Solvent-free organocatalytic Michael addition of diethyl malonate to nitroalkenes: the practical synthesis of Pregabalin and γ-nitrobutyric acid derivatives

A highly enantioselective synthesis of Pregabalin 1 hydrochloride with good overall yield (44%) and enantioselectivity (98% ee) was described. The key step is an asymmetric Michael addition of equivalent of diethyl malonate and nitroalkene under solvent-free conditions using thiourea 2 as catalyst. The reaction can be applied to a variety of aromatic and aliphatic substituted nitroalkenes affording corresponding adducts in good to excellent yields (61-92%) and enantioselectivities (78-93% ee).     

Asymmetric conjugate reduction of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and esters with chiral rhodium(2,6-bisoxazolinylphenyl) catalysts

New asymmetric conjugate reduction of beta,beta-disubstituted alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and esters was accomplished with alkoxylhydrosilanes in the presence of chiral rhodium(2,6-bisoxazolinylphenyl) complexes in high yields and high enantioselectivity. (E)-4-Phenyl-3-penten-2-one and (E)-4-phenyl-4-isopropyl-3-penten-2-one were readily reduced at 60 degrees C in 95 % ee and 98 % ee, respectively, by 1 mol % of catalyst loading. (EtO)2MeSiH proved to be the best hydrogen donor of choice. tert-Butyl (E)-beta-methylcinnamate and beta-isopropylcinnamate could also be reduced to the corresponding dihydrocinnamate derivatives up to 98 % ee.     

Organocatalytic sequential Michael reactions: stereoselective synthesis of multifunctionalized tetrahydroindan derivatives

Multifunctionalized tetrahydroindan derivatives with four stereocenters were constructed via two sequential Michael reactions between cyclic γ,δ-unsaturated-β-ketoester and nitroalkenes initiated with 0.5-2 mol % of cinchona alkaloid based bifunctional organocatalysts and then with 1 equiv of tetramethylguanidine for cyclization. The desired products could be obtained in high yields (up to 99% yield) with excellent enantioselectivities (95-99% ee) as well as diastereoselectivities (up to >99:1 dr) even on a gram scale.     

Cu-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of alkylzincs to cyclic nitroalkenes: catalytic asymmetric synthesis of cyclic alpha-substituted ketones

An efficient and highly enantioselective (>/=92% ee) catalytic method for conjugate addition of alkylzinc reagents to cyclic nitroalkenes is reported. Reactions are promoted in the presence of 0.5-5 mol % (CuOTf)2.C6H6 and 1-10 mol % of chiral amino acid-based phosphine ligands at 0 degrees C in toluene. The Cu-catalyzed reactions can be effectively carried out with small-, medium-, and large-ring nitroalkenes. Depending on the reaction conditions used, either the nitro or the corresponding alpha-substituted ketone product can be readily accessed by the present protocol.     

Asymmetric synthesis of tetrahydropyran[3,2-c]quinolinones via an organocatalyzed formal[3 + 3] annulation of quinolinones and MBH 2-naphthoates of nitroolefin

An efficient asymmetric and enantio-swithchable organocatalytic[3+3]annulation reaction using MBH-2-naphthoates of nitroalkenes and 4-hydroxyquinolin-2(1H)-ones has been developed.Densely substituted tetrahydropyrano[3,2-c]qui noli nones scaffolds with two adjacent stereogenic centers are obtained with high yield(up to 95%yield)and good stereoselectivities(up to>20:1 dr and 96%ee)in an enantio-switchable manner.Furthermore,gram scale synthesis was achieved and the nitro group could easily transform into an amino group without any appreciable loss in the diastereo-and enantioselectivity.     

Catalytic asymmetric 1,4-addition reactions using alpha,beta-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles as highly reactive monodentate alpha,beta-unsaturated ester surrogates

Synthesis and application of alpha,beta-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles as highly reactive, monodentate ester surrogates in the catalytic asymmetric epoxidation and Michael reactions are described. alpha,beta-Unsaturated N-acylpyrroles with various functional groups were synthesized by the Wittig reaction using ylide 2. A Sm(O-i-Pr)(3)/H(8)-BINOL complex was the most effective catalyst for the epoxidation to afford pyrrolyl epoxides in up to 100% yield and >99% ee. Catalyst loading was successfully reduced to as little as 0.02 mol % (substrate/catalyst = 5000). The high turnover frequency and high volumetric productivity of the present reaction are also noteworthy. In addition, a sequential Wittig olefination-catalytic asymmetric epoxidation reaction was developed, providing efficient one-pot access to optically active epoxides from various aldehydes in high yield and ee (96-->99%). In a direct catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction of hydroxyketone promoted by the Et(2)Zn/linked-BINOL complex, Michael adducts were obtained in good yield (74-97%), dr (69/31-95/5), and ee (73-95%). This represents the first direct catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction of unmodified ketone to an alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivative. The properties of alpha,beta-unsaturated N-acylpyrrole are also discussed. Finally, the utility of the N-acylpyrrole unit for further transformations is demonstrated.     

