Direct amination of homoenolates catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes

N-Heterocyclic carbenes derived from N-mesityl-N-methyltriazolium salts are effective catalysts for generating homoenolate species from alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes. The unique intermediate adds to the electrophilic nitrogen of 1-acyl-2-aryldiazenes, and the resulting activated carbonyl unit undergoes an intramolecular acylation event. This formal [3+2] cycloaddition between alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and acylaryldiazenes, catalyzed by an N-heterocyclic carbene, produces substituted pyrazolidinones in good yields. This new NHC-catalyzed reaction accommodates aromatic and alkyl alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and various aromatic diazenes. A chiral triazolium salt catalyzes the formation of the pyrazolidinone product in moderate yield and good enantioselectivity. The pyrazolidinones can undergo reductive N-N bond cleavage to give beta-amino acid derivatives.     

Zn(pybox)-complex-catalyzed asymmetric aqueous Mukaiyama-aldol reactions

Catalytic asymmetric aldol reactions in aqueous media have been developed using chiral zinc complex. The aldol products have been obtained in high yields, high diastereocontrol, and good level of enantioselectivity. Various aromatic and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and silyl enol ethers derived from ketones can be employed in this reaction to provide the aldol adducts in good to high yield. The elaborated catalytic system has been found as selective for aliphatic aldehydes as well.     

Multicomponent catalytic asymmetric aziridination of aldehydes

The first multicomponent catalytic asymmetric aziridination reaction is developed to give aziridine-2-carboxylic esters with very high diastereo- and enantioselectivity from aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. This new method pushes the boundary of the aziridination reaction to substrates that failed with preformed imines.     

Highly enantioselective phenylacetylene additions to both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes

The readily available and inexpensive BINOL in combination with Ti(O(i)Pr)(4) is found to catalyze the reaction of an alkynylzinc reagent with various types of aldehydes including aliphatic aldehydes, aromatic aldehydes, and other alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes to generate chiral propargyl alcohols with 91-99% ee at room temperature. No previous chiral catalysts have exhibited such a broad scope of enantioselectivity with respect to the type of aldehydes for this reaction. [reaction: see text]     

Sulfamidation of 2-arylaldehydes and ketones with chloramine-T

[reaction: see text] A series of aliphatic and aromatic carbonyl compounds has been transformed into the corresponding sulfamidated products by means of amine-catalyzed nitrene transfer of chloramine-T. Depending on the residues R, either alpha-sulfamidation in the case of aromatic aldehydes and acetone derivatives or direct sulfamidation at the carbonyl functionality of aliphatic aldehydes has been observed. Applying microwave conditions, good to excellent yields under significantly reduced reaction times could be obtained, thus providing a facile access to alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acids.     

Chiral copper complexes of phosphino sulfenyl ferrocenes as efficient catalysts for enantioselective formal Aza Diels-Alder reactions of N-sulfonyl imines

In the presence of a catalytic amount of silver perchlorate, copper(I) bromide complexes of planar chiral 1-phosphino-2-sulfenylferrocenes behave as very efficient chiral Lewis acids catalysts in the formal Aza Diels-Alder reaction of N-arylsulfonyl aldimines with electron-rich dienes (Danishefsky's and related dienes). Mixing of equimolar amounts of the readily available enantiopure ferrocenyl P,S-bidentate ligand and CuBr quantitatively affords the precatalyst Cu complex as an air-stable solid. This catalytic asymmetric procedure has a broad structural scope: aldimines of aromatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated, and even enolizable aliphatic aldehydes have been successfully used. The corresponding 2,3-dihydro-4-pyridones were obtained in good yields (57-90%) and with homogeneously high enantioselectivity (82-97% ee).     

