Iridium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Intermolecular Indole C2‐Allylation

The enantioselective intermolecular C2‐allylation of 3‐substituted indoles is reported for the first time. This directing group‐free approach relies on a chiral Ir‐(P, olefin) complex and Mg(ClO₄)₂ Lewis acid catalyst system to promote allylic substitution, providing the C2‐allylated products in typically high yields (40–99 %) and enantioselectivities (83–99 % ee) with excellent regiocontrol. Experimental studies and DFT calculations suggest that the reaction proceeds via direct C2‐allylation, rather than C3‐allylation followed by in situ migration. Steric congestion at the indole‐C3 position and improved π–π stacking interactions have been identified as major contributors to the C2‐selectivity.     

Thermodynamic Enantioface-Binding Selectivities of Monosubstituted Alkenes to a Highly Discriminating Chiral Transition -Metal Lewis Acid; equilibration of diastereoisomeric (cyclopentadienyl)(alkene)(nitrosyl)(triphenylphosphine)rhenium complexes ([Re(η5–C5H5)(CH2 = CHR)(NO) (PPh3)]+BF)

Reactions of monosubstituted alkenes RCH = CH₂ and [Re(η⁵–C₅H₅)(CH₂Cl₂) (NO)(PPh₃)]⁺BF give complexes ([Re(η⁵–C₅H₅))(CH₂?CHR)(NO) (PPh₃)]⁺BF ( 1a–g ) in 63–99% yields as mixtures of (RS,SR)- and (RR,SS)-diastereoisomers ( 1a (R = Me), 66:34; 1b (R = Pr), 63:37; 1c (R = PhCH₂), 70:30; 1d (R = Ph), 75:25; 1e (R = i-Pr), 64:36; 1f (R = t-Bu), 84:16; 1g (R = Me₃Si), 69:31; Scheme 2). These differ in the C?C enantioface bound to the chiral Re fragment. In most cases, the analogous reactions of RCH?CH₂ and [Re(η⁵–C₅H₅) (C₆H₅Cl)(NO)(PPh₃)]⁺ BF give comparable results. When 1a – e , g are heated in PhCl at 95–100°, equilibration to 96:4, 97:3, 97:3, 90:10, > 99:< 1, and > 99:< 1 (RS,SR)/(RR,SS) mixtures occurs (79–99% recoveries; Tables 1 and 2). Thus, thermodynamic enantioface-binding selectivities are much higher than kinetic binding selectivities. This phenomenon is analyzed in detail. A crystal structure of (RS,SR)- 1e (monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 10.256(1) Å. b = 17.191(1) Å, c = 16.191(1) Å, β = 101.04(1)°, Z = 4) shows that the Re–C(1)–C(2) plane (see Fig.2) is nearly coincident with the Re–P bond (angle 15°), and that the i-Pr group is ‘syn’ to the nitrosyl ligand.     

Diastereoselective Aldol Addition Using Boron Trichloride or Alkoxydichloroborane

Under carefully controlled conditions, boron trichloride or alkoxydichloroborane/ethyldiisopropylamine in CH₂Cl₂ can be used to effect diastereoselective aldol additions of ethyl ketones to saturated, α, β-unsaturated, or aromatic aldehydes. The C? C bond formation takes place with relative topicity ul (‘syn,’ configuration of the aldols), in selectivities ranging from 90 to 99% ds (Tables 1–3). Mechanistic aspects of the reaction are discussed.     

Synthesis of Chiral Aromatic Alcohols: Use of New C2-Symmetric RhIIICp∗, RuII(cymene), or RuII(benzene) Complexes Containing Chiral Diaminocyclohexane Ligand as Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation Catalyst

Abstract

Twelve chiral secondary alcohols were synthesized by asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) using C₂-symmetric bis(sulfonamide) ligand (2) derived from (1R,2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine and complexed with [RhCl₂Cp?]₂, [RuCl₂(cymene)]₂, or [RuCl₂(benzene)]₂ and then used in situ in the reduction of prochiral ketones. The alcohols were obtained in 85–99% yield and 90–99% enantioselectivity with isopropanol as the hydrogen source. Two-fold rate enhancement and better yields were achieved (88–99%) with 80–99% enantioselectivity using the complex [RhCl₂Cp?]₂ and aqueous sodium formate as the hydrogen source.     

