Catalytic asymmetric dihydroxylation of substituted trans-stilbene derivatives: implications of the variation of enantioselectivities on the mechanism of OsO4 addition to olefins

The OsO₄ catalyzed asymmetric dihydroxylation of substituted trans-stilbene derivatives using 9-O-acetyldihydrocinchonidine as chiral ligand gives the corresponding diols with lower enantioselectivity in the case of substrates containing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents. The Hammett correlations of the enantiomeric ratios exhibit non-linear plots, in accordance with the conclusion that the reaction involves a 1,3-dipolar type [3+2] cycloaddition transition state.     

Enantioselective oxidative coupling of methyl 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate using mono-N-alkylated octahydrobinaphthyl-2,2′-diamine ligand

Mono-N-alkylated octahydrobinaphthyl-2,2′-diamine (H₈-BINAM) chiral ligands were employed in the catalytic and asymmetric oxidative coupling of methyl 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate to the corresponding binaphthol derivative. The diamine ligand with one N-(3-pentyl) group shows highest enantioselectivity in the biaryl coupling among other BINAM derivatives, and the coupling reaction proceeds faster than the reactions using alkanediamine ligands.     

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Highly Enantioselective [3+3]-Cycloaddition of β-Aryl/Alkyl Vinyl Diazoacetates with Nitrones

β-Aryl/alkyl vinyl diazoacetates were investigated in metallo-vinylcarbene reactions with nitrones, revealing a Rh₂(OAc)₄-catalyzed cyclopropene dimerization reaction and a copper(I) catalyzed [3+3]-cycloaddition of nitrones. The chiral cyclopropyl-In-SaBox ligand with copper(I) catalysis could realize the asymmetric version of the cycloaddition reaction, delivering various 3,6-dihydro-1,2-oxazine derivatives in good yield and with excellent enantioselectivity under mild conditions.     

Grignard cross-coupling catalyzed by chiral phosphino–quincorine and phosphino–quincoridine derivatives

New β-aminoalkylphosphines with a stereogenic nitrogen center have been synthesized from quincorine and quincoridine. Nickel catalysts were studied for their enantioselectivity in the asymmetric Kumada–Corriu reaction. The (2S,4S,5R)-2-diphenylphosphinomethyl-5-ethyl-quinuclidine–nickel complex led to e.e. of 85% for the cross-coupling of 1-phenylethylmagnesium chloride with vinyl bromide.     

Highly selective oxidative cross-coupling of 2-naphthol derivatives with chiral copper(I)-bisoxazoline catalysts

The asymmetric oxidative coupling reaction of 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate and 2-naphthol derivatives with the CuCl-(S)-(−)-2,2′-isopropylidenebis(4-phenyl-2-oxazoline) catalyst under an O₂ atmosphere was carried out. The reaction proceeded in a highly cross-coupling selective manner (?99.7%) with a moderate enantioselectivity of up to 65%.     

A new C2-symmetric azolium compound for Cu-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of R2Zn to cyclic enone

A new chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand was designed. Thus, an efficient synthetic route to C₂-symmetric bis(hydroxyamide)-functionalized benzimidazolium salts from chiral β-amino alcohols was developed. The combination of Cu(OTf)₂ and the chiral azolium compound efficiently promoted the conjugate addition reaction of cyclic enone with dialkylzinc to give the corresponding adduct in good yield. Among a series of chiral NHC proligands, the functionalized benzimidazolium chloride possessing a tert-butyl group as a stereodirecting group was found to be the best choice of ligand. Under optimized reaction conditions, an excellent enantioselectivity (96% ee) was realized by allowing 2-cyclohepten-1-one to react with Bu₂Zn at room temperature.     

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of atropisomeric 2-aryl-4-quinolinone derivatives with an N–C chiral axis

In the presence of an (R)-MOP-Pd₂(dba)₃ catalyst, the reaction of ortho-tert-butylaniline with 2-bromophenyl arylethynyl ketone proceeded via a tandem amination (1,4-addition of aniline to an ynone and subsequent intramolecular Buchwald–Hartwig amination) to afford axially chiral N-(2-tert-butylphenyl)-2-aryl-4-quinolinone derivatives with moderate enantioselectivity (up to 72% ee).     

Asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone catalyzed by cinchonidine stabilized Ir/SiO2

A series of silica (SiO₂) supported iridium catalysts stabilized by cinchona alkaloids was prepared and applied in the heterogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone. Cinchona alkaloids exhibited a marked ability to stabilize and disperse the Ir particles. In the presence of (1S,2S)-diphenylethylenediamine ((1S,2S)-DPEN)) as chiral modifier, the cinchonidine (CD) stabilized catalyst 5%Ir/2CD-SiO₂ exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone in MeOH. Under the optimum conditions, the ee value of (R)-phenylethanol achieved 79.8% and no other product was produced, a higher enantioselectivity than that reported up to now for acetophenone hydrogenation catalyzed by the supported metal catalysts modified by chiral reagents. In particular, a synergistic effect between (1S,2S)-DPEN and CD was observed, which significantly accelerated the reaction rate and enhanced the enantioselectivity. The catalyst can be reused several times without a significant loss of activity and enantioselectivity.     

A novel,C2-symmetric,chiral bis-cyclosulfinamide-olefin tridentate ligand in Rh-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-additions

A C₂-symmetric, chiral bis-cyclosulfinamide-olefin ligand composed of two 1-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1,2-benzisothiazole moieties with rigid skeletons and a conformationally flexible butenylene chain is disclosed for the first time. HRMS and ¹H NMR analyses verify that the in situ-generated complex of the ligand and [Rh(C₂H₄)₂Cl]₂ possesses a rhodium (I) center coordinated to the tridentate ligand via two sulfinyl moieties and a CdbndC bond. The chiral ligand provided extremely high enantioselectivity (up to >99%ee) in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-additions of arylboronic acids to cyclohexenone and cyclopentenone. The tridentate ligand gave much higher enantioselectivity than the analogous chiral bidentate ligands.     

Dihydroboronium derivatives of (S,S)-1,2-bis(t-butylmethylphosphino)ethane as convenient chiral ligand precursors

Dihydroboronium derivatives of (S,S)-1,2-bis(t-butylmethylphosphino)ethane (t-Bu-BisP*) were prepared and used as chiral diphosphine ligand precursors in Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl (Z)-acetamidocinnamate to afford the hydrogenation product in up to 94% enantioselectivity.     

Efficient novel 1,2-diphosphite ligands derived from d-mannitol in the Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

A novel Pd/1,2-diphosphite catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3-diarylpropenyl acetate with malonates was developed. Catalyst optimization via a variation in the protecting groups at the 1,2- and/or 5,6-positions of d-mannitol skeleton and in biaryl moieties of the ligands led to a ‘lead’ catalyst, which efficiently mediated the allylic alkylations. The activities and enantioselectivities of the reaction clearly showed that the stereogenic centers of the skeleton and the axially chiral diaryl moieties of the ligands had a synergic effect. The ligand 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3,4-bis[(S)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl]phosphite-d-mannitol afforded excellent yields (up to 99%) and high levels of enantioselectivies (ee up to 98%) in 1,4-dioxane/CH₂Cl₂ mixture (v/v, 1:1) using [Pd(π-allyl)Cl]₂ as catalytic precursor and LiOAc as base. Dramatic changes in the sense and in the degree of the enantioselectivity depending on the configuration of the diaryl moieties of the ligands and reaction conditions were observed.     

Synthesis of chiral iridium complexes immobilized on amphiphilic polymers and their application to asymmetric catalysis

This article details the enantioselective catalytic performance of crosslinked, polymer immobilized, Ir‐based, chiral complexes for transfer hydrogenation of cyclic imines to chiral amines. Polymerization of the achiral vinyl monomer, divinylbenzene, and a polymerizable chiral 1,2‐diamine monosulfonamide ligand followed by complexation with [IrCl₂Cp*]₂ affords the crosslinked polymeric chiral complex, which can be successfully applied to asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of cyclic imines. Polymeric catalysts prepared from amphiphilic achiral monomers have high catalytic activity in the reaction and can be used both in organic solvents and water to give chiral cyclic amines with a high level of enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee). The asymmetric reaction allows for reuse of the heterogeneous catalyst without any loss in activity or enantioselectivity over several runs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3037–3044     

Catalytic asymmetric Michael reactions of dibenzyl malonate to α,β-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles using a La(O-iPr)3/Ph-linked-BINOL complex

Catalytic asymmetric Michael reactions of a malonate to acyclic α,β-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles as ester equivalent acceptors are described. A La(O-iPr)₃/(S,S)-linked-BINOL complex, which is suitable for Michael addition to cyclic enones, is not suitable for acyclic α,β-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles. A new (S,S)-Ph-linked-BINOL chiral ligand was developed to improve enantioselectivity, and a La(O-iPr)₃/(S,S)-Ph-linked-BINOL complex with the addition of HFIP afforded Michael adducts in good yield and enantioselectivity (up to 96% ee).     

