Highly Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones with Chiral (NH)2P2 Macrocyclic Iron(II) Complexes

Bis(isonitrile) iron(II) complexes bearing a C₂‐symmetric diamino (NH)₂P₂ macrocyclic ligand efficiently catalyze the hydrogenation of polar bonds of a broad scope of substrates (ketones, enones, and imines) in high yield (up to 99.5 %), excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee), and with low catalyst loading (generally 0.1 mol %). The catalyst can be easily tuned by modifying the substituents of the isonitrile ligand.     

The use of new chiral phosphite and amidophosphite ligands in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of dehydro-??-amino acid derivatives

New chiral phosphite-type ligands were synthesized. The tests of these ligands in the asymmetric Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of N-acetyl derivatives of dehydro-??-amino acid esters showed their high enantioselectivity (up to 75% ee). The reaction of nucleophilic addition of phthalimide to disubstituted alkynes offering access to esters of N-phthaloyldehydro-??-amino acids was discovered. Higher conversion and enantioselectivity in the hydrogenation of N-acetyl and N-phtaloyl derivatives of dehydro-??-amino acids were observed in fluorinated alcohols as compared to common organic solvents.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Intermolecular Hydroarylation of Allenes with Indoles and Reaction Mechanism by Density Functional Theory Calculations

Chiral binuclear gold(I) phosphine complexes catalyze enantioselective intermolecular hydroarylation of allenes with indoles in high product yields (up to 90 %) and with moderate enantioselectivities (up to 63 % ee). Among the gold(I) complexes examined, better ee values were obtained with binuclear gold(I) complexes, which displayed intramolecular Au^I Au^I interactions. The binuclear gold(I) complex 4c [(AuCl)₂( L3 )] with chiral biaryl phosphine ligand (S)‐(−)‐MeO‐biphep ( L3 ) is the most efficient catalyst and gives the best ee value of up to 63 %. Substituents on the allene reactants have a slight effect on the enantioselectivity of the reaction. Electron‐withdrawing groups on the indole substrates decrease the enantioselectivity of the reaction. The relative reaction rates of the hydroarylation of 4‐X‐substituted 1,3‐diarylallenes with N‐methylindole in the presence of catalyst 4c [(AuCl)₂( L3 )] / AgOTf [ L3 =(S)‐(−)‐MeO‐biphep], determined through competition experiments, correlate (r²=0.996) with the substituent constants σ. The slope value is −2.30, revealing both the build‐up of positive charge at the allene and electrophilic nature of the reactive Au^I species. Two plausible reaction pathways were investigated by density functional theory calculations, one pathway involving intermolecular nucleophilic addition of free indole to aurated allene intermediate and another pathway involving intramolecular nucleophilic addition of aurated indole to allene via diaurated intermediate E2 . Calculated results revealed that the reaction likely proceeds via the first pathway with a lower activation energy. The role of Au^I Au^I interactions in affecting the enantioselectivity is discussed.     

Asymmetric hydrogenation of N-alkyl and N-aryl ketimines using chiral cationic Ru(diamine) complexes as catalysts: the counteranion and solvent effects,and substrate scope

Asymmetric hydrogenation of N-alkyl and N-aryl ketimines catalyzed by chiral cationic η⁶-arene-(N-monosulfonylated diamine) Ru(II) complexes has been investigated. Strong counteranion and solvent effects on the enantioselectivity were observed. The ruthenium catalyst bearing non-coordinating BArF^? anion was found to be particularly effective for the hydrogenation of acyclic and exocyclic N-alkyl ketimines in the presence of (Boc)₂O in dichloromethane or even under solvent-free conditions, providing chiral amines with up to >99% ee and full conversions. Alternatively, the ruthenium catalyst bearing achiral phosphate anion together with corresponding phosphoric acid as the additive was also efficient for the hydrogenation of N-alkyl ketimines in the absence of (Boc)₂O with excellent enantioselectivities and full conversions. For N-aryl ketimines lower enantiomeric excesses were observed by using the ruthenium catalyst bearing BArF^? anion. This catalytic protocol thus provides a facile and practical access to optically active amines and has been successfully employed in the gram-scale synthesis of enantiomerically pure (+)-sertraline.     

