N-Pyridylmethylephedrine derivatives in the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes and diphenylphosphinoylimines

N-Pyridylmethyl-substituted Ephedra derivatives were synthesized by either direct alkylation or reductive alkylation of (1R,2S)-norephedrine, (1S,2S)-pseudo norephedrine, and (1R,2S)-ephedrine. These derivatives were then employed in asymmetric addition reactions with diethylzinc and aldehydes and diphenylphosphinoylimines. The use of the diastereomers from the Ephedra family allowed for a systematic evaluation of the contribution of the N-pyridylmethyl.     

Synthesis of four enantiomers of 2,3-di(N-Boc-amino)-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates

Enantiomerically pure diethyl (1S,2R)-, (1S,2S)-, (1R,2R)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-di(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates were synthesised from diethyl (1S,2R,1′S)-, (1S,2S,1′R)-, (1R,2R,1′S)- and (1R,2S,1′R)-[N-(1-phenylethyl)]-2,3-epimino-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates, respectively, via aziridine ring opening with neat TMSN₃ followed by hydrogenolysis in the presence of Boc₂O. A plausible mechanism for the aziridine ring opening in 2,3-epimino-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates involving the intermediate aziridinium ions was proposed. Significant differences in the rates of the aziridine ring opening between diastereoisomeric phosphonates (1S,2R,1′S) and (1S,2S,1′R) were rationalised taking into account different conformations of the 1-phenylethyl group in both diastereoisomers.     

Practical and highly stereoselective method for the preparation of several chiral arylsulfinamides and arylsulfinates based on the spontaneous crystallization of diastereomerically pure N-benzyl-N-(1-phenylethyl)-arylsulfinamides

A novel and simple process for the preparation of enantiomerically pure (S_S)-benzenesulfinamide (S_S)-3a, (S_S)-p-toluenesulfinamide (S_S)-3b, (S_S)-p-chloro-benzenesulfinamide (S_S)-3c and (S_S)-p-fluorobenzenesulfinamide (S_S)-3d has been developed. The treatment of arylsulfinyl chlorides with (R)-N-benzyl-1-phenylethanamine in the presence of excess triethylamine gave diastereomeric mixtures of N-benzyl-N-(1-phenylethyl)-arylsulfinamides 1, which underwent spontaneous crystallization to furnish diastereomerically pure (R,S_S)-N-benzyl-N-(1-phenylethyl)-arylsulfinamides (R,S_S)-1a-1d in 28%, 29%, 27% and 31% yields, respectively. The diastereomerically pure compounds (R,S_S)-1 were then converted into four enantiopure (R_S)-methyl arylsulfinates (R_S)-2, and finally into four enantiopure (S_S)-arylsulfinamides (S_S)-3 in good yields.     

Determination of the absolute configuration of an unexpectedly stable N-silylated isomer isolated en route to the trinem antibiotic GV129606

The unexpected (3S,4R)-3-[(R)-1-(hydroxy)ethyl]-4-[(2′R,6′S)-1′-oxo-2′-(N-benzyloxy-N-methyl)aminocyclohexen-6′-yl]-1-(t-butyl-dimethylsilyl)azetidin-2-one was one of the main reaction products of the Lewis acid catalysed condensation of (3S,4R)-3-[(R)-1-(t-butyl-dimethylsilyloxy)ethyl]-4-acetoxyazetidin-2-one with 1-trimethylsilyloxy-6-(N-benzyloxycarbonyl-N-methylamino)cyclohexene. Its absolute configuration was established by NMR experiments on the corresponding, conformationally rigid, acetonide derivative.     

Synthesis of (R)- and (S)-4-hydroxyisophorone by ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketoisophorone

The first synthesis of (R)- and (S)-4-hydroxyisophorone by catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ketoisophorone is reported. Ruthenium catalysts containing commercially available chiral amino alcohols afforded 4-hydroxyisophorone in up to 97% selectivity and 97% ee. (R)- or (S)-4-Hydroxyisophorones with >99% ee were isolated by crystallization. The catalyst precursors [RuCl₂((S,R)-ADPE)(η⁶-p-cymene)] ((S,R)-ADPE=(1S,2R)-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol-N) and (R_Ru)-[RuCl((S,R)-ADPE⁻¹)(η⁶-p-cymene)] (ADPE⁻¹=amino-1,2-diphenylethanolato-N,O) were isolated for the first time and the X-ray crystal structure of the latter determined.     

Enantioselective synthesis of β-amino acids. Part 9: Preparation of enantiopure α,α-disubstituted β-amino acids from 1-benzoyl-2(S)-tert-butyl-3-methylperhydropyrimidin-4-one,

Double alkylation of enantiopure N,N-acetal pyrimidinone (S)-1, a masked chiral derivative of β-alanine prepared from (S)-asparagine, proceeds with high stereoselectivity to give C(5) disubstituted adducts (2S,5R)-6, (2S,5S)-6, (2S,5R)-7, and (2S,5S)-7. Acid hydrolysis of these derivatives affords enantiopure α,α-dialkylated β-amino acids (R)-8, (S)-8, (R)-9, and (S)-9 in very good yields.     

