Enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)imines catalyzed by β-aminoalcohols with the prolinol skeleton

Several β-aminoalcohols with the prolinol framework are shown to be very efficient catalysts for the enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)imines. The use of 0.5 equiv of the catalyst leads to the expected addition products in good yields and with ee up to 94% in a reaction time of only 4 h at room temperature. This ee is the highest value reported so far using 0.5 equiv of an aminoalcohol as a promoter. High enantioselectivities are obtained in the addition of dialkylzincs to both aromatic and aliphatic imines. The amount of the catalyst can be reduced to 0.25 equiv with a slight decrease in the ee. A very interesting effect of the addition rate and temperature on the enantioselectivity was also observed.     

N-Benzyl-l-prolinol: an efficient catalyst for the enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)imines

Commercially available N-benzyl-l-prolinol has shown to be a very efficient catalyst for the enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)imines. The use of 0.5 equiv of this β-aminoalcohol as a catalyst leads to the expected addition products in good yields and with ees up to 92% in a reaction time of only 4 h at room temperature. This ee is almost equal to the highest value reported so far using 0.5 equiv of an aminoalcohol as promoter, although the reaction time is much shorter in our case. The amount of the catalyst can be reduced to 0.25 equiv with a slight decrease in the ee. An interesting effect of the addition rate and temperature on the enantioselectivity has been observed.     

(R)- or (S)-Bi-2-naphthol assisted,l-proline catalyzed direct aldol reaction

Chiral Brønsted acids (R)- and (S)-BINOL were employed as additives in the classic l-proline catalyzed direct aldol reaction. Eighteen substrates were tested with 0.5 mol % (R)-BINOL loading and 1 mol % of (S)-BINOL loading, and the enantioselectivity was improved from 72% ee without additive to 98% ee. In the proposed transition state, the chiral Brønsted acid promoted the reaction through hydrogen bonding, which not only activated the carbonyl group but also stabilized the transition state.     

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic and dynamic kinetic resolution of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carboxylic acid

A dynamic kinetic resolution method for the preparation of enantiopure 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carboxylic acid (R)-2 was developed involving the CAL-B-catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis of the corresponding ethyl ester (±)-1 in toluene/acetonitrile (4:1) containing 1 equiv of added water and 0.25 equiv of dipropylamine. This method allowed the preparation of (R)-2 (ee = 96%) with 80% isolated yield. The kinetic resolution of (±)-1 in diisopropyl ether at 3 °C afforded both enantiomers with ee ⩾92%.     

One catalyst for both enantiomers: uncovering the inversion of enantioselectivity in cinchona-mediated desymmetrization of glutaric meso-anhydrides

A puzzling inversion of enantioselectivity dependent on catalyst loading was observed during the quinine-mediated desymmetrization of glutaric meso-anhydrides. This study presents the improvement of the catalytic path by the inclusion of carboxylic acid additives up to synthetically useful levels. The novel protocol utilizing 0.1 equiv of alkaloid and xanthene-9-carboxylic acid at room temperature (rt) was found comparable to the protocol requiring 1.1 equiv of alkaloid at ?30 °C. Thus, by altering the protocol the same catalyst produces the opposite enantiomer.This occurrence was rationalized by an extensive computational study of the interactions governing the molecular complexes formed by quinine, methanol, 3-methylglutaric anhydride, and the acetic acid. It was found that in a quinine catalyzed reaction the alcohol and the anhydride were directly hydrogen bonded to the catalyst. On the other hand, in the reaction with additive the acid intercalates between the alcohol and quinine. Due to this insertion the alcohol approaches the anhydride from the opposite face, in agreement with the observed inversion of enantioselectivity     

A convenient method for the kinetic resolution of racemic 2-hydroxyalkanoates using diphenylacetic anhydride (DPHAA) and a chiral acyl-transfer catalyst