Low-temperature n-butyllithium-induced rearrangement of allyl 1,1-dichlorovinyl ethers

[reaction: see text]. Upon treatment with n-BuLi at low temperatures, a variety of allyl 1,1-dichlorovinyl ethers 2 undergo rearrangement to furnish gamma,delta-unsaturated esters 3 after alcohol addition. Compounds containing quaternary centers (3e: R1 = H, R2, R3 = -(CH2)5-; 3f: R1 = H, R2 = CH3, R3 = (CH2)2CH(CH3)2) may be formed in high yield and under mild conditions utilizing this protocol. The reaction is stereospecific and may be applied to the preparation of Delta(2,3)-beta-C-glycosides and alpha,beta-disubstituted lactones.     

Diastereoselective reductive nitro-Mannich reactions

A range of nitroalkenes 1 and imines 3 derived from alkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl aldehydes underwent a tandem 1,4-hydride addition nitro-Mannich reaction to afford anti-rich β-nitroamines 4. The crude anti-β-nitroamines 4 could be converted to the corresponding anti-β-nitroacetamides 5 (33 examples) to allow purification in good yield from the parent nitroalkenes (60-87%), and with a high diastereomeric ratio (90:10 to mostly >95:5). A representative selection of anti-β-nitroacetamides 5 (five examples) were reduced to vicinal diamines 7 with zinc hydrochloride; concomitant acyl migration provided differentially protected vicinal diamines 7 in good yield (80-91%).     

Highly enantioselective mukaiyama aldol reaction of alpha,alpha-dichloro ketene silyl acetal: an efficient synthesis of a key intermediate for diltiazem

An efficient synthesis of methyl (2R,3S)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)glycidate (-)-2, a key intermediate for diltiazem (1), has been developed on the basis of the highly enantioselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction of p-anisaldehyde (4a) with alpha,alpha-dichloro ketene silyl acetal 5. Thus, the reaction using a stoichiometric amount of chiral oxazaborolidinone catalyst 12a proceeded to excellent yield (83%) and high enantioselectivity (96% ee), together with the chiral ligand 13a in nearly quantitative recovery. The reaction using a substoichiometric amount of 12e (20 mol %) also proceeded to excellent yield (88%), with somewhat lower enantioselectivity (77% ee). The aldol product 3a thus obtained was easily converted to (-)-2 in excellent yield (80%) and high optical purity (>99% ee). The highly enantioselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction with 5 catalyzed by 12a proved to be applicable to various aldehydes. An efficient preparation of 5 from inexpensive starting materials was also described.     

Enantioselective synthesis of bicylco[3.2.1]octan-8-ones using a tandem Michael-Henry reaction

Bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-ones have been prepared from a tandem Michael-Henry reaction between cyclohexane-1,2-diones and nitroalkenes using a quinine-derived thiourea as the catalyst. Although four stereogenic centers were created during the reaction, only two diastereomers were obtained in good diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivity (92-99% ee). When 3-methylcyclohexane-1,2-dione (R¹=Me) was used as the substrate, only the regioisomeric product of the corresponding thermodynamic enolate was obtained.     

Synthesis of a new (1R)-(-)-myrtenal-derived dioxadithiadodecacycle and its use as an efficient chiral auxiliary

[reaction: see text] The new macrocycle 9 (>70% yield from hydroxythiol 10) was treated with several nucleophilic reagents (RMgX, RLi, and LiAlH4) affording carbinols 12a-j (80-96% yield, >99:1 dr). Oxidative hydrolysis of 12a,c,e, followed by LiAlH4 reduction of the resulting mixture, gave 16a,c,e in >95% ee,16c being a key precursor for the preparation of fungicide 17. The absolute configuration of 9 and 12j (Nu = H) was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and chemical correlation.     

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.     

Highly stereoselective oxy-Michael additions to alpha,beta-disubstituted nitro olefins: asymmetric synthesis of pseudo-norephedrine derivatives and THP* protected alpha-hydroxy ketones

The "naked" anion of (S)-6-methyl delta lactol undergoes efficient oxy-Michael addition to alpha,beta-disubstituted nitro olefins to give the THP* protected Henry products with excellent (95-->98% de) stereocontrol at the beta-position and moderate (up to 3 : 1) stereocontrol at the alpha-position in favour of the syn-diastereoisomer. Nitro group reduction with in situN-Boc protection and THP* removal provides alpha,beta-disubstituted ethanolamine derivatives, while treatment with tetrapropylammonium perruthenate gives THP* protected alpha-hydroxy ketone derivatives in high diasteromeric excess.     

