Novel N,N,P-tridentate ligands for the highly enantioselective copper-catalyzed 1,4-addition of dialkylzincs to enones

Use of 0.25 mol % of the N, N, P-tridentate ligand containing the 2-quinolyl moiety ( 1 and 2) and 0.1 mol % of Cu(OTf) 2 enabled the enantioselective 1,4-addition of dialkylzincs to cyclic enones to produce 1,4-adducts in up to 99% ee.     

Ligand design for dual enantioselective control in Cu-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of R2Zn to cyclic enone

A new chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand derived from a natural α-aminoester has been designed and synthesized. The coupling of N-methylbenzimidazole with an α-chloroacetamide derivative, which was prepared from chloroacetyl chloride and (S)-serine methyl ester, gave the corresponding ester/amide-functionalized azolium compound 20. The reaction of 2-cyclohexen-1-one (17) with Et₂Zn in the presence of catalytic amounts of Cu(OTf)₂ and 20 produced (R)-3-ethylcyclohexanone (18) as a major product. In contrast, the enantioselective conjugate addition (ECA) reaction catalyzed by Cu(OTf)₂ under the influence of a hydroxy-amide-functionalized azolium compound 15, which was derived from (S)-tert-leucinol, produced (S)-18 in preference to (R)-18. A series of azolium salts were synthesized from (S)-serine esters, and the reaction conditions for the ECA reaction were optimized to produce (R)-18 with 69% ee. The best results were obtained in the case of the reaction of 4,4-dimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one (34) with Et₂Zn catalyzed by Cu(OTf)₂ in combination with azolium compounds. When the reaction of 34 with Et₂Zn was carried out in the presence of catalytic amounts of Cu(OTf)₂ and 20, (S)-3-ethyl-4,4-dimethylcyclohexanone (35) was obtained with 97% ee, whereas the ECA reaction under the influence of hydroxy-amide-functionalized azolium 15 afforded (R)-35 with >99% ee. In this manner, the reversal of enantioselectivity was achieved by controlling the structure of chiral ligands.     

Catalytic enantioselective addition of terminal 1,3-diynes to aromatic ketones: facile access to chiral nonracemic tertiary alcohols

An efficient, catalytic, and enantioselective 1,2-addition of terminal 1,3-diynes to aromatic ketones was realized in the presence of 10 mol% of a Cu(OTf)(2)-hydroxycamphor-sulfonamide complex, affording chiral tertiary alcohols in up to 94% yield and 90% ee.     

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to coumarins: asymmetric synthesis of (R)-tolterodine

[reaction: see text]. Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to coumarins proceeded with high enantioselectivity in the presence of a rhodium catalyst (3 mol %) generated from Rh(acac)(C2H4)2 and (R)-Segphos to give the corresponding (R)-4-arylchroman-2-ones in over 99% ee. This asymmetric reaction was applied to the synthesis of (R)-tolterodine.     

Chiral phosphane alkenes (PALs): simple synthesis, applications in catalysis, and functional hemilability

A simple synthesis of a chiral phosphane alkene (PAL) involves: 1) palladium-catalyzed Suzuki coupling of 10-bromo-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ol (1) with phenylboronic acid to give quantitatively 10-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ol (2); 2) reaction of 2 with Ph(2)PCl under acidic conditions to give a racemic mixture of the phosphane oxide (10-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)diphenylphosphane oxide ((Ph)troppo(Ph), 3), which is separated into enantiomers by using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a chiral column; 3) reduction with trichlorosilane to give the enantiomerically pure phosphanes (R)- and (S)-(10-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)diphenylphosphane ((Ph)tropp(Ph), 4). This highly rigid, concave-shaped ligand serves as a bidentate ligand in Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes. Catalysts prepared from [Rh(2)(mu(2)-Cl)(2)(C(2)H(4))(4)] and (S)-4 have allowed the efficient enantioselective 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyls (Hayashi-Miyaura reaction) (5-0.1 mol % catalyst, up to 95% ee). The iridium complex (S,S)-[Ir((Ph)tropp(Ph))(2)]OTf ((S,S)-6; OTf=SO(3)CF(3)) has been used as a catalyst in the hydrogenation of various nonfunctionalized and functionalized olefins (turnover frequencies (TOFs) of up to 4000 h(-1)) and moderate enantiomeric excesses have been achieved (up to 67% ee). [Ir((Ph)tropp(Ph))(2)]OTf reversibly takes up three equivalents of H(2). The highly reactive octahedral [Ir(H)(2)(OTf)(CH(2)Cl(2))(H(2)-(Ph)tropp(Ph))(2)] could be isolated and contains two hydrogenated monodentate H(2)-(Ph)tropp(Ph) phosphanes, one CH(2)Cl(2) molecule, one triflate anion, and two hydrides. Based on this structure and extensive NMR spectroscopic studies, a mechanism for the hydrogenation reactions is proposed.     