Enantioselective arylation of aldehydes catalyzed by a soluble optically active polybinaphthols ligand

A soluble chiral polymer ligand was synthesized by the polymerization of (R)-6,6′-dibutyl-3,3′-diformyl-2,2′-binaphthol (R-M-1) with 2,5-diaminopyridine (M-2) via a nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction. While arylboronic acids were used as the source of the transferable aryl group, the chiral polybinaphthols ligand in combination with Et₂Zn without Ti(OⁱPr)₄ exhibited higher enantioselectivity in asymmetric addition to aromatic aldehydes than alphatic aldehydes. When aromatic aldehydes with electron-withdrawing groups were chosen as substrates, the resulting diarylmethanols were produced in higher ee values than those with electron-donating groups as substrates. 2-Naphthaldehyde used as a substrate afforded product in 95% ee, which could be ascribed to the steric effect influence on this asymmetric arylation reaction. Moreover, the chiral polymer was easily recovered and reused, but exhibited a decrease of enantioselectivity in the third recycle.     

Synthesis of a C1 symmetric BINOL-terpyridine ligand and highly enantioselective methyl propiolate addition to aromatic aldehydes

A novel C₁ symmetric BINOL-terpyridine ligand (R)-5 is synthesized. This ligand in combination with ZnEt₂ and Ti(OⁱPr)₄ is found to catalyze the highly enantioselective reaction (up to 98% ee) of methyl propiolate with a variety of aromatic aldehydes at 0 °C to give the synthetically useful γ-hydroxy-α,β-acetylenic esters. In comparison with the previously reported BINOL system, the use of (R)-5 requires a reduced amount of the chiral ligand without the addition of a Lewis base. It shows higher enantioselectivity for a number of substrates.     

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Annulation of ortho‐Alkynylanilines: Synthesis of Axially Chiral Naphthyl‐C2‐indoles

A chiral Brønsted base catalyzed asymmetric annulation of ortho‐alkynylanilines has been developed to access axially chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles via vinylidene ortho‐quinone methide (VQM) intermediates. This strategy provides a unique organocatalytic atroposelective route to axially chiral aryl‐C2‐indole skeletons with excellent enantioselectivity and functional‐group tolerance. This transformation was applicable to decagram‐scale preparation (50.0 g) with perfect enantioselectivity through simple recrystallization. Moreover, the utility of this reaction was demonstrated by a variety of transformations towards chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles for a series of carbon–heteroatom bond formations. Furthermore, the prepared axially chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles were applied as a chiral skeleton for organocatalytic aza‐Baylis–Hillman reaction and asymmetric formal [4+2] tandem cyclization to give the corresponding adducts in high yields with improved enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.     

Convergent and stereoselective synthesis of vitamin D3 via 3,5-cyclovitamins D3

A convergent and stereoselective synthesis of vitamin D₃ was achieved via 3,5-cyclovitamins D₃ (20) which were prepared from the chiral aldehyde (2) and the vinyl bromide (12) derived from Grundmann's ketone.     

Enantioselective biomimetic transamination of α-keto acids catalyzed by H4-naphthalene-derived axially chiral biaryl pyridoxamines

Asymmetric biomimetic transamination is a highly attractive method for synthesis of chemically and biologically important chiral amino acids and chiral amines. Development of chiral pyridoxamines/pyridoxals is the key for the reaction. New axially chiral biaryl pyridoxamines based on H₄-naphathene skeleton have been developed. The pyridoxamines display good enantioselectivity and high catalytic activity in asymmetric biomimetic transamination of α-keto acids, affording various optically active unnatural amino acids in 61–98% yields with up to 91% ee’s.     

Axially dissymmetric binaphthyldiimine chiral salen-type ligands for copper-catalyzed asymmetric aziridination

Axially dissymmetric chiral salen-type ligands 1–4 and 7 were prepared from the reaction of (R)-(+)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine with 2,6-dichlorobenzaldehyde, 2,3-dichlorobenzaldehyde, 3,4-dichlorobenzaldehyde or salicylaldehyde in high yields, respectively. The catalytic asymmetric aziridination of alkenes has been examined using these novel chiral ligands. Excellent enantioselectivity in the aziridination of cinnamates has been achieved using the C₂-symmetric chiral ligand 1.     

Studies on Cu-catalyzed asymmetric alkynylation of tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives

Enantioselective C–C bond formations between the sp³ C–H bond of prochiral CH₂ and terminal alkynes via the cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction were studied. Efficient asymmetric syntheses of alkynyl tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives were achieved by using a catalytic amount of CuOTf together with PyBox chiral ligand. When dihydroisoquinolinium salts were used as electrophiles, the combination of CuBr/QUINAP provided the best results for asymmetric syntheses of alkynyl tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives. The factors influencing the enantioselectivity were studied.