Enantioselective crossed intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions mediated by a chiral chelating Lewis acid

In intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions, the two tethered olefins can approach each other in a straight or in a crossed fashion. Despite the fact that the latter reaction mode leads to intriguing, otherwise inaccessible bridged skeletons, there has so far not been any enantioselective variants thereof. This study concerned the crossed [2+2]-photocycloaddition of 2-(alkenyloxy)cyclohex-2-enones to bridged cyclobutanes. It was found that the reaction could be performed with high enantioselectivity (80–94% ee) under visible light conditions when employing a chiral rhodium Lewis acid as a catalyst (2 mol%).

An enantioselective crossed [2+2] photocycloaddition is presented which proceeds under visible light irradiation in the presence of a chiral Lewis acidic metal complex. Chelation of two oxygen atoms to the metal centre accounts for the observed enantioface differentiation.     

Highly enantioselective intra- and intermolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reactions of 2-quinolones mediated by a chiral lactam host: host-guest interactions,product configuration,and the origin of the stereoselectivity in solution

The [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of 4-alkoxy-2-quinolones was conducted in the presence of the chiral lactams 5 or ent-5. At -60 degrees C in toluene as the solvent the intramolecular reaction of quinolones 6 and 8 as well as the intermolecular photocycloaddition of various alkenes 13 to quinolone 12 proceeded with excellent enantioselectivity (81-98% ee) and in high yields (61-89%). Styrene (13d) reacted sluggishly in the intermolecular reaction (29% yield, 83% ee). The absolute configuration of the intramolecular photocycloaddition products 7 and 9 was elucidated by single-crystal X-ray crystallography of the corresponding diastereomeric N-menthyloxycarbonyl derivatives. The relative configuration of the intermolecular photocycloaddition products 14 and 15 was assigned on the basis of NOESY experiments and on crystallographic evidence. The differentiation of the enantiotopic faces in the prochiral quinolones 6, 8, and 12 can be explained by assuming a coordination of these substrates to the lactams 5 or ent-5 via two hydrogen bonds. Upon binding to 5 the si-face is shielded by the bulky tetrahydronaphthalene backbone, and the re-face is exposed to an intra- or intermolecular attack. On the basis of the association constant (K(a)) for the coordination of quinolone to host 5 an interpretation of the observed enantiomeric excess has been put forward. The parent quinolone 17 was employed as substrate for microcalorimetric and NMR titration experiments. From the data obtained for K(a) and DeltaH(a) the expected enantiomeric excess was calculated for two given temperatures (-15 and -60 degrees C). The calculated values fit the observed data within reasonable limits and prove that two-point hydrogen bonding can be sufficient to achieve a preparatively useful face differentiation in solution phase photochemistry.     

Photochemistry of 4-(2'-aminoethyl)quinolones: enantioselective synthesis of tetracyclic tetrahydro-1aH-pyrido[4',3':2,3]- cyclobuta[1,2-c] quinoline-2,11(3H,8H)-diones by intra- and intermolecular [2 + 2]-photocycloaddition reactions in solution

Enantioselective [2 + 2]-photocycloaddition reactions on 4-(2'-aminoethyl)quinolones in solution were studied using the enantiomerically pure complexing agent 1 as source of chirality. The intermolecular reactions of fully N-protected substrates 5a-5c with different 2-alkyl-substituted acrylates 12-15 represent the first systematic study on the diastereoselectivity of their intermolecular [2 + 2]-photocycloadditions to unsymmetrically 1,1-disubstituted olefins (75-91% yield, d.r. = 58/42-95/5). N-Benzylic-protected photoproducts exo-16a/b-19a/b could easily be converted into lactams 20a/b-23a/b by a sequence of Boc deprotection and thermal lactamization (74-98% yield). Identical products 20a-22a were directly accessible by the intramolecular [2 + 2]-photocycloaddition of acrylic acid amides 2-4 (41-61% yield). The suitability of both pathways for an enantioselective reaction variant was proven (70-92% ee). Thus, tetracyclic lactams possessing the carbon framework C were obtained with good yields and enantioselectivities of up to 92% ee in intramolecular reactions. Comparative investigation of both routes showed that quinolone dimerization was the single most decisive factor preventing a complete chirality transfer. Functional group manipulations were successfully conducted with the primary photoproduct exo-17a. Finally, a new and unexpected type of benzylic hydrogen abstraction-radical cyclization reaction was discovered for substrate 5a, which explains the photochemical instability of substrates 2-5 under short wavelength irradiation (lambda = 300 nm).     

