Asymmetric Mannich reactions with in situ generation of carbamate-protected imines by an organic catalyst

The instability of carbamate-protected alkyl imines has greatly hampered the development of catalytic asymmetric Mannich reactions suitable for the synthesis of optically active carbamate-protected chiral alkyl amines. A highly enantioselective Mannich reaction with in situ generation of carbamate-protected imines from stable alpha-amido sulfones catalyzed by an organic catalyst was developed. This reaction provides a concise and highly enantioselective route converting aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes into optically active aryl and alkyl beta-amino acids. [reaction: see text].     

Key role of the Lewis base position in asymmetric bifunctional catalysis: design and evaluation of a new ligand for chiral polymetallic catalysts

New chiral ligands for asymmetric polymetallic catalysts were designed on the basis of the assumption that the higher-order assembly structure is stabilized by modifying the modular unit. The designed ligands 6 and 7 contained a scaffolding cyclohexane ring with a Lewis base phosphine oxide directly attached to the scaffold. A module in the polymetallic complex contains two metals per ligand, and a stable 6-, 5-, 5-membered fused chelation ring system should be generated. Synthesis of these ligands is simple and high yielding, using a catalytic dynamic kinetic resolution promoted by the Trost catalyst as a key step. Ligand function was assessed in a catalytic asymmetric ring-opening reaction of meso-aziridines with TMSCN, a useful reaction for the synthesis of optically active beta-amino acids. The Gd complex generated from Gd(OiPr)3 and the ligand was a highly active and enantioselective catalyst in this reaction. Enantioselectivity was reversed compared to the previously reported d-glucose-derived catalyst containing the same chirality of the individual module. ESI-MS analysis and X-ray crystallographic studies indicate that the assembly state of the modules in the polymetallic catalysts differs depending on the chiral ligand. The difference in the higher-order structure stems from a subtle change (one carbon) in the position of the Lewis base relative to the Gd metal. The change in the higher-order structure of the polymetallic complex led to a dramatic reversal of the enantioselectivity and increased catalyst activity.     

Catalytic asymmetric Henry reactions of silyl nitronates with aldehydes

A catalytic enantioselective Henry reaction of silyl nitronates with aldehydes has been developed. Different chiral Lewis acids have been tested for the reaction and it has been found that a variety of chiral copper-ligand complexes can catalyze the Henry reaction. The best yield, diastereo- and enantioselectivity of the nitroalcohols formed are obtained by the application of a copper(II)-diphenyl-bisoxazoline complex as the catalyst in the presence of tetrabutylammonium triphenylsilyldifluorosilicate (TBAT). In order to minimize the epimerization of the nitroaldol products they were converted into the corresponding Mosher esters. The reaction proceeds well for different aromatic aldehydes reacting with alkyl nitronates.     

anti-selective direct asymmetric Mannich reactions catalyzed by axially chiral amino sulfonamide as an organocatalyst

A direct asymmetric Mannich reaction using a novel axially chiral amino trifluoromethanesulfonamide (S)-3 has been developed in highly anti-selective and enantioselective manners. Thus, in the presence of a catalytic amount of (S)-3, the reactions between aldehydes and the alpha-imino ester 4 proceed smoothly to give the functional beta-amino aldehydes with significantly higher anti/syn ratio and enantioselectivity than previously possible.     

Catalytic enantioselective Strecker reaction of ketoimines

A new method for the catalytic enantioselective Strecker reaction (cyanation) of N-diphenylphosphinoyl ketoimines is described. The asymmetric catalyst is a chiral gadolinium complex prepared from Gd(OiPr)3 and the d-glucose-derived ligand 3 in a 1:2 ratio. The reaction has a broad substrate generality, giving high enantioselectivity from aromatic, ethyl, primary alkyl, and alpha,beta-unsaturated ketoimines. The products could be easily converted to disubstituted alpha-amino acids and their derivatives.     

