Ferroelectric liquid crystal materials synthesized from 2(S)-[2(S)-methylbutyloxy]propanol

A new chiral alcohol, 2(S)-[2(S)-methylbutyloxy]propanol (3), containing two chiral centres has been synthesized from ethyl lactate and (S)-1-iodo-2-methylbutane. It was used as a chiral building block for the preparation of ferroelectric liquid crystal materials. Several of the new materials exhibit an enantiotropic S*_c phase with a wide temperature range. The results indicate that the molecular structure of 3 is useful for synthesizing ferroelectric liquid crystal materials.     

Synthesis of four enantiomerically pure 4-(4-carbamoyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-2,3-dihydroxy-1-methoxybutylphosphonic acids

CuCl-catalysed cycloaddition of methyl propiolate to O,O-diisopropyl (1S,2R,3S)- and (1R,2R,3S)-, or O,O-dibenzyl (1S,2R,3S)-, (1R,2R,3S)-, (1S,2R,3R)- and (1R,2R,3R)-4-azido-1,2,3-trihydroxy-2,3-O-isopropylidenebutylphosphonates followed by methylation of HO–C-1, ammonolysis of methoxycarbonyl groups and hydrolysis of isopropylidene acetals led to diisopropyl (1S,2R,3S)- and (1R,2R,3S)-4-(4-carbamoyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-2,3-dihydroxy-1-methoxybutylphosphonates or, after hydrogenolytic removal of benzyl groups, to (1S,2R,3S)-, (1R,2R,3S)-, (1S,2R,3R)- and (1R,2R,3R)-4-(4-carbamoyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-2,3-dihydroxy-1-methoxybutylphosphonic acids.     

Synthesis and ferroelectric properties of chiral liquid crystals derived from (S)-1-propyloxy-2-propanol

A new optically active chiral moiety, (S)-1-propyloxy-2-propanol, was designed and synthesized by the treatment of 1-propanol with (S)-propylene oxide under basic conditions. Its derivatives, the (R)-1-propyloxy-2-propyl 4-[4-(4-alkoxyphenyl)phenoyloxy]benzoates, PPmPPB (m = 8-12), were prepared for the investigation of mesomorphic properties. All of the chiral materials displayed enantiotropic SmA* and SmC* phases, and the shorter alkyl chain members (m = 8-11) displayed an additional unidentified SmX* phase. The switching current, spontaneous polarization, tilt angle, dielectric constant and electro-optical response for the materials in the ferroelectric SmC* phase were measured. The electro-optic responses in polyimide film-coated homogeneously aligned cells exhibit thresholdless, V-shaped switching in the ferroelectric phase.     

Asymmetric syntheses of protected (2S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-methylproline and 4′-tert-butoxyamido-2′-deoxythymidine

Described herein is a versatile approach to (i) (2S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-methylproline 3, a constituent of echinocandins and related oligopeptide antibiotics; (ii) (2S,3S)-3-hydroxyproline 1; (iii) (2R,3S)-3-hydroxyprolinol 5, and (iv) 4′-tert-butoxyamido-2′-deoxythymidine 6b. The method features a stepwise regio- and diastereoselective reductive furylation of the protected (3S,4S)-4-methylmalimide 10, (S)-malimide 9, and a chemoselective oxidative transformation of the furyl group to the carboxyl group as the key steps.     

Synthesis and ferroelectric properties of chiral swallow-tailed liquid crystals derived from (S)-2-[1-(2-ethylbutoxy)]propanol

(S)-2-[1-(2-Ethylbutoxy)]propanol was designed and synthesized as a chiral building block for the preparation of chiral liquid crystals. Its derivatives, the (S)-2-[1-(2-ethylbutoxy)]propyl 4-[4-(4-alkoxyphenyl)phenoyloxy]benzoates, EPmPPB (m = 8-12), were prepared and their mesomorphic phases investigated. The results showed that the chiral materials displayed enantiotropic SmA* and SmC* phases, while those with shorter alkyl chains (m = 8-10) displayed an additional unidentified SmX* phase. The switching current, spontaneous polarization, tilt angle, dielectric constant and electro-optical response for the materials in the ferroelectric SmC* phase were measured. The electro-optic responses of the materials in polyimide film-coated, homogeneously aligned cell exhibit thresholdless, V-shaped switching in the ferroelectric phase.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of chiral liquid crystals derived from (S)-lactic acid with 3-pentanol

The chiral swallow-tailed liquid crystals, 1-ethylpropyl (R)-2-[4-(4'-alkoxybiphenylcarbonyloxy)-phenoxy]propionates, EPmPBPP (m = 8-12), were prepared by using chiral (S)-lactic acid with 3-pentanol as starting materials. Mesophases and their corresponding transition temperatures were determined by polarizing microscopic textures and DSC. The results showed that all the chiral materials exhibited enantiotropic BP, N*, TGBA*, SmA*, and SmC* phases. Spontaneous polarization, dielectric constant and electro-optical response for the materials in the ferroelectric SmC* phase were investigated. It was noted that the electro-optical response of transmittance versus applied voltage obtained from the ferroelectric phase of material EPmPBPP (m = 10) displayed V-shaped switching, while that of other materials displayed the typical characteristics of ferroelectric hysteresis switching or U-shaped switching.     

