Asymmetric peroxidation of prochiral allylic and benzylic compounds with tert-butyl hydroperoxide and chiral bisoxazoline–copper complexes

The first enantioselective peroxidation of prochiral allylic and benzylic C–H compounds by the use of chiral bisoxazoline–copper(I) complexes, generated in situ from the ligands 3 and 4a–d, and t-BuOOH as oxidant is reported. Cyclohexene 1, cyclopentene 5, α-angelica lactone 7, allylbenzene 9 and 2-phenylbutane 11 were converted into the optically active allylic and benzylic tert-butyl peroxides 2, 6, 8, 10a and 12 in good yields and ee values of 4–20%. Oxidations of 1-substituted 1-cyclohexenes 13a–c led to mixtures of regioisomeric peroxides 16a–c, 17a–c and 18a–c with different regio- and enantioselectivities, depending on the 1-substituent and the ligand used. The highest ee values (up to 84%) were observed for (S)-3-tert-butylperoxy-1-methyl-1-cyclohexene 17a.     

Highly selective palladium catalyzed kinetic resolution and enantioselective substitution of racemic allylic carbonates with sulfur nucleophiles: asymmetric synthesis of allylic sulfides,allylic sulfones,and allylic alcohols

We describe the highly selective palladium catalyzed kinetic resolutions of the racemic cyclic allylic carbonates rac-1 a-c and racemic acyclic allylic carbonates rac-3 aa and rac-3 ba through reaction with tert-butylsulfinate, tolylsulfinate, phenylsulfinate anions and 2-pyrimidinethiol by using N,N'-(1R,2R)-1,2-cyclohexanediylbis[2-(diphenylphosphino)-benzamide] (BPA) as ligand. Selectivities are expressed in yields and ee values of recovered substrate and product and in selectivity factors S. The reaction of the cyclohexenyl carbonate 1 a (>/=99 % ee) with 2-pyrimidinethiol in the presence of BPA was shown to exhibit, under the conditions used, an overall pseudo-zero order kinetics in regard to the allylic substrate. Also described are the highly selective palladium catalyzed asymmetric syntheses of the cyclic and acyclic allylic tert-butylsulfones 2 aa, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d and 4 a-c, respectively, and of the cyclic and acyclic allylic 2-pyrimidyl-, 2-pyridyl-, and 4-chlorophenylsulfides 5 aa, 5 b, 5 ab, 6 aa-ac, 6 ba and 6 bb, respectively, from the corresponding racemic carbonates and sulfinate anions and thiols, respectively, in the presence of BPA. Synthesis of the E-configured allylic sulfides 6 aa, 6 ab, 6 ac and 6 bb was accompanied by the formation of minor amounts of the corresponding Z isomers. The analogous synthesis of allylic tert-butylsulfides from allylic carbonates and tert-butylthiol by using BPA could not be achieved. Reaction of the cyclopentenyl esters rac-1 da and rac-1 db with 2-pyrimidinethiol gave the allylic sulfide 5 c having only a low ee value. Similar results were obtained in the case of the reaction of the cyclohexenyl carbonate rac-1 a and of the acyclic carbonates rac-3 aa and rac-3 ba with 2-pyridinethiol and lead to the formation of the sulfides 5 ab, 6 ab, and 6 bb, respectively. The low ee values may be ascribed to the operating of a "memory effect", that is, both enantiomers of the substrate give the substitution product with different enantioselectivities. However, in the reaction of the racemic carbonate rac-1 a as well as of the highly enriched enantiomers 1 a (>/=99 % ee) and ent-1 a (>/=99 % ee) with 2-pyrimidinethiol the ee values of the substrates and the substitution product remained constant until complete conversion. Similar results were obtained in the reaction of the cyclic carbonates rac-1 a, ent-1 a (>/=99 % ee) and ent-1 c (>/=99 % ee) with lithium tert-butylsulfinate. Thus, in the case of rac-1 a and 2-pyrimidinthiol and tert-butylsulfinate anion as nucleophiles the enantioselectivity of the substitution step is, under the conditions used, independent of the chirality of the substrate; this shows that no "memory effect" is operating in this case. Hydrolysis of the carbonates ent-1 a-c, ent-3 aa and ent-3 ba, which were obtained through kinetic resolution, afforded the enantiomerically highly enriched cyclic allylic alcohols 9 a-c (>/=99 % ee) and acyclic allylic alcohols 10 a (>/=99 % ee) and 10 b (99 % ee), respectively.     

