Chiral induction in quinoline-derived oligoamide foldamers: assignment of helical handedness and role of steric effects

Chiral groups attached to the end of quinoline-derived oligoamide foldamers give rise to chiral helical induction in solution. Using various chiral groups, diastereomeric excesses ranging from 9% to 83% could be measured by NMR and circular dichroism. Despite these relatively weak values and the fact that diastereomeric helices coexist and interconvert in solution, the right-handed or left-handed helical sense favored by the terminal chiral group could be determined unambiguously using X-ray crystallography. Assignment of chiral induction was performed in an original way using the strong tendency of racemates to cocrystallize, and taking advantage of slow helix inversion rates, which allowed one to establish that the stereomers observed in the crystals do correspond to the major stereomers in solution. The sense of chiral helical induction was rationalized on the basis of sterics. Upon assigning an Rs or Ss chirality to the stereogenic center using a nomenclature where the four substituents are ranked according to decreasing sizes, it is observed that Rs chirality always favors left-handed helicity and Ss chirality favors right-handed helicity (P). X-ray structures shed some light on the role of sterics in the mechanism of chiral induction. The preferred conformation at the stereocenter is apparently one where the bulkiest group should preferentially point away from the helix, the second largest group should be aligned with the helix backbone, and the smallest should point to the helix.     

Concise asymmetric synthesis of (R)-(+)-tanikolide

A highly stereoselective total synthesis of (R)-(+)-tanikolide, a δ-lactonic marine natural product, was accomplished in seven steps from easily available starting materials with a 51% overall yield. An asymmetric synthesis of an α-hydroxy aldehyde having a stereogenic quaternary center, by the use of (S)-2-(anilinomethyl)pyrrolidine as a chiral auxiliary, was employed in a key step.     

Concise synthesis of rodgersinol and determination of the C-10 absolute configuration

Rodgersinol was synthesized via seven linear steps in 31% overall yield, and the absolute configuration of the C-10 stereogenic center was elucidated. The key feature of the synthesis involves the efficient Cu(II)-mediated coupling of two aromatic moieties for the diaryl ether intermediate and the enantioselective construction of the hydroxypropyl substituent by a regio- and stereoselective methyl addition to the chiral aryloxiranes in an inversion manner.     

Photomodulated chiral induction in helical azobenzene oligomers

Appending L-alanine to the terminal positions of a helical azobenzene oligomer produced a P helical bias, which increased with oligomer length. Irradiation gave rise to E-->Z isomerization of the terminal azo linkages, which displaced the stereogenic center of L-Ala from the helix backbone and suppressed chiral induction. Theoretical simulations of the CD spectrum of the P helical conformation are in qualitative agreement with the experimental spectra.     

Formal Synthesis of Sarain A: Intramolecular Cycloaddition of an Eight‐Membered Cyclic Nitrone to Construct the 2‐Azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane Framework

An enantioselective route to the tetracyclic skeleton of sarain A has been developed. Asymmetric reduction of an ynone introduced a chiral center which was transferred to the contiguous tertiary stereogenic centers through an Ireland–Claisen rearrangement. The 2‐azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane framework was constructed by an unprecedented intramolecular cycloaddition of an eight‐membered cyclic nitrone. Using the steric bias of the bicyclic system, the quaternary carbon atom was constructed by a stereoselective aldol reaction. Further ring formations were performed by ring‐closing metathesis for the 13‐membered ring and an iodoamidation reaction for the pyrrolidine ring. The present synthesis has successfully provided an alternative route to the late‐stage intermediate of Overman’s synthesis.     

Preparation of Chiral Enantioenriched Densely Substituted Cyclopropyl Azoles,Amines, and Ethers via Formal SN2′ Substitution of Bromocylopropanes

Enantiomerically enriched cyclopropyl ethers, amines, and cyclopropylazole derivatives possessing three stereogenic carbon atoms in a small cycle are obtained via the diastereoselective, formal nucleophilic substitution of chiral, non-racemic bromocyclopropanes. The key feature of this methodology is the utilization of the chiral center of the cyclopropene intermediate, which governs the configuration of the two adjacent stereocenters that are successively installed via 1,4-addition/epimerization sequence.     