Chemoselectivity Control in the Asymmetric Hydrogenation of γ‐ and δ‐Keto Esters into Hydroxy Esters or Diols

The asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic γ‐ and δ‐keto esters into optically active hydroxy esters or diols under the catalysis of a novel DIPSkewphos/3‐AMIQ–Ru^II complex was studied. Under the optimized conditions (8 atm H₂ , Ru complex/t‐C₄H₉OK=1:3.5, 25 °C) the γ‐ and δ‐hydroxy esters (including γ‐lactones) were obtained quantitatively with 97–99 % ee. When the reaction was conducted under somewhat harsh conditions (20 atm H₂ , [t‐C₄H₉OK]=50 mm , 40 °C), the 1,4‐ and 1,5‐diols were obtained predominantly with 95–99 % ee. The reactivity of the ester group was notably dependent on the length of the carbon spacer between the two carbonyl moieties of the substrate. The reaction of β‐ and ?‐keto esters selectively afforded the hydroxy esters regardless of the reaction conditions. This catalyst system was applied to the enantioselective and regioselective (for one of the two ester groups) hydrogenation of a γ‐?‐diketo diester into a trihydroxy ester.     

B(C6F5)3/Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Ketimine–Ene Reaction of 2-Aryl-3H-indol-3-ones and α-Methylstyrenes

The enantioselective ketimine–ene reaction is one of the most challenging stereocontrolled reaction types in organic synthesis. In this work, catalytic enantioselective ketimine–ene reactions of 2-aryl-3H-indol-3-ones with α-methylstyrenes were achieved by utilizing a B(C₆F₅)₃/chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) catalyst. These ketimine–ene reactions proceed well with low catalyst loading (B(C₆F₅)₃/CPA=2 mol %/2 mol %) under mild conditions, providing rapid and facile access to a series of functionalized 2-allyl-indolin-3-ones with very good reactivity (up to 99 % yield) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Theoretical calculations reveal that enhancement of the acidity of the chiral phosphoric acid by B(C₆F₅)₃ significantly reduces the activation free energy barrier. Furthermore, collective favorable hydrogen-bonding interactions, especially the enhanced N−H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen-bonding interaction, differentiates the free energy of the transition states of CPA and B(C₆F₅)₃/CPA, thereby inducing the improvement of stereoselectivity.     

Chiral N,N′‐Dioxide–Scandium(III) Complex‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Friedel–Crafts Alkylation Reaction of ortho‐Hydroxybenzyl Alcohols with C3‐Substituted N‐Protected Indoles

The first Lewis acid catalyzed asymmetric Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction of ortho‐hydroxybenzyl alcohols with C3‐substituted indoles is described. A chiral N,N′‐dioxide Sc(OTf)₃ complex served not only to promote formation of ortho‐quinone methides (o‐QMs) in situ but also induced the asymmetry of the reaction. This methodology enables a novel activation of ortho‐hydroxybenzyl alcohols, thus affording the desired chiral diarylindol‐2‐ylmethanes in up to 99 % yield and 99 % ee. A range of functional groups were also tolerated under the mild reaction conditions. Moreover, this strategy gives concise access to enantioenriched indole‐fused benzoxocines.     

Transition-Metal Free Electrophilic Aminations of Polyfunctional O-2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyl Hydroxylamines with Zinc and Magnesium Organometallics

We reported a new electrophilic amination of various primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl, benzylic, allylic zinc and magnesium organometallics with O-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl hydroxylamines (O-TBHAs) in 52–99 % yield. These O-TBHAs displayed an excellent long-term stability and were readily prepared from various highly functionalized secondary amines via a convenient 3 step procedure. The amination reactions showed remarkable chemoselectivity proceeding without any transition-metal catalyst and were usually complete after 1–3 h reaction time at 25 °C. Furthermore, this electrophilic amination also provided access to enantioenriched tertiary amines (up to 88 % ee) by using optically enriched secondary alkylmagnesium reagents of the type s-AlkylMgCH₂SiMe₃.     

B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed 1,4-Allylation of Azadienes with Allyltrimethylsilanes

A metal-free 1,4-allylation of azadienes with allyltrimethylsilanes catalyzed by B(C₆F₅)₃ has been developed. The high Lewis acidity, good thermal stability, and good hydrolytic stability of the catalyst make this reaction efficient and operationally simple. In contrast to the previously reported 1,2-allylation of α,β-unsaturated imines, the 1,4-allylation of azadienes is described here for the first time. Benzofuran-, indene-, dihydronaphthalene-, chromene-, and benzothiophene-based allyl arylmethanes have been obtained in up to 95 % yield.     