Diphenylacetic anhydride (DPHAA) was found to be a useful reagent for the kinetic resolution of racemic 2-hydroxyalkanoates in the presence of a catalytic amount of (R)-benzotetramisole ((R)-BTM). The combined use of DPHAA and (R)-BTM effectively produced a variety of the optically active 2-hydroxyalkanoates and the corresponding 2-acyloxyalkanoates from racemic 2-hydroxyalkanoates (s-values = 42–177). A fairly broad substrate scope was demonstrated by this novel chiral induction system. We also revealed that the use of only 0.3 equiv of DPHAA is enough to provide the optically active 2-acyloxyalkanoates in good yields and with excellent ee’s by the added use of 0.3 equiv of pivalic anhydride for the kinetic resolution of the racemic 2-hydroxyalkanoates.     

Enantioselective construction of all-carbon quaternary spirocenters through a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols

A novel catalytic asymmetric synthetic method for making spirocyclohexadienones with an all-carbon quaternary spirocenter was developed based on the Pd-catalyzed intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols. When 5 mol % of the Pd catalyst and 12 mol % of (?)-9-NapBN (?)-3e were used, the spirocyclic adduct was obtained with up to 93% ee, albeit with low chemical yield. On the other hand, when using 6 mol% of the Trost ligand (R,R)-3k, the spirocyclic adducts were obtained in good yields with up to 89% ee (diastereoselectivity = 9.2:1).     

Rapid,room-temperature acylative kinetic resolution of sec-alcohols using atropisomeric 4-aminopyridine/triphenylphosphine catalysis

Two new atropisomeric 4-aminopyridine-based nucleophilic catalysts containing terphenyl ‘blocking groups’ have been prepared and evaluated for kinetic resolution (KR) of aryl alkyl sec-alcohols. One of these biaryls is shown to be the most selective atropisomeric catalyst yet prepared for several sec-alcohols but its low reactivity makes it non-optimal for use at room temperature (rt). Optimisation of the conditions for conducting KRs at rt using a previously described catalyst (containing a phenyl blocking group) at the 1 mol% level indicates that PPh₃ (1 equiv) is beneficial for enantioselectivity and allows KR of (±)-1-(naphthyl)ethanol in less than 30 min with s>15 (i.e., ∼40% recovered alcohol with >95% ee). These conditions constitute a convenient and practical method for rapid KR of sec-alcohols and are anticipated to facilitate a detailed kinetic study of this catalytic manifold by calorimetry.     

4-trans-Amino-proline based di- and tetrapeptides as organic catalysts for asymmetric C–C bond formation reactions

4-trans-Amino-proline based di- and tetrapeptides have been successfully applied as chiral organocatalysts in the enantioselective conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to cyclic enones and the direct aldol reaction. Two 4-trans-amino-proline residues were shown to be sufficient enough to catalyze the conjugate addition reactions with up to 88% ee and up to 100% yield. It has been demonstrated that 4-trans-amino-proline based di- and tetrapeptides are significantly more active than l-proline (at 30 mol %) and can catalyze the direct aldol reaction with good yield and enantioselectivity within 3 h and at lower catalyst loading (5 mol %).     

Preparation of a chiral synthon for an HBV inhibitor: enzymatic asymmetric hydrolysis of (1α,2β,3α)-2-(benzyloxymethyl)cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-diol diacetate and enzymatic asymmetric acetylation of (1α,2β,3α)-2-(benzyloxymethyl)cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-diol

Enantioselective asymmetric hydrolysis of (1α,2β,3α)-2-(benzyloxymethyl)-cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-diol diacetate 1 to the corresponding (+)-monoacetate 2 was carried out using lipase PS-30 from Pseudomonas cepacia or pancreatin. A reaction yield of 85 M % with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 98% was obtained. Using pancreatin, a reaction yield of 75 M % with an ee of 98.5% was obtained. Asymmetric acetylation of (1α,2β,3α)-2-(benzyloxymethyl)-cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-diol 3 to the corresponding (−)-monoacetate 4 was carried out using lipase PS-30 with isopropenyl acetate as the acylating agent. A reaction yield of 80 M % with an ee of 98% was obtained for (−)-monoacetate 4.     

