Radical addition of nitrones to acrylates mediated by SmI2: asymmetric synthesis of gamma-amino acids employing carbohydrate-based chiral auxiliaries

Alkyl nitrones possessing N-substituted sugars as chiral auxiliaries were found to effectively undergo an SmI(2)-mediated radical addition to n-butyl acrylate affording gamma-amino acid derivatives with high diastereomeric control.     

SmI(2)-promoted radical addition reactions with N-(2-Indolylacyl)oxazolidinones: synthesis of bisindole compounds

The treatment of N-acyl oxazolidinones of N-benzyl 2-indolecarboxylic acids varying in the substitution pattern of the indole ring with samarium diiodide at -78 degrees C led to the formation of two indole dimer products. The major product isolated in yields from 55 to 59% represents an unsymmetrical dimer arising from 1,4-addition to the 2-indolecarboxylic acid derivative of a possible ketyl-type radical anion intermediate originating from the reduction of the exocyclic carbonyl group of the N-acyl oxazolidinone. The minor dimer, represented by a symmetrical diketone, was produced in yields ranging from 11 to 23%. Even in the presence of an alpha,beta-unsaturated amide, dimerization was the preferred pathway rather than the formation of a gamma-keto amide. Upon treatment with acid, the unsymmetrical indole dimer cyclized to form a diindolequinone. Finally, the N-acyl oxazolidinones of pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid and 3-indolecarboxylic acid preferred in both cases to undergo C-C bond formation with an acrylamide in the presence of SmI2 rather than dimerization.     

Synthesis of beta-substituted alpha-amino acids via Lewis acid promoted radical conjugate additions to alpha,beta-unsaturated alpha-nitro esters and amides

[reaction: see text] Beta-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated alpha-nitro esters and amides undergo radical conjugate additions when treated with an appropriate Lewis acid. Deuterium studies revealed that the acidic alpha-stereocenter of the alpha-nitro ester products does not racemize under strictly controlled workup conditions. The alpha-nitro amides did racemize significantly during chromatography, but this could be greatly minimized by subjecting the crude adducts to subsequent transformations. The conjugate addition products can be elaborated into beta-substituted alpha-amino acids in two simple steps.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-trisubstituted alpha,beta-unsaturated amides and acids

Potassium alkoxides of N-acyl-oxazolidin-2-one-syn-aldols undergo stereoselective elimination reactions to afford a range of trisubstituted (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated amides in >95% de, that may be subsequently converted into their corresponding (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated acids or (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated oxazolines in good yield. syn-Aldols derived from alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes gave their corresponding trisubstituted (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated-amides with poorer levels of diastereocontrol, whilst there was a similar loss in (E)-selectivity during elimination of syn-aldols derived from chiral aldehydes. These elimination reactions proceed via rearrangement of the potassium alkoxide of the syn-aldol to a 1,3-oxazinane-2,4-dione enolate intermediate that subsequently eliminates carbon dioxide to afford a trisubstituted (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated amide. The (E)-selectivity observed during the E1cB-type elimination step has been rationalised using a simple conformational model that employs a chair-like transition state to explain the observed stereocontrol.     

Asymmetric synthesis of beta-amino-gamma-substituted-gamma-butyrolactones: double diastereoselective conjugate addition of homochiral lithium amides to homochiral alpha,beta-unsaturated esters

Chiral alpha,beta-unsaturated esters, containing a single, gamma-stereogenic centre, show modest levels of substrate control upon conjugate addition of lithium dibenzylamide. Double diastereoselective conjugate additions of homochiral lithium N-benzyl-N-(alpha-methylbenzyl)amide to the homochiral alpha,beta-unsaturated esters display "matching" and "mismatching" effects. In each case, however, these additions proceed under the dominant stereocontrol of the lithium amide to give the corresponding beta-amino esters in high de. A remarkable reversal in stereoselectivity is noted by changing the ester functionality to an oxazolidinone. Subsequent O-deprotection and cyclisation of the resultant beta-amino adducts gives access to the corresponding beta-amino-gamma-substituted-gamma-butyrolactones in good yield and high de.     

