One-Pot Synthesis of Enantioenriched β-Amino Secondary Amides via an Enantioselective [4+2] Cycloaddition Reaction of Vinyl Azides with N-Acyl Imines Catalyzed by a Chiral Brønsted Acid

A catalytic enantioselective synthesis of β-amino secondary amides was achieved using vinyl azides as the enamine-type nucleophile and chiral N-Tf phosphoramide as the chiral Brønsted acid catalyst through a five-step sequential transformation in one pot. The established sequential transformation involves an enantioselective [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of vinyl azides with N-acyl imines as the key stereo-determining step that is efficiently accelerated by a chiral N-Tf phosphoramide catalyst in a highly enantioselective manner in most cases. Further generation of the iminodiazonium ion intermediate through ring opening of the cycloaddition product and subsequent skeletal rearrangement involving Schmidt-type 1,2-aryl group migration followed by recyclization of the resulting nitrilium ion were also initiated by the same acid catalyst. Final acid hydrolysis of the recyclized products in the same pot gave rise to enantioenriched β-amino amides through C−C bond formation at the α-position of the secondary amides.     

Chiral quinuclidine-based amine catalysts for the asymmetric one-pot, three-component aza-Baylis-Hillman reaction

Chiral quinuclidine derivatives were employed as catalysts in the one-pot, three-component aza-Baylis-Hillman reaction between arylaldehydes, tosylamide and alkyl acrylates or acrylonitrile. A sterically non-hindered tricyclic derivative of quinidine was found to be the most efficient catalyst in transferring its chiral information. High conversions were ensured by using a catalytic amount of titanium isopropoxide and by the addition of molecular sieves (4 Å). The adducts formed, α-methylene-β-amino acid derivatives, were obtained in good yields (up to 95%) and in enantioselectivities up to 74%.     

Primary amine/CSA ion pair: a powerful catalytic system for the asymmetric enamine catalysis

A novel ion pair catalyst containing a chiral counteranion can be readily derived by simply mixing cinchona alkaloid-derived diamine with chiral camphorsulfonic acid (CSA). A mixture of 9-amino(9-deoxy)epi-quinine 8 and (-)-CSA was found to be the best catalyst with matching chirality, enabling the direct amination of α-branched aldehydes to proceed in quantitative yields and with nearly perfect enantioselectivities. A 0.5 mol % catalyst loading was sufficient to catalyze the reaction, and a gram scale enantioselective synthesis of biologically important α-methyl phenylglycine has been successfully demonstrated.     

Doubly stereocontrolled asymmetric conjugate addition of acetylacetone to nitroolefins catalyzed by bifunctional tertiary amine-thiourea catalysts derived from both acyclic α-amino acids and carbohydrates

A novel class of easily preparative, cheap, and fine-tunable bifunctional chiral tertiary amine-thiourea organocatalysts have been developed by combining both acyclic diamines derived from acyclic α-amino acids and carbohydrates. These organocatalysts promoted the enantioselective conjugate addition of acetylacetone to various nitroolefins in good yields (up to 93%) with good enantioselectivities (up to 91% ee). The present research demonstrates the advantages of incorporating two stereocontrolling structures into a single catalyst. Notably, it offers a simple and convenient doubly stereocontrolled approach for the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of a chiral organic molecule.     

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Acyloin Rearrangement of α-Hydroxy Acetals to α-Alkoxy Ketones

We report an unprecedented organocatalytic enantioselective acyloin rearrangement of α,α-disubstituted α-hydroxy acetals. In the presence of a catalytic amount of chiral binol-derived N-triflyl phosphoramide, α-hydroxy acetals rearranged to α-alkoxy ketones in good to high yields with high enantioselectivities. Formation of an ion pair between the in situ generated oxocarbenium ion and the chiral phosphoramide anion was proposed to be responsible for the highly efficient transfer of chirality. Conditions for removal of cyclohexyl and cyclopentyl groups from the corresponding α-alkoxy ketones were uncovered underpinning their potential general utility as hydroxy protecting groups. Conversion of the rearranged products to the enantioenriched α-hydroxy ketone, 1,2-diol, β-amino alcohol and 1,4-dioxane was also documented.     

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Nucleophilic Borylation of Aliphatic Ketones: Synthesis of Enantioenriched Chiral Tertiary α-Hydroxyboronates

A new method was developed for the first catalytic enantioselective borylation of aliphatic ketones. A variety of substrates reacted efficiently with bis(pinacolato)diboron in the presence of a copper(I)/chiral N-heterocyclic carbene complex catalyst to furnish optically active tertiary α-hydroxyboronates with moderate to high enantioselectivities (up to 94 % ee). Notably, the product could be converted into the chiral tertiary alcohol derivative using a stereospecific boron functionalization process. The theoretical study of the mechanism for the enantioselectivity is also described.     

