Asymmetric Michael addition reactions of chiral Ni(II)-complex of glycine with (N-trans-enoyl)oxazolidines: improved reactivity and stereochemical outcome

Application of the (N-trans-enoyl)oxazolidines as Michael acceptors in the kinetically controlled additions with a Ni(II)-complex of the chiral Schiff base of glycine with (S)-o-[N-(N-benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone 1 was shown to be synthetically advantageous over the alkyl enoylates, allowing for remarkable improvement in reactivity and, in most cases, diastereoselectivity of the reactions. While the stereochemical outcome of the Michael additions of the aliphatic (N-trans-enoyl)oxazolidines with complex 1 depended on the steric bulk of the alkyl group on the starting oxazolidines, the diastereoselectivity of the aromatic (N-trans-enoyl)oxazolidines reactions was found to be controlled by the electronic properties of the aryl ring. In particular, the additions of complex 1 with (N-cinnamoyl)oxazolidines, bearing electron-withdrawing substituents on the phenyl ring, afforded the (2S,3R)-configured products with synthetically useful selectivity and in quantitative chemical yield, thus allowing an efficient access to sterically constrained β-substituted pyroglutamic acids and related compounds.     

(S)- or (R)-3-(E-enoyl)-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones: ideal Michael acceptors to afford a virtually complete control of simple and face diastereoselectivity in addition reactions with glycine derivatives

[formula: see text] Enantiomerically pure (S)- or (R)-3-(E-enoyl)-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones were found to serve as ideal Michael acceptors in addition reactions with achiral Ni(II) complexes of glycine Schiff bases. Virtually complete control of simple and face diastereoselectivity, observed in these reactions, combined with quantitative chemical yields renders this methodology synthetically superior to the previous methods.     

Rational design of highly diastereoselective, organic base-catalyzed, room-temperature Michael addition reactions

Via the rational design of a single-preferred transition state, stabilized by electron donor-acceptor-type attractive interactions, structural and geometric requirements for the corresponding starting compounds have been determined. The Ni(II) complex of the Schiff base of glycine with o-[N-alpha-picolylamino]acetophenone, as a nucleophilic glycine equivalent, and N-(trans-enoyl)oxazolidin-2-ones, as derivatives of an alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid, were found to be the substrates of choice featuring geometric/conformational homogeneity and high reactivity. The corresponding Michael addition reactions were found to proceed at room temperature in the presence of catalytic amounts of DBU to afford quantitatively the addition products with virtually complete diastereoselectivity. Acidic decomposition of the products followed by treatment of the reaction mixture with NH4OH gave rise to the diastereomerically pure 3-substituted pyroglutamic acids.     

Michael addition reactions between chiral equivalents of a nucleophilic glycine and (S)- or (R)-3-[(E)-enoyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones as a general method for efficient preparation of beta-substituted pyroglutamic acids. Case of topographically controlled stereoselectivity

This paper describes a systematic study of addition reactions between the chiral Ni(II) complex of the Schiff base of glycine with (S)-o-[N-(N-benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone and (S)- or (R)-3-[(E)-enoyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones as a general and synthetically efficient approach to beta-substituted pyroglutamic acids and relevant compounds. These reactions were shown to occur at room temperature in the presence of nonchelating organic bases and, most notably, with very high (>98% diastereomeric excess (de)) stereoselectivity at both newly formed stereogenic centers. The stereochemical outcome of the reactions was found to be overwhelmingly controlled by the stereochemical preferences of the Michael acceptors, and the chirality of the glycine complex influenced only the reaction rate. Thus, in the reactions of both the (S)-configured Ni(II) complex and the Michael acceptors, the reaction rates were exceptionally high, allowing preparation of the corresponding products with virtually quantitative (>98%) chemical and stereochemical yields. In contrast, reactions of the (S)-configured Ni(II) complex and (R)-configured Michael acceptors proceeded at noticeably lower rates, but the addition products were obtained in high diastereo- and enantiomeric purity. To rationalize the remarkably high and robust stereoselectivity observed in these reactions, we consider an enzyme-substrate-like mode of interaction involving a topographical match or mismatch of two geometric figures. Excellent chemical and stereochemical yields, combined with the simplicity and operational convenience of the experimental procedures, render the present method of immediate use for preparing various beta-substituted pyroglutamic acids and related compounds.     

