Enzymatic desymmetrization of meso cis-2,6- and cis,cis-2,4,6-substituted piperidines. Chemoenzymatic synthesis of (5S,9S)-(+)-indolizidine 209D

The stereoselective acylation of meso piperidines 3a,b by vinyl acetate (solvent and acyl donor) in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase gave the corresponding (2S,6R) and (2S,4R,6R) monoesters 2a,b in high enantiomeric purity. (5S,9S)-(+)-Indolizidine 209D was prepared in eight steps from (2S,6R)-2a.     

A chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of a cis-lignan lactone

The stereoselective acetylation of meso-2,3-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)butanediol by vinyl acetate in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase in benzene gave the corresponding (+)-(2S,3R) monoester (ee ≥98%). Transesterification of meso-2,3-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)butyl diacetate, in the presence of the same enzyme, by ethanol in benzene/isopropyl ether gave the corresponding (−)-(2R,3S) monoester (ee ≥98%). Both enantiomers of the known cis-2,3-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)butyrolactone were synthesized from these monoesters.     

Organozinc alkoxide-promoted aldol-Tishchenko reaction of aliphatic aldehydes: an expedient entry to prepare the α-methylene ketones

i-PrOZnEt is an excellent reagent to promote the aldol-Tishchenko reaction of the aliphatic aldehydes tethered with other labile functional groups. The 1,3-diol monoesters 4 were formed as the major products, which could be converted to α-methylene ketones 7 in two steps in good yields.     

Stereochemical studies—LVII: Synthesis of optically active compounds by the novel use of meso-compounds—1. Efficient synthesis of two structural types of optically pure prostaglandin intermediates

With an aim to overcome several inefficient aspects of ordinary methods of preparing optically active compounds, we have developed a new method which recommends utilization of symmetrically functionalized meso-compounds in place of racemic compounds.As shown in Scheme 1, when the mesa-compound (I) is monofunctionalized by an optically active functional group (A) and each of the formed diastereomers (II and III) is subjected to further chemical elaborations including protective group transposition, it is theoretically possible to convert the total amount of the starting material (I) into the requisite optically pure product (VI or VII) by selecting synthetic schemes.By employing this novel concept, two structural types of the prostaglandin intermediates ((?)- and ( + )-2a,b) have been prepared from the meso-diols (1a, b) by way of the two diastereomeric monoesters (13a, b and 14a, b) which are produced by the reactions of 1a, b with N-mesyl- and N-phthaloyl-(S)-phenylalanyl chloride (3a, b).     

Bis(phosphinoamides) based on sugars for highly enantioselective allylic substitution: inversion of stereocontrol by switching from glucose to mannose

New chiral bis(phosphinoamides) based on glucose 1G and mannose 1M have been prepared. Their Pd complexes catalyze the asymmetric desymmetrization of meso-cyclopenten-2-ene-1,4-diol biscarbamate in high ee’s (up to 97%). Glucose and mannose moieties selectively promote formation of the opposite enantiomers, as a consequence of inverted steric motifs around the metal center.     

Preparation of chiral trans-5-substituted-acenaphthene-1,2-diols by baker’s yeast-mediated reduction of 5-substituted-acenaphthylene-1,2-diones

A series of trans-5-substituted-acenaphthene-1,2-diols were obtained in 21–72% yield with 97–100% ee by baker’s yeast-mediated reduction of the corresponding acenaphthylene-1,2-diones, in the presence of DMSO as a co-solvent and under vigorous agitation. The absolute configuration of (?)-trans-5-methoxy-acenaphthene-1,2-diol trans-3b and (?)-trans-5-bromo-acenaphthene-1,2-diol trans-3c was assigned as (S,S) and (?)-trans-5-thiomorpholin-acenaphthene-1,2-diol trans-3d was established as (R,R) by exciton-coupled circular dichroism.     

Preparation of all stereoisomers of 2-allyl-2-methyl-3-hydroxycyclopentanone by desymmetric processes based on a microbial oxidation and reduction system

All stereoisomers of 2-allyl-3-hydroxy-2-methylcyclopentanones 2-5 were prepared in high conversion and in an optically pure form by microbial reduction and oxidation. The reduction of symmetric diketone 1 by Geotrichum candidum NBRC 4597 under anaerobic conditions gave 2 in 83% yield (98% conversion), >99% de, and >99% ee, whereas the reduction of 1 by G. candidum NBRC 5767 under aerobic conditions gave 3 in 75% yield (99% conversion), >99% de, and >99% ee. Oxidation of meso-diol 6 by G. candidum NBRC 5767 under aerobic conditions afforded 4 in 83% yield (99% conversion) and >99% ee, while oxidation of meso-diol 7 by Mucor heimalis IAM 6095 in the presence of cyclohexanone as a co-oxidant afforded 5 in 68% yield (75% conversion) and >99% ee.     

