Enantioselective reduction of ketophosphonates using chiral acid adducts with sodium borohydride

A method for asymmetric reduction of α-and β-ketophosphonates using a chiral complex prepared from sodium borohydride and D-or L-tartaric acid is developed. Reduction of α-or β-ketophosphonates by these reagents led to formation of corresponding (S)-or (R)-hydroxyphosphonates. Reduction of chiral di(1R,2S,5R)-menthylketophosphonates by the chiral complex NaBH₄/(R,R)-tartaric acid due to the dual compliant asymmetric induction resulted in increased stereoselectivity of the reaction and led to formation of the hydroxyphosphonates with ee 90% or higher. On the other hand, reduction of di(1R,2S,5R)-methylketophosphonates by the chiral complex NaBH₄/(S,S)-tartaric acid proceeded as non-compliant dual asymmetric induction and resulted in decreased reaction stereoselectivity leading to formation of hydroxyphosphonates with ～45–60% ee. The developed methodology was applied to the synthesis of (R)-phosphocarnitine in multigram amounts.     

The use of 1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylofuranose as a chiral auxiliary in asymmetric cyclopropanation reactions

The stereoselective synthesis of cyclopropylmethylidene acetals derived from 1,2-O-isopropylidene-d-xylofuranose, as a chiral auxiliary, is described. The Simmons–Smith cyclopropanation reaction of the corresponding alkenylidene derivatives with CH₂I₂/ZnEt₂, in different reaction conditions, took place with high stereoselectivity. The diastereomeric excess in each case depended on the solvent and the temperature used in the reaction. The absolute configuration of the new stereogenic centres formed was determined by acid hydrolysis of the cyclopropane moiety of the chiral auxiliary, which was also recovered.     

Conjugate addition of aromatic amines to ethenetricarboxylates

The conjugate addition of amines is considered to be a useful reaction in synthetic organic chemistry. The reaction of reactive electrophilic olefins, ethenetricarboxylates, and aromatic amines with and without catalytic Lewis acids such as ZnCl₂ and ZnBr₂ at room temperature gave amine adducts in high yields. The products were converted to α-amino acid, dl-aspartic acid derivatives. Using Lewis acids such as Sc(OTf)₃ and Zn(OTf)₂ at higher temperature (40-80 °C), the reaction of ethenetricarboxylates and N-methylaniline gave an aromatic substitution product. A catalytic enantioselective conjugate addition using a chiral Lewis acid was also investigated. For example, the reaction of 1,1-diethyl 2-tert-butyl ethenetricarboxylate with N-methylaniline in the presence of chiral bisoxazoline-Cu(II) complex in THF at −20 °C for 17 h gave an amine adduct in 91% yield and 78% ee. On the other hand, the reaction with aniline and primary aniline derivatives gave adducts with almost no ee%.     

Synthesis of chiral β2-amino acids by asymmetric hydrogenation

The synthesis of chiral β²-amino acids by homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation is discussed. Prochiral β-aryl- or β-hetaryl-α-N-benzyl/N-acetyl/N-Boc substituted α-aminomethylacrylates used as substrates were prepared by a Baylis–Hillman reaction, followed by acylation and amination. For the asymmetric hydrogenation, a large variety of chiral, preferentially rhodium catalysts bearing commercially available phosphorus ligands were tested. Conversions and enantioselectivities were dependent on the reaction conditions and varied strongly between the substrates used. A chiral N-α-phenylethyl group supports the stereoface discriminating ability of the chiral catalysts and thus a matching pair effect could be realized. In strong contrast, a chiral ester group has almost no effect in this respect. In some cases the use of the corresponding substrate acid was better in comparison to the use of its ester. After optimization of the hydrogenation conditions (chiral catalyst, H₂-pressure, temperature, solvent), full conversions and products with up to 99% ee were achieved.     

A general synthetic route to chiral dihydroxy-9,9′-spirobifluorenes

C₂-Symmetric 9,9′-spirobifluorenes with 2,2′-, 3,3′-, and 4,4′-dihydroxyls were conveniently prepared from 1,2-dibromobenzene. The palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction of 1,2-dibromobenzene with methoxyphenylmagnesium bromide or methoxyphenylboronic acid provided methoxy substituted 2-bromobiphenyls. Lithium-bromine exchange with n-butyllithium, followed by reaction with dimethyl carbonate afforded di[2-(methoxyphenyl)phenyl]ketones as the key intermediates. A continuous ring-closure induced by a strong Lewis acid and demethylation gave dihydroxy-9,9′-spirobifluorenes. The racemic dihydroxy products were resolved by inclusion crystallization using chiral resolving reagents or separated by chiral HPLC.     

