Catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of grignard reagents to alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfones

A highly efficient method is reported for the asymmetric conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to alpha,beta-unsaturated 2-pyridylsulfones. Using a Cu/TolBinap complex, excellent enantioselectivities and high yields are obtained for a wide variety of aliphatic substrates.     

Solvent-dependent mixed complex formation-NMR studies and asymmetric addition reactions of lithioacetonitrile to benzaldehyde mediated by chiral lithium amides

Lithioacetonitrile and a chiral lithium amide with an internally coordinating methoxy group form mixed dimers in diethyl ether (DEE) and in tetrahydrofuran (THF) according to NMR studies. Based on the observed (6)Li,(1)H heteronuclear Overhauser effects, in THF lithioacetonitrile is present in a mixed complex with the chiral lithium amide, and this complex has a central N-Li-N-Li core. In DEE, on the other hand, the acetonitrile anion bridges two lithiums of the dimer to form a central six-membered Li-N-C-C-Li-N ring. Gauge individual atomic orbital DFT calculations of the (13)C NMR chemical shifts of the DEE- and THF-solvated mixed dimers show good agreement with those obtained experimentally. Lithioacetonitrile complexed to the chiral lithium amide has been employed in asymmetric addition to benzaldehyde in both DEE and THF. In THF the product, (S)-3-phenyl-3-hydroxy propionitrile, is formed in 55 % ee and in DEE the R enantiomer is formed in 45 % ee. This change in stereoselectivity between solutions in DEE and THF was found to be general among a number of different chiral lithium amides, all with an internal chelating methoxy group.     

Mechanism for the regioselective asymmetric addition of grignard reagents to malimides: A computational exploration

We present a systematic theoretical investigation on the addition reaction of Grignard reagents to malimides to understand its mechanism as well as the origin of its regio- and diastereo-selectivity. The computations carried out at a hybrid density functional B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory reveal that (i) the addition of Grignard reagents with N,O-dimethylmalimide (1-methyl-3-methoxypyrrolidine-2,5-dione) occurs regioselectively at the alpha-carbonyl (C1) by passing through a cis-alpha-chelated precursor and affords stereoselectively cis-addition product, in qualitative agreement with the previous experimental observations; (ii) such regioselectivity is ascribed to the preferential chelation of Grignard reagent to the alpha-carbonyl (C1) over the coordination to the alpha-carbonyl (C4); (iii) its unusual trans-addition, in sharp contrast to the Cram chelation-type stereoselectivity for the reaction of aliphatic alpha- or beta-alkoxy carbonyl compounds, is due primarily to the rigidity of the five-membered ring skeleton of the malimide that favors the formation of the cis-alpha-chelated precursor; and (iv) poor regioselectivity is predicted for the reaction of O-TBDMS-protected malimide (1-benzyl-3-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione) with Grignard reagent and can be ascribed to the large steric repulsion of the bulky TBDMS group and the electronic effects of the silyl group that remarkably destabilizes the alpha-chelated precursors and the corresponding transition states.     

Copper-catalyzed conjugate addition of grignard reagents to isopropylidene alkylidenemalonates

A new method for the synthesis of isopropylidene alkylmalonates involving conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to isopropylidene alkylidenemalonates was developed.     

C(2) symmetric chiral NHC ligand for asymmetric quaternary carbon constructing copper-catalyzed conjugate addition of grignard reagents to 3-substituted cyclohexenones

The asymmetric construction of quaternary carbon centers by conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to 3-methyl- and 3-ethylcyclohexenones was realized in a maximum enantioselectivity of 80% by using a C 2 symmetric chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-copper catalyst, generated from (4 S,5 S)-1,3-bis(2-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1 H-imidazol-3-ium tetrafluoroborate and copper(II) triflate. The stereostructures of the NHC-Au complexes were analyzed by X-ray crystallography, which rationalized the good stereocontrolling ability of N-aryl NHCs.     

Functionalized ketones by iron mediated reaction of grignard reagents with acyl chlorides

The iron(III)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between Grignard reagents and acyl chlorides was found to be widely applicable to the synthesis of various functionalized ketones in good yields under mild conditions; the series of examples includes the synthesis of chiral methyl ketones and symmetric diketones.     

