Unusual effects in the pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylations: synthesis of chiral chromans

An examination of earlier reports of poor-to-modest results using Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylations (AAA) to effect cyclization to form tetrasubstituted carbons reveals several novel factors that can influence this class of reactions. Thus, carboxylate has a major effect on such cyclizations wherein the ee increases from 14% ee favoring the S with no carboxylate to 84% ee favoring the R enantiomer in the presence of 1 equiv of carboxylate. Changing the double bond geometry from E to Z further increases the ee to 97%. Furthermore, the chiral catalyst that forms the R enantiomer with the E-alkene forms the S enantiomer with the Z alkene. In contrast to trisubstituted alkene substrates, disubstituted ones show a decrease in ee in going from the E to Z alkenes. The role of carboxylate appears to be a ligand to Pd during the catalytic cycle, a previously unsuspected phenomenon since such reactions are generally believed to involve pi-allylpalladium cationic complexes. The dependence upon alkene geometry helps define the nature of the chiral pocket which better accommodates a Z alkene compared to an E alkene. The results are compatible with the enantiodiscriminating step being ionization which occurs by coordination of the palladium to one of the two prochiral faces of the double bond. A synthesis of (+)-clusifoliol, a constituent of a folk medicine for treatment of malignant tumors, which also assigns the absolute configuration, illustrates the utility of the method.     

Efficient synthesis of trifluoromethyl and related trisubstituted alkene dipeptide isosteres by palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of amino acid derived allylic carbonates

A novel stereoselective synthetic approach to (Z)-trifluoromethylalkene dipeptide isosteres (CF(3)-ADIs) is described. Starting from readily available N-Boc-L-phenylalanine, Phe-Gly type CF(3)-ADIs were obtained through palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of allylic carbonates under CO. While the reaction of N-Boc derivatives proceeds in excellent yields but lower stereoselectivity (E: Z = 62:38-43:57), the reaction of the N, N-diBoc derivative exclusively affords the desired (Z)-isomer in 61% yield. We also present a highly stereoselective synthesis of several Phe-Gly type trisubstituted alkene dipeptide isosteres by palladium-catalyzed carbonylation.     

Total synthesis of pyranicin

[Reaction: see text] A stereocontrolled convergent synthesis of the annonaceous acetogenin pyranicin (1) is presented. Asymmetric Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reactions were used to access key intermediates. The tetrahydropyran derivative 2 was obtained via an asymmetric desymmetrization of the meso-dialdehyde 6, and the butenolide fragment was constructed using a stereoconvergent reaction sequence involving a parallel kinetic HWE resolution followed by a Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution. The C10/C15 1,6-diol motif was installed using Carreira's asymmetric acetylide addition methodology.     

Design of a new class of chiral quinoline–phosphine ligands. Synthesis and application in asymmetric catalysis

The design and synthesis of a new class of chiral quinoline–phosphine ligands has been achieved. Their efficiency as asymmetric ligands in enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions and in the asymmetric copper-catalyzed addition of diethylzinc to enones was also investigated.     

Palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution with (η6-arene-CH2Z)Cr(CO)(3)-based nucleophiles

Although the palladium-catalyzed Tsuji-Trost allylic substitution reaction has been intensively studied, there is a lack of general methods to employ simple benzylic nucleophiles. Such a method would facilitate access to "α-2-propenyl benzyl" motifs, which are common structural motifs in bioactive compounds and natural products. We report herein the palladium-catalyzed allylation reaction of toluene-derived pronucleophiles activated by tricarbonylchromium. A variety of cyclic and acyclic allylic electrophiles can be employed with in situ generated (η(6)-C(6)H(5)CHLiR)Cr(CO)(3) nucleophiles. Catalyst identification was performed by high throughput experimentation (HTE) and led to the Xantphos/palladium hit, which proved to be a general catalyst for this class of reactions. In addition to η(6)-toluene complexes, benzyl amine and ether derivatives (η(6)-C(6)H(5)CH(2)Z)Cr(CO)(3) (Z = NR(2), OR) are also viable pronucleophiles, allowing C-C bond-formation α to heteroatoms with excellent yields. Finally, a tandem allylic substitution/demetalation procedure is described that affords the corresponding metal-free allylic substitution products. This method will be a valuable complement to the existing arsenal of nucleophiles with applications in allylic substitution reactions.     

