Asymmetric synthesis of alpha-amino acids: preparation and alkylation of monocyclic iminolactones derived from alpha-methyl trans-cinnamaldehyde

Two novel chiral monocyclic iminolactones 14a and 14b have been prepared. The chiral auxiliary 12 was obtained from alpha-methyl-trans-cinnamaldehyde through reduction, methylation, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, and oxidation in 87% overall yield. Esterification of compound 12 with the respective protected amino acids followed by deprotection and cyclization provided the corresponding iminolactones, each in 82% overall yield. Alkylation of the iminolactone 14a afforded the alpha-methyl-alpha,alpha-disubstituted products 15 and 16 in good yields (78-99%) and excellent diastereoselectivity (de >98%). Alkylations of the iminolactone 14b furnished the alpha-benzyl-alpha,alpha-disubstituted products 15a, 16b, 17, and 18 in good yields (51-86%) but moderate diastereoselectivities (43-56%). When HMPA or DMPU was used as a cosolvent, the rate of alkylation of the iminolactone 14b was accelerated with improved yields (56-99%) and diastereoselectivities (50-83%). Hydrolysis of the dialkylated iminolactones yielded the alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids in good yields (80-98%) and high enantiomeric excesses (98-99%) with good recovery of compound 12 (83-92%).     

Chiral tricyclic iminolactone derived from (1R)-(+)-camphor as a glycine equivalent for the asymmetric synthesis of alpha-amino acids

The development of a highly efficient and stereoselective methodology for the preparation of alpha-amino acids is described. The chiral template, tricyclic iminolactone 7, was synthesized from (1R)-(+)-camphor in five steps in 50% overall yield. Alkylation of iminolactone 7 afforded the alpha-monosubstituted products in good yields (74-96%) and excellent diastereoselectivities (>98%). Hydrolysis of the alkylated iminolactones furnished the desired alpha-amino acids in good yields and enantioselectivities with nearly quantitative recovery of the chiral auxiliary 4.     

Selective synthesis of either enantiomer of alpha-amino acids by switching the regiochemistry of the tricyclic iminolactones prepared from a single chiral source

Preparation of l-alpha-amino acids was easily accomplished simply by exchanging the position of the lactone group of our recently reported chiral template 1 from C2 to C3. The new chiral template 7 was prepared in 54% overall yield over five steps from (1R)-(+)-camphor. Alkylation of iminolactone 7 afforded the alpha-monosubstituted products in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities (>98%). Hydrolysis of the alkylated iminolactones furnished the desired l-alpha-amino acids in good yields and ee with nearly quantitative recovery of chiral auxiliary 4.     

An asymmetric approach to spirocylic systems: a formal synthesis of zizaene

A general route to enantiopure spirocarbocycles is described. The use of various chiral bicyclic lactams 1 that have been doubly alkylated with olefinic halides gives good yields of alpha,alpha-disubstituted chiral lactams 2 which were cyclized to spiro-olefins using ring closure metathesis methodology (Grubbs' catalyst). These spirolactams 3, formed in generally excellent yields, were shown to be smoothly transformed into spirocyclopentenone 6, spirocyclohexenone, 7, and spirolactams 8. Further demonstration of this spirocyclization methodology was featured in a formal synthesis of zizaene, by preparing in enantiomeric form the Coates' intermediate 21. This synthetic effort provided additional examples of the synthetic versatility of chiral bicyclic lactams 2a,b.     

Asymmetric synthesis of α-methyl-α-amino acids via diastereoselective alkylation of (1S)-(+)-3-carene derived tricyclic iminolactone

A novel carene-based alanine-equivalent tricyclic iminolactone 16 has been synthesized via stereoselective dihydroxylation of the double bond, IBX oxidation of the secondary alcohol, esterification of the tertiary alcohol, deprotection of the resulting ester, and subsequent cyclization from commercially available (1S)-(+)-3-carene in 79% overall yield. The iminolactone 16 demonstrated high reactivity toward alkylation with a wide range of electrophiles at room temperature under phase-transfer catalysis conditions. The alkylated products were produced with excellent diastereoselectivities (>98% de) in good isolated yields (86-94%). High yields (83-91%) of optically pure (S)-α-methyl-α-substituted-α-amino acids were obtained by basic hydrolysis of the dialkylated iminolactones with the recovery of the chiral auxiliary 15 (78-87%).     