Catalytic enantioselective peroxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

Despite the potential of chiral peroxides as biologically interesting or even clinically important compounds, no catalytic enantioselective peroxidation has been reported. With a chiral catalyst not only to induce enantioselectivity but also to convert a well established epoxidation pathway into a peroxidation pathway, the first efficient catalytic peroxidation has been successfully developed. Employing readily available alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and hydroperoxides and an easily accessible cinchona alkaloid catalyst, this novel reaction will open new possibilities in the asymmetric synthesis of chiral peroxides. Under different conditions a highly enantioselective epoxidation with the same starting materials, reagents, and catalyst has was also established.     

Catalytic enantioselective conjugate addition of cyanide to alpha,beta-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles

A catalytic enantioselective conjugate addition of cyanide to alpha,beta-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles was developed using the chiral gadolinium catalyst generated from Gd(OiPr)3 and d-glucose-derived ligand 2. Generally high enantioselectivity was obtained from a wide range of substrates; substrates with beta-aryl and beta-vinyl substituents and alpha,beta-disubstituted substrates can now be used. Using this reaction as a key step, short-step syntheses of several pharmaceuticals and their lead compounds were achieved, including the beta-phenyl-substituted GABA analogue and pregabalin.     

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Nucleophilic Borylation of Aliphatic Ketones: Synthesis of Enantioenriched Chiral Tertiary α-Hydroxyboronates

A new method was developed for the first catalytic enantioselective borylation of aliphatic ketones. A variety of substrates reacted efficiently with bis(pinacolato)diboron in the presence of a copper(I)/chiral N-heterocyclic carbene complex catalyst to furnish optically active tertiary α-hydroxyboronates with moderate to high enantioselectivities (up to 94 % ee). Notably, the product could be converted into the chiral tertiary alcohol derivative using a stereospecific boron functionalization process. The theoretical study of the mechanism for the enantioselectivity is also described.     

Chiral copper-catalyzed enantioselective Michael difluoromethylation of arylidene meldrum's acids with (difluoromethyl)zinc reagents

The catalytic enantioselective difluoromethylation of arylidene Meldrum's acids with (difluoromethyl)zinc reagent, easily prepared through zinc/iodide exchange reaction of difluoroiodomethane and diethylzinc with co-solvent such as pyridines, by a chiral phosphoramidite-Cu catalyst is shown to provide highly enantioselective sp [3]-difluoromethyl Michael addition product in good yields and high levels of enantioselectivity.     

A Brønsted acid catalyst for the enantioselective protonation reaction

A highly reactive and robust chiral Br?nsted acid catalyst, chiral N-triflyl thiophosphoramide, was developed. The first metal-free Br?nsted acid catalyzed enantioselective protonation reaction of silyl enol ethers was demonstrated using this chiral Br?nsted acid catalyst. The catalyst loading could be reduced to 0.05 mol % without any deleterious effect on the enantioselectivity.     

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.     

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of key intermediates for triazole antifungal agents

[reaction: see text] A short-step synthesis of versatile chiral building blocks for triazole antifungal agents such as ZD0870 and Sch45450 was developed via catalytic enantioselective cyanosilylation of electron-deficient ketones as the key step. High enantioselectivity was produced using a catalyst prepared from Gd(HMDS)(3) and ligand 5 in a 2:3 ratio. This new catalyst preparation method was superior to the previous method using Gd(O(i)Pr)(3) as a metal source. A rationale for the difference is proposed on the basis of structural studies of the catalyst complexes using ESI-MS.     

Enantioselective organocatalytic three-component Petasis reaction among salicylaldehydes, amines, and organoboronic acids

The catalytic enantioselective three-component Petasis reaction among salicylaldehydes, amines, and organoboronic acids with a newly designed thiourea-binol catalyst is presented. A broad range of alkylaminophenols can be obtained in good yield (up to 92%) and good to high enantioselectivity (up to 95% ee). A possible reaction pathway for this catalytic enantioselective Petasis reaction is tentatively proposed.     