Molecular basis for enantioselectivity of lipase from Chromobacterium viscosum toward the diesters of 2,3-dihydro-3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-inden-5-ol

2,3-Dihydro-3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-inden-5-ol, 1, is a chiral bisphenol useful for preparation of polymers. Previous screening of commercial hydrolases identified lipase from Chromobacterium viscosum (CVL) as a highly regio- and enantioselective catalyst for hydrolysis of diesters of 1. The regioselectivity was > or =30:1 favoring the ester at the 5-position, while the enantioselectivity varied with acyl chain length, showing the highest enantioselectivity (E = 48 +/- 20 S) for the dibutanoate ester. In this paper, we use a combination of nonsymmetrical diesters and computer modeling to identify that the remote ester group controls the enantioselectivity. First, we prepared nonsymmetrical diesters of (+/-)-1 using another regioselective, but nonenantioselective, reaction. Lipase from Candida rugosa (CRL) showed the opposite regioselectivity (>30:1), allowing removal of the ester at the 4'-position (the remote ester in the CVL-catalyzed reaction). Regioselective hydrolysis of (+/-)-1-dibutanoate (150 g) gave (+/-)-1-5-dibutanoate (89 g, 71% yield). Acylation gave nonsymmetrical diesters that varied at the 4'-position. With no ester at the 4'-position, CVL showed no enantioselectivity, while hindered esters (3,3-dimethylbutanoate) reacted 20 times more slowly, but retained enantioselectivity (E = 22). These results indicate that the remote ester group can control the enantioselectivity. Computer modeling confirmed these results and provided molecular details. A model of a phosphonate transition state analogue fit easily in the active site of the open conformation of CVL. A large hydrophobic pocket tilts to one side above the catalytic machinery. The tilt permits the remote ester at the 4'-position of only the (S)-enantiomer to bind in this pocket. The butanoate ester fits and fills this pocket and shows high enantioselectivity. Both smaller and larger ester groups show low enantioselectivity because small ester groups cannot fill this pocket, while longer ester groups extend beyond the pocket. An improved large-scale resolution of 1-dibutanoate with CVL gave (R)-(+)-1-dibutanoate (269 g, 47% yield, 92% ee) and (S)-(-)-1-4'-monobutanoate (245 g, 52% yield, 89% ee). Methanolysis yielded (R)-(+)-1 (169 g, 40% overall yield, >97% ee) and (S)-(-)-1 (122 g, 36% overall yield, >96% ee).     

(R)- and (S)-4-TIPS-3-butyn-2-ol. Useful precursors of chiral allenylzinc and indium reagents

A convenient route to the enantiomers of 4-TIPS-3-butyn-2-ol of >95% enantiomeric purity by reduction of the ynone precursor 4 with the Noyori N-tosyl-1,2-diphenylethylenediamineruthenium cymene catalyst is described. The mesylate derivative of the (S) enantiomer (1c) is converted in situ to an allenylzinc or indium reagent in the presence of a catalyst derived from Pd(OAc)2 and Ph3P and either Et2Zn or InI. A second in situ addition of these reagents to aldehydes leads to anti homopropargylic alcohol adducts. The additions proceed in generally high (60-90%) yield with modest to excellent diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivity. Only slight mismatching (<5%) is observed with chiral alpha-methyl and alpha-silyloxy aldehydes. Additions to alpha-substituted enals are highly diastereoselective, while beta,beta-disubstituted enals afford ca. 2:1 mixtures of anti and syn adducts.     

Highly enantioselective conjugate addition of fluoromalonates to nitroalkenes using bifunctional organocatalysts

The enantioselective conjugate addition of fluoromalonates to aromatic nitroalkenes catalyzed by chiral amine-thiourea bifunctional organocatalysts generated a stereocenter at the carbon bearing the aromatic group and an adjacent prochiral center from the fluoromalonate. Treatment of fluoromalonates with aromatic nitroalkenes under mild reaction conditions afforded the corresponding 2-fluoro-2-(2-nitro-1-arylethyl)malonates with high yields (72-93%) and excellent enantioselectivities (91-98% ee).     