Novel polymer-supported chiral catalysts for the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes

Newly synthesized polymer-supported chiral amino alcohol catalysts 5a and 5b have been proved to be effective for the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes, affording the corresponding sec-alcohols in moderate enantiomeric excesses with good to excellent yields. The recycled catalyst could be reused in the same reaction without significant deterioration in performance.     

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of grignard reagents to acyclic enones

A highly enantioselective Cu-catalyzed addition of Grignard reagents to acyclic aliphatic enones is described. In the presence of 5 mol % of CuBr.SMe2 and 6 mol % of JosiPhos diphosphine aliphatic enones react with Grignard reagents to provide beta-substituted linear ketones with high yields, regio-, and enantioselectivities.     

Catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to coumarins--synthesis of versatile chiral building blocks

A new protocol for the Cu-catalysed asymmetric conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to coumarins has been developed. The corresponding products are formed in high yields and enantioselectivities. Through a sequential protocol involving conjugate addition followed by nucleophilic ring opening of the chiral enolate, chiral esters and amides are readily accessible.     

Self-condensation reaction of alkylbenzothiazoles with grignard reagents

2-alkylbenzothiazoles undergo Claisen-type self-condensation reaction simply on treatment with Grignard reagents.     

Simple diastereoselectivity on addition of alpha-haloalkyl Grignard reagents to benzaldehyde

The addition of alpha-haloalkyl Grignard reagents to benzaldehyde occurs with simple diastereoselectivity substantially higher than that of the corresponding lithium reagents. Reaction in the presence of dimethyl-aluminum chloride suppresses subsequent Oppenauer oxidation of the resulting Mg-alkoxides by excess benzaldehyde.     

Dramatic catalyst evolution in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde

We have observed product ee's that begin at 20% at low reaction conversion and rise to 79% ee at the completion of the reaction in the asymmetric addition of alkyl groups to benzaldehyde. This rare behavior is attributed to autoinduction, in which the catalyst evolves by incorporation of the product. Based on this, we have been able to optimize the catalyst by variation of achiral, rather than enantiopure ligands.     

Solid-phase synthesis of chiral N-acylethylenediamines and their use as ligands for the asymmetric addition of alkylzinc and alkenylzinc reagents to aldehydes

A solid-phase procedure has been developed for the synthesis of chiral N-acylethylenediamine ligands. The ligands are obtained in good yield and purity, without the need for chromatography or other purification methods. Several new and previously reported ligands were prepared using this procedure. These compounds were examined as catalysts for the enantioselective addition of alkylzinc reagents to aldehydes. In all cases, the crude ligands from the solid-phase syntheses catalyzed the reactions with similar yields and stereoselectivities when compared to reactions using ligands that had been purified by standard methods. Preliminary studies were also performed with ligands 3a and 3f as catalysts for the addition of alkenylzinc reagents to aldehydes to give chiral allylic alcohols. Ligand 3f was found to catalyze this addition reaction in up to 76% ee.     

An iterative catalytic route to enantiopure deoxypropionate subunits: asymmetric conjugate addition of grignard reagents to alpha,beta-unsaturated thioesters

A highly enantioselective (up to 96% ee) conjugate addition of Grignard reagents, in particular, MeMgBr, to alpha,beta-unsaturated thioesters is provided as well as its application to a diastereo- and enantioselective iterative route to syn- and anti-1,3-dimethyl arrays and deoxypropionate subunits. The versatility of the method is illustrated in the synthesis of (-)-lardolure, a multimethyl-branched insect natural pheromone.     

A copper-catalyzed method for the facially selective addition of grignard reagents to cyclopropenes

A Cu-catalyzed method for the addition of Grignard reagents to 1-alkyl-3-hydroxymethylcyclopropenes and their MOM ethers is described. The face of addition is syn relative to the hydroxymethyl and alkoxymethyl groups. Excellent diastereoselectivity is observed for a range of alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynylmagnesium halides. The addition reactions create chiral all-carbon quaternary centers, and the cyclopropylmetals that are generated can be reacted with electrophiles to produce highly functionalized cyclopropanes.