Virtually complete control of simple and face diastereoselectivity in the Michael addition reactions between achiral equivalents of a nucleophilic glycine and (S)- or (R)-3-(E-enoyl)-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones: practical method for preparation of beta-substituted pyroglutamic acids and prolines

This study demonstrates a new strategy for controlling the stereochemical outcome of the Michael addition reactions between nucleophilic glycine equivalents and alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives: The addition reactions between achiral Ni(II)-complex of the Schiff base of glycine with o-[N-alpha-pycolylamino]acetophenone and (S)- or (R)-3-(E-enoyl)-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones were shown to occur at room temperature in the presence of nonchelating organic bases and, most notably, with very high stereoselectivity at both newly formed stereogenic centers. Thus, the chiral 4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one moiety was found to control efficiently both face diastereoselectivities of the glycine derived enolate and the C,C double bond of the Michael acceptor. The new strategy developed in this work is methodologically superior to previous methods, most notably in terms of generality and synthetic efficiency. Excellent chemical yields and diastereoselectivities, combined with the simplicity of the experimental procedures, render the present method of immediate use for preparing various 3-substituted pyroglutamic acids and related amino acids (glutamic acids, glutamines, prolines, etc.) available via conventional transformations of the former.     

Catalyst and substituent effects on the rhodium(II)-catalysed intramolecular Buchner reaction

Intramolecular rhodium(II)-catalysed aromatic addition (Buchner) reactions of a range of α- and β-substituted α-diazoketones are reported. Both steric and electronic effects are evident for the aromatic additions investigated. In general, highly efficient aromatic addition is achieved through use of rhodium carboxylates bearing electronegative ligands, such as rhodium trifluoroacetate, while aromatic addition employing rhodium catalysts with more electron-donating ligands, such as rhodium caprolactam, is less efficient. Excellent levels of diastereoselectivity are possible for this process in the presence of rhodium acetate and rhodium caprolactam, however, a reduction in diastereocontrol is generally associated with use of the more reactive, electronegative catalysts. Interestingly, these catalyst effects can be overcome through the steric effects of the substituents on the α-diazoketone substrates, with the presence of sterically bulky substituents at the 2- or 3-position rendering the aromatic addition essentially catalyst independent in terms of efficiency and diastereocontrol.     

Allylation of exocyclic N-Acyliminium ions generated from chiral N-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)alkyl]oxazolidin-2-ones

N-[1-(Phenylsulfonyl)alkyl]oxazolidin-2-ones are successfully prepared by condensation of the corresponding optically active oxazolidin-2-ones with aldehydes and benzenesulfinic acid. At low temperature, in the presence of titanium tetrachloride, these sulfones are converted into N-acyliminium ions, which react with allyltrimethylsilane with a variable degree of stereoselectivity. The best results are obtained with (R)-5,5-dimethyl-4-phenyloxazolidin-2-one as a chiral auxiliary. Cleavage of the oxazolidin-2-one ring with lithium/ammonia affords the corresponding homoallylamines, which reveal an absolute configuration opposite that expected on the basis of the usual steric effects. A complexation of the Lewis acid with the N-acyliminium ion may be responsible of this rather unusual stereochemical outcome.     

Molecular motions in the solid state: the thermochromic nitro-nitrito Interconversion in nickel(II) bis(diamine) complexes

The NO(2)(-) ion, in the trans-octahedral [Ni(II)(N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine)(2)(NO(2))(2)](H(2)O) complex, coordinates the metal through the nitrogen atom (nitro form). On heating the solid complex, the anion rotates to give nitrito coordination (oxygen bound), according to a reversible process. The coordination mode of NO(2)(-) to Ni(II) is related to the steric interplay between the anion and the alkyl substituents on the diamine.     

Reaction of 2-{[2-(ethenyloxy)ethoxy]methyl}oxirane with oxazolidin-2-ones

Reactions of 2-{[2-(ethenyloxy)ethoxy]methyl}oxirane with N-unsubstituted oxazolidin-2-ones give mixtures of isomeric 3-{3-[2-(ethenyloxy)ethoxy]-2-hydroxypropyl}- and 5-{[2-(ethenyloxy)ethoxy]- methyl}-3-(2-hydroxyalkyl)oxazolidin-2-ones. If the initial oxazolidin-2-one contains two alkyl groups on C⁴, 3-{3-[2-(ethenyloxy)ethoxy]-2-hydroxypropyl}oxazolidin-2-ones are selectively formed.     

Efficient synthesis of serically constrained smmetrically alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids under operationally convenient conditions

Homologation of the nucleophilic glycine equivalent Ni-Gly-PABP [Ni(II) complex of glycine Schiff base with 2-[N-(alpha-picolyl)amino]benzophenone (PABP)] 2 via alkyl halide alkylations and Michael addition reactions was systematically studied as a general method for preparing symmetrically alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids (sym-alpha,alpha-AA). The dialkylation reactions are conducted under operationally convenient conditions without recourse to inert atmosphere, dried solvents, and low temperatures, thus enjoying key advantages of the experimental simplicity and attractive cost structure. The method has been shown to be particularly successful for the dialkylation of complex 2 with activated and nonactivated alkyl halides, including propargyl derivatives, affording a generalized and practical access to the corresponding sym-alpha,alpha-AA. This study has also shown some limitation of the method, as it cannot be extended to alpha- or beta-branched alkyl halides or Michael acceptors to be used for the dialkylation of glycine equivalent 2. High chemical yields of the dialkylated products, combined with the simplicity of the experimental procedure, render this method worth immediate use for multigram scale preparation of the sym-alpha,alpha-AA.     