Asymmetric reduction of representative ketones with a bis-chiral oxazaborolidine system

In recent years, many optically active β-amino alcohols, mostly derived from naturally occurring α-amino acids, have been incorporated into the asymmetric synthesis as chiral auxiliaries or ligands.1 An effective asymmetric catalysts, the oxazaborolidine-borane reagents, which were originally pioneered by Itsuno and Corey,2 were generally prepared from chiral β-amino alcohols by the reaction with boric acid or formed in situ in the presence of borane. These reagents provide excellent enanti…     

Optically active aromatic and heteroaromatic alpha-amino acids by a one-pot catalytic enantioselective addition of aromatic and heteroaromatic C-H bonds to alpha-imino esters

The development of a practical one-pot catalytic enantioselective procedure for the synthesis of non-natural aromatic and heteroaromatic alpha-amino acids is reported. Starting from readily available starting materials and application of a chiral BINAP-Cu(I) catalyst, the optically active products are formed with readily removable N-protecting groups. The scope of the reaction is demonstrated by the addition of substituted furans, thiophenes, pyrroles, and aromatic compounds to N-alkoxycarbonyl-alpha-imino esters in good yields and with enantioselectivities up to 96% ee for the furans, 93% ee for the thiophenes, and 98% for the aromatic compounds. The protecting groups are readily removed, and various transformations of the aromatic and heteroaromatic alpha-amino acids are demonstrated. The coordination of the N-alkoxycarbonyl alpha-imino ester to the chiral BINAP-Cu(I) complex and the enantioselectivity of the catalyst is discussed on the basis of the DFT calculations and X-ray crystallographic data.     

Enantiodivergent One-Pot Synthesis of Axially Chiral Biaryls Using Organocatalyst-Mediated Enantioselective Domino Reaction and Central-to-Axial Chirality Conversion

Enantiodivergent one-pot synthesis of biaryls was developed using a catalytic amount of a single chiral source. A domino organocatalyst-mediated enantioselective Michael reaction and aldol condensation provided centrally chiral dihydronaphthalenes with excellent enantioselectivity, from which an enantiodivergent chirality conversion from central-to-axial chirality was achieved. Both enantiomers of biaryls were obtained with excellent enantioselectivity. All transformations can be conducted in a single reaction vessel. A plausible reaction mechanism for the enantiodivergence is proposed.     

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.     

Pd(II)-catalyzed enantioselective oxidative tandem cyclization reactions. Synthesis of indolines through C-N and C-C bond formation

We have developed an efficient Pd(II)-catalyzed enantioselective oxidative tandem cyclization strategy using molecular oxygen as a green oxidant for the double 5-exo-trig cyclizations of N-(2-allylaryl) amides to afford a variety of indolines in good yields without the formation of undesired monocyclization products. By employing Pd(TFA)2/(-)-sparteine as the chiral catalyst, we obtained tandem cyclization products with high enantioselectivity (up to 91% ee).     

新轴手性N,N-Dioxide Biscarbolin衍生物催化酮亚胺的不对称硅氢化反应

以L-色氨酸为原料合成了5个伯酰胺结构的轴手性双咔啉N—O催化剂N2,N2'-二氧-9,9'-二甲基-3,3'-取代甲酰胺-β-双咔啉(4A~4E),并用于不对称催化酮亚胺的还原反应.结果表明,催化剂的催化转化率较高(80%~98%),立体选择性(e.e.值)较好,其中催化剂N2,N2'-二氧-9,9'-二甲基-3,3'-环己基甲酰胺-β-双咔啉(4B)的催化转化率达到了98%,e.e.值达68%.     

Direct Catalytic Addition of Alkylnitriles to Aldehydes by Transition‐Metal/NHC Complexes

Direct catalytic addition of alkylnitriles to aldehydes allows for an atom‐economical access to β‐hydroxynitriles under proton transfer conditions. Direct use of alkylnitriles as pronucleophiles has been hampered due to their low acidity resulting in an inability to generate α‐cyano carbanions in a catalytic manner. A transition metal/N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex prepared from [{Rh(OMe)(cod)}₂] and an imidazolium‐based carbene was identified as an effective catalyst to promote the reaction with as little as 1.25 mol % of catalyst loading. The corresponding Rh complex, derived from chiral triazolium salt, rendered the reaction enantioselective, albeit with moderate enantioselectivity.