N-(Alkylsulfamoyl)aldimines: easily deprotected precursors for diarylmethylamine synthesis

The sequential reaction of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate with t-BuOH, t-BuNH₂ and TFA allows formation of H₂NSO₂NHBu^t. Condensation of the latter with Ar¹CHO in the presence of Ti(OEt)₄ provides the activated imines Ar¹CHNSO₂NHBu^t (59–89%). Commercially available boronic acids add to these imines with good stereoselectivity (76–98% ee) using readily available diene ligands. Simple deprotection with 5% w/w water in pyridine affords free Ar¹CHNH₂Ar².     

Supramolecularly Regulated Ligands for Asymmetric Hydroformylations and Hydrogenations

Herein we report the use of polyether binders as regulation agents (RAs) to enhance the enantioselectivity of rhodium‐catalyzed transformations. For reactions of diverse substrates mediated by rhodium complexes of the α,ω‐bisphosphite‐polyether ligands 1 – 5 , a – d , the enantiomeric excess (ee) of hydroformylations was increased by up to 82 % (substrate: vinyl benzoate, 96 % ee), and the ee value of hydrogenations was increased by up to 5 % (substrate: N‐(1‐(naphthalene‐1‐yl)vinyl)acetamide, 78 % ee). The ligand design enabled the regulation of enantioselectivity by generation of an array of catalysts that simultaneously preserve the advantages of a privileged structure in asymmetric catalysis and offer geometrically close catalytic sites. The highest enantioselectivities in the hydroformylation of vinyl acetate with ligand 4 b were achieved by using the Rb[B(3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₄] (RbBArF) as the RA. The enantioselective hydrogenation of the substrates 10 required the rhodium catalysts derived from bisphosphites 3 a or 4 a , either alone or in combination with different RAs (sodium, cesium, or (R,R)‐bis(1‐phenylethyl)ammonium salts). This design approach was supported by results from computational studies.     

Cooperative Catalysis: Combining an Achiral Metal Catalyst with a Chiral Brønsted Acid Enables Highly Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Imines

Asymmetric hydrogenation of imines leads directly to chiral amines, one of the most important structural units in chemical products, from pharmaceuticals to materials. However, highly effective catalysts are rare. This article reveals that combining an achiral pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*)–iridium complex with a chiral phosphoric acid affords a catalyst that allows for highly enantioselective hydrogenation of imines derived from aryl ketones, as well as those derived from aliphatic ones, with ee values varying from 81 to 98 %. A range of achiral iridium complexes containing diamine ligands were examined, for which the ligands were shown to have a profound effect on the reaction rate, enantioselectivity and catalyst deactivation. The chiral phosphoric acid is no less important, inducing enantioselection in the hydrogenation. The induction occurs, however, at the expense of the reaction rate.     

Development of a Continuous‐Flow System for Asymmetric Hydrogenation Using Self‐Supported Chiral Catalysts

Well‐designed, self‐assembled, metal–organic frameworks were constructed by simple mixing of multitopic MonoPhos‐based ligands ( 3 ; MonoPhos=chiral, monodentate phosphoramidites based on the 1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol platform) and [Rh(cod)₂]BF₄ (cod=cycloocta‐1,5‐diene). This self‐supporting strategy allowed for simple and efficient catalyst immobilization without the use of extra added support, giving well‐characterized, insoluble (in toluene) polymeric materials ( 4 ). The resulting self‐supported catalysts ( 4 ) showed outstanding catalytic performance for the asymmetric hydrogenation of a number of α‐dehydroamino acids ( 5 ) and 2‐aryl enamides ( 7 ) with enantiomeric excess (ee) ranges of 94–98 % and 90–98 %, respectively. The linker moiety in 4 influenced the reactivity significantly, albeit with slight impact on the enantioselectivity. Acquisition of reaction profiles under steady‐state conditions showed 4 h and 4 i to have the highest reactivity (turnover frequency (TOF)=95 and 97 h^?1 at 2 atm, respectively), whereas appropriate substrate/catalyst matching was needed for optimum chiral induction. The former was recycled 10 times without loss in ee (95–96 %), although a drop in TOF of approximately 20 % per cycle was observed. The estimation of effective catalytic sites in self‐supported catalyst 4 e was also carried out by isolation and hydrogenation of catalyst–substrate complex, showing about 37 % of the Rh^I centers in the self‐supported catalyst 4 e are accessible to substrate 5 c in the catalysis. A continuous flow reaction system using an activated C/ 4 h mixture as stationary‐phase catalyst for the asymmetric hydrogenation of 5 b was developed and run continuously for a total of 144 h with >99 % conversion and 96–97 % enantioselectivity. The total Rh leaching in the product solution is 1.7 % of that in original catalyst 4 h .     