Chiral (salen)Co(III)(N-benzyl-l-serine)-derived phosphites: monodentate P-ligands for enantioselective catalytic applications

Reaction of the (S,S)-salen-cobalt(III)-N-benzyl-l-serine complex 2 with four diol-derived chlorophosphites afforded phosphites 3a–3d in moderate yields (37–72%). Structural studies of these monodentate phosphite ligands and of their Rh-complexes were performed in solution by ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The ligands were screened in several enantioselective catalytic applications, showing good activity and moderate enantioselectivity in the palladium-catalyzed desymmetrization of meso-cyclopenten-2-ene-1,4-diol biscarbamate.     

Enzymes in organic synthesis-29 : Preparations of enantiomerically pure cis -2,3- and 2,4-dimethyl lactones via horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase-catalyzed oxidations

Further examples of the broad applicability of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase-catalyzed oxidations of meso-diols as a route to chiral lactones of asymmetric synthetic value are described. The acyclic meso substrates, cis-2,3-dimethyl- and -diethylbutane-l,4-diols, and cis-2,4-dimethylpentane-l,5diol, are stereospecifically oxidized in good yields to the corresponding enantiomerically pure γ- and δ-lactones. The oxidation of cis-3,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)thiacyclopentane is similarly stereospecific. For each meso-diol the oxidation takes place with a net stereospecificity for the hydroxymethyl groups attached to the S-enters, with the initially formed hydroxyaldehydes undergoing further enzymecatalyzed oxidations via their hemiacetal forms to produce lactone products directly.     

Aerobic oxidative desymmetrization of meso-diols with bifunctional amidoiridium catalysts bearing chiral N-sulfonyldiamine ligands

Asymmetric aerobic oxidation of a range of meso- and prochiral diols with chiral bifunctional Ir catalysts is described. A high level of chiral discrimination ability of Cp^∗Ir complexes derived from (S,S)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine was successfully demonstrated by desymmetrization of secondary benzylic diols such as cis-indan-1,3-diol and cis-1,4-diphenylbutane-1,4-diol, providing the corresponding (R)-hydroxyl ketones with excellent chemo- and enantioselectivities. Enantiotopic group discrimination in oxidation of symmetrical primary 1,4- and 1,5-diols gave rise to chiral lactones with moderate ees under similar aerobic conditions.     

Preparation of chiral C2-symmetrical 1,1′-disubstituted ferrocenes

A biocatalytic procedure for the resolution and concurrent desymmetrization of tetraacetoxyferrocene (±, meso)-2 is described. Enantiomerically pure (R,R)- and (S,S)-forms have been converted into the corresponding epoxide 6, a useful starting material for the preparation of polyfunctional C₂-symmetric ferrocenes.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure (E)-1,1,3,3,6,6-hexamethyl-1-sila-4-cycloheptene and its absolute configuration

The title compound 1, a highly strained (E)-cycloalkene, was prepared in enantiomerically pure form from the corresponding trans-1,2-diol 4 via the thionocarbonate 5. The racemic 4 was separated by enantioselective HPLC on an amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) column. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy in connection with theoretical calculations; the (+)-enantiomer has the (S)- and the (−)-enantiomer the (R)-configuration.     

Rapid assembly of anti-1,3-diol units with 2-quaternary carbon stereocenter via samarium diiodide-promoted tandem Aldol/Evans-Tishchenko reaction

An efficient and practical method for highly diastereoselective synthesis of 2-quaternary anti-1,3-diol units with three adjacent stereogenic carbon centers has been developed. The reactions proceed regiospecifically at room temperature via samarium diiodide-promoted tandem Aldol condensation and Evans-Tishchenko reduction. The relative stereochemistry of the resulting 1,3-diol monoesters is identified by X-ray crystallography.     

Stereospecific enzymatic hydrolysis of racemic epoxide: a process for making chiral epoxide

Among various microbial cultures evaluated, Rhodotorula glutinis SC 16293 and Aspergillus niger SC 16311 catalyzed the stereospecific hydrolysis of the racemic epoxide, RS-1-{2′,3′-dihydrobenzo[b]furan-4′-yl}-1,2-oxirane, 1 to the corresponding R-diol, R-1-{2′,3′-dihydrobenzo[b]furan-4′-yl}-ethane-1,2-diol, 3. The S-epoxide, S-1-{2′,3′-dihydrobenzo[b]furan-4′-yl}-1,2-oxirane, 2 remained unreacted in the reaction mixture. A reaction yield of 45–50% (theoretical maximum yield is 50%) and an enantiomeric excess (ee) of >95% were obtained for unreacted S-epoxide 2 using each culture. Addition of 10% methyl tert-butyl ether to an aqueous reaction mixture during hydrolysis by R. glutinis improved the ee of the unreacted S-epoxide 2 to >99% (yield 48%) and that of the R-diol 3 to 79%. Unlike R. glutinis, hydrolysis of racemic epoxide 1 in the presence of 10% methyl tert-butyl ether by A. niger showed an adverse effect and gave S-epoxide 2 in 54% yield and 49% ee.     