Catalytic enantioselective electrophilic α-amination of β-ketoesters catalyzed by chiral palladium complexes

The catalytic enantioselective electrophilic α-amination promoted chiral palladium complexes is described. Treatment of β-ketoesters with azodicarboxylates as electrophilic amination reagents under mild reaction conditions afforded the corresponding α-amino β-ketoesters with excellent enantiomeric excesses (91-99% ee). Palladium complexes were immobilized in [bmim]PF₆, and their applications to catalytic α-amination of β-ketoesters were successfully demonstrated.     

Convenient preparation of highly active phase-transfer catalyst for catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α-alkyl- and α,α-dialkyl-α-amino acids: application to the short asymmetric synthesis of BIRT-377

A highly active phase-transfer catalyst was conveniently prepared from the known, easily available (S)-4,5,6,4′,5′,6′-hexamethoxybiphenyldicarboxylic acid. This catalyst exhibited the high catalytic performance (0.01-1 mol %) in the asymmetric alkylation of N-(diphenylmethylene)glycine tert-butyl ester and N-(p-chlorophenylmethylene)alanine tert-butyl ester compared to the existing chiral phase-transfer catalysts, thereby allowing to realize a general and useful procedure for highly practical enantioselective synthesis of structurally diverse natural and unnatural α-alkyl-α-amino acids as well as α,α-dialkyl-α-amino acids.     

New chiral phase-transfer catalysts possessing a 6,6′-bridged ring on the biphenyl unit: application to the synthesis of α,α-dialkyl-α-amino acids

A new chiral phase-transfer catalyst possessing a 6,6′-bridged ring on the biphenyl unit has been developed for the practical synthesis of α,α-dialkyl-α-amino acids. This catalyst shows very high activity for the asymmetric alkylation of an alanine derivative to give α,α-dialkyl-α-amino acid derivatives with high enantioselectivities.     

Enantioselective α-hydrazination of α-fluoro-β-ketoesters catalyzed by chiral nickel complexes

The catalytic enantioselective electrophilic α-hydrazination promoted by chiral nickel complexes is described. Treatment of α-fluoro-β-ketoesters with azodicarboxylates as electrophilic amination reagents under mild reaction conditions afforded the corresponding α-amino α-fluoro-β-ketoesters with high yields (80-96%) and enantioselectivities (up to 78% ee).     

Polymeric chiral phase-transfer catalysts derived from cinchona alkaloids for enantioselective synthesis of α-amino acids

A series of dimeric/trimeric chiral quaternary ammonium salts derived from cinchona alkaloids were designed as efficient and practical chiral phase-transfer catalysts (PTCs). Presented are the details on the development of the dimeric PTCs for the synthesis of optically active α-amino acid derivatives and the optimization of the reaction variables suitable for the dimeric PTCs. The 1,3-phenyl- and the 2,7-naphthyl-linked dimeric PTCs showed excellent catalytic capability on the reactivity and enantioselectivity in the catalytic phase-transfer alkylation of N-(diphenylmethylene)glycine tert-butyl ester (1). A variety of α-amino acid derivatives were obtained with high enantiopurities using the dimeric PTCs, especially the 2,7-naphthyl-dimer 41, in a very practical manner.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of 2‐Amidoacrylates

Earth‐abundant nickel, coordinated with a suitable chiral bisphosphine ligand, was found to be an efficient catalyst for the asymmetric hydrogenation of 2‐amidoacrylates, affording the chiral α‐amino acid esters in quantitative yields and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 96 % ee). The active catalyst component was studied by NMR and HRMS, which helped us to realize high catalytic efficiency on a gram scale with a low catalyst loading (S/C=2000). The hydrogenated products could be simply converted into chiral α‐amino acids, β‐amino alcohols, and their bioactive derivatives. Furthermore, the catalytic mechanism was investigated using deuterium‐labeling experiments and computational calculations.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Perfluoroalkylated α-Amino Acids through Generated Radicals Using a Chiral Ni(II) Complex

Perfluoroalkylated α-amino acids (PFAAs) are a unique class of compounds for biochemistry and pharmaceutical science. In this context, we report the successful intermolecular coupling of the Belokon’s chiral dehydroalanine Ni(II) complex with a variety of perfluoroalkyl iodides. A 4-cyanopyridine/B₂Pin₂ catalytic system generates perfluoroalkyl radicals, which after trapping by the ligand sphere of a chiral Ni(II) complex provide the diastereomeric complexes with up to >20 : 1 dr (seven examples). The obtained major (S,S)-diastereomers were easily isolated by simple silica column chromatography in 33–54 % yields. The perfluoroalkylated α-AA was subsequently released from the obtained Ni(II) complex through aqueous HCl treatment. The chiral auxiliary ligand ((S)-BPB=(S)-2-(N-benzylprolyl)aminobenzophenone) can be easily recycled after the acidic complex decomposition and reused for the synthesis of the starting dehydroalanine Ni(II) complex.     