Organocatalytic asymmetric direct phosphonylation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes: mechanism, scope, and application in synthesis

The first direct organocatalytic enantioselective phosphonylation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes with phosphite, in combination with a Br?nsted acid and a nucleophile, is presented. Mechanistic investigations have revealed that the first step in the catalytic process, after the formation of the iminium intermediate, is the addition of phosphite to the beta-carbon atom, leading to the phosphonium ion-enamine intermediate. The rate-determining step for the reaction is the transformation of P(III) to P(V), which occurs via a nucleophilic SN2-type dealkylation, and a screening of various nucleophiles shows that soft nucleophiles in combination with a Br?nsted acid improve the reaction rate and enantioselectivity. The reaction conditions developed show that the use of 2-[bis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)trimethylsilanoxymethyl]pyrrolidine as the catalyst and tri-iso-propyl phosphite as the phosphonylation reagent, in the presence of stoichiometric amount of benzoic acid and sodium iodide, gave the beta-phosphonylation of aromatic and aliphatic alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes in good yields and enantioselectivities. The products formed by this new reaction have been used for the synthesis of a number of biologically important compounds, such as optically active hydroxyl phosphonate esters, phosphonic acids, and especially glutamic acid and fosmidomycin precursors, of which the two latter are showing important properties for the treatment of central nervous system diseases and as anti-malarial compounds, respectively. DFT calculations have been applied to explain the approach of the phosphite to the reactive carbon atom in the iminium intermediate in order to account for the observed absolute enantioselectivity in the reaction.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric epoxidation reactions in water-alcohol solutions

The diastereo- and enantioselective organocatalytic epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes in aqueous solutions is presented. By the screening of the reaction conditions for the epoxidation of cinnamic aldehyde applying hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant and 2-[bis-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-trimethylsilanyloxy-methyl]-pyrrolidine as the catalyst, a highly stereoselective reaction has been developed. The scope of the diastereo- and enantioselective organocatalytic epoxidation in aqueous solutions is documented by the asymmetric epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes with enantioselectivities up to 96% ee.     

Asymmetric 1,4-addition of oxazolones to nitroalkenes by bifunctional cinchona alkaloid thiourea organocatalysts: synthesis of alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids

An easy and simple synthetic approach to optically active alpha,alpha-quaternary alpha-amino acids using asymmetric organocatalysis is presented. The addition of oxazolones to nitroalkenes catalyzed by thiourea cinchona derivatives provides the corresponding alpha,alpha-quaternary alpha-amino acid derivatives with good yields, excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 98 % dr), and from moderate to good enantioselectivities (up to 92 % ee). The reaction can be performed on a large scale. The optically active oxazolone-nitroalkene addition products can be opened in a one-pot reaction to the corresponding ester-amide derivatives. Additional transformations are also presented, such as the synthesis of amino esters, amino acids, and transformation into 3,4-disubstituted pyrrolidin-2-ones.     

Enantioselective direct aldol-Tishchenko reaction: access to chiral stereopentads

[reaction: see text] The aldol-Tishchenko reaction of aromatic aldehydes in the presence of titanium(IV) tertbutoxide and amino alcohols is described. When used with cinchona alkaloids, stereopentads were isolated for the first time with a high degree of diastereo- and enantioselectivity.     

A new protocol for the in situ generation of aromatic,heteroaromatic, and unsaturated diazo compounds and its application in catalytic and asymmetric epoxidation of carbonyl compounds. Extensive studies to map out scope and limitations,and rationalization of diastereo- and enantioselectivities