Improved synthesis of proline-derived Ni(II) complexes of glycine: versatile chiral equivalents of nucleophilic glycine for general asymmetric synthesis of alpha-amino acids

A synthetically practical and operationally convenient method for preparing (S)-2-[N-(N'-benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone (BPBP) and hitherto unknown (S)-2-[N-(N'-benzylprolyl)amino]-4-methylbenzophenone (4-Me-BPBP), (S)-2-[N-(N'-benzylprolyl)amino]-5-nitrobenzophenone (5-NO(2)-BPBP), and their corresponding Ni(II) complexes with glycine [GlyNi(II)BPBP], a widely used chiral equivalent of nucleophilic glycine, and new analogues [GlyNi(II)-4-Me-BPBP] and [GlyNi(II)-5- NO(2)-BPBP] is described. The key step of the method is the synthetically efficient amid bond formation between the corresponding o-aminobenzophenones, featuring significant steric shielding and low nucleophilicity of the amino functionality as well as sterically constrained (S)-N-benzylproline (BP).     

Stereochemical investigation on the construction of poly-functionalized bicyclo[3.3.1]nonenones by successive Michael reactions of 2-cyclohexenones

A method for the practical construction of poly-functionalized bicyclo[3.3.1]nonenones by successive Michael reactions of cyclohexenones with acrylates using K2CO3 and TBAB (n-Bu4N+ Br-) was developed. The construction could be carried out in both stepwise and one-pot reactions with similar tendencies in regioselectivity. The alpha-regioselectivity in the intramolecular Michael reaction agreed with that stereoelectronically expected in intermolecular reactions based upon consideration of the HOMO orbital profile of the enolate I, the precursor to ring-closure, although the reaction site was trisubstituted and prone to steric hindrance in most of the examples presented. For the acetoxymethylacrylates substituted at either the alpha or gamma position, steric hindrance of the substituents (R2 and R3) served as a controlling factor to induce high regiocontrol. Facial selection in the protonation of enolate II, formed upon ring-closure, was also affected by these substituents. In both the intramolecular Michael reaction and the protonation of enolate II, the ammonium counter cation played an important role.     

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of a new generation of modular nucleophilic glycine equivalents for the efficient synthesis of sterically constrained alpha-amino acids

A new generation of modular achiral glycine equivalents have been evaluated with respect to their synthetic utility for the production of tailor-made, sterically constrained alpha-amino acids, which proved to be the most efficient approach developed to date for the synthesis of symmetrical alpha,alpha-disubstituted-alpha-amino acids. Among the new series of achiral glycine equivalents, one was found to be a superior glycine derivative for the Michael additions with various (R)- or (S)-N-(E-enoyl)-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones representing a general and practical synthesis of sterically constrained beta-substituted pyroglutamic acids. In particular, the application of these complexes allowed for the preparation of several beta-substituted pyroglutamic acids which include electron-releasing and sterically demanding substituents in the structure thus increasing the synthetic efficiency and expanding the generality of these Michael addition reactions.     

Efficient parallel resolution of pentafluorophenyl active esters using quasi-enantiomeric combinations of oxazolidin-2-ones

The parallel resolution of racemic pentafluorophenyl 2-aryl/phenylpropanoates and butanoates using an equimolar combination of quasi-enantiomeric Evans oxazolidin-2-ones is discussed. The levels of diastereoselectivity were excellent (>90% de) leading to separable quasi-enantiomeric oxazolidin-2-ones in good yield. This methodology was used to resolve a series of structurally related 2-aryl/phenylpropanoic and butanoic acids.     

Transformations of nitrates (nitro esters) of amino alcohols involving both functions. 1. Reaction with alkali metal hydrogen carbonates

The reaction of nitrates (nitro esters) of amino alcohols with alkali metal hydrogen carbonates yielding oxazolidin-2-ones and tetrahydro-1,3-oxazin-2-ones was discovered. A large number of both known and newly synthesized nitrates of amino alcohols with various structures were involved in this reaction, and the optimum reaction conditions were found. New oxazolidin-2-ones and tetrahydro-1,3-oxazin-2-ones were synthesized. Two more transformations were found for a few examples. One of the reactions gives nitramino alcohols, whereas another reaction affords polymers.     

