Resolution of 1-arylalkylamines with 6-(1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranosyl)hydrogen phthalate

The resolving ability of a new acidic resolving agent, the hydrogen phthalate of 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranose 1, against various 1-arylalkylamines 2a–k is described. Treatment of 1 with amines 2a–f to obtain diastereomeric salts 1·(S)2a–f in 2-propanol allowing the corresponding (S)-amines 2a–f to be recovered in good yield and 61–89% ee. Recrystallization in dichloromethane/hexane, and regeneration gave the amines in enhanced enantiomeric purity (>98% ee). 1 resolved 1-phenylpropylamine 2f in high enantiomeric purity (99% ee) than 1-phenylethylamine 2g (11% ee) and o- and m-methoxy 2h–i, o-chloro-2j and p-fluoro-2k substituted 1-arylamines (11–19% ee). A possible chiral recognition mechanism based on the ability of 1 to exist in two conformations is described.     

Chemoenzymatic route to optically active dihydroxy cyclopenta[b]naphthalenones; precursors for decalin-based bioactive natural products

The development of an efficient chemoenzymatic route for the synthesis of optically active dihydroxy cyclopenta[b]naphthalenones; (+)-1,4a-dihydroxy-4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-2(4H)-one (+)-10 and (+)-1,8a-dihydroxy-4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-2(4H)-one (+)-11 is described. Different lipases and esterases were tested in the enzymatic hydrolysis of the corresponding acetates (±)-4a-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-1-yl acetate (±)-8, (±)-8a-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-1-yl acetate (±)-9, CRL (Candida Rugosa Lipase) and PLE (Pig Liver Esterase) were found to be the most effectual enzymes; for (?)-8 by 47% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy; (+)-10 by 98% ee in the presence of CRL; whereas, (?)-8 was obtained with 40% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy, (+)-10 with 58% ee in the PLE hydrolysis. It was concluded that CRL was the best biocatalyst for the substrate (±)-8. Moreover, enzymatic resolution in the presence of CRL yields, (?)-9 with 46% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy derivative; (+)-11 with 98% ee; however, in the presence of PLE, yields (?)-9 with 36% ee as well as the related dihydroxy derivative; (+)-11 with 49% ee respectively. The study concluded that CRL is the best biocatalyst for compounds (±)-8 and (±)-9.     

[5]Ferrocenophane based ligands for stereoselective Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation and Cu-catalyzed Michael addition

A series of homochiral [5]ferrocenophane based N/P, N/S, N/Se, Se/P and P/P ligands was prepared from (R)-N,N-dimethylamino[5]ferrocenophane. These ligands were tested in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate and in Cu-catalyzed Michael addition of Et₂Zn to cyclohex-2-enone. The best results in terms of conversion and enantioselectivity in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation provided bis(diphenylphosphine) ligand 2h (100% conversion and 95% ee) and aminophosphine 2a in the Cu-catalyzed conjugate addition (100% conversion 84% ee). The enantioselectivity of the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate was lower (41% ee).     

Application of the asymmetric hydrogenation of enamines to the preparation of a beta-amino acid pharmacophore

(3R)-3-[N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)amino]-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid 7a has been synthesized by an asymmetric hydrogenation of enamine ester 3 using chiral ferrocenyl ligands I and II in conjunction with [Rh(COD)Cl]₂. The direct reduction of 3 provides amino ester 1b in 93% ee, which was isolated as an (S)-camphorsulfonic acid salt to upgrade the enantiomeric excess to >99%. A more concise approach was developed involving the in situ protection of 1b using di-tert-butyldicarbonate. This approach provided the desired N-Boc amino ester 7b directly from the hydrogenation with 97% ee, which was upgraded to >99% ee upon crystallization.     