Steric and electronic ligand perturbations in catalysis: asymmetric allylic substitution reactions using C2-symmetrical phosphorus-chiral (bi)ferrocenyl donors.

Three series of P-chiral diphosphines based on ferrocene (1a-f, 2a-c) and biferrocenyl skeletons (3a-c), including novel ligands 1f and 3c, were employed in palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions. Steric effects imposed by the phosphine residues were studied using C2-symmetrical donors 1 (1 = 1,1'-bis(arylphenylphosphino)ferrocene with aryl groups a = 1-naphthyl, b = 2-naphthyl, c = 2-anisyl, d = 2-biphenylyl, e = 9-phenanthryl, and f = ferrocenyl), whereas para-methoxy- and/or para-trifluoromethyl substitution of the phenyl moieties in 1a enabled investigation of ligand electronic effects applying ferrocenyl diphosphines 2a-c. Ligands 3 (3 = 2,2'-bis- (arylphenylphosphino)-1,1'-biferrocenyls with aryl substituents a,c = 1-naphthyl (diastereomers) and b = 2-biphenylyl) allowed for comparison of backbone structure effects (bite angle variation) in catalysis. Linear and cyclic allylic acetates served as substrates in typical test reactions; upon attack of soft carbon and nitrogen nucleophiles on (E)-1,3-diphenylprop-2-ene-1-yl acetate the respective malonate, amine, or imide products were obtained in enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee. A crystal structure analysis of a palladium 1,3-diphenyl-eta 3-allyl complex incorporating ligand (S,S)-1a revealed a marked distortion of the allyl fragment, herewith defining the regioselectivity of nucleophile addition.     

Role of planar chirality of S,N- and P,N-ferrocene ligands in palladium-catalyzed allylic substitutions

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitutions using thioether and phosphino derivatives of ferrocenyloxazoline as ligands have been investigated with a focus on studying the role of planar chirality. In allylic alkylation, up to 98% ee and 95% ee were achieved with S,N- and P,N-ligands, respectively. In allylic amination, 97% ee was realized with P,N-ligands in the presence of TBAF. Several palladium allylic complexes were characterized by X-ray diffraction and/or solution NMR. Thioether derivatives of ferrocenyloxazolines with only planar chirality showed lower enantioselectivity in the allylic alkylation except 5c because of the formation of a new chirality on sulfur atom during the coordination of sulfur with palladium. On the other hand, in the planar chiral P,N-ligands without central chirality, (Sp)-11a-c there was no such disturbance and comparatively higher enantioselectivity in both palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation and amination was provided.     

Chiral phosphinooxazolidine ligands for palladium- and platinum-catalyzed asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions

Cationic palladium (Pd)- and platinum (Pt)-phosphinooxazolidine catalysts 13a-c, 15a-d, 17a-c, and 19a-c were prepared from phosphinooxazolidine ligands 1-3, MCl(2) (M = Pd and Pt), and counterions, and the activities of the catalysts in the asymmetric Diels-Alder (DA) reactions of cyclic or acyclic dienes with imide dienophiles were investigated. These catalysts demonstrated high levels of catalytic activity. The cationic Pd-POZ complex 13c provided particularly excellent enantioselectivity (98% ee) in the DA reactions of cyclopentadiene with acryloyl-, crotonyl-, and fumaroyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones (20a-c).     

New hybrid ligands with a trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane backbone: competing chelation modes in palladium-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation

Three new hybrid ligands with trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane backbone have been synthesized from (1R,2R)-2-aminocyclohexylcarbamic acid tert-butyl ester (4), which is prepared through an indirect monoprotection of the diamine. The ligands are (1R, 2R)-N-2-[2-(dimethylamino)benzoyl]aminocyclohexyl-2-(diphenylphosph anyl)benzamide and its di-n-butylamino- and diphenylamino-derivatives (3a-c), which belong to formal P,N-type chelates with possible wide bite angles in the metal chelation. To evaluate the new hybrid ligands against well-known P,N- and P, P-chelates (1 and 2), they were employed in the palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations between two standard racemic allylic acetates, 2-acetoxy-1,3-diphenyl-2-propene (14a) and 2-acetoxy-1, 3-dimethyl-2-propene (14b), and dimethyl malonate under different reaction conditions. The catalytic system with the new ligands showed good reactivity toward both the substrates with moderate enantioselectivities (up to 78% ee toward 14a and 80% ee toward 14b). Of particular note, dramatic changes in the sense and in the degree of the enantioselectivity were observed depending on the ligands and reaction conditions, which suggested a different chelation mode was competing with the supposed P,N-chelation mode. An X-ray crystal structure of a chelated palladium complex [Pd(3c)(eta(3)-PhCHCHCHPh)]PF(6) was obtained, which showed a P, O-chelation mode in which a carboxamide oxygen acted as the O-ligand. This is the first example of the enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation in which a P,O-chelated complex of a carboxamide group participated as the ligand group.     

Facile coupling of propargylic, allylic and benzylic alcohols with allylsilane and alkynylsilane, and their deoxygenation with Et(3)SiH, catalyzed by Bi(OTf)(3) in [BMIM][BF(4)] ionic liquid (IL), with recycling and reuse of the IL

Allyltrimethylsilane (allyl-TMS) reacts with propargylic alcohols in the presence of 10% Bi(OTf)(3) in [BMIM][BF(4)] solvent to furnish the corresponding 1,5-enynes in respectable isolated yields (87-93%) at room temperature. The utility of Bi(OTf)(3) as a superior catalyst was demonstrated in a survey study on coupling of allyl-TMS with employing several metallic triflates (Bi, Ln, Al, Yb) as well as, B(C(6)F(5))(3), Zn(NTf(2))(2) and Bi(NO(3))(3)·5H(2)O. Coupling of cyclopropyl substituted propargylic alcohol with allyl-TMS gave the skeletally intact 1,5-enyne and a ring opened derivative as a mixture. Coupling of propargylic/allylic alcohol with allyl-TMS resulted in allylation at both benzylic (2 isomers) and propargylic positions, as major and minor products respectively. The scope of this methodology for allylation of a series of allylic and benzylic alcohols was explored. Chemoselective reduction of a host of propargylic, propagylic/allylic, bis-allylic, allylic, and benzylic alcohols with Et(3)SiH was achieved in high yields with short reaction times. The same approach was successfully applied to couple representative propargylic and allylic alcohols with 1-phenyl-2-trimethylsilylacetylene. The recovery and reuse of the ionic liquid (IL) was gauged in a case study with minimal decrease in isolated yields after six cycles.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric diene cyclization/hydrosilylation employing functionalized silanes and disiloxanes.

Pentasubstituted disiloxanes and silanes of the form HSiMe(2)CH(x)Ph(3-x)(x = 1 or 2) reacted with dimethyl diallylmalonate (1) and other functionalized 1,6-dienes in the presence of a catalytic 1:1 mixture of (N-N)Pd(Me)Cl [N-N = (R)-(+)-4-isopropyl-2-(2-pyridinyl)-2-oxazoline] [(R)-2] and NaBAr(4) [Ar = 3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)] to form the corresponding silylated cyclopentanes in good yield with high diastereoselectivity. The enantioselectivity of cyclization/hydrosilylation of 1 with disiloxanes and functionalized silanes at -20 degrees C increased in the following order: HSiMe(2)OSiMe(3) (75% ee) < HSiMe(2)OSiMe(2)-t-Bu (80% ee) < HSi(i-Pr)(2)OSiMe(3) (86% ee) = HSiMe(2)Bn (86% ee) < HSiMe(2)OSi(i-Pr)(3) (89% ee) < HSiMe(2)OSiPh(2)-t-Bu (91% ee) < HSiMe(2)CHPh(2) (93% ee). Silylated cyclopentanes derived from HSiMe(2)OSiMe(3) were oxidized with excess KF and peracetic acid at room temperature for 48 h to form the corresponding hydroxymethylcyclopentanes in good yield (82-95%). Silylated cyclopentanes derived from HSiMe(2)OSiPh(2)t-Bu were oxidized with a mixture of tetrabutylammonium fluoride and either H(2)O(2) or peracetic acid to form the corresponding alcohols in 48-76% yield. Silylated carbocycles generated from benzhydryldimethylsilane were oxidized with a mixture of TBAF/KHCO(3)/H(2)O(2) in 71-98% yield. Asymmetric cyclization/hydrosilylation/oxidation employing benzhydryldimethylsilane tolerated allylic and terminal olefinic substitution and a range of functional groups.     

