Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Homoallylic Alcohols: Application to the Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure 5,6‐Dihydropyran‐2‐ones and δ‐Lactones

Dynamic kinetic resolution of various homoallylic alcohols with the use of Candida antarctica lipase B and ruthenium catalyst 2 afforded homoallylic acetates in high yields and with high enantioselectivity. These enantiopure acetates were further transformed into homoallylic acrylates after hydrolysis of the ester function and subsequent DMAP‐catalyzed esterification with acryloyl chloride. After ring‐closing metathesis 5,6‐dihydropyran‐2‐ones were obtained in good yields. Selective hydrogenation of the carbon? carbon double bond afforded the corresponding δ‐lactones without loss of chiral information.     

13‐cis‐β,β‐Carotene and 15‐cis‐β,β‐carotene

13‐cis‐β,β‐Carotene, C₄₀H₅₆, crystallizes with a complete molecule in the asymmetric unit, whereas 15‐cis‐β,β‐carotene, also C₄₀H₅₆, has twofold symmetry about an axis through the central bond of the polyene chain. The polyene methyl groups are arranged on one side of the polyene chains for each molecule and the 6‐s‐cisβ end groups, with the cyclohexene rings in half‐chair conformations, are twisted out of the planes of the polyene chains by angles ranging from 41.37 (17) to 52.2 (4)°. The molecules in each structure pack so that the arms of one occupy the cleft of the next, and there is significant π–π stacking of the almost‐parallel polyene chains of the 15‐cis isomer, which approach at distances of 3.319 (1)–3.591 (1) Å.     

γ,δ‐ and δ,ε‐Unsaturated Aldehydes from γ‐ and δ‐Lactones in One Step. Preliminary Communication

A one‐step transformation of γ‐ and δ‐(spiro)lactones into γ,δ‐ and δ,ε‐unsaturated aldehydes with an excess of formic acid in the vapor phase over a supported manganese catalyst is described for the first time. The scope and limitations of this new reaction are shown with different lactones as substrate, and a mechanistic rationale is proposed.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Enantiomerically Pure cis‐ and trans‐3‐Fluoro‐2,4‐dioxa‐8‐aza‐3‐phosphadecalin 3‐Oxides as γ‐Homoacetylcholine Mimetics and Inhibitors of Acetylcholinesterase

The title compounds, the P(3)‐axially and P(3)‐equatorially substituted cis‐ and trans‐configured 8‐benzyl‐3‐fluoro‐2,4‐dioxa‐8‐aza‐3‐phosphadecalin 3‐oxides (=8‐benzyl‐3‐fluoro‐2,4‐dioxa‐8‐aza‐3‐phosphabicyclo[4.4.0]decane 3‐oxides=2‐fluorohexahydro‐6‐(phenylmethyl)‐4H‐1,3,2‐dioxaphosphorino[5,4‐c]pyridine 2‐oxides) were prepared (ee>98%) and fully characterized (Schemes 2 and 3). The absolute configurations were established from that of their precursors, the enantiomerically pure cis‐ and trans‐1‐benzyl‐4‐hydroxypiperidine‐3‐methanols which were unambiguously assigned. Being configuratively fixed and conformationally constrained phosphorus analogues of acetyl γ‐homocholine (=3‐(acetyloxy)‐N,N,N‐trimethylpropan‐1‐aminium), they are suitable probes for the investigation of molecular interactions with acetylcholinesterase. As determined by kinetic methods, all of the compounds are weak inhibitors of the enzyme.     

Rapid Access to 2‐Methylene Tetrahydrofurans and γ‐Lactones: A Tandem Four‐Step Process

A one‐pot tandem process involving hydrolysis, Knoevenagel condensation, Michael addition, and Conia‐ene (HKMC) reactions has been developed for the rapid synthesis of indanone‐fused 2‐methylene tetrahydrofurans from the reaction of enynals and propynols. In this process, two rings and four bonds are generated with 100 % atom‐economy and high step‐efficiency. The resulting tetrahydrofurans were readily oxidized into α‐methylene γ‐lactones, which are one of the most important substructures in natural and bioactive compounds.     

Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of Malonate Esters to α,β‐Unsaturated N‐Sulfonyl Imines: An Expeditious Route to Chiral δ‐Aminoesters and Piperidones

The asymmetric conjugate addition of malonate esters to α,β‐unsaturated N‐sulfonyl imines is catalyzed by PyBOX/La(OTf)₃ complexes in the presence of 4 Å MS. The reaction gives the corresponding E enamines bearing a stereogenic center at the allylic position with good yields and enantiomeric ratios up to 97:3. This reaction provides a synthetic entry to chiral δ‐aminoesters and piperidones.     

Facile Access to Optically Active 2,6‐Dialkyl‐1,5‐Diazacyclooctanes

The chiral substituted 1,5‐diazacyclooctane (1,5‐DACO) is of considerable importance and has attracted attention from a wide range of fields due to their unique chemical and biological properties. Despite the application potential, further study has not been optimized due to difficulties in their synthetic accessibility. Here, we report that the 1,5‐DACO bearing a chiral auxiliary obtained from the formal [4+4] cycloaddition of N‐alkyl‐α,β‐unsaturated imines can be further derivatized by nucleophilic alkylation to give various chiral substituted 1,5‐DACO derivatives. The removal of the chiral auxiliary was effectively carried out using hydrogenation over Pearlman's catalyst. This methodology allows the production of a broad range of unprecedented optically active 2,6‐dialkyl‐1,5‐DACO, which could not be accessed by other methods.