Supramolecular chiral recognition by bischlorins: a two-point interaction mode combined with the host's conformational modulation controlled by the guest's stereochemistry and bulkiness

[reaction: see text] Supramolecular chiral recognition based on two-point host-guest interactions coupled with the different host's conformational response using the enantiopure bischlorin hosts and different antipodal amine guests is reported. The bulkiness at the guest's stereogenic center controls the chiral recognition properties resulting in switching of the enantioselectivity.     

Divergent Control of Point and Axial Stereogenicity: Catalytic Enantioselective C−N Bond‐Forming Cross‐Coupling and Catalyst‐Controlled Atroposelective Cyclodehydration

Catalyst control over reactions that produce multiple stereoisomers is a challenge in synthesis. Control over reactions that involve stereogenic elements remote from one another is particularly uncommon. Additionally, catalytic reactions that address both stereogenic carbon centers and an element of axial chirality are also rare. Reported herein is a catalytic approach to each stereoisomer of a scaffold containing a stereogenic center remote from an axis of chirality. Newly developed peptidyl copper complexes catalyze an unprecedented remote desymmetrization involving enantioselective C?N bond‐forming cross‐coupling. Then, chiral phosphoric acid catalysts set an axis of chirality through an unprecedented atroposelective cyclodehydration to form a heterocycle with high diastereoselectivity. The application of chiral copper complexes and phosphoric acids provides access to each stereoisomer of a framework with two different elements of stereogenicity.     

Chiral resolution of multichiral center racemates by different modalities of chromatography

It is a continuous chase of researchers to separate chiral racemates due to their dominance in the pharmaceutical industry, agrochemicals, and food additives. There are many analytical techniques which have been used to resolve one chiral center racemates, but, little the literature report is scanty for the resolution of multiple stereogenic center racemates. Therefore, in this article the efforts were made to describe the enantiomeric resolution of multiple stereogenic center racemates by different modalities of chromatography. The various modalities discussed are high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoretic chromatography, miceller electrokinetic chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, nanoliquid chromatography, and gas chromatography. Besides, the attempts have also been made to discuss the future challenges and prospectives of the enantiomeric resolution of multichiral racemates.     

A formal total synthesis of the salicylihalamides

The synthesis of the macrolactone 23 is described. The synthesis features a diastereoselective hydroboration of the chiral alkene 17 followed by a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction with the benzoate 5. The resulting seco acid 21 was converted to the macrolactone 23 by a Mitsunobu lactonization using immobilized triphenylphosphine. The stereogenic centers in the alkene 17 were established by a Noyori reduction of the beta-keto ester 8 and an Evans aldol reaction. The synthesis illustrates the conversion of a syn aldol product to the corresponding anti product by inversion of the methyl-bearing center.     

Introducing the Chiral Transient Directing Group Strategy to Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Asymmetric C−H Activation

The chiral transient directing group (TDG) strategy has been successfully introduced to the rhodium(III)-catalyzed asymmetric C−H activation. In the presence of a catalytic amount of a chiral amine and an achiral rhodium catalyst, various chiral phthalides were synthesized from simple aldehydes with high chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and enantioselectivity (53 examples, up to 73 % yield and >99 % ee). It is noteworthy that the chiral induction model is different from the previously reported chiral TDG system using amino acid derivatives and palladium salts. The imino group generated in situ from chiral amine and aldehyde acts as the monodentate TDG to promote the C−H activation, stereoselectively generating the chiral rhodacycle bearing a chiral metal center. Moreover, the stereogenic center of the product is created and stereocontrolled during the Grignard-type addition of the C−Rh bond to aldehyde, rather than during the C−H activation step.     

Influence of terminal alkyl chain length on helical twisting property of chiral 1,2-propanediol derivatives

In this study,a novel series of chiral 1,2-propanediol derivatives with different terminal alkyl chain length were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR,~1H NMR and DSC.After doped into a nematic liquid crystal host,all the chiral dopants induced chiral nematic liquid crystals exhibiting a helix inversion with temperature variation.The results indicate that terminal alkyl chain length has a prominent influence on helical twisting property of the chiral dopants.With increasing the terminal alkyl chain le...     