Transformation of racemic ethyl 3-hydroxybutanoate into the (R)-enantiomer exploiting lipase catalysis and inversion of configuration

Racemic ethyl 3-hydroxybutanoate rac-1 was transformed into ethyl (R)-acetoxybutanoate (ee = 92%) with 85–90% chemical yields using enantioselective acylation with isopropenyl acetate in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B, Novozym 435) under solvent-free conditions, followed by mesylation of the unreacted (S)-alcohol in the reaction mixture and inversion of configuration with cesium acetate in DMF in one pot. When the (R)-acetoxybutanoate was subjected to alcoholysis with ethanol and CAL-B, enantiopure (R)-1 (ee >99%) was produced.     

trans-(2R,3R)-2,3-Diphenylcyclopropane-1,1-dimethanol: a pivotal diol for the synthesis of novel C2-symmetric ligands for asymmetric transition metal catalysis

Various chiral ligands bearing phosphorus or nitrogen donor atoms were obtained in a straightforward manner starting from trans-(2R,3R)-diphenylcyclopropane-1,1-dimethanol as a key structure. These chiral ligands were tested and compared in palladium(0)-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions (up to 71% ee) and rhodium(I)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenations (up to 88% ee). Moreover, in the asymmetric allylic alkylation, we observed excellent activity with a diphosphinite ligand (TOF = 600 mol 17 × [mol Pd × h)^?1].     

Synthesis of both enantiomers of ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxbutanoate from a prochiral ketone using Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330

Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 when grown in a medium containing glycerol reduced ethyl-4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate to (R)-ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanote (ee >99%, yield: 94%) while glucose and sucrose grown cells yielded (S)-ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanote (ee >99%, yield: 96%). The activity of ethyl-4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate reductase was higher in glucose-grown cells (160 U/g protein) when compared to sucrose (158 U/g protein) and glycerol (22 U/g protein). Both the enantiomers of ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate (ee >99%) can thus be obtained using Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 by altering the carbon source in the growth medium.     

Lipase catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of a prochiral pentane-1,3,5-triol derivative

The enantioselective desymmetrization of the prochiral 3-O-silyl protected pentanetriol derivative 3 was carefully investigated. At −10 °C, the bacterial lipase from Burkholderia cepacia immobilized on ceramic particles led to monoacetate (S)-4 in 52% yield and >99.9% ee. At a reaction temperature of −40 °C the yield and enantioselectivity were even higher, but the reaction time was very long. Theoretical simulations of the reaction progress indicated an enantioselectivity of 25:1 at −10 °C and 35:1 at −40 °C. (S)-4 was converted into the enantiomerically pure building block 5-azidopentane-1,3-diol (S)-7 in two steps. The absolute configuration of (S)-7 was determined by exciton-coupled circular dichroism (ECCD) of diester (S)-8.     

Asymmetric nitroaldol reaction catalyzed by a chromium(III)–salen system

Chiral chromium(III)–salen-type complexes derived from 1,2-diaminocyclohexane and 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine were found to catalyze the enantioselective Henry reaction. Various arylaldehydes, trans-cinnamaldehyde, and cyclohexanecarbaldehyde reacted with nitromethane in the presence of (i-Pr)₂NEt and salen–CrCl (2 mol %) to give the corresponding adducts in 40–76% ee and in moderate to good yields.     

Achiral additives dramatically enhance enantioselectivities in the BINOL–Ti(IV) complex catalyzed aldol condensations of aldehydes with Chan’s diene

Achiral additives can dramatically enhance the enantioselectivities in the BINOL–Ti(IV) complex catalyzed aldol condensations of aldehydes with Chan’s diene. The best results were obtained by using 2.0 equiv of LiCl with respect to (S)-BINOL/Ti(Oi-Pr)₄ as the additive. In the presence of 4.0 mol % of LiCl and 2.0 mol % of BINOL/Ti(Oi-Pr)₄, all aldehydes tested gave δ-hydroxy-β-ketoesters as almost pure single enantiomers. Moreover, the present catalyst system was highly effective on reducing the catalyst loadings to 0.1 mol %.     

