AAA in KAT/DYKAT processes: first- and second-generation asymmetric syntheses of (+)- and (-)-cyclophellitol

Kinetic resolutions and kinetic asymmetric transformations (KAT) as well as dynamic kinetic resolutions and dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT) are important synthetic protocols. The feasibility of KAT and DYKAT processes for asymmetric allylic alkylations (AAA) is explored utilizing a single substrate--conduritol B tetraesters. Both processes can be performed resulting in excellent enantioselectivity. The impact of nucleophile and leaving group on the effectiveness of each is outlined. The ability to differentiate the various hydroxyl groups is also described. For this purpose, 4-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy-2,2-dimethylbutyric acid was developed as a nucleophile. The utility of effecting KAT/DYKAT processes through the Pd-catalyzed AAA reaction is demonstrated by efficient syntheses of both enantiomers of the potent glycosidase inhibitor cyclophellitol.     

Dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation of 1,4-diols and the preparation of trans-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines

Dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) of a series of 1,4-diols is carried out with Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB), Pseudomonas cepacia lipase II (PS-C II), and a ruthenium catalyst. A β-chloro-substituted 1,4-diol is successfully transformed into an optically pure 1,4-diacetate, which is a highly useful synthetic intermediate. The usefulness of the optically pure 1,4-diacetates is demonstrated by the synthesis of enantiopure 2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines.     

Enantiopure 1,5-diols from dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation. Useful synthetic intermediates for the preparation of chiral heterocycles

Dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) of a series of 1,5-diols has been performed in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB), Pseudomonas cepacia lipase II (PS-C II), and ruthenium catalyst 4. The resulting optically pure 1,5-diacetates are useful synthetic intermediates, which was demonstrated by the syntheses of both an enantiopure 2,6-disubstituted piperidine and an enantiopure 3,5-disubstituted morpholine.     

Amino acid-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT): one-step de novo synthesis of polyketide sugars from racemic β-hydroxy aldehydes

The ability of amino acids to catalyze dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) with excellent stereoselectivity is presented. The novel DYKAT process was applied in the proline-catalyzed one-step de novo synthesis of triketide- and deoxysugars, which were formed with excellent diastereoselectivity and up to 99% ee. The de novo synthesis is accomplished via an enzyme-like DYKAT process, which includes continuous amino acid-mediated racemization of the acceptor β-hydroxy aldehyde in combination with amino acid-catalyzed direct selective aldol addition.     

Ruthenium- and enzyme-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation of 1,4-diols: synthesis of gamma-hydroxy ketones

Enzymatic kinetic resolution of unsymmetrical 1,4-diols in combination with a ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogen transfer process led to a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) of the least hindered alcohol. Oxidation of the second hydroxy group takes place under the reaction conditions leading to the formation of gamma-acetoxy ketones in high enantiomeric purity.     

Total syntheses of furaquinocin A, B, and E

A modular approach to the total synthesis of furaquinocins culminated in the total syntheses of furaquinocin A, B, and E. A Pd-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) on carbonates derived from Baylis-Hillman adducts, followed by a reductive Heck cyclization allows the enantio- and diastereoselective construction of dihydrobenzofuran 32. Introduction of a double unsatured side chain via Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction and assembly of the naphthoquinone with squaric acid based methodology leads to furaquinocin E. The use of differentially substituted squaric acid derivatives allows the synthesis of three analogues of furaquinocin E. The additional stereocenters in furaquinocin A and B can be introduced with a diastereoselective Sakurai allylation. The stereoselective elongation of the side chain is possible using cross metathesis or ring closing metathesis. The obtained late-stage intermediates were successfully transformed to furaquinocin A and B.     

4-Aryloxybutenolides as "chiral aldehyde" equivalents: an efficient enantioselective synthesis of (+)-brefeldin a

4-(2'-Naphthoxy)-2-butenolide, readily available with high enantiopurity by a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) of racemic 4-acyloxybutenolides (available in two steps from furfural), serves as an excellent chiral building block where the naphthoxy group strongly directs the stereochemistry of cycloadditions to the double bond. Notably, the cycloadditions of trimethylenemethanepalladium intermediates which do not exhibit good diastereoselectivity in additions to acceptors that possess many common and important chiral auxiliaries undergo cycloadditions with excellent regio- and stereocontrol. The utility of this process set the stage for an efficient new synthesis of (+)-brefeldin A, a compound of growing pharmacological significance. This synthesis also highlights the Pd-catalyzed DYKAT of crotyl carbonate to create the remote stereocenter. A new two-step method to convert aldehydes to delta-hydroxy-E-alpha,beta-enoates is also outlined.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Benzylic Alkylation of Active Methylene Compounds with α‐Naphthylbenzyl Carbonates and Pivalates

A Pd/(R)‐H₈‐BINAP‐catalyzed asymmetric benzylic alkylation of active methylene compounds has been developed. The reaction proceeds without the use of an external base, and the starting racemic diarylmethyl carbonates are converted into the optically active coupling products which contain the benzylic chiral stereocenter by a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT). Additionally, with suitable carbonates bases, the same palladium catalysis allows the corresponding pivalates to be adopted in the same DYKAT process.     

