Acyclic chiral amines and amino acids as inexpensive and readily tunable catalysts for the direct asymmetric three-component Mannich reaction

The direct three-component asymmetric Mannich reaction catalyzed by acyclic chiral amines or amino acids is presented. Simple acyclic chiral amines and amino acids--such as alanine-tetrazole (9), alanine, valine, and serine-catalyzed the three-component asymmetric Mannich reactions between unmodified ketones, p-anisidine, and aldehydes with high chemo- and stereoselectivity, furnishing the corresponding Mannich bases with up to >99 % ee. This study demonstrates that the whole range of amino acids in nature, as well as nonproteogenic amino acid derivatives, can be considered in the design and tuning of novel, inexpensive organocatalysts for the direct asymmetric Mannich reaction.     

Aza-Michael Reaction: A Decade Later – Is the Research Over?

The 1,4-conjugated addition of nitrogen centered nucleophiles to electron-deficient alkenes, historically called the aza-Michael addition, is one of the most significant and widely used reactions in modern synthetic organic chemistry. In the last decade, great progress has been made in this field namely in the development of various catalytic systems. Fundamental advances involve the use of transition metal catalysts, organocatalysts, enzymes, ionic liquids, Brønsted and Lewis acids and bases. This Review aims to critically analyze the results of research into the reactions of aliphatic and aromatic amines with Michael acceptors.     

有机小分子催化的不对称Strecker反应研究进展

有机小分子催化的不对称合成反应是目前研究最为活跃的领域之一. 不对称Strecker反应是合成光学活性α-氨基酸衍生物的有效手段. 目前报道的催化不对称Strecker反应的有机催化剂主要有手性胍类、手性(硫)脲衍生物、氮-氧偶极化合物、手性Brønsted酸等, 取得了良好的催化活性和对映选择性. 对各类有机小分子催化剂在有机催化不对称Strecker反应中的应用研究进展, 以及催化剂结构与反应条件对催化活性和不对称诱导作用的影响进行了简要评述.     

Organocatalysts Derived from Unnatural α‐Amino Acids: Scope and Applications

The organocatalytic properties of unnatural α‐amino acids are reviewed. Post‐translational derivatives of natural α‐amino acids include 4‐hydroxy‐l ‐proline and 4‐amino‐l ‐proline scaffolds, and also proline homologues. The activity of synthetic unnatural α‐amino acid‐based organocatalysts, such as β‐alkyl alanines, alanine‐based phosphines, and tert‐leucine derivatives, are reviewed herein. The organocatalytic properties of unnatural monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic proline derivatives are also reviewed. Several families of these organocatalysts permit the efficient and stereoselective synthesis of complex natural products. Most of the reviewed organocatalysts accelerate the reported reactions through covalent interactions that raise the HOMO (enamine intermediates) or lower the LUMO (iminium intermediates).     

Aminophosphonates as organocatalysts in the direct asymmetric aldol reaction: towards syn selectivity in the presence of Lewis bases

Chiral alpha-aminophosphonates have been synthesized and their performance was evaluated as organocatalysts in the direct asymmetric aldol reaction. High enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) were achieved for a range of substituted cyclohexanones and benzaldehydes. Several organic bases, such as DBU, DBN, and TMG, were used together with the alpha-aminophosphonates in the aldol reactions and were found to favor syn-selectivity.     

Benzoin condensation in 1,3-dialkylimidazolium ionic liquids via electrochemical generation of N-heterocyclic carbene

N-heterocyclic carbenes generated by electrochemical reduction under galvanostatic control of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquids were employed as organocatalysts in the benzoin condensation reaction. Benzoin was isolated in a good yield (84%) by a catalytic amount of carbene (20%). The use of toxic, volatile molecular solvents as well as any addition of bases has been avoided.     

