiral phosphanes

Chiral phosphanes, important ligands for metal-catalyzed asymmetric syntheses, are often prepared with compounds from the chiral pool, by using stoichiometric chiral auxiliaries, or by resolution. In some cases, this class of valuable compounds can be prepared more efficiently by catalytic asymmetric synthesis. This Concepts article presents an overview of these synthetic methods, including recent advances in catalysis by metal complexes, biocatalysis, organocatalysis, and ligand-accelerated catalysis.     

Lewis base activation of Lewis acids. Catalytic enantioselective addition of silyl enol ethers of achiral methyl ketones to aldehydes

A highly enantioselective addition of silyl enol ethers derived from simple methyl ketones is described. The catalyst system of silicon tetrachloride activated by a chiral bisphosphoramide (R,R)-7 effectively promotes the addition of a variety of unsubstituted silyl enol ethers to aromatic, olefinic, and heteroaromatic aldehydes in excellent yield. [reaction: see text]