Synthesis of four enantiomers of 2-acetamido-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates

Enantiomerically pure diethyl 2-acetamido-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates were synthesised from N-[(R)-(1-phenylethyl)]aziridine-(2S)- and N-[(S)-(1-phenylethyl)]aziridine-(2R)-carboxaldehydes via phosphonylation followed by acetylation of the hydroxy groups and the simultaneous hydrogenolytic cleavage of the aziridine rings and the removal of the chiral auxiliaries. In addition, enantiomerically pure diethyl (1S,2R)- and (1R,2S)-2-amino-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates (the phosphonate analogues of isothreonine) were separated.     

Total synthesis of the 5-epimers of naturally occurring (−)-hyacinthacine A5 and unnatural (+)-hyacinthacine A4

(1R,2S,3R,5S,7aR)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine 10 [(+)-5-epihyacinthacine A₅] and (1R,2S,3R,5S,7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine 17 [ent-5-epihyacinthacine A₄] have been synthesized by either Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) or Wittig methodology using aldehydes 6 and 13, prepared from (2R,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine 5 (partially protected DALDP) and (2R,3S,4R,5S)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2′-O-pivaloylpyrrolidine 12 (partially protected DGADP), respectively, and the appropriated ylide, followed by cyclization through an internal reductive amination process of the corresponding intermediate pyrrolidinic ketones 7 and 14 and subsequent deprotection.     

A structural examination of the impact of oxygenated side chains in Ephedra compounds in the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes

An investigation of the impact of oxygenated side chains in Ephedra compounds on the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes has been conducted. (1R,2S)-Ephedrine and (1S,2S)-pseudoephedrine were alkylated with either alkyl halides or β-alkoxyalkyl halides to afford a series of ligands 9a–h and 10a–h. These compounds were employed in the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to a variety of aldehydes. It was determined that the presence of oxygen could have a negative effect in terms of obtaining high levels of enantiomeric discrimination, but the effect is diminished with higher levels of substitution near the oxygen.     

Concise and practical synthesis of (2S,3R,4R,5R) and (2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,6-dideoxy-1,6-iminosugars

The syntheses of (2S,3R,4R,5R) and (2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,6-dideoxy-1,6 iminosugars 1a and 1b, respectively, from d-glucose are described. The key transformations in this reaction sequence include regio-selective epoxide ring opening with N-benzylamine followed by intramolecular reductive amination of amino-aldehyde.     

Asymmetric synthesis of conformationally constrained 4-hydroxyprolines and their applications to the formal synthesis of (+)-epibatidine

This report describes the synthesis of enantiomerically pure (1S,3S,4R)- and (1S,3R,4R)-3-hydroxy-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-1-carboxylic acids, two new conformationally constrained 4-hydroxyprolines, using a straightforward synthetic route and starting from (−)-8-phenylmenthyl 2-acetamidoacrylate. The easy transformation of the pure (1S,3S,4R)-3-hydroxy-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-1-carboxylic acid into (1R,4S)-N-Boc-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one constitutes a new formal synthesis of (+)-epibatidine.     

Synthesis of tripeptide hydrolysate from papuamide A: determination of absolute stereostructure of β-methoxytyrosine

Four diastereomers, (2R,3R), (2S,3S), (2S,3R) and (2R,3S) at β-methoxytyrosine (β-OMeTyr), of the tripeptide hydrolysate, H-(S)-N-MeThr-β-OMeTyr-(S)-Hpr-OH, from papuamide A have been synthesized. Comparison of the ¹H NMR data of the natural hydrolysate with the four synthetic diastereomers unambiguously establishes the relative and absolute stereochemistry of the methoxytyrosine as 2R,3R.     

Asymmetric synthesis of all isomers of α-methyl-β-phenylserine

This report describes the synthesis of enantiomerically pure (2R,3R)-, (2R,3S)-, (2S,3S)- and (2S,3R)-2-amino-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-phenylpropanoic acids, four quaternary α-amino acids, using a stereodivergent synthetic route and starting from (S)- and (R)-N-Boc-N,O-isopropylidene-α-methylserinals. The key step involves the asymmetric Grignard additions to the above chiral aldehydes, in which high levels of asymmetric induction are observed.     

Asymmetric hydrogenation of (E)-α,β-bis(N-acylamino)acrylates catalyzed by a rhodium complex with trans-chelating chiral diphosphine ligand

The asymmetric hydrogenation of (E)-α,β-bis(N-acylamino)acrylates was promoted by a rhodium complex bearing a trans-chelating chiral diphosphine ligand (R,R)-(S,S)-PrTRAP, providing the corresponding optically active (2S,3R)-2,3-bis(N-acylamino)carboxylates with 79–82% ee. The 2,3-bis(N-acylamino)carboxylates isolated were readily hydrolyzed under acid to afford (2S,3R)-2,3-diaminocarboxylic acids in 95% yield without epimerization.     

