A Facile Circular Dichroism Protocol for Rapid Determination of Enantiomeric Excess and Concentration of Chiral Primary Amines

A protocol for the rapid determination of the absolute configuration and enantiomeric excess (ee) of α‐chiral primary amines with potential applications in asymmetric reaction discovery has been developed. The protocol requires derivatization of α‐chiral primary amines through condensation with pyridine carboxaldehyde to quantitatively yield the corresponding imine. The Cu^I complex with 2,2′‐bis (diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐dinaphthyl (BINAP? Cu^I) with the imine yields a metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) band in the visible region of the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum upon binding. Diastereomeric host–guest complexes give CD signals of the same signs but different amplitudes, allowing for differentiation of enantiomers. Processing the primary optical data from the CD spectrum with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) allows for the determination of the absolute configuration and identification of the amines, and processing with a supervised multilayer perceptron artificial neural network (MLP‐ANN) allows for the simultaneous determination of the ee and concentration. The primary optical data necessary to determine the ee of unknown samples is obtained in two minutes per sample. To demonstrate the utility of the protocol in asymmetric reaction discovery, the ee values and concentrations for an asymmetric metal‐catalyzed reaction are determined. The potential of the application of this protocol in high‐throughput screening (HTS) of ee is discussed.     

Studies on the interaction of achiral cationic pseudoisocyanine with chiral metal complexes

The effect of chiral metal complexes ([Co(en)(3)]I(3)·H(2)O, cis-[CoBr(NH(3))(en)(2)]Br(2), K[Co(edta)]·2H(2)O and [Ru(phen)(3)](PF(6))(2)) on the polymer-bound J-aggregates in aqueous mixtures of pesudoisocyanine (PIC) iodine and poly(acrylic acid, sodium)(PAAS) have been studied by UV-vis absorption, circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectra. At low concentration, the PIC monomers could self-assemble to form supermolecules by binding to each of the COO(-) groups on the polymer chains through electrostatic interactions. After the addition of chiral metal complexes to the formed PIC-PAAS J-aggregates, we found that only the chiral multiple π-conjugated phenanthroline metal complexes could transfer their metal-centered chiral information to the formed J-aggregates. The chiral J-aggregates showed a characteristic induced circular dichroism (ICD) in the visible region of J-band chromophore, and the ICD signals depend on the absolute configuration, concentration of the chiral multiple π-conjugated metal complexes, as well as temperature. More interestingly, the supramolecular chirality of the polymer supported PIC J-aggregates could be memorized even after the addition of an excess opposite chiral complex enantiomers. This is in sharp contrast to the behavior in the high concentrated NaCl induced PIC-J aggregates, in which the optical rotation of a mixture of two enantiomers varies linearly with their ratio.     

Highly enantioselective oxidative couplings of 2-naphthols catalyzed by chiral bimetallic oxovanadium complexes with either oxygen or air as oxidant

The chiral bimetallic oxovanadium complexes have been designed for the enantioselective oxidative coupling of 2-naphthols bearing various substituents at C6 and/or C7. The chirality transferring from the amino acid to the axis of the biphenyl in oxovanadium complexes 2 was found to occur with the use of UV and CD spectra and DFT calculation. The homo-coupling reaction with oxygen as the oxidant was promoted by 5 mol % of an oxovanadium complex derived from L-isoleucine and achiral biphenol to afford binaphthols in nearly quantitative yields with high enantioselectivities of up to 98% ee. An oxovanadium complex derived from L-isoleucine and H8-binaphthol is highly efficient at catalyzing the air-oxidized coupling of 2-naphthols with excellent enantioselectivities of up to 97% ee. 51V NMR study shows that the oxovanadium complexes have two vanadium(V) species. Kinetic studies, the cross-coupling reaction, and HRMS spectral studies on the reaction have been carried out and illustrate that two vanadium(V) species are both involved in catalysis and that the coupling reaction undergoes a radical-radical mechanism in an intramolecular manner. Quantum mechanical calculations rationalize the importance of the cooperative effects of the axial chirality matching S-amino acids on the stereocontrol of the oxidative coupling reaction. The application of the transformation in the preparation of chiral ligands and conjugated polymers confirms the importance of the current process in organic synthesis.     

