Enantiodivergent Chemoenzymatic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution: Conversion of Racemic Propargyl Alcohols into Both Enantiomers

Natural lipases typically recognize enantiomers of alcohols based on the size differences of substituents near the carbinol moiety and selectively react with the R enantiomers of secondary alcohols. Therefore, lipase-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of racemic secondary alcohols produces only R enantiomers. We report herein a method for obtaining S enantiomers by DKR of secondary 3-(trialkylsilyl)propargyl alcohols by using a well-known R-selective Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase in combination with a racemization catalyst VMPS4, in which the silyl group reverses the size relationship of substituents near the carbinol moiety. We have already reported R-selective DKR of the corresponding propargyl alcohols without substituents on the ethynyl terminal carbon, and the presence of an easily removable silyl group has enabled us to produce both enantiomers of propargyl alcohols in high chemical yields and with high enantiomeric excess. In addition, immobilization of the lipase on Celite was found to be important for achieving a high efficiency of the DKR.     

(S)‐Selective Kinetic Resolution and Chemoenzymatic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols

(S)‐Selective kinetic resolution was achieved through the use of a commercially available protease, which was activated with a combination of two different surfactants. The kinetic resolution (KR) process was optimized with respect to activation of the protease and to the acyl donor. The KR proved to be compatible with a range of functionalized sec‐alcohols, giving good to high enantiomeric ratio values (up to >200). The enzymatic resolution was combined with a ruthenium‐catalyzed racemization to give an (S)‐selective dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of sec‐alcohols. The DKR process works under very mild reaction conditions to give the corresponding esters in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.     

Ruthenium and enzyme-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution of alcohols

Ruthenium acts as a good catalyst for the racemization reaction of secondary alcohols and amines. Ruthenium-catalyzed racemization is coupled with enzymatic kinetic resolution to prepare chiral compounds in 100% theoretical yield. Ten ruthenium complexes (1–10) act as a good catalyst the for racemization reaction and are also compatible with DKR process. Two other ruthenium complexes [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] and [Cp^*RuCl(COD)] are active for racemization reaction but their successful compatibility with DKR has not yet been reported. Ru/γ-Al₂O₃ and Ru–HAP are the heterogeneous catalysts used for the racemization reaction. They have also not been employed for DKR process. Polymer supported ruthenium is employed as a reusable racemization catalyst for aerobic DKR of alcohols.     

Dynamic kinetic resolution of 2-methyl-2-nitrocyclohexanol: Combining the intramolecular nitroaldol (Henry) reaction & lipase-catalysed resolution

Efforts to combine the intramolecular nitroaldol reaction with lipase-catalysed resolution of the resulting nitroaldol adduct in a one-pot dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) are described. Significant challenges were encountered in the combination of the two systems. trans-2-Methyl-2-nitrocyclohexyl acetate (±)-3b was isolated in excellent enantiopurity (>98% ee) via a sequential DKR sequence where the lipase-mediated resolution and base-mediated interconversion of 2-methyl-2-nitrocyclohexanol 2 were effected alternately, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach initially. Further work showed, for the first time, evidence that a DKR-type system is possible for 2. Reaction engineering allowed the design of a sequential one-pot reaction system which furnished the products with excellent enantioselectivity, and good diastereoselectivity.     

(S)-selective dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols by the combination of subtilisin and an aminocyclopentadienylruthenium complex as the catalysts

A new procedure for the dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of racemic alcohols into single enantiomers is described. This procedure employs surfactant-treated subtilisin as an (S)-selective resolving catalyst and an aminocyclopentadienylruthenium complex as a racemizing catalyst. The DKR is performed best in the presence of an acyl donor such as trifluoroethyl butyrate in THF at room temperature. Eight simple secondary alcohols have been efficiently resolved with high optical purities and good yields. The subtilisin-based DKR is complementary in stereoselectivity to its lipase-based counterpart. For an acyl-carrying alcohol, both subtilisin- and lipase-based DKRs have proceeded equally well to give a pair of enantiomeric products (>99.5% ee each) with opposite optical rotations in high yields (94-95%).     

Efficient dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols with a novel tetrafluorosuccinato ruthenium complex

Dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of a series of secondary alcohols has been conducted with a novel dinuclear ruthenium complex, bearing tetrafluorosuccinate and (rac)-BINAP ligands as the racemization catalyst. Novozym 435 has been used as the enzyme, and isopropyl butyrate as the acyl donor. Five substrates underwent DKR successfully: an aliphatic and an aromatic secondary alcohol, an aromatic alcohol with an electron-withdrawing substituent on the phenyl ring, an aromatic alcohol bearing an electron-donating substituent on the ring and a heteroaromatic secondary alcohol. The catalyst performed optimally at 70 °C. Typically the reaction reached complete conversion within 1 day with 0.1 mol % of racemization catalyst relative to the substrate. The addition of the ketone corresponding to the substrate stabilizes the active Ru complex and, therefore, increases the rate of the reaction.     