Synthesis of novel chiral bidentatephosphite ligands derived from the pyranoside backbone of monosaccharides and their application in the Cu-catalyzed conjugate addition of dialkylzinc to enones

A series of novel bidentatephosphite ligands, derived from methyl 3,6-anhydro-α-d-glucopyranoside and chlorophosphoric acid diaryl ester, were easily synthesized. These ligands were successfully employed in the Cu-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate 1,4-addition of the organozinc reagents diethylzinc and/or dimethylzinc to enones. The stereochemically matched combination of glucopyranoside and (R)-H₈-binaphthyl in ligand 2,4-bis{[(R)-1,1′-H₈-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl] phosphite}-methyl 3,6-anhydro-α-d-glucopyranoside was essential to afford 85% ee for 3-ethylcyclohexanone with an (S)-configuration in THF, using Cu(OTf)₂ as a catalytic precursor. When the reaction was carried out at lower temperatures, changing from ?10 to ?80 °C, a marginal influence of the temperature on the enantioselectivity of the reaction was observed. The presence of the methyl substituent at the 1-position of the glucopyranoside skeleton had a negative effect on the enantioselectivity in the 1,4-addition of ZnEt₂ to acyclic enones.     

Highly enantioselective and regioselective copper-catalyzed 1,4 addition of grignard reagents to cyclic enynones

In this letter we describe an unusual result in terms of regioselectivity with respect to copper-catalyzed conjugate additions of various Grignard reagents to cyclic enynones. The use of Cu(OTf)(2) and NHC ligand L1 as the catalyst combination in CH(2)Cl(2) led to the unique formation of the 1,4 adduct. This selectivity does not follow the general trend previously observed in the literature using extended Michael acceptors. Moreover these reactions allowed for the creation of a quarternary stereogenic center with enantioselectivities up to 97% ee.     

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to (2-pyridyl)sulfonyl imines of chalcones

[reaction: see text] The enantioselective catalytic 1,4-addition to alpha,beta-unsaturated ketimines is an unprecedented process. Herein, we document the copper-catalyzed addition of dialkylzinc reagents to (2-pyridylsulfonyl)imines of chalcones. This process occurs rapidly in the presence of a chiral phosphoramidite ligand to afford exclusively the 1,4-addition product. In the case of addition of dimethylzinc, enantioselectivities in the range 70-80% ee are obtained. The presence of the metal-coordinating 2-pyridylsulfonyl group proved to be essential for this reaction to proceed.     

Lewis acid-catalyzed benzannulation via unprecedented [4+2] cycloaddition of o-alkynyl(oxo)benzenes and enynals with alkynes

The reaction of o-alkynyl(oxo)benzenes 1 with alkynes 2 in the presence of a catalytic amount of AuCl(3) in (CH(2)Cl)(2) at 80 degrees C gave the [4+2] benzannulation products, naphthyl ketone derivatives 3 and 4, in high yields. When the reaction was carried out using AuBr(3) instead of AuCl(3), the reaction speed was enhanced and the chemical yield was increased. On the other hand, when the reaction was carried out in the presence of a catalytic amount of Cu(OTf)(2) and 1 equiv of a Br?nsted acid, such as CF(2)HCO(2)H, in (CH(2)Cl)(2) at 100 degrees C, the decarbonylated naphthalene products 5 were obtained in high yields. Similarly, the Cu(OTf)(2)-H(2)O-promoted reaction of the enynals 7 with an alkyne 2 afforded the corresponding [4+2] benzannulation products, decarbonylated benzene derivatives 8, in good yields. Both AuX(3)- and Cu(OTf)(2)-catalyzed benzannulations proceed most probably through the formation of the benzo[c]pyrylium ate complex 10, the Diels-Alder addition of alkynes 2 to the ate complex, and the resulting bicyclic pyrylium ion intermediate 12. The mechanistic difference between the AuX(3) and Cu(OTf)(2)-HA system is discussed.     

Highly enantioselective conjugate addition of AlMe3 to linear aliphatic enones by a designed catalyst

2-Hydroxy-2'-alkylthio-1,1'-binaphthyl compounds are catalytic promoters of the 1,4-addition of AlMe(3) to linear aliphatic enones in THF at -40 to -48 degrees C in the presence of [Cu(MeCN)(4)]BF(4). At ligand loadings of 5-20 mol %, enantioselectivities of 80-93 % are realised for most substrates. To attain these values, the use of highly pure AlMe(3) is mandatory. The presence of methylalumoxane (MAO), derived by hydrolysis, leads to reduced enantioselectivity and a conjugate addition product.     