A variety of metalated tosylhydrazone salts derived from benzaldehyde have been prepared and were reacted with benzaldehyde in the presence of tetrahydrothiophene (THT) (20 mol %) and Rh(2)(OAc)(4) (1 mol %) to give stilbene oxide. Of the lithium, sodium, and potassium salts tested, the sodium salt was found to give the highest yield and selectivity. This study was extended to a wide variety of aromatic, heteroaromatic, aliphatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated, and acetylenic aldehydes and to ketones. On the whole, high yields of epoxides with moderate to very high diastereoselectivities were observed. A broad range of tosylhydrazone salts derived from aromatic, heteroaromatic, and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes was also examined using the same protocol in reactions with benzaldehyde, and again, good yields and high diastereoselectivities were observed in most cases. Thus, a general process for the in situ generation of diazo compounds from tosylhydrazone sodium salts has been established and applied in sulfur-ylide mediated epoxidation reactions. The chiral, camphor-derived, [2.2.1] bicyclic sulfide 7 was employed (at 5-20 mol % loading) to render the above processes asymmetric with a range of carbonyl compounds and tosylhydrazone sodium salts. Benzaldehyde tosylhydrazone sodium salt gave enantioselectivities of 91 +/- 3% ee and high levels of diastereoselectivity with a range of aldehydes. However, tosylhydrazone salts derived from a range of carbonyl compounds gave more variable selectivities. Although those salts derived from electron-rich or neutral aldehydes gave high enantioselectivities, those derived from electron-deficient or hindered aromatic aldehydes gave somewhat reduced enantioselectivities. Using alpha,beta-unsaturated hydrazones, chiral sulfide 7 gave epoxides with high diastereoselectivities, but only moderate yields were achieved (12-56%) with varying degrees of enantioselectivity. A study of solvent effects showed that, while the impact on enantioselectivity was small, the efficiency of diazo compound generation was influenced, and CH(3)CN and 1,4-dioxane emerged as the optimum solvents. A general rationalization of the factors that influence both relative and absolute stereochemistry for all of the different substrates is provided. Reversibility in formation of the betaine intermediate is an important issue in the control of diastereoselectivity. Hence, where low diastereocontrol was observed, the results have been rationalized in terms of the factors that contribute to the reduced reversion of the syn betaine back to the original starting materials. The enantioselectivity is governed by ylide conformation, facial selectivity in the ylide reaction, and, again, the degree of reversibility in betaine formation. From experimental evidence and calculations, it has been shown that sulfide 7 gives almost complete control of facial selectivity, and, hence, it is the ylide conformation and degree of reversibility that are responsible for the enantioselectivity observed. A simple test has been developed to ascertain whether the reduced enantioselectivity observed in particular cases is due to poor control in ylide conformation or due to partial reversibility in the formation of the betaine.     

A facile synthesis of N-sulfonyl and N-sulfinyl aldimines under Barbier-type conditions

A convenient synthesis of N-sulfonyl- and N-sulfinylimines by the condensation of aldehydes with sulfonyl or sulfinyl amides in the presence of benzyl bromide and zinc dust at room temperature under the Barbier-type conditions is reported. The procedure is lauded by its simplicity and adaptability to aromatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated, and aliphatic aldehydes.     

Chiral ytterbium complex-catalyzed direct asymmetric aldol-Tishchenko reaction: synthesis of anti-1,3-diols

The asymmetric aldol-Tishchenko reaction of aromatic aldehydes with aliphatic and aromatic ketones has been developed as an efficient strategy for the synthesis of anti-1,3-diols in good yield with high diastereocontrol and good levels of enantioselectivity. This domino-type reaction is catalyzed by a chiral ytterbium complex that promotes both the aldol reaction through enolization of the carbonyl compound and the Evans-Tishchenko reduction of the aldol intermediate. The stereochemistry of the resulting diols is also investigated and finally proved by using CD techniques.     

Chromium-catalyzed pinacol-type cross-coupling: studies on stereoselectivity

A chromium-catalyzed pinacol-type cross-coupling reaction between alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and aldehydes is reported. Even sterically demanding substrates could be coupled to afford the corresponding pinacols in good yields. Systematic studies concerning the origin of the diastereoselectivities led to the proposal of a mechanism for this synthetically useful reaction. Acroleins with alpha-branched alkyl side chains were coupled to give the corresponding syn pinacols, while on the other hand, acroleins with less bulky substituents furnished the anti derivatives. The effects of both the substrates and the reagents on the diastereo- and enantioselectivities were investigated. An unexpected catalytic formation of cyclopropanols was found.     