Baker''s yeast: production of d- and l-3-hydroxy esters

Baker's yeast grown under oxygen limited conditions and used in the reduction of 3-oxo esters results in a shift of the stereoselectivity of the yeast towards -hydroxy esters as compared with ordinary baker's yeast. The highest degree of stereoselectivity was obtained with growing yeast or yeast harvested while growing. In contrast, the stereoselectivity was shifted towards -hydroxy esters when the oxo esters were added slowly to ordinary baker's yeast supplied with gluconolactone as co-substrate. The reduction rate with gluconolactone was increased by active aeration. Ethyl -(S)-3-hydroxybutanoate was afforded in>99% ee. Both enantiomers of ethyl 3-hydroxypentanoate, -(R) in 96% ee and -(S) in 93% ee, and of ethyl 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate, -(S) in 98% ee and -(R) in 94% ee, were obtained. The results demonstrate that the stereoselectivity of baker's yeast can be controlled to a large extent without the use of inhibitors, heat treatment, etc.     

Synthesis and optical resolution of aminophosphines with axially chiral C(aryl)-N(amine) bonds for use as ligands in asymmetric catalysis

N-Aryl indoline-type aminophosphines 1a-c were obtained in good yields by a nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S(N)Ar) reaction followed by silane reduction. Aminophosphine 1d was also prepared from 2,3-difluorobenzaldehyde (4) via dimethylhydrazone. Optical resolution of C(aryl)-N(amine) bond atropisomers was achieved using (S)-(+)-di-mu-chlorobis[2-[(dimethylamino)ethyl]phenyl-C(2),N]dipalladium(II) ((S)-10). The determination of absolute configuration and the investigation of the rotation barrier for C(aryl)-N(amine) bond axial stability of an aminophosphine 1 are described. Finally, the ability of the chiral phosphine ligand 1 is demonstrated in a catalytic asymmetric reaction, such as a palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate (up to 95% ee).     

Concurrent induction of two chiral centers from symmetrical 3, 4-disubstituted and 3,3,4-trisubstituted 4-pentenals using Rh-catalyzed asymmetric cyclizations

Asymmetric cyclization of symmetrical 3,4-disubstituted and 3,3, 4-trisubstituted 4-pentenals was studied using Rh-complexes with chiral ligands. The cyclization of symmetrical 4-pentenals 4a,b by a neutral Rh[(R)-BINAP]Cl afforded cis-3,4-disubstituted (4R)-cyclopentanones 9a,b of >95% ee in 25-31% yields; on the other hand, the cyclization of 4a-c by a cationic Rh[(R)-BINAP]ClO(4) afforded trans-3,4-disubstituted (4S)-cyclopentanones 10a-c of >95% ee in 70-81% yields. All stereoisomers could be stereoselectively made by the selection of a neutral or cationic Rh-complex, and (R)- or (S)-BINAP ligand. The Rh-catalyzed cyclization could be applied to the construction of cyclopentanones 17 and 18 bearing a chiral quaternary carbon. The cyclization by the cationic Rh[(R)-BINAP]ClO(4) afforded the optically active trans-3,3, 4-trisubstituted cyclopentanones 18a-c of 92-95% ee in 75-83% yields. The catalytic cycle was also studied by using deuterium aldehyde, and the tentative mechanisms of the enantio- and diastereoselection were proposed.     

Enantioselective diene Cyclization/Hydrosilylation catalyzed by optically active palladium bisoxazoline and pyridine-oxazoline complexes