Enantioselective photochemical reactions of 2-pyridones in solution

[reaction: see text] Two key photochemical reactions of prochiral 2-pyridones were studied in the presence of a chiral host. The [4 + 4]-photocycloaddition with cyclopentadiene (CpH) proceeded smoothly and with high enantioselectivity (84-87% ee). The absolute configuration of the endo-diastereoisomer was established by X-ray crystallography. The electrocyclic [4pi]-ring closure to 3-oxo-2-azabicyclo[2.2.0]-5-hexenes occurred with lower enantioselectivity (20-23% ee at -20 degrees C). The velocity of the latter reaction slowed significantly with decreasing temperature.     

Asymmetric intramolecular cyclobutane formation via photochemical reaction of N,N-diallyl-2-quinolone-3-carboxamide using a chiral crystalline environment

Crystal structures and photochemical reactions of three N,N-diallyl-2-quinolone-3-carboxamides were investigated. One quinolonecarboxamide afforded chiral crystals of a P2(1) crystal system by spontaneous crystallization, and the molecular chirality in the crystal was effectively transferred to cyclobutane in 96% ee by an intramolecular 2 + 2 photocycloaddition reaction in the solid state.     

Highly efficient and enantioselective Michael addition of acetylacetone to nitroolefins catalyzed by chiral bifunctional organocatalyst bearing multiple hydrogen-bonding donors

A new efficient catalyst system for the asymmetric addition of acetylacetone to nitroolefins using a chiral bifunctional organocatalyst bearing multiple hydrogen-bonding donors was developed. When using the organocatalyst 2c derived from natural cinchona alkaloid in optimal conditions, up to 98% chemical yield and 98% ee were observed with a variety of aromatic nitroolefins.     

Enantioselective intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions of 4-substituted coumarins catalyzed by a chiral Lewis acid

Eight coumarins, which carry a terminal alkene tethered by a CH(2)XCH(2) group to their 4-position (X = CH(2), CMe(2), O, S, NBoc, NZ, NTs, NBn), were synthesized in overall yields of 51-80?%. Starting materials for the syntheses were either commercially available 4-hydroxycoumarin or 4-formylcoumarin. The intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of these coumarins gave diastereoselectively products with a tetracyclic 3,3a,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[2,3]cyclobuta[1,2-c]chromen-5(2H)-one skeleton. Direct irradiation at λ = 300?nm in dichloromethane (c = 10?mM) led to product formation in good yields for most substrates, presumably via a singlet excited state intermediate. Due to the low coumarin absorption at λ >350?nm the photocycloaddition was slow upon irradiation at λ = 366?nm. Addition of a chiral oxazaborolidine-based Lewis acid (50?mol?%) increased the reaction rate at λ = 366?nm and induced a significant enantioselectivity in the [2+2] photocycloaddition. Six out of eight coumarin substrates (X = CH(2), CMe(2), O, NBoc, NZ, NTs) gave the respective products in yields of 72-96?% and with 74-90?% enantiomeric excess (ee) upon irradiation in dichloromethane (c = 20?mM) at -75?°C. The Lewis acid presumably acts by coordination to the coumarin carbonyl oxygen atom, which leads to a bathochromic shift (redshift) of the UV absorption and which increases the singlet state lifetime. A second electrostatic interaction of the hydrogen atom at C3 with the oxygen atom of the oxazaborolidine is likely.     

Preparation and intramolecular [2+2]-photocycloaddition of 1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-ones and 5,6-dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-ones with C-, N-, and O-linked alkenyl side chains at the 4-position

The 1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-ones 2, 6, 9, and 11 were prepared from methyl tetramates (1a-c), N-Boc-protected tetramic acid (3), or N-Boc-protected tetramic acid bromide (7) in short reaction sequences and in very good overall yields. The homologous 5,6-dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-ones 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, and 27 were prepared along analogous routes starting from piperidin-2,4-dione (19) or from its N-tert-butyl derivative 15. Optimized conditions for the [2+2]-photocycloaddition include the use of dichloromethane as the solvent and an irradiation with a mercury low-pressure lamp (lambda = 254 nm). Upon applying these conditions at ambient temperature, the corresponding intramolecular photocycloaddition products 28-37 were obtained in good yields (52-79%) and with perfect diastereoselectivity. The constitution and configuration of the products was elucidated by NMR-spectroscopy. For the O-tethered substrates 2a and 20, a strong decrease of the photocycloaddition rate with temperature was observed. The effect was less pronounced for N- and C-tethered substrates 6, 9, 23, and 27. The use of a chiral complexing agent to achieve enantioselective reactions appears viable. Complexing agent (-)-38, however, is not suited because of its instability at lambda = 254 nm.     