Resolution of C2-symmetric 2,3-diphenylbutane-1,4-diol and purification of diastereomeric 1,4-diphenylbutane-1,4-diol using (S)-proline and boric acid

Racemic 2,3-diphenylbutane-1,4-diol (±)-1 is resolved to obtain the corresponding (R,R)-isomer in 98% e.e. through reaction with (S)-proline and boric acid. Partially resolved (R,R)-(−)-1 and (S,S)-(+)-1 have been enriched to obtain samples of 95 and 97% e.e. through reaction with (S)-proline and boric acid. Diastereomeric 1,4-diphenylbutane-1,4-diol 2 has been purified to obtain the (R,R)-isomer in 98% e.e. using (S)-proline and boric acid.     

Deracemization of (±)-cis-dialkyl substituted oxides via enantioconvergent hydrolysis catalysed by microsomal epoxide hydrolase

Both enantiomers of cis-(±)-2,3-epoxyheptane 1a, cis-3,4-epoxyheptane 1b, cis-3,4-epoxynonane 1c, cis-3,4-epoxynonane-1-ol 1d, and cis-1-methoxy-3,4-epoxynonane 1e undergo a highly stereoselective microsomal epoxide hydrolase catalysed hydration at the (S) carbon to give the corresponding threo (R,R)-diol at complete conversion. A total kinetic resolution of racemic epoxides is also obtained with 1a and 1e.     

C2-Symmetric sulfur derivatives of 2,2′,3,3′-tetramethoxybiphenyl

A practical route to prepare dithioether, thiophene and thiophene S-dioxide derivatives of 2,2′,3,3′-tetramethoxy-1,1′-biphenyl 1 is described. Resolution of 6,6′-bis(methylthio)-3,3′-dimethoxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2,2′-diol 15 was achieved and its absolute configuration was assigned by X-ray analysis of the corresponding phosphorothioamidate diastereomer 18.     

Synthesis of bimodal molecular weight distribution polyethylene with α-diimine nickel(II) complexes containing unsym-substituted aryl groups in the presence of methylaluminoxane

A series of unsymmetrical complexes of 2,3-bis(2-phenylphenyl)-butanediimine nickel(II) dibromide (complex 1), 1,4-bis(2-isopropyl-6-methylphenyl)-acenaphthenediimine nickel(II) dibromide (complex 2) and meso- and rac-1,4-bis (2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)-acenaphthenediimine nickel(II) dibromide (meso-3 and rac-3) were synthesized and activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO) for ethylene polymerization. By ¹³C NMR characterization, meso- and rac-stereo-isomers were detected in the condensation products resulting from the reaction of unsym-substituted anilines with diketones. It was notable that meso- and rac-isomers in ligand 1 or ligand 2 could not be separated owing to their interconversion, however, meso- and rac-isomers in ligand 3 could be isolated and identified by X-ray diffraction and NMR analysis. At low polymerization temperatures, complex 1/MAO afforded polyethylene with bimodal molecular weight distribution, while complex 2/MAO prepared polyethylene with single-modal distribution. Moreover, by raising polymerization temperature or extending time of catalyst aging, bimodal molecular weight distribution polyethylene was also produced by complex 2/MAO. The hypothesis of bimodal molecular weight distribution polyethylene synthesized by unsymmetrical α-diimine nickel(II) complexes was supported that the molecular weight of polyethylene produced by rac-3/MAO was significantly higher than that produced by meso-3/MAO under identical polymerization conditions. A unique methodology to prepare polyethylene with bimodal molecular weight distribution was demonstrated.     

Aerobic oxidative kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols with bidentate ligand-binding Ru(salen) complex as catalyst

Chiral Ru(salen)(nitrosyl) complex 1 is a useful catalyst for asymmetric aerobic oxidation of alcohols under photo-irradiation. In this study, it was found that addition of β-hydroxy ketone or 1,3-diketone had a significant influence on its asymmetric catalysis. For example, the addition of 1,3-bis(p-bromophenyl)propane-1,3-dione 9 improved the relative reaction ratio in kinetic resolution of simple racemic secondary alcohols up to 30, while the addition gave an adverse effect on desymmetrization of an acyclic meso-1,3-diol. This additive effect was considered to be attributable to the chelate formation of the β-hydroxy ketone or 1,3-diketone with a Ru(salen) complex.     

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.