Dynamic Axial-to-Helical Communication Mechanism in Poly[(allenylethynylenephenylene)acetylene]s under External Stimuli

Helix inversion in chiral dynamic helical polymers is usually achieved by conformational changes at the pendant groups induced through external stimuli. Herein, a different mechanism of helix inversion in poly(phenylacetylene)s (PPAs) is presented, based on the activation/deactivation of supramolecular interactions. We prepared poly[(allenylethynylenephenylene)acetylene]s (PAEPAs) in which the pendant groups are conformationally locked chiral allenes. Therefore, their substituents are placed in specific spatial orientations. As a result, the screw sense of a PAEPA is fixed by the allenyl substituent with the optimal size/distance relationship to the backbone. This helical sense command can be surpassed by supramolecular interactions between another substituent on the allene and appropriate external stimuli, such as amines. So, a helix inversion occurs through a novel axial-to-helical communication mechanism, opening a new scenario for taming the helices of chiral dynamic helical polymers.     

Computer simulation of chiral liquid crystal phases VI. A temperature induced helix inversion in a single component cholesteric liquid crystal

A temperature induced helix inversion in a single component system has been observed by investigating a lattice system of chiral molecules using Monte Carlo (MC) computer simulations. The molecules were considered to interact as derived by van der Meer et al. taking into account fourth-order terms describing an anharmonic interaction. On cooling from an isotropic system, a cholesteric phase with a temperature dependent pitch was obtained. The cholesteric phase changed its handedness through an infinite-pitch system as a function of temperature. The study of systems with a small chiral energy contributionnd a large pitch was enabled using self-determined boundary conditions.     

Formal (4+1) Cycloaddition and Enantioselective Michael–Henry Cascade Reactions To Synthesize Spiro[4,5]decanes and Spirooxindole Polycycles

Spiro[4,5]decanes and polycyclic compounds bearing spiro[4,5]decane systems are important biofunctional molecules. Described are diastereoselective formal (4+1) cycloaddition reactions to afford oxindole-functionalized spiro[4,5]decanes and organocatalytic enantioselective Michael–Henry cascade reactions of the (4+1) cycloaddition products to generate spirooxindole polycyclic derivatives bearing the spiro[4,5]decane system. Spiro[4,5]decanes bearing oxindoles containing three stereogenic centers and spirooxindole polycycles having seven stereogenic centers, including two all-carbon chiral quaternary centers and one tetrasubstituted chiral carbon center, were obtained with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities.     

Origins of the diastereoselectivity in hydrogen bonding directed Diels-Alder reactions of chiral dienes with achiral dienophiles: a computational study

In this study, the origins of diastereoselectivity in the hydrogen bonding assisted Diels-Alder reactions of chiral dienes with achiral dienophiles have been investigated with density functional methods. The distortion/interaction model has been applied to shed light on the origins of selectivity. C9-Substituted chiral anthracene templates (R = (CH(3))(OCH(3))(H), R = (CH(3))(OH)(H), R = (CH(3))(CH(2)CH(3))(H) and R = (-CH(2)-C(CH(3))(OCH(3))(H)) are used to rationalize the role of a stereogenic center and H-bonding on the product distribution ratio. Even though hydrogen bonding increases the reactivity of the diene, the stereoselectivity is reduced because of the hydrogen bonding capacity of both diastereomeric transition states. The interaction energies of the studied anthracene templates with N-methyl maleimide at the transition state correlate linearly with an increase in reactivity. The selectivity is determined by both favorable distortion and interaction energies. The π-facial selectivity induced by the presence of a chiral auxiliary in 1-substituted 1,3-pentadienes (R1 = (CH(3))(OCH(3))(H) and R1 = (CH(3))(OH)(H)) has also been modeled in order to rationalize the role of the stereogenic center and H-bonding on the stereoselectivity of an aliphatic diene. In both parts, the product distribution ratios calculated from Boltzmann distributions based on Gibbs free energies are in reasonable agreement with the experimental results. Finally the role of OH-substituted five-membered pyrrolidine on C9 of anthracene is investigated since the successful usage of the conformationally rigid pyrrolidines in asymmetric synthesis is well known. Overall, both in the acyclic system and in anthracene, the facilitation due to H-bonding is reflected in the interaction energies: the higher the difference in interaction energies in the transition structures of the two diastereomers, the more selective the H-bonding assisted Diels-Alder reaction is.     