Tandem addition beta-lithiation-alkylation sequence on alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes

A tandem reaction between (E)-cinnamaldehyde, 1a, and phenyllithium affording beta-substituted dihydrochalcones was recently reported. NMR spectroscopic studies on the reaction mixture, as well as isotopic exchange reactions and trapping of two intermediates, provide clues on the several mechanistic steps of this new reaction. Extended studies revealed that beta-alkyl-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and aliphatic lithium reagents did not afford good yields of the tandem reaction products, while aromatic lithium reagents gave good results. The aggregation features of the aryllithium reagents and the extended charged delocalization effects are considered to promote beta-selectivity. This approach provides a convenient route for the synthesis of a wide variety of beta-alkyl-substituted dihydrochalcones.     

S-(2-pyridinyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethylthiouronium hexafluorophosphate. A new reagent for the synthesis of 2-pyridinethiol esters

[reaction: see text] A new thiouronium-based reagent for the synthesis of 2-pyridinethiol esters under non-nucleophilic conditions from the corresponding carboxylic acids was developed. The resulting procedure enables the preparation of previously unavailable alpha,beta-unsaturated 2-pyridinethiol esters as well as their aliphatic and aromatic counterparts.     

Synthesis of C3-symmetric tris(beta-hydroxy amide) ligands and their Ti(IV) complex-catalyzed enantioselective alkynylation of aldehydes

[reaction: see text]. A series of new chiral C3-symmetric tris(beta-hydroxy amide) ligands have been synthesized via the reaction of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic chloride and optically pure amino alcohols (up to 96% yield). The asymmetric catalytic alkynylation of aldehydes with these new C3-symmetric chiral tris(beta-hydroxy amide) ligands and Ti (O(i)'Pr)4 was investigated. Ligand 4c synthesized from (1R,2S)-(-)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol is effective for the enantioselective alkynylation of various aldehydes, and high enantioselectivity was obtained with aromatic aldehydes and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde (up to 92% ee).     

Catalytic enantioselective Strecker reaction of ketoimines

A new method for the catalytic enantioselective Strecker reaction (cyanation) of N-diphenylphosphinoyl ketoimines is described. The asymmetric catalyst is a chiral gadolinium complex prepared from Gd(OiPr)3 and the d-glucose-derived ligand 3 in a 1:2 ratio. The reaction has a broad substrate generality, giving high enantioselectivity from aromatic, ethyl, primary alkyl, and alpha,beta-unsaturated ketoimines. The products could be easily converted to disubstituted alpha-amino acids and their derivatives.     

Catalytic asymmetric allylation of aldehydes via a chiral indium(III) complex

A chiral indium complex has been discovered to effect high enantioselectivities in the addition of allyltributyl stannanes to aldehydes. The allylation of a variety of aromatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated and aliphatic aldehydes resulted in good yields and high enantioselectivities (90-96% ee).     

Amino acid catalyzed direct asymmetric aldol reactions: a bioorganic approach to catalytic asymmetric carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions.

Direct asymmetric catalytic aldol reactions have been successfully performed using aldehydes and unmodified ketones together with commercially available chiral cyclic secondary amines as catalysts. Structure-based catalyst screening identified L-proline and 5,5-dimethyl thiazolidinium-4-carboxylate (DMTC) as the most powerful amino acid catalysts for the reaction of both acyclic and cyclic ketones as aldol donors with aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes to afford the corresponding aldol products with high regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivities. Reactions employing hydroxyacetone as an aldol donor provide anti-1,2-diols as the major product with ee values up to >99%. The reactions are assumed to proceed via a metal-free Zimmerman-Traxler-type transition state and involve an enamine intermediate. The observed stereochemistry of the products is in accordance with the proposed transition state. Further supporting evidence is provided by the lack of nonlinear effects. The reactions tolerate a small amount of water (<4 vol %), do not require inert reaction conditions and preformed enolate equivalents, and can be conveniently performed at room temperature in various solvents. In addition, reaction conditions that facilitate catalyst recovery as well as immobilization are described. Finally, mechanistically related addition reactions such as ketone additions to imines (Mannich-type reactions) and to nitro-olefins and alpha,beta-unsaturated diesters (Michael-type reactions) have also been developed.