Enantioselective synthesis of 2-substituted-1,4-diketones from (S)-mandelic acid enolate and α,β-enones

An approach for the synthesis of chiral non-racemic 2-substituted-1,4-diketones from (S)-mandelic acid and α,β-enones has been developed. The reaction of lithium enolate of the 1,3-dioxolan-4-one derived from optically active (S)-mandelic acid and pivalaldehyde with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds proceeds readily to give the corresponding Michael adducts in good yields and with high diastereoselectivities. The addition of HMPA (3 equiv) reverses and strongly enhances the diastereoselectivity of the reaction. A change in the reaction mechanism from a lithium catalyzed to the one where catalysis has been suppressed by coordination of HMPA to lithium is proposed to explain these results. Subsequent basic hydrolysis of the 1,3-dioxolan-4-one moiety yields the corresponding α-hydroxy acids (in hemiacetal form), which after decarboxylation with oxygen in the presence of pivalaldehyde and the Co(III)Me₂opba complex as catalyst give chiral 2-substituted 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds with very high enantiomeric excesses. In this approach, (S)-mandelic acid acts as an umpoled chiral equivalent of the benzoyl anion.     

Novel C2-symmetric chiral O,N,N,O-tetradentate 2,2-bipyridyldiolpropane ligands: synthesis and application in asymmetric diethylzinc addition to aldehydes

First synthesis of C₂-symmetric chiral O,N,N,O-tetradentate 2,2-bipyridyldiolpropane ligands is described. The Mukaiyama–Michael reaction was applied as an important reaction for the synthesis of 2,2-bipyridylpropane 9. Among the ligands synthesized, ligand 11 exhibits excellent chiral induction (up to 97% ee) in diethylzinc addition to various aldehydes. The use of additional Lewis acid such as Ti(OⁱPr)₄ in diethylzinc addition reaction is not required for the present catalytic system.     

Chiral N,N′-dioxide-iron(II) complexes catalyzed enantioselective oxa-Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

The enantioselective oxa-Michael addition reaction of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl) ethanone oxime to various α,β-unsaturated aldehydes was accomplished by using chiral N,N′-dioxide-FeSO₄·7H₂O (1:1) complex. Aromatic acid was employed as additive to increase the yield of the reaction. The corresponding adducts were obtained in moderate yields with up to 76% ee under mild conditions.     

Asymmetric induction in the conjugate addition of thioacetic acid to methacrylamides with chiral auxiliaries

The conjugate addition of thioacetic acid to methacrylamides with chiral C₂-symmetric trans-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines afforded the addition products in excellent stereoselectivities (>99% de) and good yields (80–90%). The high selectivity was attributed mainly to the steric effect of the chiral auxiliaries. The cyclic nature of the chiral auxiliaries seemed also important for both the stereoselectivity and the reaction rate. Acidic hydrolysis of the adduct containing (2R,5R)-bis(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine gave (S)-3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoic acid, a key intermediate for captopril, in 98% ee and 96% yield. The chiral auxiliary was recovered in the demethylated form of N-Boc-(2R,3R)-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine in 90% yield.     

(2S,5S)-Pyrrolidine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid,an efficient chiral organocatalyst for direct aldol reactions

Enantioselective aldol reaction of ketones with aldehydes catalyzed by (2S,5S)-pyrrolidine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid in the presence of an equal molar amount of Et₃N was described. By using the new chiral organocatalyst, the direct aldol condensation products were obtained in reasonable yields and up to 90% ee.     

Intramolecular asymmetric C–H insertion of N-arylalkyl,N-bis(trimethylsilyl)methyldiazoamides mediated by chiral rhodium(II) catalysts. Synthesis of (R)-β-benzyl-γ-aminobutyric acid

The enantio- and site-selectivity of the intramolecular C–H insertion reactions of acyclic N-arylalkyl, N-bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl α-diazoacetamides, and α-carboalkoxy-α-diazoacetamides 1a–g, catalyzed by chiral Rh(II) carboxamidates and Rh(II) carboxylates were studied. In general, the reaction showed good to excellent chemoselectivity. Regioselectivity for most of the reactions was high, but was also found to be influenced by the structure of the diazo substrate and the chiral Rh(II) catalyst employed. The highest enantioselectivity for the reactions catalyzed by chiral Rh(II) carboxamidates was 69% and Rh₂(4R-MEOX)₄ was found to be the most effective. For the chiral Rh(II) carboxylate catalyzed reactions, the highest ee obtained was 75% and Rh₂(S-PTTL)₄ is the optimal catalyst. The method was applied toward the synthesis of a GABA analogue, (R)-β-benzyl-γ-aminobutyric acid.     

Diastereoselective photosensitised radical addition to fumaric acid derivatives bearing oxazolidine chiral auxiliaries

Various fumaric acid diamides were alkylated by reaction with photogenerated radicals. The radicals were produced either by benzophenone triplet hydrogen abstraction (from 1,3-dioxolane, 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane and adamantane) or via photoinduced electron transfer sensitised by DCN/biphenyl from stannanes (t-BuSnPh₃ and Bu₄Sn). When chiral substrates were employed the reaction occurred with a good degree of stereoselectivity even when acyclic alkyl radicals were involved.     