Enantioselective benzylic hydroxylation of indan and tetralin with Pseudomonas monteilii TA-5

A set of 22 toluene- and ethylbenzene-degrading strains were screened for the enantioselective benzylic hydroxylation of indan and tetralin, and Pseudomonas monteilii TA-5 was discovered as an active and selective biocatalyst for such hydroxylations. Cells of P. monteilii TA-5 can be easily grown to a high density and demonstrated a specific hydroxylation activity of 24 U/g cdw (cell dry weight). Conditions for the hydroxylation of indan 1a and tetralin 1b with resting cells of this strain were optimized, to give the corresponding (R)-1-indanol 2a and (R)-1-tetralol 2b in 99% ee and 62–67% yields, respectively. No significant product inhibition was observed, and biohydroxylation with cell-free extracts suggested that the responsible hydroxylase is a soluble enzyme depending on either NADH or NADPH. Preparative biohydroxylation was demonstrated with resting cells as biocatalysts, affording (R)-2a in 99% ee and 65% yield, and (R)-2b in 99% ee and in 63% yield, respectively.     

Asymmetric synthesis of novel 1,4-aminoalcohol ligands with norbornene and norbornane backbone: use in the asymmetric diethylzinc addition to benzaldehyde

The asymmetric synthesis of cis-1,4-aminoalcohols with norbornene and norbornane backbone was performed starting with (2S,3R)-(−)-cis-hemiester 1 (98% ee). Chemoselective amination with HMPTA followed by Grignard reactions and subsequent LAH reductions afforded compounds 5a–d. cis-Hemiester 1 was also transformed into chiral ligands 7a–f and 9a–d with the DCC coupling method followed by LAH reduction using acyclic, heterocyclic amines and various aniline derivatives and p-toluenesulfonamide, respectively. The chiral ligands were subjected to asymmetric diethylzinc addition to examine their effectiveness as chiral catalysts. Among these, arylamine and tosyl substituted chiral ligands 9a–d exhibited the highest selectivities (up to 97% ee).     

Asymmetric epoxidation of substituted chalcones and chalcone analogues catalyzed by α-d-glucose- and α-d-mannose-based crown ethers

The chiral monoaza-15-crown-5 lariat ethers annellated to methyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside-1 or mannopyranoside 2 have been applied as phase-transfer catalysts in the epoxidation of substituted chalcones and chalcone analogues with tert-butylhydroperoxide resulting in significant asymmetric induction. It was found that the position of the substituents in the aromatic ring of the chalcone had an influence both on the chemical yields and enantiomeric excesses. The lowest enantioselectivities (62–83% ee) were found in the case of ortho-substituted model compounds. The highest ee values (ee of 83–97%) were obtained in the case of para-substituted models. From among the chalcone analogues, the maximum ee (90–92%) was detected for the model compound having α-tert-butyl- and β-aryl groups. Using glucose-based crown ether 1, formation of the (?)-enantiomer was preferred, while applying mannose-based 2 as the catalyst, the (+)-enantiomer was in excess.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of glycosylated enantiomerically pure 4-pentene 1,2- and 1,3-diol derivatives

1-Dimethylthexylsiloxy-2-chloroacetoxy-4-pentene 2 and 1-dimethylthexylsiloxy-3-chloroacetoxy-4-pentene 3 were saponified with Pseudomonas lipase to give (R)-1-dimethylthexylsiloxy-4-pentene-2-ol (ee=99%) and (S)-2 (ee=99%) and (S)-1-dimethylthexylsiloxy-4-pentene-3-ol (ee=99%) and (R)-3 (ee=98%), respectively. All enantiomers were chemically transformed into the corresponding enatiomerically pure 2-benzoyloxy-4-pentene-1-ols 8 and 3-benzoyloxy-4-pentene-1-ols 14, respectively. Mannosylation of (R)-8 and (S)-14 with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-a-d-mannopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate afforded the corresponding mannopyranosides.     

Kinetic resolution of racemic secondary aliphatic allylic alcohols in lipase-catalyzed transesterification

Different lipases were screened as biocatalysts in the kinetic resolution process of (±)-hept-1-en-3-ol 1, (±)-5-methylhex-1-en-3-ol 2, (±)-6-methylhept-2-en-4-ol 3, (±)-6,6-dimethylhept-2-en-4-ol 4, and 1-phenylbut-3-en-2-ol 5 by enantioselective transesterification. The acylation of (±)-1 and (±)-2 catalyzed by Novozym 435 (Candida antarctica) was very effective and proceeded with good enantioselectivity. After 4–8 h of reactions the esters formed and the alcohols, which remained were obtained with high enantiomeric excess with 97–100% ee and 91–100% ee, respectively. The lipase Amano PS (Burkholderia cepacia) was the best catalyst in the asymmetric transesterification of (±)-5 affording the (R)-alcohol with 90–95% ee and the (S)-ester with 98–100% ee. Low enantioselectivities were observed in the cases of lipase-catalyzed acylation of (±)-3 and (±)-4.     

