Stereochemical diversity in asymmetric cyclization via memory of chirality

An enantiodivergent asymmetric cyclization of N-Boc-N-omega-bromoalkyl-alpha-amino acid derivatives has been developed. With potassium amide bases in DMF, cyclization proceeds with retention of configuration, while inversion of configuration was observed with lithium amide bases in THF. Chirality of the parent amino acids was preserved during enolate formation and cyclization to give aza-cyclic amino acids in up to 98% ee with retention of configuration or inversion of configuration, depending on the reaction conditions. Thus, both enantiomers of cyclic amino acids with a tetrasubstituted stereocenter were prepared in high enantiomeric purity from readily available l-alpha-amino acids. This protocol is also applicable to a spirocyclization and an intramolecular conjugate addition of alpha-amino acid derivatives, giving either of the enantiomers of a diazaspiro compound and a tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative, respectively, in up to 99% ee.     

Amino acid catalyzed neogenesis of carbohydrates: a plausible ancient transformation

Hexose sugars play a fundamental role in vital biochemical processes and their biosynthesis is achieved through enzyme-catalyzed pathways. Herein we disclose the ability of amino acids to catalyze the asymmetric neogenesis of carbohydrates by sequential cross-aldol reactions. The amino acids mediate the asymmetric de novo synthesis of natural L- and D-hexoses and their analogues with excellent stereoselectivity in organic solvents. In some cases, the four new stereocenters are assembled with almost absolute stereocontrol. The unique feature of these results is that, when an amino acid is employed as the catalyst, a single reaction sequence can convert a protected glycol aldehyde into a hexose in one step. For example, proline and its derivatives catalyze the asymmetric neogenesis of allose with >99 % ee in one chemical manipulation. Furthermore, all amino acids tested catalyzed the asymmetric formation of natural sugars under prebiotic conditions, with alanine being the smallest catalyst. The inherent simplicity of this catalytic process suggests that a catalytic prebiotic "gluconeogenesis" may occur, in which amino acids transfer their stereochemical information to sugars. In addition, the amino acid catalyzed stereoselective sequential cross-aldol reactions were performed as a two-step procedure with different aldehydes as acceptors and nucleophiles. The employment of two different amino acids as catalysts for the iterative direct aldol reactions enabled the asymmetric synthesis of deoxysugars with >99 % ee. In addition, the direct amino acid catalyzed C(2)+C(2)+C(2) methodology is a new entry for the short, highly enantioselective de novo synthesis of carbohydrate derivatives, isotope-labeled sugars, and polyketide natural products. The one-pot asymmetric de novo syntheses of deoxy and polyketide carbohydrates involved a novel dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) mediated by an amino acid.     

Asymmetric synthesis of fused bicyclic alpha-amino acids having a hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyridine skeleton via intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction of 1-sulfonimidoyl-substituted 5-azaoct-1-en-7-ynes

An asymmetric synthesis of fused bicyclic amino acids having a hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyridine skeleton and carrying besides an enone structural element a substituent at the beta-position is described. The key steps of the synthesis are a highly selective allylation of N-tert-butylsulfonyl imino ester with bis(allylsulfoximine)titanium complexes and a highly diastereoselective Pauson-Khand cycloaddition of sulfonimidoyl-substituted gamma,delta-unsaturated alpha-amino acid esters carrying a substituent at the beta-position and a propargyl group at the N-atom. The cyclization is accompanied by a reductive cleavage of the sulfoximine group of the primary cyclization product. Surprisingly, the removal of the sulfoximine group proceeds with inversion of the configuration at the S-atom and gives N-methyl-phenylsulfinamide with >/=98% ee. Deprotection of the bicyclic N-tert-butylsulfonyl-protected amino acid ester was accomplished through treatment with CF(3)SO(3)H under anhydrous conditions. The enantio- and diastereomerically pure sulfoximine-substituted gamma,delta-unsaturated alpha-amino acid esters used as starting material were obtained through a highly regio- and diastereoselective allylation of N-tert-butylsulfonyl imino ester with acyclic bis(allylsulfoximine)titanium complexes, described previously.     

General approach for the stereocontrolled construction of the beta-lactam ring in amino acid-derived 4-alkyl-4-carboxy-2-azetidinones

The first general approach toward the asymmetric synthesis of 4-alkyl-4-carboxy-2-azetidinones derived from amino acids is described. The stereoselective construction of the beta-lactam ring was achieved through base-mediated intramolecular cyclization of the corresponding N(alpha)-chloroacetyl derivatives bearing (+)- or (-)-10-(N,N-dicyclohexylsulfamoyl)isoborneol as chiral auxiliary (ee up to 82%).     

