Acyclic and cyclic aminophosphonic acids: asymmetric syntheses mediated by chiral sulfinyl auxiliary

Aminophosphonic acids have become increasingly important in different fields of chemistry, medicine and agriculture. This account outlines the results obtained in the author’s laboratory on the asymmetric synthesis of acyclic and cyclic aminophosphonic acids mediated by chiral sulfinyl auxiliary. A key reaction in the synthesis of enantiopure α- and β-aminoalkanephosphonic acids involving a highly diastereoselective addition of phosphite anions or α-phosphonate carbanions to enantiopure sulfinimines is discussed. The asymmetric cyclopropanation of enantiopure α-phosphorylvinyl sulfoxides with sulfur ylides is presented as a platform for developing a new approach to optically active β-aminocyclopropanephosphonic acids. It is exemplified by the total synthesis of enantiopure β-amino-γ-phenylcyclopropanephosphonic acid - a constrained analogue of the GABA_B antagonist phaclofen.     

Design of a new and highly effective chiral auxiliary for Diels-Alder reaction of 1-aminodiene

A theoretical investigation of the facial selectivity of optically active oxazolidin-2-one-substituted dienes has been realized. This analysis enabled the development of (R)-4-phenyloxazolidin-2-thione as a very effective chiral auxiliary for cycloaddition of 1-aminodiene.     

Application of axially dissymmetric ligand recoverable with fluorous solvent as a chiral auxiliary

(Ra)-(R)₂-2,2′-Bis(1-hydroxy-1H-perfluorooctyl)biphenyl ((Ra)-(R)₂-1c), which is an axially dissymmetric ligand with two chiral centers, works as a good chiral auxiliary for asymmetric aldol reaction. Thus, the reaction of monopropanoyl ester of 1c (2) with benzaldehyde in the presence of triethylamine and titanium(IV) chloride gave (2R),(3S)- and (2R),(3R)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-phenylpropanoic acid esters (3a) in an approximate ratio of 4:1 in a total high yield. This result shows that stereoselectivity at 2-position is quite high, while that at 3-position is moderate. Both isomers were easily separated by column chromatography. Methanolysis of the separated isomers gave nearly quantitative recovery of 1c by extraction with a fluorous solvent without any loss of ee, while methyl (2R),(3S)- or (2R),(3R)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-phenylpropanoates were obtained by CH₂Cl₂ extraction quantitatively in >99% ee. Aldol reaction of 2 with various aldehydes gave similar results.     

Development of an effective chiral auxiliary for hydroxyalkyl radicals

The development of an effective chiral auxiliary for hydroxyalkyl radicals is delineated. Both the 2-tetrahydropyranyl (THP) and tri-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl (GLU) auxiliaries resulted in diastereoselective radical additions to methyl acrylate at -78 degrees C (ds = 6/1 and 11/1, respectively). The developing stereochemistry at the radical center was completely under auxiliary control. Correlation experiments showed that the D-GLU auxiliary led to attack on the radical Si-face. The selectivity of these radical additions dropped-off considerably when the more reactive 2-nitropropene trap was employed. Computational studies suggested that the observed facial selectivity was due primarily to entropic factors in the transition state but that a smaller temperature-dependent enthalpic contribution was also involved. It was hypothesized that incorporation of a quaternary center at C-6 (THP numbering) would restore the facial selectivity with more reactive radical traps by restricting the orientations available to the incoming alkene. In the event, the trans-6-tert-butyltetrahydropyranyl (tBu-THP) auxiliary resulted in very good diastereoselection with 2-nitropropene (ds = 35/1 at -78 degrees C, 15/1 at 0 degrees C, and 8/1 at RT) as did the tri-O-benzyl-6,6-dimethyl-2-alpha-D-deoxyglucopyranosyl (diMe-GLU) auxiliary during additions to ethyl alpha-trifluoroacetoxyacrylate (ds = 10/1 at 0 degrees C). A protocol for recovery of the sugar-derived chiral auxiliaries was also established. This work sets the stage for the development of a novel approach to 1, 3, 5.(2n + 1) polyols based on iterative radical homologation as well as the application of these pyranosidic auxiliaries to other synthetically important reactions.     