A new class of chiral P,N-ligands and their application in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions

An efficient and modular synthesis of a series of chiral nonracemic P,N-ligands is reported. The P,N-ligands were prepared from 2-chloro-4-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-[1]pyrindine-7-one and a series of substituted chiral C(2)-symmetric 1,2-ethanediols (R = Me, i-Pr, and Ph). The ligands were evaluated for use in catalytic asymmetric synthesis in the palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions of a racemic allylic acetate and dimethyl malonate. In the case of the P,N-ligand (R = Ph), the reaction was found to be highly stereoselective (90% ee).     

Regio- and Enantioselective Substitution of Acyclic Allylic Sulfoximines with Butylcopper in the Presence of Lithium Iodide and Boron Trifluoride

Enantiomerically pure N-methyl-, N-benzyl-, and N-(methoxyethyl)-S-(phenyl)cinnamylsulfoximines as well as the corresponding crotylsulfoximines have been prepared from N-methyl-, N-benzyl-, and N-(methoxyethyl)-S-(lithiomethyl)sulfoximines and carbonyl compounds by an addition-elimination-isomerization reaction sequence. Under basic conditions, complete isomerization of the vinylic sulfoximines, obtained as intermediates, to the corresponding allylic sulfoximines takes place. Chromatographically separable mixtures of (E) and (Z) allylic sulfoximines were isolated in the case of beta,gamma-disubstituted allylic sulfoximines. The (E/Z) ratio depends on the nature of the substituents in the beta- and gamma-positions, and the equilibrium amount of the (Z) isomer varies from 68% to nil. The allylic N-methylsulfoximines do not racemize thermally, and their rearrangement to the corresponding allylic sulfinamides is negligible. Upon prolonged treatment with boron trifluoride at low temperatures allylic N-methylsulfoximines are recovered unchanged. The crystal structure of S-(3,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-ylmethyl)-N-methyl-S-phenylsulfoximine was determined. Reaction of the allylic sulfoximines with butylcopper in the presence of lithium iodide and boron trifluoride leads with very high gamma-selectivities and moderate to high enantioselectivities to the corresponding chiral alkenes. Their configuration was determined by chemical correlation through ozonolysis to the corresponding carbonyl compounds. The asymmetric induction exerted by the chiral N-methyl-S-phenylsulfoximine group strongly depends on the double bond configuration and the substituents in the beta- and gamma-positions. The (E) allylic sulfoximines are substituted with low to moderate enantioselectivities (2-66%), whereas the (Z) allylic sulfoximines react with much higher enantioselectivities (69-92%). Interestingly, substitution of the beta-methyl-gamma-phenyl-substituted (Z) allylic sulfoximine and its beta-phenyl-gamma-methyl isomer proceeded with almost the same degree of asymmetric induction but with the opposite sense. Replacement of the N-methyl group by a benzyl or a methoxyethyl group has no significant influence on the regio- and enantioselectivity of the substitution.     

Reactivity control in palladium-catalyzed reactions: a personal account

Several classes of palladium-catalyzed reactions are summarized as the author's personal account. These include allylic oxidation, diastereo- and enantio-controlled allylic substitution, transmetalation of organomercurials, stereoselective rearrangements, and development of new ligands for amination of aryl halides and for asymmetric Heck addition.     

A new method for the synthesis of chiral beta-branched alpha-amino acids

A new method for the synthesis of chiral beta-branched alpha-amino acids based on a copper-mediated directed allylic substitution reaction with Grignard reagents is reported. This is the first case in which a delta-stereogenic center is controlling the diastereoselectivity of an o-DPPB-directed allylic substitution. Depending on the alkene geometry of the starting material either diastereomer, anti or syn, is accessible with good levels of acyclic stereocontrol.     

Chiral fluorous phosphorus ligands based on the binaphthyl skeleton: synthesis and applications in asymmetric catalysis

Two enantiopure fluorous phosphines have been conveniently synthesized by combining palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions of easily available binaphthyl building-blocks with the introduction of fluorous ponytails onto aromatic compounds via ether bond formation. These new fluorous chiral phosphines have been tested as ligands in metal-catalyzed asymmetric transformations, the best results being obtained in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate affording the products of up to 87% e.e.     