Design and synthesis of chiral alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acids and conformational study of their oligopeptides

alpha,alpha-Disubstituted amino acids are alpha-amino acids in which the hydrogen atom at the alpha-position of the L-alpha-amino acid is replaced with an alkyl substituent. The introduction of an alpha-alkyl substituent changes the properties of amino acids, with the conformational freedom of the side chain in the amino acids and the secondary structure of their peptides being especially restricted. The author developed a synthetic route of optically active alpha-ethylated alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acids using chiral cyclic 1,2-diol as a chiral auxiliary. It was found that the preferred secondary structure of peptides composed of chiral alpha-ethylated alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acids is a fully extended C5-conformation, whereas that of peptides composed of chiral alpha-methylated alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acids is a 3(10)-helical structure. Also, a new chiral cyclic amino acid; (3S,4S)-1-amino-3,4-di(methoxy)cyclopentanecarboxylic acid {(S,S)-Ac5c(dOM)}, and a bicyclic amino acid; (1R,6R)-8-aminobicyclo[4.3.0]non-3-ene-8-carboxylic acid {(R,R)-Ab5,6= c}, in which the alpha-carbon atom is not the chiral center but chiral centers exist at the side-chain cycloalkane skeleton, were designed and synthesized. The (S,S)-Ac5c(dOM) hexa- and octapeptides preferentially formed left-handed (M) helices, in which the helical-screw direction is exclusively controlled by the side-chain chiral centers. Contrary to the left-handed helices of (S,S)-Ac(5)c(dOM) peptides, the (R,R)-Ab5,6= c hexapeptide formed both diastereomeric right-handed (P) and left-handed (M) helices, and the twelve chiral centers at the side chain showed no preference for helical-screw direction. Thus, the chiral environment at the side chain is important for the control of helical-screw direction. Furthermore, the author designed a new class of chiral cyclic alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acids that have pendant chiral centers at the substituent of the delta-nitrogen atom. The synthetic route would provide various optically-active cyclic alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acids bearing a pendant chiral moiety.     

Asymmetric synthesis of alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids using (S,S)-cyclohexane-1,2-diol as a chiral auxiliary

Diastereoselective alkylation of ethyl 2-methyl- and/or 2-ethylacetoacetates using the (S,S)-cyclohexane-1,2-diol as an acetal chiral auxiliary afforded enol ethers (2a-f and 5a-f) of 92->95% de in 31-70% yields. Removal of the cyclohexane-1,2-diol with BF(3)-OEt(2) afforded beta-keto esters (3 and 6) bearing a chiral quaternary carbon. The beta-keto esters could be easily converted into optically active alpha-methylated and/or alpha-ethylated alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acids (12 and 13) in 21-99% yields using Schmidt rearrangement.     

An extended planar C5 conformation and a 310-helical structure of peptide foldamer composed of diverse alpha-ethylated alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids

Optically active peptide foldamers Tfa-[(S)-(alphaEt)Leu]-[(S)-(alphaEt)Nva]-Deg-[(S)-(alphaEt)Nle]-OEt (10) and Tfa-[(S)-(alphaEt)Val]-[(S)-(alphaEt)Leu]-[(S)-(alphaEt)Nva]-Deg-[(S)-(alphaEt)Nle]-OEt (11) composed of diverse alpha-ethylated alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids were synthesized. The dominant conformation of these peptides in solution was an unusual, fully extended planar conformation, and that in the crystal state was both right-handed (P) and left-handed (M) 3(10)-helical structures in 10 and a P 3(10)-helical structure in 11, respectively. The preferred planar C(5) conformation of the peptides prepared from chiral alpha-ethylated alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids was drastically different from the 3(10)-helical structure of the peptides prepared from chiral alpha-methylated alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids.     