Enantiomeric purity enrichment of (R)-tetrahydrothiophene-3-ol sulfonyl derivatives by crystallization

(R)-Tetrahydrothiophene-3-ol sulfonyl derivatives 3–19 were prepared by introduction of various sulfonyl groups at the hydroxyl group of (R)-tetrahydrothiophene-3-ol 1 with low enantiomeric purity (68–74% ee). Crystallization was applied to improve their enantiomeric purity. Improvement in enantiomeric purity depended on the introduced sulfonyl group. The enantiomeric purity of enantiomeric sulfonyl derivatives was improved to more than 90% ee by simple crystallization without using seed crystals. These products from crystallization provided not only higher %ee crystals but also a higher %ee mother liquor. The enantiomeric purity of diastereomeric sulfonyl derivatives was improved remarkably, and the product of the derivative 18 provided the mother liquor with 100% de. Crystallization of these sulfonyl derivatives showed a novel and interesting feature that mother liquors with high enantiomeric purity were obtained in many cases.     

Parallel kinetic resolution of propargyl ketols: formal synthesis of (+)-bakkenolide A

We describe an intriguing new example of a parallel kinetic resolution; an asymmetric cyclization-carbonylation of propargyl ketols catalyzed by palladium(II) with chiral bisoxazoline (box) ligands. The 2S,3S enantiomer of (±)-6 was preferentially converted to 13 (45-49% yields, 37-46% ee), and the 2R,3R enantiomer of (±)-6 was preferentially converted to 14 (21-23% yields, 92-97% ee). As an application of this reaction, formal synthesis of (+)-bakkenolide A was achieved.     

Synthesis of substituted chiral chromans via organocatalytic kinetic resolution of racemic 3-nitro-2-aryl-2H-chromenes with ketones catalyzed by pyrrolidinyl-camphor-derived organocatalysts

Efficient kinetic resolution of racemic 2-aryl-3-nitro-2H-chromenes (1a–l) has been explored with the pyrrolidinyl-camphor derivative 2b as a bifunctional organocatalyst under neat conditions in the presence of AcOH at 0 °C. In general, the organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of ketones proceeded smoothly to give the functionalized Michael adducts (3a–n) with good-to-high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to 92:8 dr, 93% ee, and 47% yield). The less reactive chromenes (S)-1a–h, k, l and (R)-1i–j were recovered in high chemical yields and moderate optical purity (up to 42% chemical yield and 72% ee).     

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective 1,4-conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to α,β- and α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones

An enantioselective Cu(II)-catalyzed conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to α,β- or α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones with chiral cyclohexane-based amidophosphine ligands was developed. With 2 mol% of Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O/L5, the conjugate addition of diethylzinc to α,β-unsaturated ketones was achieved in good-to-excellent yields (up to 98%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee). This catalytic system was shown to be efficient for the 1,4-conjugate addition of Et₂Zn to (2E,4E)-1,5-diphenylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one with 85% yield and 90% ee. Moreover, with 1 mol% of Cu(OTf)₂/L11, the conjugate addition of α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones was accomplished with 1,4-regioselectivity, good yields (79–86%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).     

Preparation of quarternary ammonium salt-tagged ferrocenylphosphine-imine ligands and their application to palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution

A series of novel quarternary ammonium salt-modified chiral ferrocenylphosphine-imine ligands have been synthesized and the molecular structure of BIT5 has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The applicability of these ligands in asymmetric C1–C and C1–N bond formation was demonstrated. High enantioselectivity was obtained in the Pd-catalyzed asymmetric substitution of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate, with dimethyl malonate (up to 94.6% ee) and benzylamine (up to 92.6% ee).     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of allylic alcohols from unsymmetrical and symmetrical racemic allylic carbonates featuring C-O-bond formation and dynamic kinetic resolution