Catalytic and asymmetric cyclopropanation of alkenes catalysed by rhenium(I) bipyridine and terpyridine tricarbonyl complexes

Re(I) tricarbonyl bipyridine and terpyridine complexes catalyse stereospecific cyclopropanation of alkenes; high selectivity of cyclopropane vs coupling and an ee of 73% and 62% for cis- and trans-cyclopropanes of styrene respectively were achieved with the [Re(L)(CO)(3)(MeCN)]OTf complex (L = chiral C(2)-symmetric terpyridine ligand).     

Rapid determination of enantiomeric excess of α-chiral aldehydes using circular dichroism spectroscopy

A method for enantiodiscrimination of α-chiral aldehydes is reported. The method utilizes circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and a sensing ensemble composed of 2-(1-methylhydrazinyl) pyridine (1) and Fe(II)(TfO)₂. Aldehydes react rapidly with hydrazine (1) to form chiral imines, which form complexes with Fe(II). By monitoring the CD bands above 320 nm, one can determine the enantiomeric excess (ee) values of α-chiral aldehydes with an average absolute error of ±5%. The analysis was fast, and thus can have potential applications in high-throughput screening (HTS) of catalytic asymmetric induction.     

Synthesis and investigation of a chiral enterobactin analogue based on a macrocyclic peptide scaffold

A chiral C(3)-symmetric enterobactin analogue (1) has been synthesized by attachment of three 2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl units to a chiral oxazole-containing macrocyclic peptide scaffold. Complex formation kinetics and stoichiometry with various metal ions were investigated by spectrophotometric methods. In the cases of Al(III), In(III) and Fe(III) complexes, UV absorption and CD kinetics showed nonlinearity, which results from slow conformational changes of the octahedral complexes. Virtual binding constants were determined from UV absorption data and showed selective binding of Ga(III) in preference to Fe(III), by two orders of magnitude. CD spectroscopy revealed highly diastereoselective binding of Al(III), Ga(III), In(III), Fe(III) and Ge(IV) ions at room temperature, corresponding to the helical chirality opposite to that of the analogous enterobactin complexes. Ab initio calculations confirmed the energetic stabilization of the Lambda isomers relative to the Delta isomers.     

Diastereoselective and enantioselective Rh(I)-catalyzed additions of arylboronic acids to N-tert-butanesulfinyl and N-diphenylphosphinoyl aldimines

Two new Rh(I)-catalyzed methods for the synthesis of chiral alpha-branched amines via addition of arylboronic acids to N-tert-butanesulfinyl and N-diphenylphosphinoyl imines have been developed. The syntheses are more functional group tolerant than alternative methods utilizing Grignard or organolithium reagents, and the imine activating groups used are easily removed. These methods are both high-yielding (70-97% yield) and very selective (>93:7 dr and 88-94% ee). Significantly, the N-tert-butanesulfinyl imine method works for aliphatic imines with enolizable protons. In addition, a one-pot procedure for the synthesis of N-tert-butanesulfinyl protected alpha-branched amines from aldehydes has been developed.     

Formation of conjugated polynaphthalene via Bergman cyclization

A series of enediyne containing chiral phthalimides were synthesized through Sonogashira coupling reactions. These enediynes were then subjected to thermal Bergman cyclization under vacuum. Polynaphthalenes with pendant chiral groups were obtained and characterized using GPC, IR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and photoluminescence analysis. Under properly optimized conditions, the chirality of chiral directing group was maintained according to CD spectra of final products. After removal of chiral directing groups, weak CD signals representative of main chain chirality were visible. Further modification of the structure of the enediyne compounds will facilitate the synthesis of chiral polynaphthalene through this rather simple way. Extension of the Bergman cyclization to polymer chemistry is promising in the construction of novel polymers with rigid polyarene backbones. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2187–2193, 2010     