Air-stable racemization catalyst for dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols at room temperature

[reaction: see text] A novel racemization catalyst was synthesized for the dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of alcohols with a lipase at room temperature in the air. Furthermore, a polymer-supported derivative was also synthesized and tested as a recyclable catalyst for the aerobic DKR of alcohols.     

Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Heterobiaryl Ketones by Zinc‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrosilylation

A diastereo‐ and highly enantioselective dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of configurationally labile heterobiaryl ketones is described. The DKR proceeds by zinc‐catalyzed hydrosilylation of the carbonyl group, thus leading to secondary alcohols bearing axial and central chirality. The strategy relies on the labilization of the stereogenic axis that takes place thanks to a Lewis acid–base interaction between a nitrogen atom in the heterocycle and the ketone carbonyl group. The synthetic utility of the methodology is demonstrated through stereospecific transformations into either N,N‐ligands or appealing axially chiral, bifunctional thiourea organocatalysts.     

Racemization of secondary alcohols catalyzed by ruthenium: application to chemoenzymatic dynamic resolution

In this paper, we have shown that the [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ complex associated with simple hemisalen ligands is able to racemize (S)-1-phenylethanol. The influence on the racemization process of the ligand’s structure as well as the nature of a co-catalyst have been evaluated and optimized. This [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂/Ligand/TEMPO racemization system was then associated with the Candida Antarctica B lipase in order to carry out dynamic kinetic resolution experiments on rac-phenylethanol. This led us to identify the best conditions for effective DKR, which was then applied to various secondary benzylic and aliphatic alcohols. It was thus possible to obtain (R)-1-cyclohexylethyl acetate from rac-1-cyclohexylethanol in quantitative conversion and with high enantioselectivity (98%).     

Efficient dynamic kinetic resolution of arylamines with Pd/layered double-hydroxide-dodecyl sulfate anion for racemization

A novel and efficient racemization catalyst, Pd/layered double-hydroxide-dodecyl sulfate anion, was prepared and used in the dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of arylamines. The undesired enantiomer was completely racemized at 55 °C, allowing the catalyst to be compatible with biocatalysts. DKR proceeded smoothly and showed a broad substrate scope, with good conversion and high product enantiomeric excesses (ee_p). The system could be reused more than 30 times without loss of conversion and ee_p value.     

Synthesis of (R)-propane-1,2-diol from lactides by dynamic kinetic resolution

The dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of rac-1-tert-butoxypropan-2-ol with isopropenyl acetate in the presence of Novozyme 435 and a ruthenium catalyst produces enantiomerically pure (R)-1-tert-butoxy-2-acetoxy-propane (>99.5 %ee) in a good yield. The product can be easily transformed into (R)-propane-1,2-diol without loss of stereoselectivity. Together with recently published procedures, the herein described DKR offers the possibility to use any lactide source as starting material for the production of (R)-propane-1,2-diol. The chiral diol may serve as the chiral building block for the synthesis of important enantiopure esters, like propylene carbonate, chiral polymers, etc.     

Chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution of beta-halo alcohols. An efficient route to chiral epoxides

Enzymatic resolution of beta-chloro alcohols in combination with ruthenium-catalyzed alcohol isomerization led to a successful dynamic kinetic resolution (conversion up to 99% and ee up to 97%). The efficiency of the DKR is dramatically reduced when beta-bromo alcohols are used. The presence of the bromo substituent causes decomposition of the ruthenium catalysts, which triggers the progressive deactivation of the enzyme. The synthetic utility of this procedure has been illustrated by the practical synthesis of different chiral epoxides.     

Nonenzymatic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols via Enantioselective Acylation: Synthetic and Mechanistic Studies

Because of the ubiquity of the secondary carbinol subunit, the development of new methods for its enantioselective synthesis remains an important ongoing challenge. In this report, we describe the first nonenzymatic method for the dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of secondary alcohols (specifically, aryl alkyl carbinols) through enantioselective acylation, and we substantially expand the scope of this approach, vis-à-vis enzymatic reactions. Simply combining an effective process for the kinetic resolution of alcohols with an active catalyst for the racemization of alcohols did not lead to DKR, due to the incompatibility of the ruthenium-based racemization catalyst with the acylating agent (Ac(2)O) used in the kinetic resolution. A mechanistic investigation revealed that the ruthenium catalyst is deactivated through the formation of a stable ruthenium-acetate complex; this deleterious pathway was circumvented through the appropriate choice of acylating agent (an acyl carbonate). Mechanistic studies of this new process point to reversible N-acylation of the nucleophilic catalyst, acyl transfer from the catalyst to the alcohol as the rate-determining step, and carbonate anion serving as the Br?nsted base in that acyl-transfer step.     