A 1:1 mixture of (N-N)Pd(Me)Cl ?N-N = (S,S)-4,4'-dibenzyl-4,5,4', 5'-tetrahydro-2,2'-bisoxazoline (S,S-4a) and NaBAr(4) ?Ar = 3, 5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2) (5 mol %) catalyzed the asymmetric cyclization/hydrosilylation of dimethyl diallylmalonate (2) and triethylsilane at -30 degrees C for 48 h to form an 8.1:1 mixture of the silylated carbocycle (S,S)-trans-1, 1-dicarbomethoxy-4-methyl-3-?(triethylsilyl)methylcyclop ent ane (S, S-3) (95% de, 72% ee) and dimethyl 3,4-dimethylcyclopentane-1, 1-dicarboxylate (S,S-6) in 64% combined yield. In comparison, a 1:1 mixture of the palladium pyridine-oxazoline complex (N-N)Pd(Me)Cl ?N-N = (R)-(+)-4-isopropyl-2-(2-pyridinyl)-2-oxazoline (R-5b) and NaBAr(4) (5 mol %) catalyzed the asymmetric cyclization/hydrosilylation of 2 and triethylsilane at -32 degrees C for 24 h to form carbocycle S,S-3 in 82% yield (>95% de, 87% ee) as the exclusive product. Asymmetric diene cyclization catalyzed by complex R-5b was compatible with a range of functional groups and produced carbocycles with up to 91% ee. The procedure also tolerated substitution at a terminal olefinic position and at the allylic position of the diene.     

Palladium-catalyzed enantioselective 1,3-rearrangement of racemic allylic sulfinates: asymmetric synthesis of allylic sulfones and kinetic resolution of an allylic sulfinate

Described is an asymmetric synthesis of cyclic and acyclic allylic S-aryl and S-alkyl sulfones through a highly selective palladium(0)-catalyzed 1,3-rearrangement of racemic allylic sulfinates. Treatment of racemic cyclic and acyclic allylic S-tolyl- and S-tert-butylsulfinates with Pd(2)(dba)(3).CHCl(3) as precatalyst and N,N'-(1R,2R)-1,2-cyclohexanediylbis[2-(diphenylphosphino)benzamide] as ligand for the palladium atom afforded the corresponding isomeric allylic S-tolyl and S-tert-butyl sulfones of 93-99% ee in 82-96% yield. The rearrangement of the allylic sulfinates most likely proceeds in an intermolecular fashion via formation of a cationic pi-allylpalladium complex and the sulfinate ion. The racemic allylic sulfinates were obtained from the corresponding racemic alcohols and racemic tolylsulfinyl chloride and racemic tert-butylsulfinyl chloride, respectively, in high yields. Rearrangement of the racemic tert-butylsulfinic acid 2-cyclooct-1-enyl ester with Pd(2)(dba)(3).CHCl(3) and the bisphosphane was accompanied by a highly selective kinetic resolution of the substrate and gave at 50% conversion the (R)-configured sulfinate as mixture of the S(S) and R(S) diastereomers of 92% ee and 85% ee and the (S)-configured 3-tert-butylsulfonyl cyclooctene sulfone 15a with 98% ee in almost quantitative yields.     

Asymmetric hydrosilylation of styrenes catalyzed by palladium-MOP complexes: ligand modification and mechanistic studies

In the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrosilylation of styrene (3a) with trichlorosilane, several chiral monophosphine ligands, (R)-2-diarylphosphino-1,1'-binaphthyls (2a-g), were examined for their enantioselectivity. The highest enantioselectivity was observed in the reaction with (R)-2-bis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phosphino-1,1'-binaphthyl (2g), which gave (S)-1-phenylethanol (5a) of 98% ee after oxidation of the hydrosilylation product, 1-phenyl-1-(trichlorosilyl)ethane (4a). The palladium complex of 2g also efficiently catalyzed the asymmetric hydrosilylation of substituted styrenes on the phenyl ring or at the beta position to give the corresponding chiral benzylic alcohols of over 96% ee. Deuterium-labeling studies on the hydrosilylation of regiospecifically deuterated styrene revealed that beta-hydrogen elimination from 1-phenylethyl(silyl)palladium intermediate is very fast compared with reductive elimination giving hydrosilylation product when ligand 2g is used. The reaction of o-allylstyrene (9) with trichlorosilane catalyzed by (R)-2g/Pd gave (1S,2R)-1-methyl-2-(trichlorosilylmethyl)indan (10) (91% ee) and (S)-1-(2-(propenyl)phenyl)-1-trichlorosilylethanes (11a and 11b) (95% ee). On the basis of their opposite configurations at the benzylic position, a rationale for the high enantioselectivity of ligand 2g is proposed.     