An exciton-coupled circular dichroism protocol for the determination of identity, chirality, and enantiomeric excess of chiral secondary alcohols

Chiral mono-ols are among the most sought after targets in asymmetric synthesis, and therefore, their chemical characterization and associated enantiomeric excess (ee) values are commonly reported. A simple optical method for determining alcohol identity and ee could be widely used. Toward this end, an in situ-generated multicomponent assembly that creates diastereomeric tris(pyridine) metal complexes incorporating chiral secondary alcohols was explored using exciton-coupled circular dichroism (ECCD). Qualitative models were proposed to predict the preferential diastereomer and its twist, and computational studies provided a rationalization of the CD spectra. Different ECCD spectra found for diastereomers formed in the self-assembled tris(pyridine) complexes were used to determine the absolute configurations of chiral mono-ols. Linear discriminant analysis was successfully employed to classify the alcohol analytes, thereby allowing identification of the alcohols. Conformational effects imparted by heteroatoms were also explored, further expanding the substrate scope. Finally, ee calibration curves allowed the determination of the ee of unknown samples of three chiral secondary alcohols with an average error of 3%. The assay described here is unique because no preparation of structurally elaborated chiral hosts is needed.     

Synthesis,characterization and cd spectra studies of chiral calixsalen complexes

A chiral macrocyclic Schiff base ligand and its binuclear metal complexes of Fe, Co, Ni and Cu were synthesized by a modified method with 1,2‐diaminocyclobexane as the starting material, which is readily obtained. The characters of those complexes were studied by elemental analyses, MS, NMR, FT‐IR, UV‐Vis and CD (Circular Dichroism) spectra. Furthermore, the electronic absorption spectra and CD spectra properties of the chiral complexes were discussed.     

A simple method for the determination of enantiomeric excess and identity of chiral carboxylic acids

The association between an achiral copper(II) host (1) and chiral carboxylate guests was studied using exciton-coupled circular dichroism (ECCD). Enantiomeric complexes were created upon binding of the enantiomers of the carboxylate guests to the host, and the sign of the resultant CD signal allowed for determination of the configuration of the studied guest. The difference in magnitudes and shapes of the CD signals, in conjunction with linear discriminant analysis (LDA), allowed for the identity of the guest to be determined successfully. A model was created for the host-guest complexes which successfully predicts the sign of the observed CD signal. Further, Taft parameters were used in the model, leading to rationalization of the observed magnitudes of the CD signals. Finally, the enantiomeric excess (ee) of unknown samples of three chiral carboxylic acid guests was determined with an average absolute error of ±3.0%.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance and optical absorption spectroscopic studies on paramagnetic praseodymium(III) complexes with beta-diketone and heterocyclic amines

The optical absorption spectra of [Pr(acac)(3)(H(2)O)(2)].H(2)O, [Pr(acac)(3)phen.H(2)O] and [Pr(acac)(3)bpy] (where acac is the anion of acetylacetone, phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and bpy is 2,2'-bipyridyl) have been analyzed in the visible region in a series of non-aqueous solvents (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, chloroform, acetonitrile and pyridine). The complexes display four non-hypersensitive 4f-4f transitions ((3)P(2), (3)P(1)+(1)I(6), (3)P(0) and (1)D(2)) from the (3)H(4) ground state. The band shape of the transitions shows remarkable changes upon dissolving in different solvents. Distinctively different band shapes have been observed for phen and bpy complexes. The phen is more effective in producing changes and the splitting of the bands is more pronounced in phen complex since it is a stronger ligand and leads to stronger Pr-N(phen) bond. The splitting of the bands is indicative of partaking of f-orbitals in bonding. The NMR signals of heterocyclic amines have been shifted to high fields while the resonances due to acetylacetone moiety have moved to low fields which is the consequence of change in geometry of the complexes upon coordination of the heterocyclic amines and reflects the importance of geometric factor (3cos(2)theta-1) in changing sign of the shift and to a good approximation the shifts arise predominantly from the dipolar mechanism. The phen complexes have narrower line width than bpy complexes. The line broadening in the case of bpy complexes is suggestive of exchange between inter-converting forms. The bpy possesses some degree of rotational freedom about C(6)-C(6') bond and the two pyridine rings undergo scissoring motion with respect to each other.     

