Phase‐Transfer‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Axially Chiral Anilides

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of axially chiral o‐iodoanilides and o‐tert‐butylanilides as useful chiral building blocks was achieved by means of binaphthyl‐modified chiral quaternary ammonium‐salt‐catalyzed N‐alkylations under phase‐transfer conditions. The synthetic utility of axially chiral products was demonstrated in various transformations. For example, axially chiral N‐allyl‐o‐iodoanilide was transformed to 3‐methylindoline by means of radical cyclization with high chirality transfer from axial chirality to C‐centered chirality. Furthermore, stereochemical information on axial chirality in o‐tert‐butylanilides could be used as a template to control the stereochemistry of subsequent transformations. The transition‐state structure of the present phase‐transfer reaction was discussed on the basis of the X‐ray crystal structure of ammonium anilide, which was prepared from binaphthyl‐modified chiral ammonium bromide and o‐iodoanilide. The chiral tetraalkylammonium bromide as a phase‐transfer catalyst recognized the steric difference between the ortho substituents on anilide to obtain high enantioselectivity. The size and structural effects of the ortho substituents on anilide were investigated, and a wide variety of axially chiral anilides that possess various functional groups could be synthesized with high enantioselectivities. This method is the only general way to access a variety of axially chiral anilides in a highly enantioselective fashion reported to date.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Helicenes

Helicenes and helicene-like molecules, usually containing multiple ortho-fused aromatic rings, possess unique helical chirality. These compounds have found a wide range of important applications in many research fields, such as asymmetric catalysis, molecular recognition, sensors and responsive switches, circularly polarized luminescence materials and others. However, the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of helicenes was largely underexplored, when compared with the enantioselective synthesis of molecules bearing other stereogenic elements (e.g. central chirality and axial chirality). Since the pioneer work of asymmetric synthesis of helicenes via enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition of triynes by Stará and Starý, last two decades have witnessed the tremendous development in the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of helicenes. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the advances in this field, which include methods enabled by both transition metal catalysis and organocatalysis, and provide our perspective on its future development.     

4,4′‐Bipyridine as a Unidirectional Switching Unit for a Molecular Pushing Motor

A chirality switch in which the intrinsic chirality of a 4,4′‐bipyridine is combined with a metal‐ion‐induced switching principle is described. In the uncomplexed state the 4,4′‐bipyridine unit, which is linked to an S,S,S,S‐configured cyclic imidazole peptide, is P‐configured. The addition of zinc ions leads to a rotation around the C?C bond axis of the 4,4′‐bipyridine and the M isomer of the metal complex is formed. By addition of a stronger complexing agent the metal ions are removed and the switch returns to its initial position. The combination of the chirality switch with a second switching unit allows the construction of a molecular pushing motor, which is driven chemically and by light.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Simultaneous Control of Axial Chirality and Central Chirality in Allenes

Chiral molecules, which may contain one or more different type(s) of stereocentres, such as central, axial, planar, and helical chiralities, etc., are indispensable in chemistry, pharmaceutical industry, and life science. Despite many advances for the preparation of chiral molecules usually with a single type of chirality have been realized, simultaneous construction of different types of chiralities is still a significant challenge. Here, we wish to report a protocol for preparation of chiral allenes with both central and axial chiralities via a catalytic asymmetric allenylation of different biologically or synthetically useful fluorinated or non‐fluorinated nucleophiles with readily available racemic allenes by using a single chiral ligand. An echoing between the central chirality and axial chirality for the enantioselectivity was observed. This strategy provides a general and practical approach to functionalized optically active allenes bearing both central and axial chiralities with an excellent enantioselectivity under mild conditions.     

Enantioselective Alkynylation of 2‐Trifluoroacetyl Imidazoles Catalyzed by Bis‐Cyclometalated Rhodium(III) Complexes Containing Pinene‐Derived Ligands

Chiral rhodium(III) complexes containing two cyclometalating 2‐phenyl‐5,6‐(S,S)‐pinenopyridine ligands and two additional acetonitriles are introduced as excellent catalysts for the highly enantioselective alkynylation of 2‐trifluoroacetyl imidazoles. Whereas the ligand‐based chirality permits the straightforward synthesis of the complexes in a diastereomerically and enantiomerically pure fashion, the metal‐centered chirality is responsible for the asymmetric induction over the course of the catalysis. For comparison, the analogous iridium congeners provide only low enantioselectivity, and previously reported benzoxazole‐ and benzothiazole‐based catalysts do not show any catalytic activity for this reaction under standard reaction conditions.     

Interfacial supramolecular biomimetic epoxidation catalysed by cyclic dipeptides

We synthesised a library of cis- and trans-cyclic dipeptides and evaluated their efficacy as catalysts in the asymmetric Weitz-Scheffer epoxidation of trans-chalcone. A thorough investigation relying on structure-activity studies and computational studies provided insights into the mechanism of the process. Our results revealed some structural features required for efficient conversion and for introduction of chirality into the product. The cyclic dipeptide acts as a catalyst by templating a supramolecular arrangement at the aqueous-organic interface required for efficient transformations to occur. Among all cyclic dipeptides investigated, cyclo(Leu-Leu) was the most efficient supramolecular catalyst.     