A new catalytic mode of the modularly designed organocatalysts (MDOs): enantioselective synthesis of dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles

The enantioselective tandem Michael addition-cyclization reaction between 3-methyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one and benzylidenemalononitriles was studied with modularly designed organocatalysts (MDOs) to yield 6-amino-5-cyanodihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles in high yields and moderate to good enantioselectivities. Most importantly, a new catalytic mode of the MDOs was established. Instead of being used as a nucleophile to form an enamine intermediate, the reaction center modules (amino acids) of the MDOs are now used as a Lewis base in this base-catalyzed reaction. Since there are more reactions catalyzed by Lewis bases than by the enamine mechanism, this finding greatly expands the scope of the MDOs in organic reactions. On the other hand, because the stereocontrolling modules (cinchona alkaloid derivatives) themselves may be used as Lewis base catalysts, this new method may also be viewed as an expeditious way for the modification of the reaction center of the cinchona alkaloid catalysts.     

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.     

N-Heterocyclic carbene containing element organic frameworks as heterogeneous organocatalysts

A bifunctional imidazolium linker was used for the production of highly crosslinked element organic frameworks by Suzuki-coupling with tetrafunctional boronic acids. The resulting porous materials are good heterogeneous organocatalysts in the N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed conjugated umpolung of α,β-unsaturated cinnamaldehyde.     

Enantioselective synthesis of α-deuterium labelled chiral α-amino acids via dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic azlactones

Catalytic dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of racemic azlactones with EtOD using squaramide-based dimeric cinchona alkaloid organocatalysts is shown to be a highly effective strategy for the preparation of enantiomerically pure α-deuterated chiral α-amino acids.     

Design of highly enantioselective organocatalysts based on molecular recognition

[reaction: see text] Various organocatalysts have been designed based on molecular recognition to catalyze the asymmetric direct aldol reaction of ketones with aryl and alkyl alpha-keto acids, affording beta-hydroxyl carboxylic acids with a tertiary stereogenic center with excellent enantioselectivities of up to 98% ee. A linear effect was observed for the reaction, demonstrating a single molecule of the catalyst involved in the catalysis.     

Recent applications of mechanochemistry in enantioselective synthesis

In recent years, sustainable organocatalysis has become a relevant target in asymmetric organic synthesis. Among the most successful strategies to achieve “greener” organocatalyzed processes are (1) the elimination of solvent from reaction media, and (2) the use of alternative activation energies such as solvent-free mechanochemistry in high speed ball mills. In recent years we have stepped up efforts in the pursuit of organocatalysts and biocatalysts that allow reactions to take place in the absence of solvent and under mechanochemical activation. In this article we present the application of small dipeptides as chiral organocatalysts under solvent-free and high-speed ball milling conditions, with focus on the asymmetric aldol addition reaction. Finally, we report on recent results using supported enzymes for the resolution of racemic β-amino acids and amines, under mechanochemical conditions.     

Carbohydrates as synthetic tools in organic chemistry

While amino acids, terpenes and alkaloids have found broad application as tools in stereoselective organic synthesis, carbohydrates have only lately been recognised as versatile starting materials for chiral auxiliaries, reagents, ligands and organocatalysts. The structural diversity of carbohydrates and the high density of functional groups offer a wide variety of opportunities for derivatization and tailoring of synthetic tools to a specific problem.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Novel Axially Chiral 2,2'-Bipyridine N,N'-Dioxides Bearing α-Amino Acid Residues and Their Applications in Enantioselective Allylation of Aromatic Aldehydes with Allyltrichlorosilane

A series of novel axially chiral 2,2′‐bipyridine N,N′‐dioxides bearing C₁ or C₂‐symmetry have been synthesized by the use of enantiopure α‐amino acids as chiral sources. The absolute stereochemistry of the axial chirality of these organocatalysts has been clearly assigned by means of CD measurements together with literature protocols. The reactivities and enantioselectivities of these organocatalysts have been examined in the reactions of aromatic aldehydes with allyltrichlorosilane, thus providing the desired products with moderate yields and enantioselectivies.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Phase‐Transfer Michael Reaction and Mannich‐Type Reaction of Glycine Schiff Bases with Tartrate‐Derived Diammonium Salts