Enantioselective synthesis of both enantiomers of the neuroexcitant 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-tert-butylisoxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid (ATPA)

The preparation of both enantiomers of 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-tert-butylisoxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid (ATPA), 1, an analogue of the neuroexcitant 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-yl) propanoic acid (AMPA) is described. The enantiomerically pure glycine derivative tert-butoxycarbonyl-2-(tert-butyl)-3-methyl-4-oxo-1-imidazolidinecarboxylate (BOC-BMI) was coupled with 4-bromomethyl-2-methoxymethyl-5-tert-butylisoxazolin-3-one 6 to give the intermediates (2R,5R)-8 and (2S,5S)-8. These alkylated products were hydrolyzed under mild conditions to give enantiopure (R)-1 and (S)-1 with e.e.'s in excess of 99% in 33% overall yield.     

Asymmetric reactions catalyzed by chiral metal complexes : XXXII. Efficient asymmetric hydrogenation of itaconic acid derivatives catalyzed by rhodium complexes of improved (2S,4S)-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-4-(diphenylphosphino)-2-[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]pyrrolidine (BPPM) analogues

We have prepared analogues of (2S,4S)-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-4-(diphenylphosphino)-2-[(diphenylphsphino)methyl]pyrrolidine (BPPM), bearing para-dimethyl-amino groups to prove the utility of our designing concept with regard to electronic effects of the phosphino groups on the enantioselectivity and the activity of the rhodium complex catalysts. Their rhodium complexes are much more effective than those of BPPM and (2S,4S)-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-4-(dicyclohexylphosphino)-2-[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]pyrrolidine (BCPM) for the asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate. The hydrogenation has also been used successfully in an efficient asymmetric synthesis of the key intermediate of new human renin inhibitors.     

Preliminary studies on the synthesis of rancinamycins from nitrosugars: first total synthesis of (3S,4S,5S,6R)-5-benzyloxy-6-hydroxy-3,4-(isopropylidendioxy)-cyclohex-1-enecarbaldehyde

The first total synthesis of (3S,4S,5S,6R)-5-benzyloxy-6-hydroxy-3,4-(isopropylidendioxy)-cyclohex-1-enecarbaldehyde from d-glucose is described. The key steps of this synthesis are the stereoselective Michael addition of 2-lithio-1,3-dithiane to 3-O-benzyl-5,6-dideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-nitro--d-xilo-hex-5-enofuranose followed by the enantioselective two-step transformation of 3-O-benzyl-5,6-dideoxy-5-C-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-6-nitro-β-l-idofuranose into (1S,2S,3S,4S,5S,6R)-5-benzyloxy-6-hydroxy-3,4-(isopropylidendioxy)-2-nitro-cyclohexanecarbaldehyde propylene dithioacetal, which was finally converted into the target compound.     

Synthesis of (2R,3S,4S)-4-aryl-3-hydroxyprolinols

Synthesis of (2R,3S,4S)-4-aryl-3-hydroxyprolinols has been established starting from 2-benzyloxymethylpyrrolidin-2-one framework, which is derived from commercially available trans-(2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline. The single diastereomer having a trans–cis relative configuration with C₂ and C₃ and C₃ and C₄ is constructed in two one-pot functional group transformations of Grignard addition/dehydration and epoxidation/isomerization as the key steps in moderate yield.     

Catalytic and structural studies of Rh complexes of (−)-(2S,4S)-2,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane. Asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenonebenzylimine and acetophenone

Rhodium(I) complexes formed by (−)-(2S,4S)-2,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane (BDPP) are efficient catalysts for the hydrogenation of acetophenone and acetophenonebenzylimine. The composition of the solvent mixture and the reaction temperature have a marked influenced on the enantioselectivity. These effects are thought to be related to the enhanced conformational flexibility of six-membered rings when simple substrates without functional groups are coordinated to the rhodium. X-ray crystallographic studies reveal that in [Rh((S,S)-BDPP)NBD]⁺ (1) the ligand is in a chair conformation, and that in [Rh((S,S)-BDPP)COD]⁺ (2) the chelate ring is in a δ-skew conformation. Studies of Rh((S,S)-BDPP)(NBD)Cl (3) in solution indicate a trigonal bipyramidal structure with a chair conformation of the ring in aromatic solvents and a conformationally labile ring in methanol.     