Helical Chiral N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands in Enantioselective Gold Catalysis

The first chiral helicene-NHC gold(I) complexes efficient in enantioselective catalysis were prepared. The L-shaped chiral ligand is composed of an imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-3-ylidene (IPy) scaffold laterally substituted by a configurationally stable [5]-helicenoid unit. The chiral information was introduced in a key post-functionalization step of a NHC-gold(I) complex bearing a symmetrical anionic fluoreno[5]helicene substituent, leading to a racemic mixture of complexes featuring three correlated elements of chirality, namely central, axial and helical chirality. After HPLC enantiomeric resolution, X-ray crystallography and theoretical calculations enabled structural and stereochemical characterization of these configurationally stable NHC-gold(I) complexes. The high potential in asymmetric catalysis is demonstrated in the benchmark cycloisomerization of N-tethered 1,6-enynes with up to 95 : 5 er.     

Readily Accessible Bulky Iron Catalysts exhibiting Site Selectivity in the Oxidation of Steroidal Substrates

Bulky iron complexes are described that catalyze the site‐selective oxidation of alkyl C?H bonds with hydrogen peroxide under mild conditions. Steric bulk at the iron center is introduced by appending trialkylsilyl groups at the meta‐position of the pyridines in tetradentate aminopyridine ligands, and this effect translates into high product yields, an enhanced preferential oxidation of secondary over tertiary C?H bonds, and the ability to perform site‐selective oxidation of methylenic sites in terpenoid and steroidal substrates. Unprecedented site selective oxidation at C6 and C12 methylenic sites in steroidal substrates is shown to be governed by the chirality of the catalysts.     

Planar Chiral Phosphoramidites with a Paracyclophane Scaffold: Synthesis,Gold(I) Complexes,and Enantioselective Cycloisomerization of Dienynes

The key structural feature of the new phosphoramidites is a paracyclophane scaffold in which two aryl rings are tethered by both a 1,8‐biphenylene unit and a O?P?O bridge. Suitable aryl substituents generate planar chirality. The corresponding gold(I) complexes promote the cycloisomerization of prochiral nitrogen‐tethered dienynes. These reactions afford bicyclo[4.1.0]heptene derivatives displaying three contiguous stereogenic centers, with very high diastereoselectivity and up to 95 % ee.     

Merger of Visible Light Induced Oxidation and Enantioselective Alkylation with a Chiral Iridium Catalyst

A single chiral octahedral iridium(III) complex is used for visible light activated asymmetric photoredox catalysis. In the presence of a conventional household lamp and under an atmosphere of air, the oxidative coupling of 2‐acyl‐1‐phenylimidazoles with N,N‐diaryl‐N‐(trimethylsilyl)methylamines provides aminoalkylated products in 61–93 % yields with high enantiomeric excess (90–98 % ee). Notably, the iridium center simultaneously serves three distinct functions: as the exclusive source of chirality, as the catalytically active Lewis acid, and as a central part of the photoredox sensitizer. This conceptionally simple reaction Scheme may provide new avenues for the green synthesis of non‐racemic chiral molecules.     

Chain Walking of Allylrhodium Species Towards Esters During Rhodium‐Catalyzed Nucleophilic Allylations of Imines

Allylrhodium species derived from δ‐trifluoroboryl β,γ‐unsaturated esters undergo chain walking towards the ester moiety. The resulting allylrhodium species react with imines to give products containing two new stereocenters and a Z‐alkene. By using a chiral diene ligand, products can be obtained with high enantioselectivities, where a pronounced matched/mismatched effect with the chirality of the allyltrifluoroborate is evident.     

Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Heterobiaryl Ketones by Zinc‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrosilylation

A diastereo‐ and highly enantioselective dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of configurationally labile heterobiaryl ketones is described. The DKR proceeds by zinc‐catalyzed hydrosilylation of the carbonyl group, thus leading to secondary alcohols bearing axial and central chirality. The strategy relies on the labilization of the stereogenic axis that takes place thanks to a Lewis acid–base interaction between a nitrogen atom in the heterocycle and the ketone carbonyl group. The synthetic utility of the methodology is demonstrated through stereospecific transformations into either N,N‐ligands or appealing axially chiral, bifunctional thiourea organocatalysts.     

Synergistic Stereocontrol in the Enantioselective Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Sulfoxidation of Spirodithiolane‐Indolones

A chiral ruthenium catalyst was developed for the enantioselective sulfoxidation of the title compounds. The catalyst combines two elements of chirality, a chiral pybox ligand and a chiral bicylic lactam unit, to which the ligand is attached. The latter unit was shown to improve significantly the performance of the catalyst by exposing one of the two enantiotopic sulfur atoms to the active site via hydrogen‐bond mediated coordination. Ten differently substituted substrates were converted into the respective sulfoxides in yields of 52–71 % and with ≥90 % ee.     