Described is the asymmetric synthesis of the allylic alcohols 11 (85% ee), 15 (99% ee), 17 (93% ee), 19 (61% ee), and 21 (69% ee) through a Pd-catalyzed reaction of the unsymmetrical carbonates rac-10, rac-12, rac-14, rac-16, rac-18, and rac-20, respectively, with KHCO₃ and H₂O in the presence of bisphosphane 6. Similarly the allylic alcohols 23 (99% ee) and 25 (97% ee) have been obtained from the symmetrical carbonates rac-22 and rac-24, respectively. Reaction of the meso-biscarbonate 26 with H₂O and Pd(0)/6 afforded alcohol 27 (96% ee), which was converted to the PG building block 32. The unsaturated bisphosphane 33 showed in the synthesis of alcohols 36, 37, and 39 a similar high selectivity as 6. The formation of alcohols 11, 15, and 17 involves an efficient dynamic kinetic resolution.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of optically active γ-alkyl-γ-butenolides

rac-Hept-1-en-3-ol 4 was subjected to an enantioselective esterification in the presence of Novozyme 435 and vinyl crotonate as the acyl donor to give (3S)-oct-1-en-3-yl crotonate 7 in >99% ee and (3R)-alcohol 4 in 99% ee. The E-value of this enzymatic reaction was found to be >1000. The (S)-crotonic ester 7 was converted by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) using Grubbs’ catalyst to give (S)-oct-2-en-4-olide 1 in 96% yield while keeping the high enantiomeric excess.     

Synthesis of enantiopure β-amino alcohols via AKR/ARO of epoxides using recyclable macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes

A series of chiral macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes 1-8 were synthesized and characterized. These complexes were found to be highly active, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective catalysts in aminolytic kinetic resolution (AKR) of racemic trans-epoxides as well as asymmetric ring opening (ARO) of prochiral meso-epoxides with various anilines as nucleophiles at room temperature in 18-24 h. Excellent yields (>99% with respect to the nucleophile) with high enantioselectivity (ee, >99%) of chiral anti-β-amino alcohols was achieved with concomitant recovery of corresponding epoxides in high ee (up to >99%). The complex 1 also catalyzed the ARO of meso-epoxides to provide corresponding syn-β-amino alcohols in high yield (99%) and ee (up to 91%). Due to built-in basic sites in the catalyst, no external base (as an additive) was required to promote AKR and ARO reactions. The catalyst 1 was conveniently recycled several times with retention of its performance. The AKR of trans-stilbene oxide with aniline was successfully demonstrated at relatively higher scale (10 mmol) using the catalyst 1.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic nucleophilic substitution reactions using chiral tert-butanesulfinylphosphine ligands

The asymmetric allylic alkylation of racemic 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate 3 with dimethyl malonate proceeded smoothly in the presence of lithium acetate, BSA (N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide), [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl]₂, and chiral tert-butanesulfinylphosphine ligand 2c to give the allylic alkylation product in good yield and high enantiomeric excess (up to 93% ee), while the enantioselectivities of allylic amination of 3 with various amines were moderate (up to 76% ee).     

Enzyme-mediated preparation of enantioenriched forms of trans- and cis-p-menthan-1,8-dien-5-ol

The synthesis of the trans-p-menthan-5-ol (±)-1 was carried out by Diels–Alder cycloaddition of 3-keto-1-butenyl-acetate 3 with isoprene followed by Wittig methylenation. PS lipase resolution of the alcohol afforded acetate (−)-5 with 98% ee, which was hydrolysed to give (−)-1. Alternatively, enzymatic hydrolysis of a keto ester followed by Wittig methylenation and hydrolysis afforded the same alcohol with an ee of 86%. The cis-p-menthan-5-ol (−)-2 was obtained by Swern oxidation of (−)-1, followed by diastereoselective reduction with L-Selectride without lost of enantiomeric excess.     

Ferrocenyl-QUINAP: a planar chiral P,N-ligand for palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions

The new planar chiral P,N-ligands 1a and 1b were prepared via a straightforward enantioselective synthesis using a Negishi cross-coupling and a sulfoxide/lithium exchange. Ligand 1a was successfully applied to Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation (86% ee) and amination (83% ee) reactions.