Readily available (S)-proline-derived organocatalysts for the Lewis acid-mediated Lewis base-catalyzed stereoselective aldol reactions of activated thioesters

A set of enantiomerically pure Lewis bases containing different diphenyl phosphinyl oxide groups were easily synthesized in a straightforward procedure by reaction of readily available proline-based scaffolds and phosphinoyl chlorides. The newly synthesized derivatives were employed (0.1 mol equiv) as organocatalysts in the Lewis acid-mediated Lewis base-promoted direct stereoselective aldol reactions of activated thioesters with aromatic aldehydes, carried out in the presence of tetrachlorosilane and a tertiary amine. β-Hydroxy thioesters were obtained in moderate to high yields, with very high syn diastereoselectivities (dr up to >98:2), and fair enantioselectivities (ee up to 51%). Theoretical studies were performed in order to elucidate the origin of the stereoselection.     

Enantioselective hydrolysis of styrene oxide with the epoxide hydrolase of Sphingomonas sp. HXN-200

The soluble bacterial epoxide hydrolase (EH) from Sphingomonas sp. HXN-200 catalyzed the enantioselective hydrolysis of racemic styrene oxide to give (S)-styrene oxide with an enantiomeric ratio (E) of 21–23 in aqueous buffer, better than any reported native EHs. The ring opening of the styrene oxide with this EH was only at the terminal position for the (S)-enantiomer and at the terminal and benzylic position in an 87:13 ratio for the (R)-enantiomer. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the styrene oxide in a two-liquid phase system significantly reduced autohydrolysis, thus improving the E to 26–29. Hydrolysis of 160 mM styrene oxide with cell-free extract (CFE) of Sphingomonas sp. HXN-200 (10 mg protein/mL) in aqueous buffer and n-hexane (1:1) for 30.7 h afforded 39.2% (62.7 mM) of (S)-styrene oxide in >99.9% ee. The lyophilized CFE was proven to be stable, while the rehydrated lyophilized CFE powder was successfully used for the hydrolysis of 320 mM styrene oxide in the two-liquid phase system, yielding 40.2% (128.6 mM) of (S)-styrene oxide in >99.9% ee after 13.8 h. No inhibitory effect of the diol product on the hydrolysis was observed when the diol concentration was lower than 476 mM, suggesting a straightforward process for the hydrolysis of up to 1 M styrene oxide.     

Enantioselective copper-catalyzed 1,4-addition of dialkylzincs to enones using a novel N,N,P–Cu(II) complex

Enantioselective copper-catalyzed 1,4-additions of dialkylzincs to enones were carried out in the presence of 1 mol % of Cu(OTf)₂ and 2.5 mol % of an N,N,P-ligand possessing a tert-butyl group at the adjacent position of the nitrogen of pyridine to afford the corresponding 1,4-adducts in up to 98% ee.     

Preferential crystallization in an unusual case of conglomerate with partial solid solutions

Ethanolamine mandelate (E.M.) crystallizes as a stable conglomerate and has been found to form partial solid solutions. The crystal structure of the pure enantiomer has been solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In order to determine the extreme compositions of the partial solid solutions in equilibrium (87% ee), the isothermal ternary section in the system [(+)-E.M.–(−)-E.M.–(ethanol–water azeotropic mixture)] was established at 25 °C. Several consecutive preferential crystallization attempts (AS3PC method) were undertaken between T_B = 41 °C (starting temperature) and T_F = 25 °C (final temperature) on a 2-L scale.We initially expected to obtain crude crops whose enantiomeric purities would be close to that defined by the isothermal ternary phase diagram (T_F). In fact, the filtered solid phases are of lower enantiomeric excesses: ca. 62% ee. The monitoring of the mother liquor composition over the course of the entrainment shows that the enantiomeric composition of the filtered solid is related to the metastable equilibria involved in the preferential crystallization.