Diastereoselective allylation of N-glyoxyloyl-(2R)-bornane-10,2-sultam and (1R)-8-phenylmenthyl glyoxylate: synthesis of (2S,4S)-2-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-4-butanolide

The diastereoselective addition of allylsilanes and allylstannanes to N-glyoxyloyl-(2R)-bornane-10,2-sultam 1 and (1R)-8-phenylmenthyl glyoxylate 7 in the presence of Lewis acids has been studied. We obtained diastereoselectivities up to 84% and 94% for the allylation of 2 and 7, respectively. The application of the allylation products of 1 or 2 in the synthesis of 4-butanolides, for example (2S,4S)-2-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-4-butanolide 13 is presented.     

(S)-Isoleucine and (R)-2-octanol as chiral precursors of new chiral liquid crystalline thiadiazoles: synthesis, mesomorphic and ferroelectric properties

New chiral Schiff bases with a 1,3,4-thiadiazole unit in the rigid core were synthesized (SB1-SB4). These compounds contain a chiral chain derived from (S)-isoleucine and (R)-2-octanol. Their liquid crystalline properties were studied by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Thereby it was found that most of the new compounds exhibit a chiral Smectic C phase. A study of the ferroelectric properties is described.     

Synthesis of Pt compounds containing chiral (2S,4S) -pentane-2,4-diyl-bis(5H-dibenzo[b]phosphindole) as ligand and their use in asymmetric hydroformylation of styrene derivatives

Unlike bis(diphenyl)phosphine derivatives in general, (2S,4S)-pentane-2,4-diyl-bis(5H-dibenzo[b]phosphindole), S,S-BDBPP, gives a trans oligomeric compound [PtCl₂(S,S-BDBPP)]_n, 1, in reaction with dichloro-Pt precursors such as PtCl₂(PhCN)₂, PtCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ and PtCl₂(COD) at room temperature. Compound 1, which could be readily isolated, slowly rearranges in solutions at room temperature to the expected cis-monomer PtCl₂(S,S-BDBPP), 3. Heating or the presence of PtCl₂(COD) accelerates the transformation of compound 1 to 3. SnCl₂ adducts of both compounds, trans-[PtCl(SnCl₃)(S,S-BDBPP)]_n, 2, and cis-PtCl(SnCl₃)(S,S-BDBPP), 4, as well as the known cis-PtCl(SnCl₃)(S,S-BDPP), 5, (S,S-BDPP = (2S,4S)-2,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane) have been tested as catalysts in the asymmetric hydroformylation of p-isobutylstyrene. The phenyl analog 5 provides up to 75% e.e. but moderate yields to chiral 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)-2-propanal. Compared to this, the regioselectivity to the branched aldehyde is remarkably increased; however, the enantioselectivity is drastically decreased by the use of both dibenzophosphole derivatives 2 and 4. The similarities in the selectivities provided by 2 and 4 indicate that the trans oligomer 2 transforms to the cis-monomer 4 during the catalytic process. X-ray crystal structure determination of compound 3 shows a half-chair conformation for the chelate ring with a symmetric arrangement of dibenzophosphole groups. Besides a preference for the latter achiral conformation, the planar structure of the dibenzophosphole groups can also be considered as reason for the moderate enantioselectivities provided by 4.     

Enantioselektive Katalyse VII. Komplexe von (P(R,S),3R,4R,P′(R,S))-3,4-Bis(phenylphosphino)pyrrolidinen. Die Darstellung optisch reiner 1,2-Bisphosphanliganden mit vier Stereozentren, die zusätzliche funktionnelle Gruppen enthalten

Diastereomeric mixtures of the palladium, the platinum, and the rhodium complexes were prepared from [P(R,S),3R,4R,P′(R,S)]-3,4-bis(phenylphosphino)pyrrolidine (1a). The phosphorus atoms in bis[(P(R,S),3R,4R,P′(R,S))-1-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-3,4-bis(phenylphosphino)pyrrolidine-P,P′]dihalogenopalladium (2) can be alkylated stereoselectively with iodomethane. The P---H bonds in 2 open epoxides, and add to Michael systems, to give new ligands, which can be split off from the palladium with cyanide. The three isomerically pure [(PR,3R,4R,P′R)(PS,3R,4R,P′S)(PR,3R,4R,P′S)]-1-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-3,4- bis[(2-cyanoethyl)phenylphosphino]pyrrolidines were prepared via the neutral diiodopalladium complexes. [(PS,3R,4R,P′S)1-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-3,4-bis[(2-cyanoethyl)phenylphosphino]pyrrolidine-P,P′]diiodopalladium(II) (14-1) was characterised by X-ray crystallography.     