TiCl4 promoted menthyl ester chiral auxiliary mediated synthesis of chiral syn-β-amino esters and applications of a representative syn-β-amino ester

β-Amino esters were obtained in up to 78% yield with 72:28–96:4 diastereomeric ratios by the reaction of the chiral titanium enolate of menthyl esters, prepared using the TiCl₄/Et₃N reagent system with prochiral imines. A representative syn-β-amino ester derivative has been used for the resolution of racemic mandelic acid to obtain a sample with >99% ee in a single step. A representative syn-β-amino ester was converted to the corresponding N-deprotected amino ester using the Pd–C/HCOOH reagent system, and then to the corresponding β-amino acid using the glacial CH₃COOH/HCl reagent system, and to the corresponding β-lactam derivative with partial epimerization by the reaction using C₂H₅MgBr.     

Superior substrate control on diastereoselection in boric Lewis acid-promoted aldol reactions. Asymmetric synthesis of a 3,4-syn homologous series of ethyl 3,5-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-5-phenylpentanoates

The BF₃·OEt₂-promoted aldol reaction of chiral syn- and anti-α-methyl-β-siloxy aldehydes with a silyl ketene acetal resulted in essentially complete syn Felkin selection. Even in the asymmetric aldol reaction using chiral oxazaborolidinones, the substrate control with respect to diastereoselection was found to overcome the promoter (catalyst) control which would normally occur depending on the stereocenter of the chiral boranes.     

Inherently chiral biscalixarene cone–cone conformers consisting of calix[4]arene and calix[5]arene subunits

Inherently chiral biscalixarenes with hetero-cavities were synthesized by a covalent assembly of p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene with a 1,3-substituted calix[4]arene via 1,3-alkylation reaction and subsequent desymmetrization. The racemates were resolved by chiral HPLC method. ¹H NMR spectra, VT-NMR spectra, and theoretical calculations support that the calix[5]arene subunit of the inherently chiral calix[4][5]arene ester adopts a cone-in conformation, with the aromatic ring bearing the CH₂CO₂Et group tilting inward the calix[5]arene cavity. By contrast, such a cone-in structural feature of the calix[5]arene subunit disappears for the corresponding inherently chiral calix[4][5]arene carboxylic acid, due to the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl group and an ethereal oxygen of the glycolic chain.     

Asymmetric zinc-Reformatsky reaction of Evans chiral imide with acetophenones and its application to the stereoselective synthesis of triazole antifungal agents

The Ni(acac)₂ catalytic ZnEt₂-mediated asymmetric Reformatsky-type reaction of Evans chiral imide with various acetophenones was studied. The chiral imido zinc enolate, which was formed through the metal–halogen exchange reaction of chiral α-bromopropionyl-2-oxazolidinones 2 with diethyl zinc under the catalysis of Ni(acac)₂, performed the asymmetric zinc-Reformatsky reaction with activated α-haloacetophenones 3 to give the chiral β-hydroxyamide 4 in good yields and high ratios of syn-(2R,3R)-isomers (up to >97%). This new asymmetric synthesis technology affords a practical method to synthesize the versatile chiral building block 5 for triazole antifungal agents, such as Voriconazole, Ravuconazole, TAK-187, and RO-0094815.     

Chiral N-phosphonyl imine chemistry: asymmetric 1,2-additions of allylmagnesium bromides

Chiral N-phosphonyl homoallylic amines were synthesized by the reaction of allylmagnesium bromide with chiral N-phosphonyl imines. The C₂-symmetric chiral N-phosphonyl group was optimized for this reaction. Excellent yields and good diastereoselectivities were obtained for eight examples.     

Performance of C1-symmetric chiral ammonium betaines as catalysts for the enantioselective Mannich-type reaction of α-nitrocarboxylates

The catalytic performance of C₁-symmetric chiral ammonium betaines in the enantioselective direct Mannich-type reaction of α-nitrocarboxylates with N-Boc imines has been investigated. The most effective catalyst structure has been identified; this provides a reliable synthetic route to a variety of enantiomerically enriched α-tetrasubstituted α,β-diamino acid derivatives.     

A new C2-symmetric azolium compound for Cu-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of R2Zn to cyclic enone

A new chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand was designed. Thus, an efficient synthetic route to C₂-symmetric bis(hydroxyamide)-functionalized benzimidazolium salts from chiral β-amino alcohols was developed. The combination of Cu(OTf)₂ and the chiral azolium compound efficiently promoted the conjugate addition reaction of cyclic enone with dialkylzinc to give the corresponding adduct in good yield. Among a series of chiral NHC proligands, the functionalized benzimidazolium chloride possessing a tert-butyl group as a stereodirecting group was found to be the best choice of ligand. Under optimized reaction conditions, an excellent enantioselectivity (96% ee) was realized by allowing 2-cyclohepten-1-one to react with Bu₂Zn at room temperature.     

Convenient synthesis of optically active deuterated primary alcohols via deuteride reduction of acetals derived from homochiral (1R1,2R1)-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-phenylpropane-1,2-diols

(1R)-1-Deuterated alcohols with high enantiomeric excess were prepared via TiCl₄/Et₃SiD reduction of acetals arising from the reaction of aldehydes with (1S,2S)-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-phenylpropane-1,2-diol 9. Such a chiral auxiliary was synthesized in an enantiomerically pure form starting from l-mandelic acid. Due to its benzylic nature, it was easily removed from the reaction product of the reductive 1,3-dioxolane ring-cleavage to afford the desired α-deuterated alcohol.