CrCl2-promoted stereospecific and stereoselective alkyl- and silylcyclopropanation of alpha,beta-unsaturated amides

An efficient chromium-promoted alkyl- or silylcyclopropanation of alpha,beta-unsaturated amides is described. These reactions can be carried out on (E)- or (Z)-alpha,beta-enamides in which the C-C double bond is di-, or trisubstituted. This process takes place with total stereospecificity and the new stereogenic center is generated with high or total stereoselectivity. Some synthetic applications of the obtained silylcyclopropyl amides are also reported. Two mechanisms based on the generation of carbenoid or carbene complexes have been proposed to explain this cyclopropanation reaction.     

Highly stereoselective construction of spiro[4.5]decanes by SmI(2)-promoted ketyl radical mediated tandem cyclization

[reaction: see text] Ketyl radical mediated tandem cyclization of omega-alkynyl carbonyl compounds bearing activated alkene using SmI(2) gave spiro[4.5]decanes stereoselectively. In the presence of HMPA, alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and alkenyl phosphonates were converted to spiro[4.5]decanes and a monocyclic compound, respectively. In the presence of Sm, bicyclic lactones were obtained from alpha,beta-unsaturated esters. The spiro[4.5]decane was provided from an alkenyl phosphonate. Interestingly, the stereochemical changeover at the first cyclization has been controlled by means of a variety of activators.     

New synthesis of 1,4-diketones via rhodium-catalysed 1,4 carbonylative addition of arylboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

The reaction of various arylboronic acids with alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones under CO pressure and in the presence of rhodium catalyst yields 1,4-diketones.     

Nickel-catalyzed beta-boration of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and amides with bis(pinacolato)diboron

A nickel catalyst system for beta-boration of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and amides with bis(pinacolato)diboron has been developed. The catalyst system enables the boration of di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted substrates in good yields.     

Rhodium(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated amides.

The conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated amides was carried out in the presence of a chiral rhodium catalyst and an aqueous base. The catalyst prepared in situ from Rh(acac)(CH(2)=CH(2))(2) and (S)-binap provided (R)-N-benzyl-3-phenylbutanamide with 93% ee in the addition of phenylboronic acid to N-benzyl crotonamide. The reaction suffered from incomplete conversion resulting in moderate yields, but addition of an aqueous base, such as K(2)CO(3) (10-50 mol%) was found to be highly effective to improve the chemical yields. The role of the base giving a RhOH species active for transmetalation with arylboronic acids was discussed.     

The intramolecular,stereoselective addition of sulfoximine carbanions to alpha,beta-unsaturated esters

ortho-Bromocinnamates can be coupled with methyl phenylsulfoximine to afford N-arylsulfoximines in excellent yield. Treatment of these products with an amide base results in a completely stereoselective cyclization to afford enantiomerically pure benzothiazines. This reaction is stereospecific.     

Formal total synthesis of the potent renin inhibitor aliskiren: application of a SmI2-promoted acyl-like radical coupling

A formal total synthesis of the potent renin inhibitor aliskiren is disclosed exploiting an alternative coupling strategy recently developed by this laboratory for the preparation of the hydroxyethylene isostere-based class of protease inhibitors. The thioester derivative of the amino acid representing the C5-C9 fragment of the aliskiren carbon skeleton underwent a carbon chain extension via a SmI2-promoted radical addition to n-butyl acrylate. Introduction of the C3-isopropyl group with the correct relative configuration was accomplished via stereoselective reduction of the obtained ketone with concomitant lactonization, followed by an aldol reaction with acetone. Further functional group and protecting group manipulation culminated in a formal total synthesis of aliskiren in 10 steps from the corresponding fully protected non-natural amino acid.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the addition of nucleophiles to alpha,beta-unsaturated thiol esters

Compounds containing the UV-absorbing chromophores p-methoxycinnamate, p-methoxycinnamide, or anthranilate and an alpha,beta- or alpha,beta,gamma,delta-unsaturated thiol ester (crotonyl or sorboyl) have been prepared. These compounds are subject to nucleophilic attack at the C=C conjugated to the thiol ester carbonyl group. The kinetics of the reactions of these thiol esters with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), N-acetylcysteamine, and N(2)-acetyl-L-lysine (NAL) have been studied, and the thiol addition products have been identified. The reaction rates increased at higher pH, and the reaction of NAC thiolate with a crotonyl thiol ester in 1:1 (v/v) acetonitrile/aqueous HEPES exhibited buffer catalysis as a result of protonation of the enolate intermediate. At the same concentration, NAC underwent approximately 300-fold more reaction than NAL with a crotonyl thiol ester at pH 9.8. Additionally, a crotonyl thiol ester was found to be 7.9 times more reactive than a sorboyl thiol ester toward NAC addition. These unsaturated thiol esters may serve as a means of covalently binding UVA and UVB sunscreens to the outer layer of skin to provide long-lasting protection.     