Synthesis of novel diphosphite ligands derived from d-mannitol and their application in Cu-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of organozinc to enones

A series of novel chiral diphosphite ligands have been synthesized from d-mannitol derivatives and chlorophosphoric acid diary ester, and were successfully employed in the copper catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of organozinc reagents diethylzinc and dimethylzinc to cyclic and acyclic enones. The stereochemically matched combination of d-mannitol and (R)-H₈-binaphthyl in ligand 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3,4-bis[(R)-1,1′-H₈-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl] phosphite-d-mannitol was essential to afford 93% ee for 3-ethylcyclohexanone, 92% ee for 3-ethylcyclopentanone, and 90% ee for 3-ethylcycloheptanone in toluene, using Cu(OTf)₂ as a catalytic precursor. The results clearly indicated that the chiral organocopper reagent exhibited high enantioselectivies for cyclic enones bearing different ring sizes. As for the backbone of this type of ligand, it has been demonstrated that 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-mannitol was more efficient than 1,2:5,6-di-O-cyclohexylidene-d-mannitol. The sense of the enantiodiscrimination was mainly determined by the configuration of the diaryl phosphite moieties in the 1,4-addition of cyclic enones.     

Zn(II)/amine-catalyzed coupling reaction of alkylidenemalonates with propargyl alcohol: a one-pot synthesis of methylenetetrahydrofurans

[reaction: see text] A metal-catalyzed tandem 1,4-addition/cyclization between propargyl alcohol and a Michael acceptor, such as alkylidene malonate, has been developed. In the presence of catalytic amounts of zinc triflate [Zn(OTf)(2)] and triethylamine (Et(3)N), various 2-alkylidene-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds reacted with propargyl alcohol to give 3- or 4-methylene tetrahydrofurans in excellent yields.     

A new type of bis(sulfonamide)-diamine ligand for a Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed asymmetric Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction of indoles with nitroalkenes

Chiral bis(sulfonamide)-diamine served as new type of ligand for a Cu(OTf)(2)-catalyzed asymmetric Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction of indoles with nitroalkenes. The desired products were obtained with up to 99% yield and 97% ee.     

Asymmetric conjugate 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to alpha, beta-unsaturated esters catalyzed by Rhodium(I)/(S)-binap

Arylboronic acids underwent the conjugate 1,4-addition to alpha, beta-unsaturated esters to give beta-aryl esters in high yields in the presence of a rhodium(I) catalyst. The addition of arylboronic acids to isopropyl crotonate resulted in high yields and high enantioselectivity exceeding 90% ee in the presence of 3 mol % of Rh(acac)(C(2)H(4))(2) and (S)-binap at 100 degrees C. The rhodium/(S)-binap complex provided (R)-3-phenylbutanoate in the addition of phenylboronic acid to benzyl crotonate. The effects on the enantioselectivity of chiral phosphine ligands, rhodium precursors, and substituents on alpha,beta-unsaturated esters are discussed, as well as the mechanistic aspect of the catalytic cycle.     

Rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds: large accelerating effects of bases and ligands

The effects of ligands and bases in the rhodium(I)-catalyzed 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds were reinvestigated to carry out the reaction under mild conditions. Rhodium(I) complexes possessing a 1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod) and a hydroxo ligand such as [RhOH(cod)](2) exhibited excellent catalyst activities compared to those of the corresponding rhodium-acac or -chloro complexes and their phosphine derivatives. The reaction was further accelerated in the presence of KOH, thus allowing the 1,4-addition even at 0 degrees C. A cationic rhodium(I)-(R)-binap complex, [Rh(R-binap)(nbd)]BF(4), catalyzed the reaction at 25-50 degrees C in the presence of Et(3)N with high enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee for alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, 92% for aldehydes, 94% for esters, and 92% for amides.     

Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate Additions of Boronic Acids to enones using DIPHONANE: a novel chiral bisphosphine ligand

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of a novel enantiopure C2-symmetric bisphosphine, DIPHONANE, was accomplished starting from 2,5-norbornadione, utilizing (R,R)- and/or (S,S)-(2,3-O-di[(phenylamino)carbonyl]tartaric acid for the resolution of an intermediate phosphineoxide. The application of this ligand in the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of boronic acids to cyclic enones provides the 1,4-addition products in good yields (69-98%) and high ee's (78-95% ee). A byproduct arising from a consecutive 1,4-addition and 1,2-addition was also observed.     