Synthesis of P-chiral phosphines via chiral metal template promoted asymmetric furan Diels-Alder reaction

The organoplatinum complex containing ortho-metalated (S)-(1-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-naphthalene as the chiral auxiliary has been used to promote the asymmetric [4+2] Diels-Alder reaction between phenyldivinylphosphine and 2-diphenylphosphinofuran. The reaction was complete in 6 days at room temperature, with the formation of four isomeric diphosphino-substituted oxanorbornene metal complexes in the ratio of 4:2:2:1. Only the exo-cycloaddition products were formed. The formation of stereogenic carbon centers within the oxanorbornene skeleton are highly stereoselective, with all four cycloadducts adopting the same absolute configurations. However, the stereocontrol at the external phosphorus stereogenic center is less efficient (S_p:R_p = 2:1 for the template cycloadducts). The chiral naphthylamine auxiliary could be removed chemoselectively by treatment with concentrated hydrochloric acid, and further ligand liberation of the dichloro complexes with aqueous cyanide gave the diphosphino-substituted oxanorbornene ligands. Hydrogenation of the double bonds in the cycloadduct stabilizes the phosphorus stereogenic center of the free diphosphine ligand which otherwise undergoes inversion of absolute configuration.     

Exploring the boundaries of a light-driven molecular motor design: new sterically overcrowded alkenes with preferred direction of rotation

Insight in the steric and electronic parameters governing isomerization processes in artificial molecular motors is essential in order to design more advanced motor systems. A subtle balance of steric parameters and the combination of helical and central chirality are key features of light-driven unidirectional rotary molecular motors constructed so far. In an approach to decrease the steric hindrance around the central olefinic bond (rotary axis) and thereby lowering the energy barrier for helix inversion resulting in an increased rotation rate, the boundaries of our molecular motor design are explored. In a new design of a light-driven molecular motor based on a sterically overcrowded alkene the methyl substituent adjacent to the stereogenic center, which is responsible for the control of the direction of rotation, is shifted one position away from the fjord region of the molecule compared to the second-generation motor systems. In contrast to previously developed light-driven molecular motors, there is a preference for the methyl substituent to adopt a pseudo-equatorial orientation. Nevertheless, this new type of motor is capable of functioning as a rotary molecular motor, albeit not with full unidirectionality. Under the combined influence of light and heat, there is a preferred clockwise rotation of one half of the molecule. Surprisingly, the effect of shifting the methyl substituent on the energy barrier for helix inversion is small and even a slight increase in the barrier is observed.     

Chiral recognition by CD-sensitive dimeric zinc porphyrin host. 1. Chiroptical protocol for absolute configurational assignments of monoalcohols and primary monoamines.

A general microscale protocol for the determination of absolute configurations of primary amino groups or secondary hydroxyl groups linked to a single stereogenic center is described. The chiral substrates are linked to the achiral trifunctional bidentate carrier molecule (3-aminopropylamino)acetic acid (1, H(2)NCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)NHCH(2)COOH) and the resultant conjugates are then complexed with dimeric zinc porphyrin host 2 giving rise to 1:1 host/guest sandwiched complexes. These complexes exhibit exciton-coupled bisignate CD spectra due to stereodifferentiation leading to preferred porphyrin helicity. Since the chiral sense of twist between the two porphyrins in the complex is dictated by the stereogenic center of the substrate, the sign of the couplet determines the absolute configuration at this center. The twist of the porphyrin tweezer in the complex can be predicted from the relative steric sizes of the groups flanking the stereogenic center, such that the bulkier group protrudes from the complex sandwich. In certain alpha-hydroxy esters and alpha-amino esters, electronic factors and hydrogen bonding govern the preferred conformation of the complex, and hence the CD spectra.     

Transition-metal-catalyzed sequential cross-coupling of bis(iodozincio)methane and -ethane with two different organic halides

Bis(iodozincio)methane, prepared from diiodomethane and zinc, reacts with an organic halide in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst to give an iodozinciomethylenated compound; this then reacts with another organic halide to form a C--C bond. The overall process connects two electrophiles with one carbon atom. Bis(iodozincio)ethane can also undergo this transformation, yielding a new stereogenic center. The asymmetric induction of this stereogenic center was investigated by using a chiral palladium catalyst.