Rapid Ti(Oi-Pr)4 facilitated synthesis of α,α,α-trisubstituted primary amines by the addition of Grignard reagents to nitriles under microwave heating conditions

A series of carbinamines (α,α,α-trisubstituted amines) have been prepared in a simple and efficient one-pot procedure by the addition of Grignard reagents to a series of aliphatic, aromatic and heteroaromatic nitriles. The resulting magnesium imines are subsequently converted to the desired amine after treatment with Ti(Oi-Pr)₄ and additional microwave heating. Key to this procedure is the use of microwave heating for both steps of the reaction protocol, which significantly improves both reaction yields and reduces reaction times. In general, the Grignard addition reaction is complete within 5-10 min at 100 °C followed by conversion with Ti(Oi-Pr)₄ and additional microwave heating to give the target amines in good yields.     

Stereoselective synthesis of α,α-disubstituted amines by a sequential nucleophilic addition to O-protected cyanohydrins

The first enantioselective double nucleophilic addition reaction to O-protected cyanohydrin was achieved in 71% yield and 82:18 enantiomeric ratio by using a bis(BINOL)titanium Lewis acid complex. New (4S,5S)-2,2-dialkyl-4,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxolane titanium complexes were synthesized and they displayed good levels of enantioselection in the nucleophilic addition reaction.     

Enantioselective synthesis of α,α-disubstituted amines from nitroalkenes

Disubstituted nitroalkenes were converted into enantiomerically enriched amines (isolated as their hydrochloride salts) with enantiomeric excesses of 88 to >95% in three steps: (a) highly stereoselective conjugate addition of the potassium salt of 4-phenyloxazolidin-2-one; (b) radical-mediated removal of the nitro group; (c) cleavage of the oxazolidinone.     

Totally stereocontrolled synthesis of α,β-diamino acids by addition of Grignard reagents to nitrones derived from l-serine

The asymmetric synthesis of protected (2R,3S)- and (2R,3R)-3-substituted 2,3-α-amino acids is reported. The key step in the synthesis of these compounds is the diastereoselective addition of Grignard reagents to α-amino nitrones derived from l-serine. Total stereocontrol of the addition step is achieved by changing the protecting groups in the starting material. The predominant selectivity in each case can be reasonably interpreted in terms of steric effects of the substituents.     

Simple and convenient access to α,α,α-trisubstituted amides by double addition of Grignard reagents to acyl cyanohydrins

The double addition of Grignard (alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl) reagents to acyl cyanohydrins was performed under unusually smooth conditions with a concomitant O-N acyl transfer, providing a very simple and general access to α,α,α-trisubstituted amides.     

Highly efficient asymmetric organocatalytic Michael addition of α,α-disubstituted aldehydes to nitroolefins under solvent-free conditions

A chiral pyrrolide-based diamine in combination with benzoic acid has been found to be an effective organocatalyst for Michael addition of α,α-disubstituted aldehydes with nitroolefins. The reaction provided the desired Michael products possessing all-carbon quaternary center with high yields (76–98%) and high levels of enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee) under solvent-free reaction conditions. The procedure presented is simple and makes this method suitable for practical use.     

Cyclic chlorophosphites as scaffolds for the one-pot synthesis of α-aminophosphonates under solvent-free conditions

New α-aminophosphonates of the type (OCH₂CMe₂CH₂O)P(O)CH(NHCO₂R)(R′) [6a-i, 7a-e, and 8a-c] have been synthesized in high yields by a three-component reaction using (OCH₂CMe₂CH₂O)PCl (3), benzamide (or urethane or benzyl carbamate), and an aldehyde without using any catalyst under solvent-free conditions. This route can be readily adapted for bis-aminophosphonates as well as optically active binaphthoxy α-aminophosphonates; it also tolerates the phenolic -OH group as shown by the synthesis of hydroxy functionalized aminophosphonates. Partial hydrolysis of compounds 7a-d leads to products in which the phosphorinane ring is cleaved first. Compounds (OCH₂CMe₂CH₂O)P(O)CH[NHC(O)Ph](9-anthryl) (6f) and optically pure (R,S)-(−)-(C₂₀H₁₂O₂)P(O)CH(NHCO₂Et)(Ph) (14a) were characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Rapid, one-pot synthesis of β-siloxy-α-haloaldehydes

The Mukaiyama cross-aldol reaction of α-fluoro-, α-chloro-, and α-bromoacetaldehyde-derived (Z)-tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl enol ethers is described, furnishing anti-β-siloxy-α-haloaldehydes. A highly diastereoselective, one-pot, sequential double-aldol process is developed, affording novel β,δ-bissiloxy-α,γ-bishaloaldehydes. Reactions are catalyzed by C(6)F(5)CHTf(2) and C(6)F(5)CTf(2)AlMe(2) (0.5-1.5 mol %) and provide access to halogenated polyketide fragments.     

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of α,α-disubstituted aldehydes to maleimides catalyzed by new primary amine-squaramide bifunctional organocatalysts

New bifunctional primary amine-squaramides catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition reaction of α,α-disubstituted aldehydes to maleimides has been developed. This organocatalytic asymmetric reaction provides easy access to functionalized succinimides with a broad substrate scope. Both enantiomers of desired succinimide derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields (up to 98%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99%?ee).     