Asymmetric hydrogenation of imines catalyzed by iridium complexes with phosphine-phosphite ligands: importance of backbone flexibility

Chiral phosphine-phosphites provide an alternative class of ligands for the iridium catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of imines. Optimization of ligand structure has afforded enantioselectivities up to 84% ee in the reduction of N-aryl imines. A significant influence of backbone nature on enantioselectivity has also been observed.     

Applications of N′-alkylated derivatives of TsDPEN in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of CO and CN bonds

Arene/Ru(II) complexes of (R,R)-N-alkyl-TsDPEN ligands are effective in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones and imines in formic acid/triethylamine solution. The complex derived from the N′-Bn derivative of TsDPEN reduces monocyclic imines in up to 60% ee, whilst the N′-Me derivative of TsDPEN forms a more active catalyst than the non-alkylated analogue and reduces ketones in up to 97% ee.     

Enantioselective cycloadditions of 2-alkenoylpyridine-N-oxides catalysed by a bis(oxazoline)/Cu(II) complex: structure of the reactive intermediate

Diels–Alder and 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions involving (E)‐3‐aryl‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl‐N‐oxide)prop‐2‐en‐1‐ones as the 2π components are efficiently catalysed by bis(oxazoline)–Cu^II complexes. The cycloadducts are obtained in quantitative yields with up to 98 % ee; absolute configurations were determined by X‐ray analysis. The structure of the reactive complex, determined by X‐ray analysis, is fully consistent with the stereochemical outcome of the catalysed process (approach of the diene or nitrone to the less hindered face of the coordinated pyridine‐N‐oxide derivative).     

Highly Enantioselective Hydrogenation of N‐Aryl Imines Derived from Acetophenones by Using Ru–Pybox Complexes under Hydrogenation or Transfer Hydrogenation Conditions in Isopropanol

The asymmetric reduction of N‐aryl imines derived from acetophenones by using Ru complexes bearing both a pybox (2,6‐bis(oxazoline)pyridine) and a monodentate phosphite ligand has been described. The catalysts show good activity with a diverse range of substrates, and deliver the amine products in very high levels of enantioselectivity (up to 99 %) under both hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation conditions in isopropanol. From deuteration studies, a very different labeling is observed under hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation conditions, which demonstrates the different nature of the hydrogen source in both reactions.     

Chiral Bis(imidazolidine)‐Derived NCN Pincer Rh Complex for Catalytic Asymmetric Mannich Reaction of Malononitrile with N‐Boc Imines

Chiral bis(imidazolidine)‐derived NCN–rhodium complexes ([PhBidine‐RhX₂] and [tBu‐PhBidine‐RhX₂]) were prepared by a C?H insertion method, and the structures were unequivocally determined by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The [tBu‐PhBidine‐Rh(OAc)₂] complex smoothly catalyzed an asymmetric Mannich reaction of malononitrile with N‐Boc imines to give products in up to 94 % ee, which are useful for the synthesis of chiral α‐amino acids.     

Development of Chiral Spiro Phosphoramidites for Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reactions

A series of 1,1′-spirobiindane-7,7′-diol ( SPINOL ) analogues bearing a 2,2′-dimethyl-, cyclopentyl-, or cyclohexyl-fused ring were synthesized, and their distinct structural features were elucidated by X-ray crystallography. On the basis of these scaffolds, chiral monophosphoramidite ligands 6 a – m were synthesized, which demonstrated excellent enantioselectivity in Rh^I-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of a dehydro amino acid methyl ester. Ligands 6 a – m were also successfully applied in the Rh^I-catalyzed enantioselective [4+2] cycloaddition of α,β-unsaturated imines with isocyanates, which afforded the corresponding pyrimidinones in good yields (60–92 %) with high enantioselectivities (75–92 % ee).     