Amino acid mediated intramolecular asymmetric aldol reaction to construct a new chiral bicyclic enedione containing a seven-membered ring: remarkable inversion of enantioselectivity compared to the six-membered ring example

A detailed study to assess the enantioselectivity of the amino acid mediated intramolecular asymmetric aldol reaction of 1,3-cycloheptanedione bearing a C-2 methyl substituent has been undertaken. The cyclizations were mediated by a series of l-amino acids in the presence of an acid cocatalyst. Strikingly, the process is characterized by an inversion of enantioselectivity when compared to a similar reaction involving the 1,3-cyclohexanedione counterpart.     

Synthesis of N-Squaramidoacids and Their Application in Asymmetric Borane Reduction of Prochiral Ketones

A series of novel N-squaramidoacid ligands were prepared conveniently. Without converting to corresponding amino alcohols, these ligands could be used in asymmetric borane reduction of prochiral aromatic ketones to give secondary alcohols in good to excellent enantiomeric excesses. The results showed that N-squaramidoacids are more efficient ligands than N-sulfonyl amino acids. N-Squaryl proline was proved to be an excellent ligand in this catalytic asymmetric process.     

Salicylanilide esterification: unexpected formation of novel seven-membered rings

Novel benzoxazepines were prepared upon esterification of biologically active salicylanilides with some N-protected amino acids. While the desired conjugates of the salicylanilides with the amino acids were obtained when sterically more demanding amino acids were used, benzoxazepines were formed as a result of a seven-exo-trig cyclization in the case of N-protected glycine and alanine. The structures of the products were confirmed by 2D NMR methods, and further transformations of the acyclic conjugates provided additional support for the proposed mechanism of cyclization.     

An efficient synthesis of isocoumarins via a CuI catalyzed cascade reaction process

3-Alkyl isocoumarins are provided by CuI/amino acid-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction of o-bromo benzoic acids and terminal alkynes and the subsequent additive cyclization. This cascade process allows synthesis of diverse isocoumarins by varying both coupling partners bearing a wide range of functional groups.     

The direct amino acid-catalyzed asymmetric incorporation of molecular oxygen to organic compounds

We have disclosed the direct catalytic incorporation of 1O2 to aldehydes. The unprecedented amino acid-catalyzed asymmetric alpha-oxidation of aldehydes with molecular oxygen or air proceeded with high chemoselectivity and was a direct entry for the synthesis of both enantiomers of terminal diols. The results demonstrated that simple amino acids accomplished catalytic asymmetric oxidations with molecular oxygen or air, which has previously been considered to be in the domain of enzymes and chiral transition-metal complexes. The efficiency of the catalytic process may warrant the existence of an ancient pathway for the synthesis of hydroxylated organic compounds.     

An asymmetric synthesis of L-pyrrolysine

An efficient asymmetric synthesis of the 22nd amino acid L-pyrrolysine has been accomplished. The key stereogenic centers were installed by an asymmetric conjugate addition reaction. A Staudinger/aza-Wittig cyclization was used to form the acid-sensitive pyrroline ring. Pyrrolysine was synthesized in 13 steps in 20% overall yield.     

Application of peptidyl radicals into a new radical cascade leading to unsaturated gamma-lactams

Radical cyclization of dipeptides 1a-h proceeds smoothly to give five- and seven-membered rings in good to moderate total yields using Stork's catalytic tin hydride method. A radical is generated on a protecting group and translocated to the peptide moiety. Following a cyclization reaction, the vinyl radical can abstract hydrogen from a benzyl group on an amine, which results in elimination of the protected amine group. Encouraging results have notably been obtained with amino acids other than glycine.     

Amino acid-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT): one-step de novo synthesis of polyketide sugars from racemic β-hydroxy aldehydes

The ability of amino acids to catalyze dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) with excellent stereoselectivity is presented. The novel DYKAT process was applied in the proline-catalyzed one-step de novo synthesis of triketide- and deoxysugars, which were formed with excellent diastereoselectivity and up to 99% ee. The de novo synthesis is accomplished via an enzyme-like DYKAT process, which includes continuous amino acid-mediated racemization of the acceptor β-hydroxy aldehyde in combination with amino acid-catalyzed direct selective aldol addition.     

Synthesis and reactivity of enediynyl amino acids and peptides: a novel concept in lowering the activation energy of Bergman cyclisation by H-bonding and electrostatic interactions

Novel enediynyl amino acids and peptides 3 and 5-8 were synthesized and their thermal reactivity towards Bergman cyclization studied and compared with the earlier reported amino acid 4, which demonstrated, for the first time, the effect of H-bonding and electrostatic interactions in lowering the activation energy of Bergman cyclization.     