A mild and efficient cyanosilylation of ketones catalyzed by a Lewis acid-Lewis base bifunctional catalyst

A new family of bifunctional catalysts (N-oxides-Ti(OⁱPr)₄ (2:1)) containing a Lewis acid and a Lewis base was developed and applied to the catalytic cyanosilylation of ketones. Utilizing rac((1R,2S) and (1S,2R))-1-(2′-pyridylmethyl)-2-diphenylhydroxymethylpyrrolidine N-oxide-titanium (2:1) complex and N-benzyl-diethanolamine N-oxide-titanium (2:1) complex as catalysts, the cyanosilylation products were obtained in 42-97% yield. Based on experimental phenomena and kinetic studies, a catalytic cycle was proposed to explain the remarkable activities of these catalysts. Investigations indicated that rac((1R,2S) and (1S,2R))-1-(2′-pyridylmethyl)-2-diphenylhydroxymethylpyrrolidine N-oxide-titanium (2:1) complex and N-benzyl-diethanolamine N-oxide-titanium (2:1) complex should promote the reaction via a dual activation of the ketone by the titanium and TMSCN by the N-oxide.     

A practical synthesis of enantiopure β-methyltryptophan ethyl ester for a preparation of diabetes drug

A practical synthesis of (2R,3S)- and (2S,3R)-β-methyltryptophan ethyl ester (β-MeTrp-OEt) has been developed. Racemic threo-β-MeTrp-OEt was diastereoselectively prepared via crystallization-induced diastereomer transformation (CIDT) of the α-nitro equivalent of β-MeTrp-OEt. The enantiomers were resolved via diastereomeric salt formation using a half equivalent of (R)-2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)propionic acid. The process allowed a diabetes drug candidate N-[(1R,2S)-1-({5-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-2-ethoxyphenyl}aminocarbonyl)-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)propyl]-4-phenyl-1-piperidinecarboxamide to be prepared in good yield with high quality.     

Synthesis of both syn and anti diastereoisomers of Boc-dolaproine from (S)-proline through DKR using ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogenation: a dramatic role of N-protecting groups

The natural (2R,3R)-Boc-dolaproine and its unnatural (2S,3S) diastereoisomer were synthesized involving as key transformation the Ru(II)-promoted hydrogenation of the β-keto-α-methyl ester derived from (S)-N-Boc-proline. Interestingly, the asymmetric hydrogenation of this β-keto ester N-protected as an amine hydrochloride salt, provided the corresponding anti (2S,3R)- and (2R,3S)-β-hydroxy-α-methyl esters with significant level of selectivities through dynamic kinetic resolution.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 2-substituted 3-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-2-ones by [2+2]-cycloaddition of N-allyl-β-N-keteniminium salts derived from (R)-vinylglycinol

A stereoselective synthesis of (1R,2R,5S)-2-benzyloxymethyl-3-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-2-one was achieved, by intramolecular [2+2]-cycloaddition of (R)-vinylglycinol-derived N-allyl-β-N-keteniminium salts, with high facial diastereoselection. The regio- and stereochemical courses have been qualitatively investigated by Molecular Mechanics calculations.     

Studies towards the synthesis of (1R,2S)- and (1S,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonates and (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates

The trans-configured fosfomycin analogue, diethyl (1S,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonate, was synthesised by the intramolecular Williamson reaction of diethyl (1S,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonate. The cis-analogue was obtained as O-ethyl or O,O-diethyl (1R,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonates, when (1R,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonate or its 3-O-trityl derivative were used as starting materials, respectively. The intramolecular Williamson cyclisations of diethyl (1S,2R)- and (1R,2S)-1-benzyloxy-3-hydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonates led to diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-benzyloxypropylphosphonates, respectively, with the concomitant formation of diethyl (E)-1-benzyloxy-3-hydroxyprop-1-en-1-phosphonate. From diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-benzyloxypropylphosphonates, enantiomerically pure diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-1,2-dihydroxypropylphosphonates were obtained by catalytic hydrogenation, while diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-3-acetamido-1,2-dihydroxypropylphosphonates were produced after epoxide ring opening with dibenzylamine, acetylation and hydrogenolysis.     

Studies on two different diastereoselective reaction pathways from a serinol derivative to 4-hydroxymethyl-2-oxazolidinones using 2-chloroethyl chloroformate and N,N′-disuccinimidyl carbonate

Two reaction pathways and their diastereoselectivity-determining steps of the asymmetric desymmetrization of (R)-2-(α-methylbenzyl)amino-1,3-propanediol 1 with 2-chloroethyl chloroformate (CCF) and with N,N′-disuccinimidyl carbonate giving (4S,αR)-4-hydroxymethyl-3-α-methylbenzyl-2-oxazolidinones (4S)-3 and its (4R,αR)-diastereomer (4R)-3 were investigated. The reaction of serinol 1 and CCF to give the corresponding carbonates was not a diastereoselectivity-determining step. The carbonates gave (R)-5-(α-methylbenzyl)amino-1,3-dioxan-2-one 4 after addition of DBU, and an intramolecular acyl transfer of 4 was found to be a diastereoselectivity-determining step to give (4S)-3. Conversely, the reaction of serinol 1 and N,N′-disuccinimidyl carbonate afforded directly the opposite diastereomer (4R)-3 but not via the intermediate 4. Thus, their diastereoselectivities depended on the acylating reagent.