Catalytic enantioselective electrophilic α-hydrazination of β-ketoesters using bifunctional organocatalysts

The catalytic enantioselective electrophilic α-hydrazination promoted by chiral bifunctional organocatalysts is described. Treatment of β-ketoesters with azodicarboxylates as electrophilic amination reagents under mild reaction conditions afforded the corresponding α-amino β-ketoesters with excellent enantiomeric excesses (93-99% ee).     

Highly efficient and convenient asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones catalyzed with zinc Schiff base complexes

Several chiral Schiff base ligands derived from α-amino acids were prepared, and zinc complexes with these chiral Schiff base ligands prepared were tested for the catalytic asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones, and the results showed that excellent ee values were obtained, which are the prominent examples of catalytic asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones catalyzed with zinc complexes in the presence of readily available and inexpensive α-amino acids based Schiff base ligands.     

High-performance ligand-exchange chromatography of amino acids on chiral stationary phases

Three chiral stationary phases, obtained by grafting silica gel with (-)-trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine, were studied for the resolution of α-amino acids by ligand-exchange chromatography. The packings were prepared by bonding the chiral ligand to silica gel via different hydrocarbon spacers. Separation of the optical isomers was accomplished by eluents containing a constant concentration of copper(II) acetate (0.05mM). The elution sequence of amino acids was found to be dependent on the grafting reaction selected to prepare the chiral packings.     

Nickel-Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution of Racemic Unactivated Alkenes via Enantio-, Diastereo-, and Regioselective Hydroamination

Kinetic resolution is a powerful strategy for the isolation of enantioenriched compounds from racemic mixtures, and the development of selective catalytic processes is an active area of research. Here, we present a nickel-catalyzed kinetic resolution of racemic α-substituted unconjugated carbonyl alkenes via the enantio-, diastereo-, and regioselective hydroamination. This protocol affords both chiral α-substituted butenamides and syn-β^2,3-amino acid derivatives with high enantiomeric purity (up to 99 % ee) and selectivity factor up to >684. The key to the excellent kinetic resolution efficiency is the distinctive architecture of the chiral nickel complex, which enables successful resolution and enantioselective C−N bond construction. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the unique structure of the chiral ligand facilitates a rapid migratory insertion step with one enantiomer. This strategy provides a practical and versatile approach to prepare a wide range of chiral compounds.     

聚甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯负载手性Mn(III)salen配合物催化α-甲基苯乙烯的不对称环氧化反应(英文)

在手性Mn(III)salenCl配合物的5和5'位上引入氨基醇,将其通过轴配位作用负载于聚甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯(pHEMA)上,并用于离子液体[bmim]PF6中,催化α-甲基苯乙烯的不对称环氧化反应.结果表明,该催化剂表现出良好的催化活性和区域选择性,对映体过量值(ee)和产率可分别达80%～91%和84%～92%,循环使用5次后催化活性没有明显降低.这可归结为氨基醇和环己二胺中手性碳原子间相互协同作用.     

Catalytic asymmetric chloroamination reaction of α,β-unsaturated γ-keto esters and chalcones

Highly efficient catalytic chloroamination reaction of α,β-unsaturated γ-keto esters and chalcones has been developed via a chloronium-based mechanism to deliver anti-regioselective vicinal chloroamines instead of the aziridinium intermediates delivered aminochlorides. The combination of TsNCl(2) and TsNH(2) as reagents made the transformation highly efficient, delivering the γ-carbonyl-β-chloro-α-amino acid derivatives and α-chloro-β-amino-ketone derivatives in nearly quantitative yields with up to 99% ee and 99:1 dr under 0.05-0.5 mol % catalyst loading. TsNHCl was demonstrated to act as the key reactive species to form a bridged chloronium ion intermediate in the presence of a chiral scandium complex. The method might provide useful information for further realization of other haloamination reactions.     

Enantioselective organocatalytic synthesis of quaternary α-amino acids bearing a CF3 moiety

A highly enantioselective Friedel-Crafts reaction catalyzed by a chiral phosphoric acid was developed. N-Boc-protected ethyl trifluoropyruvate imine was activated by 6 mol % of catalyst and reacted with a wide variety of indole derivatives to afford quaternary α-amino acids in excellent yields (up to 99%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 98:2 er).