Enantioselective Michael addition of α,α-disubstituted aldehydes to nitroolefins catalyzed by a pyrrolidine-pyrazole

An efficient protocol for the asymmetric catalytic Michael additions of α,α-disubstituted aldehydes to nitroolefins with a pyrrolidine-pyrazole is described. The desired products γ-nitrocarbonyl compounds possessing an all-carbon quaternary center, were obtained in good yields and with high levels of enantioselectivities under solvent-free reaction conditions, employing benzoic acid as an additive.     

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α,β-disubstituted α,γ-diaminophosphonic acid precursors by Michael addition of α-substituted nitrophosphonates to nitroolefins

Michael additions of α-substituted nitrophosphonates to various nitroolefins are shown to proceed with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity when catalyzed by a quinine-derived thiourea-tertiary amine bifunctional catalyst and generate α,γ-diaminophosphonic acid precursors with contiguous quaternary and tertiary stereocenters.     

Asymmetric Michael addition of substituted rhodanines to α,β-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by bulky primary amines

A bulky group was introduced by design into a diamine catalyst, and a series of robust and tunable bulky chiral primary amine catalysts were developed and successfully applied in the direct conjugate addition of substituted rhodanines to α,β-unsaturated ketones. High yields (up to 99%) and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee) were observed.     

Trimethylsilyl chloride promoted synthesis of α-branched amines by nucleophilic addition of organozinc halides to nitrones

A general procedure for the nucleophilic addition of organozinc halides with nitrones in the presence of trimethylsilyl chloride has been developed. Trimethylsilyl chloride was found to be both an indispensable reaction promoter and a ready hydroxylamine protective agent in these reactions. The produced O-(trimethylsilyl)hydroxylamines can be easily reduced into corresponding amines just by a zinc-copper couple in saturated aqueous NH(4)Cl solution.     

Aza-Michael addition of aliphatic or aromatic amines to α,β-unsaturated compounds catalyzed by a DBU-derived ionic liquid under solvent-free conditions

A task-specific ionic liquid, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-undec-7-en-8-ium acetate has been successfully used as a catalyst for aza-conjugate addition of aliphatic or aromatic amines to various electron deficient alkenes under solvent-free conditions and at room temperature. The catalyst can be reused for six times without noticeable loss of activity.     

Synthesis of α,α-disubstituted aryl amines by rhodium-catalyzed amination of tertiary allylic trichloroacetimidates

The rhodium-catalyzed regioselective amination of tertiary allylic trichloroacetimidates with unactivated aromatic amines is a direct and efficient approach to the preparation of α,α-disubstituted allylic aryl amines in good yield and with excellent regioselectivity. This method is applicable to a variety of unactivated primary and secondary amines and allows for the preparation of reverse prenylated indoles in two steps.     

Reaction of aspartic acid derivatives with Grignard reagents—synthesis of γ,γ-disubstituted α- and β-amino-butyrolactones

A series of γ,γ-dimethyl and γ,γ-diphenyl substituted α- and β-amino-butyrolactones have been prepared in enantiomerically pure form using l-aspartic acid as a chiral building block. For the final Grignard reaction the difference in chemical reactivity between the carboxyl groups of aspartic acid was increased or inverted by preparing the corresponding semiesters, diesters and anhydrides. The resulting hydroxyacids and hydroxyesters lactonised in most cases during work up. Thus, (2S)-2-ethoxycarbonylamino-succinic acid-4-methylester 1 reacted with methylmagnesium iodide to form (3S)-3-ethoxycarbonylamino-5,5-dimethyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-one 2b. Two interesting side products were obtained and were found to result from attack at the C-1 carboxylic acid rather than the C-4 carboxylic ester group leading to (3S)-3-ethoxycarbonylamino-4-oxo-pentanoic acid methylester 3 and (4S)-4-ethoxycarbonylamino-5,5-dimethyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-one 5a.     

Highly diastereoselective synthesis of quaternary α-trifluoromethyl α-amino acids by addition of benzylzinc reagents to chiral imines of trifluoropyruvate

An effective and facile method for highly diastereoselective synthesis of quaternary α-trifluoromethyl α-amino acids was developed in good yields with high diastereoselectivity (dr >20:1) via MgCl₂-accelerated addition of benzylzinc reagents (Knochel type organozinc reagents) to (R)-phenylglycinol methyl ether based imines of trifluoropyruvate.     

Asymmetric synthesis of α,α-disubstituted α-amino alcohol derivatives

Herein we report the asymmetric synthesis of α,α-disubstituted α-amino alcohol derivatives 22, 25 and 26, key intermediates of a novel immunomodulator, using Seebach’s method. This synthetic method can be applied to the large scale synthesis of chiral sphingosine 1-phosphate-1 (S1P₁) receptor agonists, with significant improvements to the previously reported method with regard to the reaction temperature.     

One-pot synthesis of ortho-acylphenols by palladium-catalyzed phenol C–H addition to nitriles

The regioselective one-pot synthesis of ortho-acylphenols via the palladium-catalyzed addition of phenols to nitriles and subsequent hydrolysis is reported. The acylation reaction proceeded smoothly using the Pd(OAc)₂/DMSO system and TFA as the additive. This method also provides a direct strategy for the synthesis of a salicylketoxime scaffold.