Exploiting the Pd- and Ru-catalyzed cycloisomerizations: enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-allocyathin B2

Pd- and Ru-catalyzed cycloisomerizations of 1,6-enynes are compared and contrasted. Such considerations led to the enantioselective synthesis of a cyathin terpenoid, (+)-allocyathin B(2) (1). The synthesis features a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) to install the initial quaternary center, a Ru-catalyzed diastereoselective cycloisomerization to construct the six-membered ring, and a diastereoselective hydroxylative Knoevenagel reaction to introduce the final hydroxyl group. We demonstrate for the first time a mechanism-based stereochemical divergence in Pd- and Ru-catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions as well as in creation of alkene geometry with alkynes bearing a carboalkoxy group. Mechanistic rationalization is proposed for these observations.     

Strategy for employing unstabilized nucleophiles in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylations

We report a strategy for the employment of highly unstabilized anions in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylations (AAA). The "hard" 2-methylpyridyl nucleophiles studied are first reacted in situ with BF3.OEt2; subsequent deprotonation of the resulting complexes with LiHMDS affords "soft" anions that are competent nucleophiles in AAA reactions. The reaction is selective for the 2-position of methylpyridines and tolerates bulky aryl and alkyl substitution at the 3-, 4-, and 5-positions. Investigations into the reaction mechanism demonstrate that the configuration of the allylic stereocenter is retained, consistent with the canonical outer sphere mechanism invoked for palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution processes of stabilized anions.     

A versatile stereocontrolled approach to chiral tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydropyran derivatives by use of sequential asymmetric Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons and ring-closure reactions

An approach to chiral tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydropyran derivatives based on the sequential use of an asymmetric Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction and a cyclization step is presented. The approach is both stereochemically and structurally versatile since three different cyclization methods can be employed starting from the same HWE product: (i) palladium-catalyzed substitution, (ii) hetero-Michael addition, or (iii) epoxide opening. The asymmetric HWE reaction controls the absolute configuration of the ultimate product, whereas the relative configuration is controlled by the combined influence of the geometric selectivity in the HWE reaction and the stereochemistry of the respective cyclization method.     

Iridium-catalyzed allylic vinylation and asymmetric allylic amination reactions with o-aminostyrenes

An Ir-catalyzed allylic vinylation reaction of allyl carbonates with o-aminostyrene derivatives has been realized, providing skipped (Z,E)-diene derivatives. With (E)-but-2-ene-1,4-diyl dimethyl dicarbonate as the substrate, an efficient enantioselective synthesis of 1-benzazepine derivatives via an Ir-catalyzed domino allylic vinylation/intramolecular allylic amination reaction has been developed. Mechanistic studies of the allylic vinylation reaction have been carried out, and the results suggest that the leaving group of the allylic precursor plays a key role in directing the reaction pathway. Screening of various allylic precursors showed that Ir-catalyzed reactions of allyl diethyl phosphates with o-aminostyrene derivatives proceed via an allylic amination pathway. A subsequent ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction of the amination products led to a series of enantiomerically enriched 1,2-dihydroquinoline derivatives. Their utility is indicated by an asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-angustureine.     

Influences on the regioselectivity of palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations

Chelated amino acid ester enolates are excellent nucleophiles for palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations. These enolates react rapidly at -78 degrees C and in general without isomerization of pi-allyl palladium complexes. Therefore, they are good candidates for mechanistic studies and regioselective reactions. Terminal pi-allyl palladium complexes are preferentially attacked at the least hindered position giving rise to linear products, as illustrated with several (E)-configured allylic substrates. Under isomerization free conditions the branched products are formed preferentially from the corresponding (Z)-allyl substrates. An interesting behavior is observed in the reaction of secondary allylic substrates. Aryl-substituted substrates show a significant memory effect which can be explained by an asymmetric pi-allyl complex. For alkyl-substituted substrates a strong dependence of the regioselectivity on the leaving group is observed, which can be explained by different conformations in the ionization step. Under isomerization free conditions the product ratio gives important information about this step.     

Synthesis and reactions of (E)- and (Z)-1,3-dibromo-2-methoxypropene

(Z)-1,3-Dibromo-2-methoxypropene is prepared in 90% yield by dehydrohalogenation of 1,2,3-tribromo-2-methoxypropane with diisopropylamine in dichloromethane. The E-isomer can be obtained as the only product in almost quantitative yield by UV irradiation of the Z-isomer. Nucleophilic displacement reactions of the allylic bromide and palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions of the vinylic bromide in (E)- and (Z)-1,3-dibromo-2-methoxypropene have been studied.     