The application of tunable tridendate P‐based ligands for the Ru(II)‐catalysed transfer hydrogenation of various ketones

Two novel versatile tridendate aminophosphine–phosphinite and phosphinite ligands were prepared and their trinuclear neutral ruthenium(II) dichloro complexes were found to be effective catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of various ketones in excellent conversions up to 99% in the presence of 2‐propanol/NaOH in 0.1 M isopropanol solution. Particularly, [Ru₃(PPh₂OC₂H₄)₂ N–PPh₂(η⁶‐p‐cymene)₃Cl₆] acts as an excellent catalyst giving the corresponding alcohols in excellent conversion up to 99% (turnover frequency ≤ 1176 h^?1). A comparison of the catalytic properties of the complexes is also discussed briefly. Furthermore, the structures of these ligands and their corresponding complexes have also been clarified using a combination of multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis. ¹H–¹³C HETCOR or ¹H–¹H COSY correlation experiments were used to confirm the spectral assignments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polycyclotrimerization of aromatic diynes: Synthesis,thermal stability,and light‐emitting properties of hyperbranched polyarylenes

New aromatic diyne monomers of 1,4‐diethynyl‐2,5‐(dihexyloxy)benzene ( 1 ), 1,6‐diethynyl‐2‐(hexyloxy)naphthalene ( 2 ), and 9,9‐bis(4‐ethynylphenyl)fluorene ( 3 ) are synthesized. Their homopolymerizations and copolymerizations with 1‐octyne ( 4 ) or phenylacetylene ( 5 ) are effected by TaBr₅–Ph₄Sn and CpCo(CO)₂–hν, giving soluble hyperbranched polyarylenes with high molecular weights (M_w up to ～ 2.9 × 10⁵) in high yields (up to 99%). The structures and properties of the polymers are characterized and evaluated by IR, NMR, UV, PL, and TGA analysis. The polymers show excellent thermal stability (T_d > 400 °C) and carbonize when pyrolyzed at 900 °C. Upon photoexcitation, the polymers emit deep blue light in the vicinity of ～400 nm with fluorescence quantum yields up to 92%. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4249–4263, 2007     

B(C6F5)3/Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Ketimine–Ene Reaction of 2‐Aryl‐3H‐indol‐3‐ones and α‐Methylstyrenes

The enantioselective ketimine–ene reaction is one of the most challenging stereocontrolled reaction types in organic synthesis. In this work, catalytic enantioselective ketimine–ene reactions of 2‐aryl‐3H‐indol‐3‐ones with α‐methylstyrenes were achieved by utilizing a B(C₆F₅)₃/chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) catalyst. These ketimine–ene reactions proceed well with low catalyst loading (B(C₆F₅)₃/CPA=2 mol %/2 mol %) under mild conditions, providing rapid and facile access to a series of functionalized 2‐allyl‐indolin‐3‐ones with very good reactivity (up to 99 % yield) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Theoretical calculations reveal that enhancement of the acidity of the chiral phosphoric acid by B(C₆F₅)₃ significantly reduces the activation free energy barrier. Furthermore, collective favorable hydrogen‐bonding interactions, especially the enhanced N?H???O hydrogen‐bonding interaction, differentiates the free energy of the transition states of CPA and B(C₆F₅)₃/CPA, thereby inducing the improvement of stereoselectivity.     

Copper(I) Oxide Catalyzed Formation of C?S Bond Mediated by N,N′‐Type Ligand

1,10‐Phenanthroline, a simple and cheap N,N′‐type ligand, was found to work well as the ligand of C? S coupling catalyzed by Cu₂O. The corresponding coupling products were synthesized in good to excellent yields (75%–99%) in DMSO at 80°C. A variety of aryl halides and thiols were investigated and satisfactory results were obtained.     

Preparation of Polyfunctionalized Aromatic Nitriles from Aryl Oxazolines

A selective ortho,ortho’-functionalization of readily available aryl oxazolines by two successive magnesiations with sBu₂Mg in toluene followed by trapping reactions with electrophiles, such as (hetero)aryl iodides or bromides, iodine, tosyl cyanide, ethyl cyanoformate or allylic bromides (39 examples, 62–99 % yield) is reported. Treatment of these aryl oxazolines with excess oxalyl chloride and catalytic amounts of DMF (50 °C, 4 h) provided the corresponding nitriles (36 examples, 73–99 % yield). Conversions of these nitriles to valuable heterocycles are reported, and a tentative mechanism is proposed.     

Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate Aldolase Catalyzed Synthesis of Structurally Diverse Polyhydroxylated Pyrrolidine Derivatives and Evaluation of their Glycosidase Inhibitory Properties

The chemoenzymatic synthesis of a collection of pyrrolidine‐type iminosugars generated by the aldol addition of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) to C‐α‐substituted N‐Cbz‐2‐aminoaldehydes derivatives, catalyzed by DHAP aldolases is reported. L ‐Fuculose‐1‐phosphate aldolase (FucA) and L ‐rhamnulose‐1‐phosphate aldolase (RhuA) from E. coli were used as biocatalysts to generate configurational diversity on the iminosugars. Alkyl linear substitutions at C‐α were well tolerated by FucA catalyst (i.e., 40–70 % conversions to aldol adduct), whereas no product was observed with C‐α‐alkyl branched substitutions, except for dimethyl and benzyl substitutions (20 %). RhuA was the most versatile biocatalyst: C‐α‐alkyl linear groups gave the highest conversions to aldol adducts (60–99 %), while the C‐α‐alkyl branched ones gave moderate to good conversions (50–80 %), with the exception of dimethyl and benzyl substituents (20 %). FucA was the most stereoselective biocatalyst (90–100 % anti (3R,4R) adduct). RhuA was highly stereoselective with (S)‐N‐Cbz‐2‐aminoaldehydes (90–100 % syn (i.e., 3R,4S) adduct), whereas those with R configuration gave mixtures of anti/syn adducts. For iPr and iBu substituents, RhuA furnished the anti adduct (i.e., FucA stereochemistry) with high stereoselectivity. Molecular models of aldol products with iPr and iBu substituents and as complexes with the RhuA active site suggest that the anti adducts could be kinetically preferred, while the syn adducts would be the equilibrium products. The polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines generated were tested as inhibitors against seven glycosidases. Among them, good inhibitors of α‐L ‐fucosidase (IC₅₀=1–20 μM ), moderate of α‐L ‐rhamnosidase (IC₅₀=7–150 μM ), and weak of α‐D ‐mannosidase (IC₅₀=80–400 μM ) were identified. The apparent inhibition constant values (K_i) were calculated for the most relevant inhibitors and computational docking studies were performed to understand both their binding capacity and the mode of interaction with the glycosidases.     

A lutetium allyl complex that bears a pyridyl-functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligand: dual catalysis on highly syndiospecific and cis-1,4-selective (co)polymerizations of styrene and butadiene

A novel linked‐half‐sandwich lutetium–bis(allyl) complex [(C₅Me₄? C₅H₄N)Lu(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] ( 1 ) attached by a pyridyl‐functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligand was synthesized and fully characterized. Complex 1 in combination with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] exhibited unprecedented dual catalysis with outstanding activities in highly syndiotactic (rrrr>99 %) styrene polymerization and distinguished cis‐1,4‐selective (99 %) butadiene polymerization, respectively. Strikingly, this catalyst system exhibited remarkable activity (396 kg copolymer (mol_Lu h)^?1) for the copolymerization of butadiene and styrene. Irrespective of whether the monomers were fed in concurrent mode or sequential addition of butadiene followed by styrene, diblock copolymers were obtained exclusively, which was confirmed by a kinetics investigation of monomer conversion of copolymerization with time. In the copolymers, the styrene incorporation rate varied from 4.7 to 85.4 mol %, whereas the polybutadiene (PBD) block was highly cis‐1,4‐regulated (95 %) and the polystyrene segment remained purely syndiotactic (rrrr>99 %). Correspondingly, the copolymers exhibited glass transition temperatures (T_g) around ?107 °C and melting points (T_m) around 268 °C; typical values for diblock microstructures. Such copolymers cannot be accessed by any other methods known to date. X‐ray powder diffraction analysis of these diblock copolymers showed that the crystallizable syndiotactic polystyrene (syn‐PS) block was in the toluene δ clathrate form. The AFM micrographs of diblock copolymer showed a remarkable phase‐separation morphology of the cis‐1,4‐PBD block and syn‐PS block. This represents the first example of a lutetium‐based catalyst showing both high activity and selectivity for the (co)polymerization of styrene and butadiene.     