Catalytic asymmetric Michael and Mannich‐type reactions of glycine Schiff bases with chiral two‐center organocatalysts, tartrate‐derived diammonium salts (TaDiASs), are described. On the basis of conformational studies, optimized TaDiASs with a 2,6‐disubstituted cyclohexane spiroacetal were newly designed. These TaDiASs catalyzed the asymmetric Michael and Mannich‐type reactions of glycine Schiff bases with higher enantioselectivity than previous catalysts. In the Mannich‐type reaction, aromatic N‐Boc‐protected imines (Boc=tert‐butoxycarbonyl) as well as enolizable alkyl imines were applicable. As a synthetic application of the catalytic asymmetric Mannich‐type reaction with the optimized TaDiASs, we developed a catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of (+)‐nemonapride, which is an antipsychotic agent.     

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of nitroalkanes to chalcones using chiral squaramides as hydrogen bonding organocatalysts

A series of squaramide-based organocatalysts were facilely synthesized and applied as hydrogen bonding organocatalysts in the enantioselective Michael addition of nitroalkanes to chalcones. These organocatalysts promoted the Michael addition with low catalyst loading under high temperature (80 °C), affording the desired R or S enantiomers of the products flexibly in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (93-96% ee) by the appropriate choice of organocatalysts.     

手性磷酸催化的有机催化不对称反应

手性磷酸是近年来发展起来的一类新型高效、高对映选择性的Brønsted酸类有机催化剂, 已成功应用于催化不对称Mannich反应、还原胺化反应、Pictet-Spengler反应、aza-Diels-Alder反应和aza-Ene反应等许多重要的有机合成反应. 手性磷酸催化剂分子内同时含有Lewis碱性位点和Brønsted酸性位点, 可同时活化亲电与亲核底物. 作为一种新型双功能有机催化剂, 手性磷酸具有较高的催化活性和对映选择性, 催化剂最低用量可达0.05 mol%. 对各类手性磷酸催化剂在有机催化不对称合成反应中的应用研究进展, 以及不对称诱导反应的机理、手性磷酸的分子结构及反应条件对其催化活性和不对称诱导活性的影响进行了评述.     

手性胺-质子酸催化剂在有机催化不对称合成中的应用

手性胺-质子酸是近年来发展起来的新型高效、高对映选择性的有机催化体系, 已成功应用于催化不对称Aldol反应、Michael加成反应、Diels-Alder反应和Strecker反应等许多重要的有机合成反应. 价廉易得的质子酸的引入不仅可促进活性中间体烯胺的生成, 并可通过形成的氢键稳定反应的过渡态, 从而显著提高该催化体系的催化活性和立体选择性. 对各类手性胺-质子酸催化剂在有机催化不对称合成反应中的应用、不对称诱导反应的机理、手性胺和质子酸的分子结构对其催化活性和不对称诱导活性的影响进行了评述.     

有机小分子催化不对称Henry反应的研究进展

综述了各类有机小分子催化剂(如金鸡纳碱衍生物、手性(硫)脲、手性二级胺、金鸡纳碱-硫脲衍生物、胍-硫脲衍生物等)在不对称Henry反应中的研究进展。参考文献18篇。     

Primary amino acids: privileged catalysts in enantioselective organocatalysis

Despite the recent spectacular advances in asymmetric organocatalysis, proline and its analogues have been predominantly employed as organocatalysts in reactions utilizing enamine intermediates. Recent studies of enantioselective organocatalytic reactions promoted by primary amino acids and their derivatives are described in this account. The primary amino functions, rather than the secondary pyrrolidine moiety, have been shown to provide unique reactivity and stereoselectivity in asymmetric aldol and Mannich reactions.