A "chiral aldehyde" equivalent as a building block towards biologically active targets

Chiral gamma-aryloxybutenolides, readily accessible through dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) of racemic acyloxybutenolides, were utilized as "chiral aldehyde" building blocks for intermolecular cycloadditions and Michael reactions. Unprecedented selectivity in trimethylenemethane cycloadditions with this building block allowed an efficient synthesis of a novel metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 antagonist in development by the Bayer corporation. These studies further inspired work that culminated in the total synthesis of (+)-brefeldin A, a natural product with a range of significant biological properties. All of the stereochemistry in this target molecule was derived from two palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions. The trans-alkenes were synthesized by a Julia olefination and a ruthenium-catalyzed trans-hydrosilylation-protodesilylation protocol. The route to (+)-brefeldin A lends itself to analogue syntheses and was completed in 18 steps in 6 % overall yield.     

De-racemization of enantiomers versus de-epimerization of diastereomers--classification of dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT)

The isolation of single stereoisomers from a racemic (or diastereomeric) mixture by enzymatic or chemical resolution techniques goes in hand with the disposal of 50% (racemate) or more (diastereomeric mixtures) of the "undesired" substrate isomer(s). In order to circumvent this drawback, dynamic systems have been developed for the de-racemization of enantiomers and the de-epimerizations of diastereomers. Key strategies within this area are discussed and are classified according to their underlying kinetics, that is, dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR), dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT), and hybrids between both of them. Finally, two novel types of DYKAT are defined.     

Photoredox/palladium-cocatalyzed enantioselective alkylation of secondary benzyl carbonates with 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines

A photoredox/palladium-cocatalyzed enantioselective alkylation of racemic secondary carbonates with 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines under visible light irradiation has been developed. The present study provides a method for the preparation of optically active diarylalkanes from racemic diarylmethyl carbonates by a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation(DYKAT).This photoredox/palladium dual catalysis strategy expands the scope of the asymmetric Pd-catalyzed benzylic substitution reaction and serves as its potential alternative and complement.     

Efficient total synthesis of iso-cladospolide B and cladospolide B

An efficient synthesis of iso-cladospolide B and cladospolide B has been achieved using Jacobsen’s hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR), Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and Yamaguchi macrolactonization as the key steps.     

Asymmetric synthesis of emericellamide B

Asymmetric total synthesis of emericellamide B(9.4%, 17 longest linear steps) is detailed in this report. In this synthetic route, the highly methylated(2R,3R,4S,6S)-3-hydroxy-2,4,6-trimethyldodecanoic acid(HTMD) unit was effectively prepared through the asymmetric methylation, Wittig and Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction. Moreover, pentafluorophenyl diphenylphophinate(FDPP) proved to be an effective condensation reagent for the macrolactamization between C14 and C18.     

Dynamic kinetic asymmetric allylic alkylations of allenes

The dynamic kinetic asymmetric allylic alkylations of racemic allene acetates has been developed with the DACH-phenyl Trost ligand 2 to give general access to allenes with high enantiomeric excess (84-95%) for both malonate and amine nucleophiles. Further, a most unusual dependence of enantioselectivity on base has been uncovered. The magnitude of the enantioselectivity is heavily dependent on the base for the malonate nucleophiles, but the sense and magnitude of the asymmetric induction is dependent on the base for the amine nucleophiles. A Rh(I)-catalyzed intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of the DYKAT products was accomplished to afford formal Diels-Alder adducts, wherein the axial chirality is faithfully transferred into multiple stereogenic centers as well as olefin geometry.     

A chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution approach to enantiomerically pure (R)- and (S)-duloxetine

The synthesis of (R)-duloxetine is described. Dynamic kinetic resolution of β-hydroxynitrile rac-1 using Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB, N435) and ruthenium catalyst 6 afforded β-cyano acetate (R)-2 in high yield and in excellent enantioselectivity (98% ee). The subsequent synthetic steps were straightforward and (R)-duloxetine was isolated in 37% overall yield over 6 steps. The synthetic route also constitute a formal total synthesis of (S)-duloxetine.     