Enzymatic resolution of 7,7'-dihydroxy-8,8'- biquinolyl dipentanoate and its conversion to 2,2'-di-tert-butyl-7,7'-dihydroxy-8,8'-biquinolyl

Incubation of (+/-)-7,7'-di(pentanoyloxy)-8,8'-biquinolyl (4) with a crude cholesterol esterase preparation (from bovine pancreas) yielded highly enantioenriched unreacted dextrorotatory material, (+)-(aR)-4 (46%, > or = 99% ee), accompanied by the expected diol product, (-)-(aS)-7,7'-dihydroxy-8,8'-biquinolyl (1), in modest enantiomeric excess (> or =37%, > or =77% ee). Treatment of scalemic diesters 4 with t-BuLi, followed by saponification in the presence of air, gave 2,2'-di-tert-butyl-7,7'-dihydroxy-8,8'-biquinolyl (2) in enantio enriched form. Biquinolyl 2 is less configurationally stable than 1, racemizing rapidly in CHCl3 (t1/2(rac) = 1.9 h, rt), and with a moderate rate in MeOH (t1/2(rac) = 30.5 h, rt).     

Enantioselective organocatalytic Michael-Wittig-Michael-Michael reaction: dichotomous construction of pentasubstituted cyclopentanecarbaldehydes and pentasubstituted cyclohexanecarbaldehydes

Michael addition of carbethoxymethylenetriphenylphosphorane (a Wittig reagent) to nitroalkenes, followed by a reaction with ethyl formylformate and cinnamaldehydes, or formaldehyde and cinnamaldehydes, provided the respective pentasubstituted cyclopentanecarbaldehydes bearing a quaternary carbon center and pentasubstituted cyclohexanecarbaldehydes having five contiguous stereocenters with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee).     

Asymmetric synthesis of (1R,2S,3R)-3-methylcispentacin and (1S,2S,3R)-3-methyltranspentacin by kinetic resolution of tert-butyl (+/-)-3-methylcyclopentene-1-carboxylate

Conjugate addition of lithium dibenzylamide to tert-butyl (+/-)-3-methylcyclopentene-1-carboxylate occurs with high levels of stereocontrol, with preferential addition of lithium dibenzylamide to the face of the cyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated acceptor anti- to the 3-methyl substituent. High levels of enantiorecognition are observed between tert-butyl (+/-)-3-methylcyclopentene-1-carboxylate and an excess of lithium (+/-)-N-benzyl-N-alpha-methylbenzylamide (10 eq.) (E > 140) in their mutual kinetic resolution, while the kinetic resolution of tert-butyl (+/-)-3-methylcyclopentene-1-carboxylate with lithium (S)-N-benzyl-N-alpha-methylbenzylamide proceeds to give, at 51% conversion, tert-butyl (1R,2S,3R,alphaS)-3-methyl-2-N-benzyl-N-alpha-methylbenzylaminocyclopentane-1-carboxylate consistent with E > 130, and in 39% yield and 99 +/- 0.5% de after purification. Subsequent deprotection by hydrogenolysis and ester hydrolysis gives (1R,2S,3R)-3-methylcispentacin in > 98% de and 98 +/- 1% ee. Selective epimerisation of tert-butyl (1R,2S,3R,alphaS)-3-methyl-2-N-benzyl-N-alpha-methylbenzylaminocyclopentane-1-carboxylate by treatment with KO'Bu in 'BuOH gives tert-butyl (1S,2S,3R,alphaS)-3-methyl-2-N-benzyl-N-alpha-methylbenzylaminocyclopentane-1-carboxylate in quantitative yield and in > 98% de, with subsequent deprotection by hydrogenolysis and ester hydrolysis giving (1S,2S,3R)-3-methyltranspentacin hydrochloride in > 98% de and 97 +/- 1% ee.     

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of cyclic trans-1,2-diols bearing a diester moiety: synthetic application to chiral seven-membered-ring alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acid

Chiral cycloalkane-trans-1,2-diols (+/-)-3 and (+/-)-8 having a diester moiety have been prepared from dimethyl dialkenylmalonate using olefin metathesis by Grubbs catalyst, followed by epoxidation and acidic hydrolysis. Kinetic resolution of racemic cyclopentane-trans-1,2-diol (+/-)-3 by lipase-catalyzed transesterification afforded an optically active monoacetate (-)-5 of 95% ee in 46% yield and the recovered diol (-)-3 of 92% ee in 51% yield, and that of cycloheptane-trans-1,2-diol (+/-)-8 gave a monoacetate (+)-10 of 95% ee in 51% yield and the diol (-)-8 of >99% ee in 43% yield, respectively. The enantiomer selectivity of racemic cyclic trans-1,2-diols bearing a diester moiety by lipases (Amano PS and Amano AK) was opposite to that of the reported simple racemic cycloalkane-trans-1,2-diols. To explain the lipase-catalyzed enantiomer selectivity, computer modeling of lipase-substrate complexes was performed. Furthermore, the optically active diester (-)-8 could be efficiently converted into an optically active seven-membered-ring alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acid (4R,5R)-(-)-15.