Catalytic, enantioselective intramolecular hydroamination of primary amines tethered to di- and trisubstituted alkenes

The in situ preparation of chiral amido alkyl ate yttrium complexes from an array of chiral N-benzyl-like-substituted binaphthyldiamines is reported. These chiral heteroleptic complexes are shown to be efficient catalysts for the enantioselective intramolecular hydroamination of primary amines tethered to sterically demanding alkenes at high reaction temperatures. Fine tuning of their chiral environment allowed up to 77% ee to be reached for the cyclization of aminoalkenes bearing 1,2-dialkyl-substituted carbon-carbon double bonds. These chiral complexes also demonstrate the ability to promote the cyclization of amine-tethered trisubstituted alkenes in up to 55% ee, as the first report of the formation of enantioenriched quaternary centers by an hydroamination reaction.     

Using enantioselective indicator displacement assays to determine the enantiomeric excess of alpha-amino acids

Enantioselective indicator displacement assays (eIDAs) were used for the determination of enantiomeric excess (ee) of alpha-amino acids as an alternative to the labor-intensive technique of chromatography. In this study, eIDAs were implemented by the use of two chiral receptors [(Cu(II)(1)](2+), [Cu(II)(2)](2+)) in conjunction with the indicator chrome azurol S. The two receptors were able to enantioselectively discriminate 13 of the 17 analyzed alpha-amino acids. Enantiomeric excess calibration curves were made using both receptors and then used to analyze true test samples to check the system's ability to determine ee accurately. The proposed method uses a conventional UV-vis spectrophotometer to monitor the colorimetric signal, which allows for a potential high-throughput screening (HTS) method for determining ee. The techniques created consistently produced results accurate enough for rapid preliminary determination of ee.     

Absorption,fluorescence, and photoinitiating properties of the aromatic ethers and aromatic amines complexes of cyclopentadienyliron

The aromatic ethers complexes of cyclopentadienyliron (O-CpFe) and aromatic amines complexes of cyclopentadienyliron (N-CpFe) were prepared by coupling several aniline derivatives and phenol derivatives with (η6-chlorobenzene) (η5-cyclopentadienyl) iron hexafluorophosphate through nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction. The UV/vis absorption, fluorescence, and excitation spectra of the compounds were measured. The abilities of the photoinitiator in photopolymerizing the diglycidyl ether of the bisphenol-A epoxy oligomer under a halogen lamp were evaluated by near-infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the absorption of N-CpFe is higher than that of O-CpFe in the visible region. However, the photoinitiation ability of N-CpFe is lower than that of O-CpFe.     

Generation of a silylethylene-titanium alkoxide complex. A versatile reagent for silylethylation and silylethylidenation of unsaturated compounds

(Trimethylsilyl)ethylene-titanium alkoxide complex (1) was generated from trimethyl(vinyl)silane, Ti(O-i-Pr)(4), and i-PrMgCl as a preformed alkene-titanium complex and reacted with several unsaturated compounds such as aldehyde, imine, other vinylsilane, and acetylene to give the corresponding coupling products 4a-f, 6, 8, and 10a-d in a regioselective manner. Both of the two carbon-titanium bonds of the complex 1 reacted successively with esters to afford silylcyclopropanols 11a-j, 13, and 15, some synthetic applications of which were illustrated in the preparation of beta-silyl ketones 16 and cyclopropenes 17. Asymmetric addition of 1 to a chiral acyloxazolidinone 19 gave optically active cyclopropanol (+)-11a of 50% ee.     