Zur oxidativen Addition von 1-Halogenalk-1-inen – Synthese und Struktur von Phenylalkinylpalladium-Komplexen

On the Oxidative Addition of 1-Halogenalk-1-ynes – Synthesis and Structure of Phenylalkynylpalladium Complexes [Pd(PPh₃)₄] ( 2 ) reacts with IC≡CPh and ClC≡CPh in the sense of an oxidative addition to give trans-[Pd(C≡CPh)X(PPh₃)₂] (X = I: 3 a , X = Cl: 3 b ). As side products trans-[PdX₂(PPh₃)₂] (X = I: 4 a , X = Cl: 4 b ; < 10%) and PhC≡C–C≡CPh ( 5 ; X = I: ca 30%, X = Cl: < 4%) are formed. 3 a and 3 b were characterized by NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) and IR spectroscopies as well as by X-ray single-crystal structure analyses. In the crystals of 3 a and 3 b isolated molecules were found. The Pd–C≡C–Ph unit is linear in 3 a and approximately linear in 3 b [Pd–C≡C 174.2(6)°, C≡C–C 179,0(7)°].     

Enantioselective Reduction of Prochiral Ketones with NaBH4/Me2SO4/(S)-Me-CBS

The enantioselective reduction of prochiral ketones with NaBH₄/Me₂SO₄/(S)-Me-CBS is described. Borane is generated in situ via the reaction of NaBH₄ with Me₂SO₄ in tetrahydrofuran, which is as efficient as the commercial one. Such in situ–generated borane reagent was applied to reduce prochiral ketones in the presence of chiral oxazaborolidine catalyst directly. The corresponding chiral secondary alcohols were obtained with excellent enantiomeric excesses (93–99% ee) and good to excellent yield (80–99%).     

FeCl3·6H2O/C: An Efficient and Recyclable Catalyst for the Synthesis of 2,3-Unsaturated O- and S-Glycosides

A novel method for synthesizing 2,3-unsaturated glycosides has been developed using a handy and eco-friendly immobilized catalyst, FeCl₃·6H₂O/C. A series of 2,3-unsaturated O- and S-glycosides were obtained for bioassay from corresponding 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal and D-galactal in good to excellent yields (56%–99%) and high anomeric selectivity (α/β = 7:1 to >19:1). Furthermore, the catalyst was efficient on gram-scale reactions and recyclable for at least three times.     

Addition of alkynes to a gallium bis-amido complex: imitation of transition-metal-based catalytic systems

Acetylene, phenylacetylene, and alkylbutynoates add reversibly to (dpp‐bian)Ga–Ga(dpp‐bian) (dpp‐bian=1,2‐bis[(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐imino]acenaphthene) to give addition products [dpp‐bian(R¹C?CR²)]Ga–Ga[(R²C?CR¹)dpp‐bian]. The alkyne adds across the Ga? N? C section, which results in new carbon–carbon and carbon–gallium bonds. The adducts were characterized by electron absorption, IR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and their molecular structures have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. According to the X‐ray data, a change in the coordination number of gallium from three [in (dpp‐bian)Ga–Ga(dpp‐bian)] to four (in the adducts) results in elongation of the metal–metal bond by approximately 0.13 Å. The adducts undergo a facile alkynes elimination at elevated temperatures. The equilibrium between [dpp‐bian(PhC?CH)]Ga–Ga[(HC?CPh)dpp‐bian] and [(dpp‐bian)Ga–Ga(dpp‐bian) + 2 PhC?CH] in toluene solution was studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The equilibrium constants at various temperatures (298≤T≤323 K) were determined, from which the thermodynamic parameters for the phenylacetylene elimination were calculated (ΔG°=2.4 kJ mol^?1, ΔH°=46.0 kJ mol^?1, ΔS°=146.0 J K^?1mol^?1). The reactivity of (dpp‐bian)Ga–Ga(dpp‐bian) towards alkynes permits use as a catalyst for carbon–nitrogen and carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions. The bisgallium complex was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the hydroamination of phenylacetylene with anilines. For instance, with [(dpp‐bian)Ga–Ga(dpp‐bian)] (2 mol %) in benzene more than 99 % conversion of PhNH₂ and PhC?CH into PhN?C(Ph)CH₃ was achieved in 16 h at 90 °C. Under similar conditions, the reaction of 1‐aminoanthracene with PhC?CH catalyzed by (dpp‐bian)Ga–Ga(dpp‐bian) formed a carbon–carbon bond to afford 1‐amino‐2‐(1‐phenylvinyl)anthracene in 99 % yield.