Solution Structure and Behavior of Benzophenone-based Achiral Bisphosphine Ligands in Noyori-Type Ru（Ⅱ）-Catalysts

We herein report on solution structural studies of Ru^Ⅱ catalysts （3a, 9） composed of achiral bisphosphine ligands （4, 8） and the enantiopure 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine （DPEN）. Complete chiral induction from enantiopure （R,R）-DPEN to achiral bisphosphine ligand 3a was observed in solution, with the complex adopting a single, stable and non-fluxional （even at 70 ℃） configuration. The coordination of the C=O moiety in 4 to the cationic Run center is considered to be of key importance in providing the higher thermodynamic and kinetic rotation barrier for the flexible bisphosphine ligand in the complex. The obtained enantioselectivity （91% enantiomeric excess） and sense of chiral induction in the hydrogenation of acetophenone were found to be solely dependent on the chirality of the 1,2-diamine. Consistent with the hydrogenation product, the （R,R）-DPEN induces a M-conformation （fight-handed） chirality for flexible phosphine ligand 4 in the complex, resulting in a 2,2-configuration about the Ru^Ⅱ center.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Novel Axially Chiral 2,2'-Bipyridine N,N'-Dioxides Bearing α-Amino Acid Residues and Their Applications in Enantioselective Allylation of Aromatic Aldehydes with Allyltrichlorosilane

A series of novel axially chiral 2,2′‐bipyridine N,N′‐dioxides bearing C₁ or C₂‐symmetry have been synthesized by the use of enantiopure α‐amino acids as chiral sources. The absolute stereochemistry of the axial chirality of these organocatalysts has been clearly assigned by means of CD measurements together with literature protocols. The reactivities and enantioselectivities of these organocatalysts have been examined in the reactions of aromatic aldehydes with allyltrichlorosilane, thus providing the desired products with moderate yields and enantioselectivies.     

Enantioselective Palladium‐Catalyzed C?H Functionalization of Indoles Using an Axially Chiral 2,2′‐Bipyridine Ligand

A palladium‐catalyzed enantioselective C H functionalization of indoles was achieved with an axially chiral 2,2′‐bipyridine ligand, thus providing the desired indol‐3‐acetate derivatives with up to 98 % ee. Moreover, the reaction protocol was also effective for asymmetric O H insertion reaction of phenols using α‐aryl‐α‐diazoacetates. This represents the first successful application of bipyridine ligands with axial chirality in palladium‐catalyzed carbene migratory insertion reactions.     

Synthesis of chiral polydentate ligands and the use of their titanium complexes as pre-catalysts for the asymmetric trimethylsilylcyanation of benzaldehyde

A number of polydentate ligands based on enantiomerically pure binaphthol have been synthesized. The ligand complexes with titanium isopropoxide were used as catalysts for the asymmetric addition of trimethylsilyl cyanide to benzaldehyde. A fragment with axial chirality is responsible for the configuration of O-trimethylsilyl cyanohydrin product. In the case of the optimum ligand based on (R)-binaphthol and (S)-leucinol, an enantiomeric excess of 86% and quantitative yield were achieved in 4 h. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1946–1953, September, 2008.     

Manganese(I)-Catalyzed Regioselective C−H Allenylation: Direct Access to 2-Allenylindoles

A Mn^I-catalyzed regioselective C−H allenylation is reported that allows a broad range of 2-allenylindoles to be synthesized regioselectively on a gram scale under simple conditions. Notably, a highly efficient chirality transfer was observed (up to 93 % ee) in this transformation. This procedure was further found to allow, for the first time, the direct preparation of ketones by Mn^I-catalyzed C−H activation. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the precoordination of the oxygen atom to the manganese center as well as the congested tertiary carbon atom in the propargylic carbonates play a crucial role.     

Multilevel Chirality Transfer from Amino Acid Derivatives to Circularly Polarized Luminescence-Active Nanoparticles in Aqueous Medium

Chirality at different levels is widely observed in nature, but the clue to connect it all together, and the way chirality transfers among different levels are still obscure. Herein, a l -/d -lysine-based self-assembly system was constructed, in which two-step chirality transfer among three different levels was observed in aqueous solution. The chirality originated from the point chirality of amino acid derivatives l -/d -PyLys hydrochloride, and was transferred to the planar conformational chirality of water-soluble pillar[5]arene pR-/pS-WP5. Then, with the aid of pR-/pS-WP5, nanoparticles were formed that exhibited L-/R-handed circularly polarized luminescence with a dissymmetry factor of up to ±0.001, arising from pyrene chiral excimers. This multilevel chirality transfer not only provides a perspective to trace potential clues, and to pursue certain ways by which the chirality transfers, but also offers a strategy to create controllable CPL emission in aqueous media.