General synthetic entry to linearly-fused dihydrobenzocyclobutene-1,2-diones and benzocyclobutene-1,2-diones via annulation of 1,2-bis(methylene)carbocycles with 3-chloro-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione

The tandem Diels-Alder/dehydrochlorination reaction of semisquaric chloride (1) with the 1,2-bis(methylene)cycloalkanes 2a-c and 1,2-bis(methylene)-4-cyclohexene (9) affords the linearly-fused cycloalkanodihydrobenzocyclobutene-1,2-diones 3a-c and 3,4,7,8-tetrahydrocyclobuta[b]-naphthalene-1,2-dione (10), respectively. On treatment with MnO2, 3a-c are dehydrogenated to the respective carbocycle-fused benzocyclobutene-1,2-diones 4a-c in good yields. 3a and 3b react with bromine to give the addition products 5a,b, which, on treatment with silver trifluoroacetate, afford the benzocyclobutene-1,2-diones 4a,b. For preparative purposes, the sequence 3-->5-->4 can be performed advantageously as a "one-pot procedure". Double-condensation reactions of 4a,b with alpha,alpha'-biscyano-o-xylene and o-phenylenediamine afford the pentacyclic biphenylenes 7a,b and the cyclobutahetarenes 8a,b, respectively. These cyclobutenediones suggest themselves as building blocks for the construction of extended linearly-fused polycyclic compounds with novel ring sequences. o-Quinodimethanes 12a-g generated in situ by the thermal decomposition of the respective 1,4-dihydro-2,3-benzoxathiin-3-oxides (sultines) 11a-g react with semisquaric chloride (1) to afford the 3,8-dihydronaphtho[b]cyclobutene-1,2-diones 13a-g. These, on dehydrogenation with bromine and/or MnO2, furnish the naphtho[b]cyclobutene-1,2-diones 14a-g in fair to good yields. As described for 4a,b the naphtho[b]cyclobutene-1,2-diones 14a-c are condensed with alpha,alpha'-biscyano-o-xylene and o-phenylenediamine to furnish the pentacyclic biphenylenes 15a-c and the pentacyclic cyclobutahetarenes 16a-c.     

Lewis acid-promoted deoxygenative di[beta,beta-bis(ethylthio)]vinylation of aldehydes with trimethylsilylketene bis(ethylthio)acetal

Silylketene dithioacetal 1 reacted with aldehydes 2a-o, 14, or cinnamaldehyde (11) in the presence of Lewis acid to give deoxygenative divinylation products, 3-substituted 1,4-pentadienes 3a-o, 15, or 5-phenyl-1,3,6-heptatriene 13b, in good to moderate yields. Similar reaction with 2-aminobenzaldehyde (16) or salicylaldehyde (17) produced quinoline 19 or chroman 20 in 40-58% yield. Treatment of 1 with alpha-diketones 22a-c or alpha-ketoester 24 led to tetrasubstituted furans 23a-c or allylic alcohol 25, respectively, in rather low yields. The formation mechanisms of these products are discussed.     

Preparation of 2,4-disubstituted cyclopentenones by enantioselective iridium-catalyzed allylic alkylation: synthesis of 2'-methylcarbovir and TEI-9826

A broadly applicable synthesis of chiral 2- or 2,4-substituted cyclopent-2-enones has been developed by combining asymmetric iridium-catalyzed allylic alkylation reactions and ruthenium-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis. Enantiomeric excesses (ee values) in the range of 95-99 % ee have been achieved. This method offers a straightforward access to biologically active prostaglandins of the PGA type. As an example, an enantioselective synthesis of the prostaglandin-analogue 13,14-dihydro-15-deoxy-Delta(7)-prostaglandin-A1-methyl ester (TEI-9826) has been carried out. Furthermore, the carbonucleoside 2'-methylcarbovir has been prepared from O-protected 4-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-cyclopent-2-enone by Pd-catalyzed allylic amination.     

Efficient novel 1,2-diphosphite ligands derived from d-mannitol in the Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

A novel Pd/1,2-diphosphite catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3-diarylpropenyl acetate with malonates was developed. Catalyst optimization via a variation in the protecting groups at the 1,2- and/or 5,6-positions of d-mannitol skeleton and in biaryl moieties of the ligands led to a ‘lead’ catalyst, which efficiently mediated the allylic alkylations. The activities and enantioselectivities of the reaction clearly showed that the stereogenic centers of the skeleton and the axially chiral diaryl moieties of the ligands had a synergic effect. The ligand 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3,4-bis[(S)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl]phosphite-d-mannitol afforded excellent yields (up to 99%) and high levels of enantioselectivies (ee up to 98%) in 1,4-dioxane/CH₂Cl₂ mixture (v/v, 1:1) using [Pd(π-allyl)Cl]₂ as catalytic precursor and LiOAc as base. Dramatic changes in the sense and in the degree of the enantioselectivity depending on the configuration of the diaryl moieties of the ligands and reaction conditions were observed.     