Asymmetric allylation of unsymmetrical 1,3-diketones using a BINAP-palladium catalyst

[reaction: see text] The chiral palladium complex generated in situ from [Pd(eta(3)-allyl)Cl](2) and (R)-BINAP is a good catalyst for the catalytic asymmetric allylation of 1,3-diketones. The reaction provided chiral 2,2-dialkyl-1,3-diketones with 64-89% ee in high yields (13 examples). Enantiomeric excesses are strongly affected by the gamma-substituent of the allylic substrates. A variety of unsymmetrical 1,3-diketones were alkylated with cinnamyl acetate in good enantioselectivities via use of the BINAP-palladium catalyst (77-89% ee).     

Practical synthesis of optically active alpha,alpha-disubstituted malonamic acids through asymmetric hydrolysis of malonamide derivatives with Rhodococcus sp. CGMCC 0497

A variety of alpha,alpha-disubstituted malonamides undergo enantioselective hydrolysis with Rhodococcus sp. CGMCC 0497 to give challenging enantiopure alpha,alpha-disubstituted malonamic acids with up to >99% enantiomeric excesses and 98% chemical yields. The enantioselectivity originated from the effects of a highly enantioselective amidase. The products could be converted to valuable (R)- or (S)-alpha,alpha-dialkylated amino acids after routine conversions.     

Synthesis of functionalized alpha,alpha-disubstituted beta-alkynyl esters from allenoates through an alkynylenolate intermediate

Highly substituted alpha,alpha-disubstituted beta-alkynyl esters are readily prepared from allenyl esters and either alkyl halide, acid chloride, or alkyl chloroformate, mediated by an amide base. This highly efficient and mild process tolerates various functional groups and provides alpha,alpha-disubstituted beta-alkynyl esters in good to excellent yields. This method is especially suitable for the synthesis of 1,n-enynes or 1,n-diynes (n > 4). Electrophilic cyclization of 1,5-enyne gives a highly functionalized gamma-iodolactone, whereas its platinum-catalyzed cycloisomerization affords 1,3-cyclohexadiene.     

A convenient route to enantiopure 3-aryl-2,3-diaminopropanoic acids by diastereoselective Mannich reaction of camphor-based tricyclic iminolactone with imines

A novel and convenient route to the asymmetric synthesis of 2,3-diamino acids via Mannich reaction of iminolactones 1a and 1b with N-protected imines has been achieved in good yields (up to 95%) and high diastereoselectivity (dr: >99:1). Hydrolysis of the Mannich adducts under acidic conditions furnished the desired 3-aryl-2,3-diaminopropanoic acids in good yields (up to 85%) with excellent enantiomeric excesses (99% ee).     

Highly enantioselective synthesis of alpha,alpha-disubstituted malonamic acids through asymmetric hydrolysis of dinitriles with Rhodococcus sp. CGMCC 0497

Highly enantioselective hydrolysis of alpha,alpha-disubstituted malononitriles by the strain Rhodococcus sp. CGMCC 0497 expressing both nitrile hydratase and amidase activity to give (R)-alpha,alpha-disubstituted malonamic acids which could be converted to valuable (R)- or (S)-alpha-alkylated amino acids are reported and the yields of the products are improved remarkably at a lower reaction temperature.     

Reaction of Alkyl and Aryl Isocyanides with Floren‐9‐ones in the Presence of Acetylenic Esters: Preparation of γ‐Spiroiminolactones

The reactive 1∶1 intermediate generated by the addition of alkyl and aryl isocyanides to dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate was trapped by 2,7‐dinitrofloren‐9‐one and floren‐9‐one to yield iminolactones in good yields.     

Highly enantioselective allylation of aldehydes catalyzed by indium(III)-PYBOX complex

A chiral indium(III)-PYBOX complex prepared from indium triflate and chiral PYBOX has been discovered to effect high enantioselectivities in the addition of allyltributyl stannane to aldehydes. The allylation of a variety of aromatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated, and aliphatic aldehydes resulted in good yields and high enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee).     