Development of sterically hindered SPOs and enantioselective Ni−Al bimetallic catalyzed C−H cyclization of 4-oxoquinazolines with tethered alkenes

The Ni−Al bimetallic catalysis of intramolecular enantioselective and regioselective C−H cyclization of 4-oxoquinazolines with tethered alkenes has been successfully developed. Some new secondary phosphine oxides (SPOs) with large steric hindrance (SPO6-11) were designed and successfully synthesized from readily available chiral amines or amino acids. The developed chiral SPOs as ligands or preligands demonstrate much higher efficiency in the asymmetric catalytic reactions than the reported traditional ones. A new class of chiral tricyclic pyrroloquinazolinones were obtained in up to 95% yield and 99% ee.     

Bioinspired polyene cyclization promoted by intermolecular chiral acetal-SnCl4 or chiral N-acetal-TiCl4: investigation of the mechanism and identification of the key intermediates

New strategies using chiral acetal or chiral mixed-acetal in the presence of Lewis acids (SnCl4 or TiCl4) to promote polyene cyclization reaction are described. Acetal-promoted and mixed-acetal-promoted polyene cyclization products are very versatile and can easily be converted into various optically active tricyclic and tetracyclic terpenoids. One of the derivatives of the cyclization products was obtained up to 96% ee after a single recrystallization. In addition, an oxocarbenium intermediate was found to be responsible for the good asymmetric selectivity for this type of reaction.     

Direct asymmetric intermolecular aldol reactions catalyzed by amino acids and small peptides

In nature there are at least nineteen different acyclic amino acids that act as the building blocks of polypeptides and proteins with different functions. Here we report that alpha-amino acids, beta-amino acids, and chiral amines containing primary amine functions catalyze direct asymmetric intermolecular aldol reactions with high enantioselectivities. Moreover, the amino acids can be combined into highly modular natural and unusual small peptides that also catalyze direct asymmetric intermolecular aldol reactions with high stereoselectivities, to furnish the corresponding aldol products with up to >99 % ee. Simple amino acids and small peptides can thus catalyze asymmetric aldol reactions with stereoselectivities matching those of natural enzymes that have evolved over billions of years. A small amount of water accelerates the asymmetric aldol reactions catalyzed by amino acids and small peptides, and also increases their stereoselectivities. Notably, small peptides and amino acid tetrazoles were able to catalyze direct asymmetric aldol reactions with high enantioselectivities in water, while the parent amino acids, in stark contrast, furnished nearly racemic products. These results suggest that the prebiotic oligomerization of amino acids to peptides may plausibly have been a link in the evolution of the homochirality of sugars. The mechanism and stereochemistry of the reactions are also discussed.     

Copper(II)salen catalysed, asymmetric synthesis of α,α-disubstituted amino acids

Cu(salen) complex 1 was found to be a versatile catalyst for the asymmetric alkylation of a range of enolates derived from α-amino acids, leading to α,α-disubstituted amino acids. The enantioselectivity of the process decreases as the size of the amino acid sidechain increases, but functionalized amino acids such as allylglycine and aspartic acid are substrates for the process. Benzylic bromides are found to be more enantioselective alkylating agents than propargylic bromides. As an example of the utility of this chemistry, an α-propargylic allylglycine derivative is prepared and subjected to ene-yne metathesis using Grubbs' catalyst to give a non-racemic cyclopentenyl amino acid.     

Synthesis of amino acid derived enaminones via Wolff rearrangement using vinylogous amides as carbon nucleophiles

Cyclic enaminones were synthesized in high yields from amino acids in two steps via Wolff rearrangement. The cyclization represents a rare 6-exo-dig cyclization involving a ketene as an electrophile. No racemization was observed during this reaction.     

Asymmetric cyclization of omega-formyl-1,3-dienes catalyzed by a zerovalent nickel complex in the presence of silanes

A nickel(0)-catalyzed asymmetric cyclization of omega-formyl-1,3-diene in the presence of silanes in which five- or six-membered carbocycles or pyrrolidine derivatives were afforded up to 86% ee by the use of (2R,5R)-2,5-dimethyl-1-phenylphospholane as a monodentate chiral ligand was investigated. The reaction course of this asymmetric cyclization can be explained for by two possible mechanisms: one in which the cyclization proceeds via a pi-allylnickel intermediate to produce a cyclized product having an internal olefin in the side chain, and one in which the cyclization proceeds via a sigma bond metathesis of silane and the nickel-oxygen bond of oxanickelacycle to produce a cyclized compound having a terminal olefin and/or an internal olefin in the side chain. It was speculated that both of these mechanisms operate in this asymmetric cyclization depending upon the nature of silanes and the reaction conditions.     

Enantioselective cyclization of 4-alkenoic acids via an oxidative allylic C-H esterification

An enantioselective intramolecular oxidative cyclization of 4-alkenoic acids was developed. The reaction proceeded via a π-allyl Pd intermediate generated by an allylic C-H activation to give γ-lactone derivatives with moderate to good enantioselectivity. Spiro bis(isoxazoline) ligand, SPRIX, was indispensable for this asymmetric transformation.