Synthesis and reduction of chiral sulfinyl cyclohexanones

The reaction of cyclohexanone with (S)-(−)-menthyl-p-toluenesulfinate in the presence of Prⁱ₂NMgBr yields a mixture of enantiomerically pure 2-p-tolylsulfinylcyclohexanone diastereoisomers. Their stereoselective reduction to chiral hydroxysulfoxides is also reported.     

New chiral auxiliary: Optically active thiol derived from camphor

A new camphor based mercapto chiral auxiliary has been prepared, and demonstrated to induce very high chiral inductions in the diastereoselective reductions of -sulfinylketones, in the presence of bivalent Lewis acids.     

New highly efficient aziridine-functionalized tridentate sulfinyl catalysts for enantioselective diethylzinc addition to carbonyl compounds

New tridentate enantiomerically pure heteroorganic catalysts, containing hydroxyl, sulfinyl, and aziridine moieties, have proven to be highly efficient in the enantioselective diethylzinc addition to aryl and alkyl aldehydes to give the desired products in very high yields (up to 99%) and with ee’s up to 97%. The influence of the stereogenic centers located on the sulfinyl sulfur atom and in the aziridine moiety on the stereochemical course of the reaction are discussed.     

5,5-Dimethyl-2-phenylamino-2-oxazoline as an effective chiral auxiliary for asymmetric alkylations

The novel chiral auxiliaries, 5,5-diphenyl-2-phenylamino-2-oxazoline and 5,5-dimethyl-2-phenylamino-2-oxazoline, were prepared from l-valine methyl ester. The 5,5-dimethyl compound was shown to be a particularly effective chiral auxiliary for asymmetric alkylation affording high yields and diastereoselectivities.     

New chiral auxiliaries for highly stereoselective asymmetric methoxyselenenylations

Replacement of the 2-keto group of readily available di(endo-3-camphoryl) diselenide with oxime or O-benzoyloxime substituents, followed by conversion into the corresponding selenenyl triflates, produced highly effective chiral selenium electrophiles for the asymmetric oxyselenenylation of alkenes in the presence of methanol.     

Bis((2-methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine)phosphine as effective chiral auxiliary for the stereoselective synthesis of chiral ferrocenyl diphosphines

The bis(2-methoxymethyl pyrrolidine)phosphine moiety is shown to be a very effective chiral auxiliary for the ortho- and diastereoselective lithiation of ferrocene, thereby allowing the highly selective attachment of various electrophiles to the cyclopentadienyl ring of ferrocene. The potential of the methodology is demonstrated by the synthesis of Kephos, a new family of ferrocenyl diphosphines and of OH-Taniaphos derivatives.     

A highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of optically active alpha, gamma-substituted gamma-butyrolactones using a chiral auxiliary derived from isosorbide

Using an easily accessible and inexpensive chiral auxiliary derived from isosorbide, optically active alpha,gamma-substituted gamma-butyrolactones were obtained in high enantiomeric purity (up to >99% ee for trans) by the SmI(2)-induced reductive coupling of chiral methacrylate 7 with ketones in the presence of (-)-sultam as a proton source.     

Role of pseudoephedrine as chiral auxiliary in the "acetate-type" aldol reaction with chiral aldehydes; asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized chiral building blocks

We have studied in depth the aldol reaction between acetamide enolates and chiral α-heterosubstituted aldehydes using pseudoephedrine as chiral auxiliary under double stereodifferentiation conditions, showing that high diastereoselectivities can only be achieved under the matched combination of reagents and provided that the α-heteroatom-containing substituent of the chiral aldehyde is conveniently protected. Moreover, the obtained highly functionalized aldols have been employed as very useful starting materials for the stereocontrolled preparation of other interesting compounds and chiral building blocks such as pyrrolidines, indolizidines, and densely functionalized β-hydroxy and β-amino ketones using simple and high-yielding methodologies.     

New chiral monodentate phospholane ligands by highly stereoselective hydrophosphination

New chiral phospholanes 6 were prepared in both enantiomeric forms starting from l- and d-tartaric acid. The key step in the synthetic sequence is the double hydrophosphination of unsaturated chiral bis(lactone) 9 by NaPhPH(BH₃). This method was used for the first time in the formation of chiral phospholanes. The structure of phospholane 6a was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. σ-Donor properties of the phospholanes were estimated by measurement of ¹J(³¹P–⁷⁷Se) coupling constants in the corresponding phosphine selenides. The new phospholanes were tested as ligands in the Rh-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of functionalized standard olefins (65–92% ee).     