Phenylglycine methyl ester, a useful tool for absolute configuration determination of various chiral carboxylic acids

A new chiral anisotropic reagent, phenylglycine methyl ester (PGME), developed for the elucidation of the absolute configuration of chiral alpha,alpha-disubstituted acetic acids, has turned out to be applicable to other substituted carboxylic acids, such as chiral alpha-hydroxy-, alpha-alkoxy-, and alpha-acyloxy-alpha, alpha-disubstituted acetic acids, as well as to chiral beta, beta-disubstituted propionic acids. Because a carboxylic moiety is convertible from other functional groups, e.g., ozonolysis of an olefin and oxidative cleavage of a glycol, the present findings can expand the utility of the PGME method to the absolute configuration determination of various types of organic compounds, even those which initially lack oxygen functions. Several examples of the combination of chemical reactions and the PGME method are described.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids and derivatives

It is shown that racemic oxazolones are excellent reagents for the synthesis of chiral quaternary amino acids and its derivatives by the diastereo- and enantioselective nucleophilic addition to alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes catalyzed by diarylprolinol silyl ethers. The scope of this new organocatalytic reaction is demonstrated for different oxazolones having aromatic and alkyl groups at the reactive carbon atom and different aromatic and aliphatic substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes, for which the stereoselective reaction proceeds with good yield, moderate to good to very high diastereoselectivity, and very high enantioselectivity. The potential of the reaction is shown for the synthesis of optically active alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids, alpha-quaternary proline derivatives, amino alcohols, lactams, and tetrahydropyranes. Furthermore, we have calculated by DFT-methods the transition-state structures that account for both the diastereo- and enantioselectivity observed for the addition of oxazolones to the alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes. For one class of compounds, the stereoselectivity is controlled by a hydrogen-bonding interaction of the enolate-form of the oxazolone with an ortho-hydroxy-phenyl substituent of the alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde, whereas the benzhydryl-protecting group in the oxazolone determines the diastereo- and enantioselectivity in a more general manner for both aromatic and aliphatic alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes.     

Enantioselective Radical‐Polar Crossover Reactions of Indanonecarboxamides with Alkenes

Highly efficient asymmetric intermolecular radical‐polar crossover reactions were realized by combining a chiral N,N′‐dioxide/Ni^II complex catalyst with Ag₂O under mild reaction conditions. Various terminal alkenes and indanonecarboxamides/esters underwent radical addition/cyclization reactions to afford spiro‐iminolactones and spirolactones with good to excellent yields (up to 99 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee). Furthermore, a range of different radical‐mediated oxidation/elimination or epoxide ring‐opening products were obtained under mild reaction conditions. The Lewis acid catalysts exhibited excellent performance and precluded the strong background reaction.     

Catalytic asymmetric bromination and chlorination of beta-ketoesters

The first general catalytic asymmetric bromination and chlorination of beta-ketoesters has been developed. The reactions proceed for both acyclic and cyclic beta-ketoesters catalyzed by chiral bisoxazolinecopper(II) complexes giving the corresponding optically active alpha-bromo- and alpha-chloro-beta-ketoesters in high yields and moderate to good enantioselectivities. For the optically active chlorinated products the isolated yields are in the range of 88-99 % and the enantiomeric excesses up to 77 % ee, while the optically active brominated adducts are formed in 70-99 % isolated yield and up to 82 % ee. Based on the absolute configuration of the optically active products, the face selectivity for the catalytic enantioselective halogenation is discussed based on a bidentate coordination of the beta-ketoester to the chiral catalyst and a X-ray structure of chiral alpha,gamma-diketoesterenolatebisoxazolinecopper(II) complex.     

Catalytic asymmetric allylation of aldehydes via a chiral indium(III) complex

A chiral indium complex has been discovered to effect high enantioselectivities in the addition of allyltributyl stannanes to aldehydes. The allylation of a variety of aromatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated and aliphatic aldehydes resulted in good yields and high enantioselectivities (90-96% ee).