Water-soluble ruthenium(II) catalysts [RuCl2(eta6-arene)[P(CH2OH)3]] for isomerization of allylic alcohols and alkyne hydration

The novel water-soluble ruthenium(II) complexes [RuCl(2)(eta(6)-arene)[P(CH(2)OH)(3)]]2a-c and [RuCl(eta(6)-arene)[P(CH(2)OH)(3)](2)][Cl]3a-c have been prepared in high yields by reaction of dimers [[Ru(eta(6)-arene)(micro-Cl)Cl](2)](arene = C(6)H(6)1a, p-cymene 1b, C(6)Me(6)1c) with two or four equivalents of P(CH(2)OH)(3), respectively. Complexes 2/3a-c are active catalysts in the redox isomerization of several allylic alcohols into the corresponding saturated carbonyl compounds under water/n-heptane biphasic conditions. Among them, the neutral derivatives [RuCl(2)(eta(6)-C(6)H(6))[P(CH(2)OH)(3)]]2a and [RuCl(2)(eta(6)-p-cymene)[P(CH(2)OH)(3)]]2b show the highest activities (TOF values up to 600 h(-1); TON values up to 782). Complexes 2/3a-c also catalyze the hydration of terminal alkynes.     

Double bonds in motion: bis(oxazolinylmethyl)pyrroles and their metal-induced planarization to a new class of rigid chiral C2-symmetric complexes

The synthesis of a new class of chiral C(2)-symmetric tridentate N-donor ligands, a series of 2,5-bis(2-oxazolinylmethyl)pyrroles, was achieved in four steps starting from the known 2,5-bis(trimethylammoniomethyl)pyrrole diiodide (1). Reaction of 1 with NaCN in dimethyl sulfoxide gave 2,5-bis(cyanomethyl)pyrrole (2) cleanly, which was then cyclized with amino alcohols to give the 2,5-bis(2-oxazolinylmethyl)pyrroles 3 a-c (3 a: bis[2-(4,4'-dimethyl-5-hydrooxazolyl)methyl]pyrrole; 3 b: (S,S)-bis[2-(4-isopropyl-4,5-dihydrooxazolyl)methyl]pyrrole; 3 c: (S,S)-bis[2-(4-tertiobutyl-4,5-dihydrooxazolyl)methyl]pyrrole). Metallation of 3 a-c with one molar equivalent of tBuLi and their subsequent reaction with a stoichiometric amount of [PdCl(2)(cod)] (cod=cyclooctadiene) gave the palladium(II) complexes 4 a-c. Whereas the arrangement of the N-donor atoms in the crystallographically characterized complex 4 a is almost ideally square planar, all three heterocycles in the ligand are twisted out of the coordination plane, leading to a chiral conformation of the complex. Attempts to freeze out these two conformers in solution at 200 K (NMR) failed, and this suggests that the activation barrier for conformational racemization is significantly below 10 kcal mol(-1). The palladium-induced shift of two double bonds as well as the porphyrinogen/porphyrin-type oxidation of the complexes 4 a-c led to the planarization of the 2,5-bis(oxazolinylmethyl)pyrrolide ligands in the palladium(II) complexes 5 a-c, 6 b, and 6 c, and to the formation of rigid chiral C(2)-symmetric systems as shown by X-ray diffraction studies. The formation of the conjugated system of double bonds in this transformation is accompanied by the emergence of an intra-ligand chromophore. This is evident in the absorption spectrum of 6 c which displays an intense band with a maximum at 485 nm attributable to an intra-ligand pi*<--pi transition and a characteristic vibrational progression of nu approximately 1350 cm(-1). Complexes 4 b and 4 c were tested in the catalytic asymmetric Michael addition of ethyl 2-cyanopropionate to methyl vinylketone (catalyst loading: 1 mol %) and were found to give maximum ee values of 43 % (4 b) and 21 % (4 c) at low conversions.