Dirhodium tetracarboxylate derived from adamantylglycine as a chiral catalyst for carbenoid reactions

[reaction: see text] The dirhodium tetracarboxylate, Rh2(S-PTAD)4, derived from adamantylglycine, is a very effective chiral catalyst for carbenoid reactions. High asymmetric induction was obtained in Rh2(S-PTAD)4-catalyzed intramolecular C-H insertion (94% ee), intermolecular cyclopropanation (99% ee), and intermolecular C-H insertion (92% ee).     

Facile synthesis of chiral 2-amino-4-(indol-3-yl)-4H-chromene derivatives using thiourea as the catalyst

The enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with iminochromenes catalyzed by a bifunctional thiourea organocatalyst was investigated. This reaction afforded chiral functionalized 2-amino-4-(indol-3-yl)-4H-chromenes in good yields (up to 87% yield) and with moderate to good enantioselectivities (up to 86% ee).     

On the regioselectivity of the intramolecular [2 + 2]-photocycloaddition of alk-3-enyl tetronates

The simple diastereoselectivity and the regioselectivity of the [2 + 2]-photocycloaddition of alk-3-enyl tetronates were studied, depending on the nature of the substituent R in the α-position. Fourteen tetronates were synthesized and their intramolecular photocycloaddition reactions performed. If R was an alkoxycarbonyl group and if the olefin, which underwent the intramolecular addition, was sterically congested, crossed photoproducts prevailed and were formed in yields between 35 and 65%. In all other cases, the straight photoproducts were obtained as the main reaction products in yields ranging from 39 to 84%. The structures of the photochemical products were thoroughly investigated by one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments. In all cases, the diastereoselectivitiy was excellent and only a single diastereoisomer was formed. A mechanistic model is proposed, which explains the regioselectivity of the [2 + 2]-photocycloaddition reaction.     

Enantioselective Catalysis of the Intermolecular [2+2] Photocycloaddition between 2‐Pyridones and Acetylenedicarboxylates

Intermolecular [2+2] photocycloadditions represent the most versatile and widely applicable of photochemical reactions. For the first time, such intermolecular reactions have been carried out in a catalytic fashion using a chiral triplet sensitizer, with high enantioselectivity (up to 92 % ee). The low catalyst loading (2.5–5 mol %) underlines the high efficiency of the process both in terms of reaction acceleration and differentiation of the enantiotopic faces of the substrate. The substrate is anchored to the chiral catalyst through noncovalent interactions (hydrogen bonds), thus providing a chiral environment in which the enantioselective photocycloaddition proceeds. The densely functionalized products present numerous possibilities for further synthetic transformations.     

Highly enantioselective mukaiyama aldol reaction of alpha,alpha-dichloro ketene silyl acetal: an efficient synthesis of a key intermediate for diltiazem

An efficient synthesis of methyl (2R,3S)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)glycidate (-)-2, a key intermediate for diltiazem (1), has been developed on the basis of the highly enantioselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction of p-anisaldehyde (4a) with alpha,alpha-dichloro ketene silyl acetal 5. Thus, the reaction using a stoichiometric amount of chiral oxazaborolidinone catalyst 12a proceeded to excellent yield (83%) and high enantioselectivity (96% ee), together with the chiral ligand 13a in nearly quantitative recovery. The reaction using a substoichiometric amount of 12e (20 mol %) also proceeded to excellent yield (88%), with somewhat lower enantioselectivity (77% ee). The aldol product 3a thus obtained was easily converted to (-)-2 in excellent yield (80%) and high optical purity (>99% ee). The highly enantioselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction with 5 catalyzed by 12a proved to be applicable to various aldehydes. An efficient preparation of 5 from inexpensive starting materials was also described.     