Asymmetric Synthesis via Acetal Templates. 14. Preparation of Enantiomerically Pure (3S,4S)- and (3S,4R)-Statine Derivatives

Several (3S,4S)- and (3S,4R)-statine derivatives have been prepared by attack of nucleophiles on crystalline, epimeric N-BOC-lactams 7a and 7b. The key step in the synthesis of the lactams was the TiCl₄-catalyzed coupling reactions of acetals derived from (R)-1,3-butanediol with allyltrimethylsilane.

Several enantiometrically pure (3S,4S- and (3S, 4R)-statine derivatives were made by sodium cyanide-catalyzed reaction of nucleophiles with the lactams 3a and 3b which were synthesized by the scheme 1 → 2 → 3.     

Determination of absolute configuration of a metabolite (−)-hydroxyhexamide from acetohexamide, syntheses of (−)- and (+)-hydroxyhexamides and (−)- and (+)-acetoxyhexamides

Enantioselective acetylation of (±)-4-(1-hydroxyethyl)benzenesulfonamide 6 with ‘Acylase I’ (No. A 2156) from Aspergillus melleus in the presence of vinyl acetate gave (R)-4-(1-acetoxyethyl)benzenesulfonamide 7 (98% ee) and (S)-6 (98% ee). Both (S)-6 and (R)-7 were individually converted to the (S)-hydroxyhexamide 2 (>99% ee) and (R)-hydroxyhexamide 2 (>99% ee), respectively. The absolute configuration of a metabolite (−)-hydroxyhexamide 2 from acetohexamide 1 was found to be S based on unequivocal chemical methods including X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of new ferroelectric liquid crystals containing a (2S)-2-[6-(4-hydroxybiphenyl-4'-carbonyloxy)-2'- naphthyl] propionate mesogenic group and oligo(oxyethylene) spacers

Three series of ferroelectric liquid crystals containing a (2S)-2-(6-(4-hydroxybiphenyl-4'-carbonyloxy)-2'-naphthyl)propionate mesogenic group and oligo(oxyethylene) spacers were synthesized. These obtained liquid crystal compounds were characterized by NMR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarized microscopy (POM), and X-ray powder diffraction measurements. Some of these materials containing four phenyl rings of ester cores (i.e. -Ph-Ph-COO-naph-) and chiral heptyl tail exhibited a rich mesomorphic behaviour, a blue phase (BP), a cholesteric phase (Ch), a smectic A (S_A), a twist grain boundary A (TGB_A), and a chiral smectic C (S_C*) phase. Another series containing four phenyl rings of ester cores and chiral butyl and pentyl chain tails revealed only a S_A phase and a S_C* phase. Moreover, a crystal E phase was observed in the short spacer chain (n = 0 or 1) homologues of three series of compounds. Also, the mesomorphism properties were discussed as a function of spacer units, numbers of aromatic rings of core, and different terminal asymmetric moieties.     

Studies on the synthesis of biphenylneolignans. Part 1: Enantioselective synthesis of (S,S)- and (R,R)-2,2′-dimethoxy-4-(3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-4′-(1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl)diphenyl ether

Two erythro-isomers of 2,2′-dimethoxy-4-(3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-4′-(1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl)diphenyl ether, (7′S, 8′S)-9 and (7′R, 8′R)-9, were synthesized in seven steps, in which an improved method for the synthesis of the key intermediate 3 was developed. The absolute configuration of the target molecules was also confirmed.     

Preparation of (S)-2-substituted succinates by stereospecific reductions of fumarate and derivatives with resting cells of Clostridium formicoaceticum

Fumarate derivatives have been reduced to (S)-2-methylsuccinate 2a, (S)-2-ethylsuccinate 3a and (S)-2-chlorosuccinate 4a in up to 1 M concentrations with Clostridium formicoaceticum. Formate was the electron donor and viologens or anthraquinone-2,6-disulphonate acted as artificial electron mediators. Reductions with freeze-dried cells in ²H₂O-buffers led to the (2R,3S)-[2,3-2,²H]-dideuterated succinate derivatives. The productivity numbers¹ ranged from 450 to 5000 and the enantiomeric excess of all (S)-2-substituted succinates was 99 %.