Michael addition reactions between various nucleophilic glycine equivalents and (S,E)-1-enoyl-5-oxo-N-phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamide,an optimal type of chiral Michael acceptor in the asymmetric synthesis of β-phenyl pyroglutamic acid and related compounds

(S)-5-Oxo-N-phenyl-1-[(E)-3-phenylacryloyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide, easily prepared from inexpensive and readily available, in both enantiomeric forms, glutamic/pyroglutamic acid was designed as an optimal type of chiral Michael acceptor for reactions with a series of nucleophilic glycine equivalents. A study of the corresponding Michael addition reactions revealed that the new generation of modular glycine derivatives, as a counterpart to the Michael acceptor, provides for operationally convenient preparation of β-phenyl pyroglutamic acids and related compounds with virtually complete chemical and stereochemical outcomes.     

Stereoselective electrochemical thioalkylation of glycine in Ni(II) coordination environment

One-pot method for direct stereoselective (S)-α-thioalkylation of glycine in Ni(II) coordination environment was elaborated. The reaction of electrochemically deprotonated Ni(II) glycine/Schiff-base complex containing (S)-o-[N-(N′-benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone as an auxiliary chiral moiety with alkyl thiocyanates leads to the α-thioalkylated derivatives in a practical ca.70% chemical yield and stereoselectivity (de 80%).     

Traceless solid-phase synthesis of N-substituted 3,5-bis(substituted-idene)piperidin-4-one derivatives

A series of N-substituted 3,5-bis(substituted-idene)piperidin-4-ones have been prepared using solid-phase organic synthesis. The synthesis starts with a Michael addition with piperidin-4-one serving as the donor and REM resin as the acceptor. Various aldehydes were then utilized through a Knoevenagel condensation to afford the 3,5-bis(substituted-idene)piperidin-4-ones on the solid support. The final products were removed from the support and a second diversity position was introduced through a Hofmann elimination using different alkyl bromides.     

Sterically demanding diporphyrin ligands and rhodium(II) porphyrin bimetalloradical complexes

A series of sterically demanding diporphyrins H2(por)-X-(por)H2 ligands that contain spacers (X) with different degrees of flexibility were synthesized from the trimesitylporphyrin derivatives 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-trimesitylporphyrin (TMP-OH)H2 (1a) and 5-(2,6-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-trimesityl-porphyrin, (DMTMP-OH)H2 (1b). The monomeric porphyrins 1a,b, which have steric demands similar to that of tetramesitylporphyrin, (TMP)H2, and carry a hydroxyl functional group at the para position of one of the mesophenyl substituents, were constructed from reaction of pyrrole with two aromatic aldehydes by a mixed aldehyde condensation approach. The diporphyrins with alkyl diether tethers were obtained stepwise from reactions of the hydroxy functionalized porphyrins 1a,b with dibromides Br(CH2)nBr. The diporphyrin which contains a more rigid m-xylylene spacer, was made directly from reaction of 1b with alpha,alpha'-dibromo-m-xylene. Rhodium was inserted into the porphyrins using Rh2(CO)2Cl2 and converted to dimethyl complexes Me-Rh(Por)-X-(Por)Rh-Me. The dirhodium(II) derivatives .Rh(por)-X-(por)Rh.) were generated by photolysis of the dimethyl complexes and observed to occur as stable bimetalloradicals because the ligand steric demands prohibit Rh(II)-Rh(II) bonding. EPR spectra of the dirhodium(II) derivatives, triphenyl phospine adducts, and dioxygen complexes are reported. The kinetic advantage of bimetalloradical complexes for substrate reactions that have two metal-centered radicals in the transition state is demonstrated by reactions of dihydrogen with dirhodium(II) bimetalloradical complexes.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 2-(2-pyridyl)aziridines from 2-pyridineimines bearing stereogenic N-alkyl substituents and regioselective opening of the aziridine ring

The addition of chloromethyllithium to the imine derived from 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and (S)-valinol, protected as its O-trimethylsilyl ether, gave the 1,2-disubstituted aziridine with good yield and diastereoselectivity. The analogous reaction performed on the imine derived from (S)-valine methyl ester gave the product containing the aziridine ring and the alpha-chloro ketone group coming from the attack of chloromethyllithium to the ester function. Other stereogenic alkyl substituents at nitrogen gave less satisfactory results. Moreover, the aziridination protocol did not work on other aromatic imines which were not capable of bidentate chelation, e.g., 3- and 4-pyridineimine and benzaldimine. Preliminary studies showed the possibility to carry out regio- and stereospecific opening reactions of 2-(2-pyridyl)aziridines by attack of internally generated or external nucleophiles.