Chiral (acyclic diaminocarbene)gold(I)-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation of propargyl esters

A highly enantioselective transformation catalyzed by chiral (acyclic diaminocarbene)gold(I) complexes is reported. The enantioselective synthesis of 2-substituted chromenyl pivalates from racemic phenol-substituted propargyl pivalates was developed. Rearrangement of the substrates in the presence of cationic gold gave allene intermediates, whose cyclization resulted in formation of enantioenriched product through a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation.     

Ruthenium- and lipase-catalyzed DYKAT of 1,2-diols: an enantioselective synthesis of syn-1,2-diacetates

Regio- and stereoselective lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolutions were investigated for some unsymmetrical, secondary/secondary syn-diols. Candida antarctica lipase B-catalyzed transesterifications of a few aryl/alkyl- and alkyl/alkyl 1,2-diols were coupled in one-pot for efficient ruthenium-catalyzed epimerization and intramolecular acyl migration to give a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) affording enantioenriched (ee up to >99%) syn-diacetates as the main diastereomers (syn:anti ∼2:1 to 10:1).     

Total synthesis of (-)-heptemerone B and (-)-guanacastepene E

A concise, stereoselective, and convergent total synthesis of the unnatural enantiomer of the neodolastane diterpenoid heptemerone B has been completed. Saponification of (-)-heptemerone afforded (-)-guanacastepene E. The absolute stereochemistry of (-)-heptemerone B was thus established as 5-(S), the same as (-)-guanacastepene E. The longest linear sequence of the synthesis comprises 17 (18) steps from simple known starting materials. Our general synthetic approach integrates a diverse set of reactions, including an intramolecular Heck reaction to create one quaternary stereocenter and a cuprate conjugate addition for the establishment of the other. The central seven-membered ring was closed with an uncommon electrochemical oxidation, whereas the five-membered ring was formed through ring-closing metathesis. The absolute configuration of the two key building blocks was established through an asymmetric reduction and an asymmetric ene reaction.     

Combined directed ortho metalation/cross-coupling strategies: synthesis of the tetracyclic A/B/C/D ring core of the antitumor agent camptothecin

A convergent synthesis of the A/B/C/D ring fragment 5 of camptothecin using a combination of directed ortho metalation and Negishi cross-coupling is described. The key features of the synthetic sequence are an anionic ortho-Fries rearrangement (10 --> 12), a Negishi cross-coupling (7 --> 6), and a terminal modified von Braun reaction (16 --> 5) that leads to tetracyclic derivative 5 in 7 steps and 11% overall yield.     

Amino acid catalyzed neogenesis of carbohydrates: a plausible ancient transformation

Hexose sugars play a fundamental role in vital biochemical processes and their biosynthesis is achieved through enzyme-catalyzed pathways. Herein we disclose the ability of amino acids to catalyze the asymmetric neogenesis of carbohydrates by sequential cross-aldol reactions. The amino acids mediate the asymmetric de novo synthesis of natural L- and D-hexoses and their analogues with excellent stereoselectivity in organic solvents. In some cases, the four new stereocenters are assembled with almost absolute stereocontrol. The unique feature of these results is that, when an amino acid is employed as the catalyst, a single reaction sequence can convert a protected glycol aldehyde into a hexose in one step. For example, proline and its derivatives catalyze the asymmetric neogenesis of allose with >99 % ee in one chemical manipulation. Furthermore, all amino acids tested catalyzed the asymmetric formation of natural sugars under prebiotic conditions, with alanine being the smallest catalyst. The inherent simplicity of this catalytic process suggests that a catalytic prebiotic "gluconeogenesis" may occur, in which amino acids transfer their stereochemical information to sugars. In addition, the amino acid catalyzed stereoselective sequential cross-aldol reactions were performed as a two-step procedure with different aldehydes as acceptors and nucleophiles. The employment of two different amino acids as catalysts for the iterative direct aldol reactions enabled the asymmetric synthesis of deoxysugars with >99 % ee. In addition, the direct amino acid catalyzed C(2)+C(2)+C(2) methodology is a new entry for the short, highly enantioselective de novo synthesis of carbohydrate derivatives, isotope-labeled sugars, and polyketide natural products. The one-pot asymmetric de novo syntheses of deoxy and polyketide carbohydrates involved a novel dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) mediated by an amino acid.