Chiral ruthenium-SDPs/diamine complexes-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of α-alkyl arylacetones via dynamic kinetic resolution

The asymmetric hydrogenation of the conformationally flexible racemic α-substituted acyclic dialkyl ketones via dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) has been developed by using Ru-SDPs/diamine catalysts. Chiral alcohols were produced in high yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities (85%–97% ee) and diastereoselectivities (up to 97:3). This hydrogenation reaction provided a new approach to the synthesis of the key intermediate of J-104118.     

Dynamic kinetic resolution of α-chloro β-keto esters and phosphonates: hemisynthesis of Taxotere® through Ru-DIFLUORPHOS asymmetric hydrogenation

The dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of racemic α-chloro β-ketoesters and α-chloro β-ketophosphonates through ruthenium-mediated asymmetric hydrogenation is reported. The corresponding α-chloro β-hydroxyesters and α-chloro β-hydroxyphosphonates were obtained in good to high enantio- and diastereomeric excesses using, in particular, the atropisomeric ligand DIFLUORPHOS. This methodology allowed an efficient preparation of the anti phenylisoserine side chain of Taxotere® which has been used for the hemisynthesis of the cancer therapeutic agent itself. In addition, ¹³C NMR in chiral oriented solvents was used to investigate the DKR effect.     

Combined Dynamic Kinetic Resolution and C−H Functionalization for Facile Synthesis of Non-Biaryl-Atropisomer-Type Axially Chiral Organosilanes

Although asymmetric C−H functionalization has been available for the synthesis of structurally diverse molecules, catalytic dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) approaches to change racemic stereogenic axes remain synthetic challenges in this field. Here, a concise palladium-catalyzed DKR was combined with C−H functionalization involving olefination and alkynylation for the highly efficient synthesis of non-biaryl-atropisomer-type (NBA) axially chiral oragnosilanes. The chemistry proceeded through two different and distinct DKR: first, an atroposelective C−H olefination or alkynylation produced axially chiral vinylsilanes or alkynylsilanes as a new family of non-biaryl atropisomers (NBA), and second, the extension of this DKR strategy to twofold o,o′-C−H functionalization led to the multifunctional axially chiral organosilicon compounds with up to >99 % ee.     

Highly efficient dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary aromatic alcohols with low-cost and easily available acid resins as racemization catalysts

A new and efficient dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) process of secondary aromatic alcohols was developed with acid resins as racemization catalysts. Acid resin CD8604 was shown to have excellent racemization activity and good biocompatibility. When employing CD8604 and complex acyl donors as racemization catalyst and acyl donor, respectively, enantiomerically pure aromatic acetate was obtained with excellent yield and ee values through the DKR process. It is noteworthy that the system could be reused more than 10 times with little loss of yield and ee value.     

Enantioselective Reactions of 2‐Sulfonylalkyl Phenols with Allenic Esters: Dynamic Kinetic Resolution and [4+2] Cycloaddition Involving ortho‐Quinone Methide Intermediates

We report herein a dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) involving ortho ‐quinone methide (o ‐QM) intermediates. In the presence of Et₃N and the cinchonine‐derived nucleophilic catalyst D , the DKR of 2‐sulfonylalkyl phenols with allenic esters afforded chiral benzylic sulfones in 57–79 % yield with good to excellent enantioselectivity (85–95 % ee ). Furthermore, with 2‐(tosylmethyl)sesamols or 2‐(tosylmethyl)naphthols, from which stable o ‐QM substrates can be generated, a formal [4+2] cycloaddition delivered 4‐aryl‐ or alkyl‐substituted chromans with excellent enantioselectivity (88–97 % ee ).     

Syntheses of Enantiopure Aliphatic Secondary Alcohols and Acetates by Bioresolution with Lipase B from <em>Candida antarctica</em>

The lipase B from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435^?, CALB) efficiently catalyzed the kinetic resolution of some aliphatic secondary alcohols: (±)-4-methylpentan-2-ol (1), (±)-5-methylhexan-2-ol (3), (±)-octan-2-ol (4), (±)-heptan-3-ol (5) and (±)-oct-1-en-3-ol (6). The lipase showed excellent enantioselectivities in the transesterifications of racemic aliphatic secondary alcohols producing the enantiopure alcohols (>99% ee) and acetates (>99% ee) with good yields. Kinetic resolution of rac-alcohols was successfully achieved with CALB lipase using simple conditions, vinyl acetate as acylating agent, and hexane as non-polar solvent.     

Chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution of allylic alcohols: a highly enantioselective route to acyloin acetates

Dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of a series of sterically hindered allylic alcohols has been conducted with Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) and ruthenium catalyst 1. The optically pure allylic acetates obtained were subjected to oxidative cleavage to give the corresponding acylated acyloins in high yields without loss of chiral information.