Bismuth-catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination of 1,3-dienes with carbamates, sulfonamides, and carboxamides

A Bi(OTf)(3)/Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)PF(6) system efficiently promoted intermolecular 1:1 hydroamination of 1,3-dienes with various carbamates, sulfonamides, and carboxamides to afford allylic amines in good yield (up to 96%). Reaction proceeded with 0.5-10 mol % catalyst loading at 25-100 degrees C (generally at 50 degrees C) in 1,4-dioxane within 24 h. The Bi(OTf)(3)/Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)PF(6) system constitutes a new entry into series of intermolecular hydroamination catalysis. Mechanistic studies and the postulated reaction mechanism are also discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of Cu(2)(I,I), Cu(2)(I,II), and Cu(2)(II,II) compounds supported by two phthalazine-based ligands: influence of a hydrophobic pocket

The copper coordination chemistry of two phthalazine-based ligands of differing steric bulk was investigated. A family of dinuclear complexes were prepared from reactions of [Cu(2)(bdptz)(MeCN)(2)](OTf)(2), 1(OTf)(2), where bdptz = 1,4-bis(2,2'-dipyridylmethyl)phthalazine. Treatment of 1(OTf)(2) with NaO(2)CCH(3) afforded the class I mixed-valent compound [Cu(2)(bdptz)(2)](OTf)(3), 2(OTf)(3), by disproportionation of Cu(I). Compound 2(OTf)(3) displays an electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum, with g( parallel ) = 2.25 (A( parallel ) = 169 G) and g( perpendicular ) = 2.06, and exhibits a reversible redox wave at -452 mV versus Cp(2)Fe(+)/Cp(2)Fe. The complex [Cu(2)(bdptz)(micro-OH)(MeCN)(2)](OTf)(3), 3(OTf)(3), was prepared by chemical oxidation of 1 with AgOTf, and exposure of 1 to dioxygen afforded [Cu(2)(bdptz)(micro-OH)(2)](2)(OTs)(4), 4(OTs)(4), which can also be obtained directly from [Cu(H(2)O)(6)](OTs)(2). In compound [Cu(2)(bdptz)(micro-vpy)](OTf)(2), 5(OTf)(2), where vpy = 2-vinylpyridine, the vpy ligand bridges the two Cu(I) centers by using both its pyridine nitrogen and the olefin as donor functionalities. The sterically hindered compounds [Cu(2)(Ph(4)bdptz)(MeCN)(2)](OTf)(2), 6(OTf)(2), and [Cu(2)(Ph(4)bdptz)(micro-O(2)CCH(3))](OTf), 7(OTf), were also synthesized, where Ph(4)bdptz = 1,4-bis[bis(6-phenyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]phthalazine. Complexes 1-7 were characterized structurally by X-ray crystallography. In 6 and 7, the four phenyl rings form a hydrophobic pocket that houses the acetonitrile and acetate ligands. Complex 6 displays two reversible redox waves with E(1/2) values of +41 and +516 mV versus Cp(2)Fe(+)/Cp(2)Fe. Analysis of oxygenated solutions of 6 by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry reveals probable aromatic hydroxylation of the Ph(4)bdptz ligand. The different chemical and electrochemical behavior of 1 versus 6 highlights the influence of a hydrophobic binding pocket on the stability and reactivity of the dicopper(I) centers.     

Asymmetric Henry reaction catalyzed by C2-symmetric tridentate bis(oxazoline) and bis(thiazoline) complexes: metal-controlled reversal of enantioselectivity

[reaction: see text] C(2)-symmetric tridentate bis(oxazoline) and bis(thiazoline) ligands with a diphenylamine backbone have been investigated in the catalytic asymmetric Henry reaction of alpha-keto esters with different Lewis acids. Their Cu(OTf)(2) complexes furnished S enantiomers, while Et(2)Zn complexes afforded R enantiomers, both of them with higher enantioselectivities (up to 85% ee). Reversal of enantioselectivity in asymmetric Henry reactions was achieved with the same chiral ligand by changing the Lewis acid center from Cu(II) to Zn(II). The results show that the NH group in C(2)-symmetric tridentate chiral ligands plays a very important role in controlling both the yields and enantiofacial selectivity of the Henry products.     

Synthesis of novel chiral Schiff-base ligands and their application in asymmetric nitro aldol (Henry) reaction

Chiral Schiff-bases prepared from chiral amino alcohols catalyze the enantioselective Henry (nitro aldol) reaction between nitromethane and p-nitrobenzaldehyde in the presence of Cu(OTf)₂ and Zn(OTf)₂. Zn(OTf)₂ promoted the reaction yield, while Cu(OTf)₂ promoted the enantiomeric excess. The highest enantioselectivities were observed with ligand 3 (44% ee) and ligand 5 (47% ee).