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     

Dual Stereocontrol for Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Dihydroisoquinolines Induced by Tuning the Amount of N‐Bromosuccinimide

An efficient dual stereocontrol in iridium‐catalyzed hydrogenation of 1‐substituted 3,4‐dihydroisoquinolines was realized by tuning the amount of N‐bromosuccinimide using chiral ligand of single configuration, providing both enantiomers of 1‐substituted 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines with up to 89% ee (S) and 98% ee (R), respectively. Dual activation role of N‐bromosuccinimide is proposed to be responsible for the reversal of enantioselectivity under two hydrogenation conditions.     

The enantioselective diethylzinc addition to imines catalyzed by chiral Cu(II)–oxazoline complexes

A series of copper complexes of chiral bisoxazolines has been applied in the catalytic diethylzinc addition to N-sulfonyl imines. It has been found that the tridentate ligands 3–5 provided higher enantioselectivity than bidentate ones. Addition of 4 Å molecular sieves to the reaction system benefits the enantioselectivity. The optimal procedure for diethylzinc addition to different imines resulted in moderate yields and enantioselectivities of up to 82% ee.     

Stereoselective aldol reactions of dihydroxyacetone derivatives catalyzed by chiral Zn2+ complexes

The direct aldol reaction between a protected dihydroxyacetone derivative and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde catalyzed by chiral Zn²⁺ complexes of 1-(n-carboxylalkyl)-7-aminoacyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane is reported. New Zn²⁺ complexes containing l-histidine and carboxylalkyl chains that mimic a class II aldolase, carboxypeptidase A and a serine protease were designed and synthesized. Syn-aldol products were mainly formed by an aldol reaction of acetonide-protected dihydroxyacetone with benzaldehydes and other benzaldehydes in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)/alcohol (MeOH, EtOH or 2-PrOH) in good yields with a high degree of diastereo- and enantioselectivity (56%～quant., 57～>99% ee). Mechanistic aspect based on ESI-HRMS, elemental analysis and pH titrations of model ligands is also discussed.     

[5]Ferrocenophane based ligands for stereoselective Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation and Cu-catalyzed Michael addition

A series of homochiral [5]ferrocenophane based N/P, N/S, N/Se, Se/P and P/P ligands was prepared from (R)-N,N-dimethylamino[5]ferrocenophane. These ligands were tested in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate and in Cu-catalyzed Michael addition of Et₂Zn to cyclohex-2-enone. The best results in terms of conversion and enantioselectivity in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation provided bis(diphenylphosphine) ligand 2h (100% conversion and 95% ee) and aminophosphine 2a in the Cu-catalyzed conjugate addition (100% conversion 84% ee). The enantioselectivity of the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate was lower (41% ee).     

Synthesis and reactivity of formamidinato rhodium(I) complexes

The syntheses of [Rh(diol)(formamidine)]₂ complexes (diol  cycloocta-1,5-diene (1); diol  norbornadiene (2); formamidine  N,N′-di-p-tolylformamidine) are reported. These complexes are dimeric and contain the bridging formamidino ligand. They react with CO, dppe and PPh₃ with displacement of the diene ligand to yield the known [Rh(CO)₂(formamidine)]₂, [Rh(dppe)₂]⁺ and [Rh(PPh₃)₂(formamidine)], respectively; the last complex, in which the formamidine acts as a chelating ligand, was isolated only as the O₂ adduct. With HCl or HBF₄ aqueous 1 and 2 do not form hydrides but instead the formamidino cation [p-tolyl-NHCHNHtolyl-p]⁺ and the complexes [Rh(diol)X]₂ (X  Cl, F); a possible scheme for the reaction with HCl is proposed. The [Rh(C₈H₁₂)(formamidine)]₂ complex reacts with heterocumulenes as CS₂, SO₂, PhNCS and PhNCO with diene displacement; the only product isolated was [Rh(CS₂)₂(formamidine], to which a polymeric structure is assigned.