Self-supported chiral titanium cluster (SCTC) as a robust catalyst for the asymmetric cyanation of imines under batch and continuous flow at room temperature

A robust heterogeneous self-supported chiral titanium cluster (SCTC) catalyst and its application in the enantioselective imine-cyanation/Strecker reaction is described under batch and continuous processes. One of the major hurdles in the asymmetric Strecker reaction is the lack of availability of efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalysts that work at room temperature. We exploited the readily hydrolyzable nature of titanium alkoxide to synthesize a self-supported chiral titanium cluster (SCTC) catalyst by the controlled hydrolysis of a preformed chiral titanium-alkoxide complex. The isolated SCTC catalysts were remarkably stable and showed up to 98 % enantioselectivity (ee) with complete conversion of the imine within 2 h for a wide variety of imines at room temperature. The heterogeneous catalysts were recyclable more than 10 times without any loss in activity or selectivity. The robustness, high performance, and recyclability of the catalyst enabled it to be used in a packed-bed reactor to carry out the cyanation under continuous flow. Up to 97 % ee and quantitative conversion with a throughput of 45 mg h(-1) were achieved under optimized flow conditions at room temperature in the case of benzhydryl imine. Furthermore, a three-component Strecker reaction was performed under continuous flow by using the corresponding aldehydes and amines instead of the preformed imines. A good product distribution was obtained for the formation of amino nitriles with ee values of up to 98 %. Synthetically useful ee values were also obtained for challenging α-branched aliphatic aldehyde by using the three-component continuous Strecker reaction.     

Transitioning enantioselective indicator displacement assays for alpha-amino acids to protocols amenable to high-throughput screening

Enantioselective indicator displacement assays (eIDAs) for alpha-amino acids were conducted in a 96-well plate format to demonstrate the viability of the technique for the high-throughput screening (HTS) of enantiomeric excess (ee) values. Chiral receptors [Cu(II)(1)](2+) and [Cu(II)(2)](2+) with the indicator chrome azurol S were implemented for the eIDAs. Enantiomeric excess calibration curves were made using both receptors and then used to analyze true test samples. These results were compared to those previously obtained with a conventional UV-vis spectrophotometer, and they showed little to no loss of accuracy, while the speed of analysis was increased. A sample of valine of unknown ee was synthesized through an asymmetric reaction to produce a realistic reaction sample, which was analyzed using receptor [Cu(II)(1)](2+). The experimentally determined ee using our eIDA was compared to that obtained by chiral HPLC and (1)H NMR chiral shift reagent analysis. This gave errors of 4.7% and 12.0%, respectively. In addition to the use of ee calibration curves, an artificial neural network (ANN) was used to determine the % L-amino acid of the test samples and of the sample of valine of unknown ee from the asymmetric reaction. This method obtained errors of 5.9% and 2.2% compared to chiral HPLC and (1)H NMR chiral shift reagent analysis, respectively. The technique using calibration curves for the determination of ee on a 96-well plate allows one to determine 96 ee values in under a minute, enabling its use for HTS of asymmetric reactions with acceptable accuracy.     

Enantioselective synthesis of cyclic secondary amines through Mo-catalyzed asymmetric ring-closing metathesis (ARCM)

Carbocyclic amines are synthesized efficiently in up to 93% ee by asymmetric ring-closing metathesis (ARCM) with 2-5 mol % chiral Mo complexes. An example is provided where the catalyst is prepared in situ (catalyst isolation not needed) to afford secondary amines that cannot be prepared by alternative methods. [reaction: see text]     

A rapid 1H NMR assay for enantiomeric excess of alpha-substituted aldehydes

In situ derivatization of a variety of alpha-substituted aldehydes via reaction with chiral amines allows convenient and efficient determination of enantiomeric excess. (1)H NMR analysis of the imine diastereomer ratio can be conducted immediately after the aldehyde and amine have been mixed. The results correlate well with ee values determined by more traditional (and slower) methods. This approach may be broadly applicable to alpha-substituted aldehydes. [reaction: see text]