Enantioselective synthesis of diverse sulfinamides and sulfinylferrocenes from phenylglycine-derived chiral sulfinyl transfer agent

A new chiral sulfinyl transfer auxiliary derived from readily available phenylglycine was developed. This auxiliary is utilized to synthesize a diverse array of alkyl- and arylsulfinamides and sulfinylferrocenes in high yields and excellent ee's. The desired products are produced in a one-pot sequence from the oxathiazolidine 2-oxide by two sequential nucleophilic additions that proceed in a stereospecific manner.     

Exploiting π-shielding interactions: a highly selective chiral auxiliary derived from a biogenic building block

A chiral auxiliary template, designed on the basis of π-shielding capability has been prepared from readily available L-proline. Cycloaddition to an acrylate derivative gave high endo preference, and diastereoselectivity as high as 99% was attainable. The electronic factors contributing to selectivity were probed, and the technology successfully applied to a polymer supported variant.     

Readily available, recoverable and soluble polymer-monophosphite ligands for highly enantioselective Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation

A new family of readily available, recoverable and soluble polymer-monophosphite ligands were prepared and successfully used in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides and beta-dehydroamino acid esters, in which up to 99 and 99.9% ee were obtained, respectively.     

Asymmetric desymmetrization based on an intramolecular haloetherification: a highly effective and recyclable chiral nonracemic auxiliary, 2-exo-methyl-3-endo-phenyl-5-norbornene-2-carboxaldehyde, for meso-1,3- and meso-1,4-diols

A new chiral auxiliary, a 3-endo-phenyl norbornene aldehyde derivative, which is a crystalline, very stable, and easily handled, was developed for the desymmetrization of meso-1,3- and meso-1,4-diols. The key step of the method, an intramolecular bromoetherification, proceeded in a highly diastereoselective manner. A four-step sequence, 1) acetalization, 2) intramolecular bromoetherification followed by acid hydrolysis, 3) protection of the alcohol, and 4) retrobromoetherification, transformed the meso-diols into optically active derivatives. The 3-endo-phenyl norbornene aldehyde derivative was simultaneously reformed and could be used repeatedly. This is the first chemical example of a single auxiliary that is applicable for highly enantioselective desymmetrization of meso-1,3- and meso-1,4-diols; to the best of our knowledge, this is the best chemical method available for the desymmetrization of meso-1,4-diols.     

Trifluoromethylated amino alcohol as chiral auxiliary for highly diastereoselective and fast Simmons–Smith cyclopropanation of allylic amine

Three advantages of a trifluoromethylated amino alcohol auxiliary in the Simmons–Smith cyclopropanation of allylic amines are described. The trifluoromethylated amino alcohol auxiliary reduces unwanted side reactions induced by its acidic, and thus less nucleophilic, hydroxy group. The auxiliary accelerated the reaction rate by its electron-withdrawing effect, and promoted the reaction with excellent diastereoselectivity.     

Asymmetric synthesis of ethoxydienamines in superbasic medium mediated by chiral sulfinyl group

The direct addition of metalated alkoxydiene 2, obtained from α,β-unsaturated acetal 1 through a LIC-KOR-promoted conjugated elimination reaction, to enantiopure sulfinimines 3 (both R and SN-sulfinyl imines) afforded N-sulfinyl alkoxydienyl amines 4 with high diastereoselectivity. Functionalized enantiopure alkoxydienyl amines 5 were then easily obtained upon the selective removal of the chiral auxiliary under mild conditions. Moreover, the further hydrolysis of the alkoxydienyl moiety gave access to protected enantiopure β-keto amines 7.     

Preparation of 1-ferrocenyl-2-methyl-1-propylamine,a highly effective chiral template in asymmetrically induced synthesis

The 1-ferrocenyl-2-methyl-1-propylamine (2a)is the most effective chiral template in asymmetrically induced peptide synthesis by stereoselective four component condensation (4CC). Two routes for the synthesis of this amine via its N,N-dimethyl derivative (12a) an described. One route involves the conversion of 12a into the corresponding azide 14a by treatment with methyl iodide/sodium azide in diglyme/water and subsequent reduction of the azide. The preferred other route consists of treating 12a with thioglycolic acid/formic acid to yield the carboxymethylmercapto derivative 9a and transformation of the latter into 2a with aqueous ammonia/ammonium chloride/mercuric chloride. Some related reactions are also discussed.