Palladium-catalyzed stereospecific synthesis of 2,6-disubstituted tetrahydropyrans: 1,3-chirality transfer by an intramolecular oxypalladation reaction

PdCl2(CH3CN)2 (10 mol %) catalyzed reactions of non-3-ene-2,8-diols 1 and 2 gave 2,6-disubstituted tetrahydropyrans 3 and 4 in excellent yields with high diastereoselectivities (>20:1). Intramolecular cyclizations of the hydroxy nucleophile to the chiral allylic alcohol take place efficiently under mild conditions. A new stereogenic center is generated on the tetrahydropyran ring by 1,3-chirality transfer from the chiral allylic alcohol via a syn-SN2' type process. Cis tetrahydropyran 3E was formed from syn-2,8-diols 1a and 2a, and trans tetrahydropyran 4E was formed from anti-2,8-diol 1b, stereospecifically. Cis tetrahydropyran bearing a cis alkene 3Z was obtained from 2b at -40 degrees C, while 4E was formed from 2b in the presence of catalytic amount of water at -40 degrees C. The face selectivity of these cyclizations can be rationalized by taking a favorable conformation of the intermediary Pd pi-complex with allylic alcohols, escaping the allylic strain and 1,3-diaxial interactions. A stereocontrolled synthesis of optically pure 2-alkenyl-6-methyltetrahydropyran 17 was achieved efficiently in four steps from 6-silyloxy-1-heptyne 13 with an aldehyde and included asymmetric alkynylation, partial reduction of alkyne, deprotection of the silyl group, and the stereospecific cyclization.     

Novel C2-symmetric planar chiral diphosphine ligands and their application in pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitutions

Novel C(2)-symmetric diphosphine ligands possessing only the planar chirality of ruthenocene, 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-2,2'-disubstituted-ruthenocenes (4), were prepared. With this kind of ligands, excellent enantioselectivity and especially highly catalytic activity in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitutions of rac-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate (9) were observed, compared to their ferrocene analogues 1. Good enantioselectivity and highly catalytic activity were also obtained with 4 in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitutions of cyclohexen-1-yl acetate (12). Further study on the effect of R in ester group on enantioselectivity of 4 showed an opposite trend compared with their ferrocene analogues 1 in asymmetric allylic substitutions. For ruthenocene ligands 4, the one with the smaller R in the ester group gave higher enantioselectivity for the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitutions of 9, while a converse trend had been observed with 1. However, for the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitutions of 12, ligand 4 with a larger R in the ester group resulted in somewhat higher enantioselectivity but still an opposite trend with ligand 1. The X-ray diffraction study of crystal structures of 4 and 1 with Pd(II) was carried out and showed that the enantioselectivity was correlated to the twist angle existing in the palladium complex.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-Allylic Silanes by Copper-Mediated Substitution Reactions of Allylic Carbamates with Grignard Reagents

Both (Z)- and (E)-allylic silanes were prepared with high stereoselectivity by the copper-mediated substitution of allylic carbamates by organometallic reagents. The reaction of alkylmagnesium reagents with (E)-allylic carbamates provides (Z)-allylic silanes, whereas both alkylmagnesium and alkyllithium reagents react with (Z)-allylic carbamates to afford (E)-allylic silanes. Because Grignard reagents are often more facile to prepare than alkyllithium species, these reagents are the optimal nucleophiles for the synthesis of both (Z)- and (E)-allylic silanes. This method also allows readily available nonracemic allylic carbamates to be converted to chiral, nonracemic (Z)- and (E)-allylic silanes with high stereoselectivity.     

Synthesis and catalytic applications of new chiral ferrocenyl P,O ligands

A new method to synthesize both enantiomers of 2-diphenylphosphino-ferrocenecarboxaldehyde with the phosphine group protected as a thiophosphine group was developed. These aldehydes react with 1,2 or 1,3 diols to give, in good yields, new chiral phosphine-acetals. For unsymmetrical (R)-1,3-butanediol, the new asymmetrical acetalic carbon is asymmetric and its configuration was completely controlled by the chirality of the diol. These new P,O ligands were tested in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enylacetate. Good yields and enantioselectivities up to 77% were observed. The catalytic performances of two diastereoisomeric ligands with opposite configurations in planar chirality only proved to be significantly different, showing a strong influence of both planar and central chiralities.