Efficient synthesis of optically active atropisomeric anilides through catalytic asymmetric N-arylation reaction

In the presence of (R)-DTBM-SEGPHOS-Pd(OAc)2 catalyst, N-arylation of ortho-tert-butyl-NH-anilides with 4-nitroiodobenzene proceeds with high enantioselectivity (89-95% ee) to give optically active atropisomeric anilides possessing N-C chiral axis. Furthermore, the intramolecular version of the present catalytic asymmetric N-arylation gave atropisomeric lactams with high optical purity (94-96% ee).     

Selective hydrogenation of benzophenones to benzhydrols. Asymmetric synthesis of unsymmetrical diarylmethanols

[reaction: see text] trans-RuCl2[P(C6H4-4-CH3)3]2(NH2CH2CH2NH2) acts as a highly effective precatalyst for the hydrogenation of a variety of benzophenone derivatives to benzhydrols that proceeds smoothly at 8 atm and 23-35 degrees C in 2-propanol containing t-C4H9OK with a substrate/catalyst ratio of 2000-20000. Use of a BINAP/chiral diamine Ru complex effects asymmetric hydrogenation of various ortho-substituted benzophenones and benzoylferrocene to chiral diarylmethanols with consistently high ee.     

Synthesis of (1R,2R)-DPEN-derived triazolium salts and their application in asymmetric intramolecular Stetter reactions

A series of novel chiral triazolium salts has been synthesized from readily available (1R,2R)-DPEN and found to be efficient for the enantioselective intramolecular Stetter reaction. With 10 mol% of the catalyst, the intramolecular Stetter reaction was realized in excellent yields with up to 97% ee.     

C2-symmetric recyclable organocatalyst for enantioselective Strecker reaction for the synthesis of α-amino acid and chiral diamine--an intermediate for APN inhibitor

Recyclable chiral amide-based organocatalyst 5 efficiently catalyzed asymmetric Strecker reaction of various aromatic and aliphatic N-benzhydrylimines with ethyl cyanoformate as cyanide source at -10 °C to give a high yield (95%) of α-aminonitriles with excellent chiral induction (ee, up to 99%) with the added advantage of recyclability. Based on experimental observations a probable mechanism was proposed for this reaction. This protocol with catalyst 5 was extended for the synthesis of (R)-phenylalanine and pharmaceutically important drug intermediate (R)-3-phenylpropane-1,2-diamine in high yield with high enantioselectivity.     

Selective synthesis of chiral dioxabicyclo[4.4.0]decane and dioxabicyclo[5.3.0]decane from 3,4-bisallyloxy-but-1-yne derivatives via ruthenium-catalyzed en-yn-ene metathesis

We prepared a series of chiral 3,4-bisallyloxy-but-1-ynes having syn and anti configurations. Treatment of these substrates with Grubbs catalyst Cl2(PCy3)2Ru=CHPh (3 mol %) preferably gave chiral dioxabicyclo[4.4.0]decane (yields > 55%) in addition to dioxabicyclo[5.3.0]decane in minor proportions. On substitution of the 4-allyloxy group of these substrates with a 4-but-2-enyloxy group, the metathesis reactions produced only dioxabicyclo[5.3.0]decane in the presence of Grubbs ruthenium-imidazolidene carbene catalyst.     

Evidence for Triplet Sensitization in the Visible‐Light‐Induced [2+2] Photocycloaddition of Eniminium Ions

Εniminium ions were prepared from the corresponding α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds (enones and enals), and were found to be promoted to their respective triplet states by energy transfer. The photoexcited intermediates underwent intra‐ or intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition in good yields (50–78 %) upon irradiation at λ=433 nm or λ=457 nm. Iridium or ruthenium complexes with a sufficiently high triplet energy were identified as efficient catalysts (2.5 mol % catalyst loading) for the reaction. The intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of an eniminium ion derived from a chiral secondary amine proceeded with high enantioselectivity (88 % ee).     

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of atropisomeric 2-aryl-4-quinolinone derivatives with an N–C chiral axis

In the presence of an (R)-MOP-Pd₂(dba)₃ catalyst, the reaction of ortho-tert-butylaniline with 2-bromophenyl arylethynyl ketone proceeded via a tandem amination (1,4-addition of aniline to an ynone and subsequent intramolecular Buchwald–Hartwig amination) to afford axially chiral N-(2-tert-butylphenyl)-2-aryl-4-quinolinone derivatives with moderate enantioselectivity (up to 72% ee).