Enantioselective synthesis of chiral sulfones by Rh-catalyzed asymmetric addition of boronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated 2-pyridyl sulfones

A general and efficient method for the rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective catalytic conjugate addition of organoboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfones is described. The success of the process relies on the use of alpha,beta-unsaturated 2-pyridyl sulfones as key metal-coordinating substrates; typical sulfones such as vinyl phenyl sulfones are inert under the reaction conditions. Among a variety of chiral ligands, Chiraphos provided the best asymmetric induction. This rhodium [Rh(acac)(C2H4)2]/Chiraphos catalyst system has a broad scope, being applicable to the addition of both aryl and alkenyl boronic acids to cis and trans alpha,beta-unsaturated 2-pyridyl sulfones. In most cases, especially in the addition of aryl boronic acids, the reactions take place cleanly and with high enantioselectivity, affording chiral beta-substituted 2-pyridyl sulfones in good yields and enantioselectivities (70-92% ee). The sense and magnitude of this enantioselectivity have been studied by DFT theoretical calculations of the aryl-rhodium insertion step. These calculations strongly support the formation of a five-membered pyridyl-rhodium chelated species as the most stable complex after the insertion into the C=C bond. These highly enantioenriched chiral sulfones are very appealing building blocks in enantioselective synthesis. For instance, the straightforward elimination of the 2-pyridylsulfonyl group by either Julia-Kociensky olefination or alkylation/desulfonylation sequences provides a variety of functionalized chiral compounds, such as allylic substituted alkenes or beta-substituted ketones and esters.     

Efficient and stereoselective synthesis of beta-trifluoromethyl alpha,beta-unsaturated esters via iron(III) porphyrin-catalyzed olefination of ketones

beta-Trifluoromethyl alpha,beta-unsaturated esters were efficiently prepared by reactions of fluorine-containing ketones with diazo compounds via metalloporphyrin-catalyzed olefination in the presence of triphenylphosphine. The commercially available Fe(III)(TPP)Cl (TPP: tetraphenylporphyrin) is effective for catalyzing the olefination of a variety of trifluoromethyl ketones with different diazoacetate esters under mild conditions. The reactions proceeded with high yields (up to 95% isolated yield) and high stereoselectivity (up to 99% (E)-selectivity).     

Ethyl (benzothiazol-2-ylsulfonyl)acetate: a new reagent for the stereoselective synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters from aldehydes

The title reagent engaged in the modified Julia olefination with aldehydes under mild reaction conditions (DBU, CH(2)Cl(2), rt or -78 degrees C) to yield alpha,beta-unsaturated esters; aryl aldehydes and aliphatic aldehydes possessing significant chain branching elements gave trans alkene products with high stereoselectivity (E : Z up to >98 : 2), while straight chain aliphatic aldehydes gave cis products preferentially (Z : E up to 92 : 8).     

Rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of organoboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfones

[reaction: see text] A general method for the enantioselective catalytic conjugate addition to acyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfones is described. Using metal-chelating alpha,beta-unsaturated pyridyl sulfones as substrates, the rhodium-catalyzed chiraphos-mediated addition of organoboric acids takes place in excellent yield and high enantioselectivity. The subsequent elimination of the pyridylsulfonyl group by Julia-Kociensky olefination provides a novel approach to the enantioselective synthesis of allylic substituted alkenes.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters via carbene-catalyzed redox esterification

[reaction: see text] Stereoselective, carbene-mediated redox esterification of alkynyl aldehydes provides mild and atom economical access to (E)-configurated, alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic esters. The organocatalytic method relies on the generation of activated carboxylates via extended/conjugated umpolung in the presence of catalytic amounts of carbene precursor and base.