Electronic differentiations in palladium-catalyzed allylic substitutions

The “trans rule” in Pd-catalyzed allylic substitutions predicts trans to phosphorus additions of nucleophiles to Pd-allyl intermediates, e.g., with P,N-ligands. This computational study reveals that not only the intrinsic electronic differentiation between P- (i.e., PH₃) and N-ligands (i.e., para-X-substituted pyridines), but also the “late” or “early” nature of the transition structures is crucial for strong cis vs. trans discriminations and hence for selectivity. Although para-nitro pyridine exhibits less intrinsic electronic differentiation than para-dimethylamino pyridine, the higher reactivity of the Pd-allyl-intermediate and the earlier nature of the transition structure yield a higher sensitivity for electronic differentiation for XNO₂ than XNMe₂.     

Structural and kinetic effects of chloride ions in the palladium-catalyzed allylic substitutions

Addition of ligands to [Pd(η³-RCHCHCH₂)(μ-Cl)]₂ or chloride ions to cationic [(η³-RCHCHCH₂)PdL₂]⁺BF₄⁻ induces the formation of neutral complexes η¹-RCHCHCH₂PdClL₂ (R=H with L=(4-ClC₆H₄)₃P, (4-CH₃C₆H₄)₃P, (4-CF₃C₆H₄)₃P or L₂=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb), 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf); R=Ph with L=(4-ClC₆H₄)₃P), instead of the expected cationic complexes [(η³-RCHCHCH₂)PdL₂]⁺Cl⁻. In the presence of chloride ions, the reaction of morpholine with the cationic complexes [(η³-allyl)Pd(PAr₃)₂]⁺BF₄⁻ (Ar=4-ClC₆H₄, 4-CH₃C₆H₄) goes slower and involves both cationic [(η³-allyl)Pd(PAr₃)₂]⁺ and neutral η¹-allyl-PdCl(PAr₃)₂ complexes as reactive species in equilibrium with Cl⁻. The cationic complex is more reactive than the neutral one. However, their relative contribution in the reaction strongly depends on the chloride concentration, which controls their relative concentration. The neutral η¹-allyl-PdCl(PAr₃)₂ may become the major reactive species at high chloride concentration. Consequently, [Pd(η³-allyl)(μ-Cl)]₂ associated with ligands or cationic [(η³-allyl)PdL₂]⁺BF₄⁻, used indifferently as precursors in palladium-catalyzed allylic substitutions, are not equivalent. In both situations, the mechanism of the Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution depends on the concentration of the chloride ions, delivered by the precursor or purposely added, that determines which species, [(η³-allyl)PdL₂]⁺ or/and η¹-allyl-PdClL₂ are involved in the nucleophilic attack with consequences on the rate of the reaction and probably on its regioselectivity. Consequently, the chloride ions of the catalytic precursors [Pd(η³-allyl)(μ-Cl)]₂ must not be considered as ‘innocent’ ligands.     

Bulky monodentate phosphoramidites in palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation reactions: aspects of regioselectivity and enantioselectivity

A series of bulky monodentate phosphoramidite ligands, based on biphenol, BINOL and TADDOL backbones, have been employed in the Pd-catalysed allylic alkylation reaction. Reaction of disodium diethyl 2-methyl malonate with monosubstituted allylic substrates in the presence of palladium complexes of the phosphoramidite ligands proceeds smoothly at room temperature. The regioselectivities observed depend strongly on the leaving group and the geometry of the allylic starting compounds. Mono-coordination occurs when these ligands are ligated in [Pd(allyl)(X)] complexes (allyl=C3H5, 1-CH3C3H4, 1-C6H5C3H4, 1,3-(C6H5)2C3H3; X=Cl, OAc). The solid-state structure determined by X-ray diffraction of [Pd(C3H5)(1)(Cl)] reveals a non-symmetric coordination of the allyl moiety, caused by the stronger trans influence of the phosphoramidite ligand relative to X-. In all of these complexes, the syn,trans isomer is the major species present in solution. Because of fast isomerisation and high reactivity of the syn,cis complex, the major product formed upon alkylation is the linear product, especially for monosubstituted phenylallyl substrates in the presence of halide counterions. In the case of biphenol- and BINOL-based phosphoramidites, however, a strong memory effect is observed when 1-phenyl-2-propenyl acetate is employed as the substrate. In this case, nucleophilic attack competes effectively with the isomerisation of the transient cinnamylpalladium complexes. The asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate afforded the chiral product in up to 93 % ee. Substrates with smaller substituents gave lower enantioselectivities. The observed stereoselectivity is explained in terms of a preferential rotation mechanism, in which the product is formed by attack on one of the isomers of the intermediate [Pd[1,3-(C6H5)2C3H3](L)(OAc)] complex.     

Ligand bite governs enantioselectivity: electronic and steric control in Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylations by modular fenchyl phosphinites (FENOPs)

Modular fenchyl phosphinites (FENOPs) containing different aryl units-phenyl (1), 2-anisyl (2), or 2-pyridyl (3)-are efficiently accessible from (-)-fenchone. For comparison of the influence of the different aryl units on enantioselectivities and reactivities, these FENOPs were employed in Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylations. The strongly chelating character of P,N-bidentate 3 is apparent from X-ray structures with PdCl2 ([Pd3Cl2]), and with allyl-Pd units in ([Pd3(eta1-allyl)] and [Pd3(eta3-allyl)]). FENOP3 gives rise to a PdL* catalyst of moderate enantioselectivity (42 % ee, R product). Surprisingly, higher enantioselectivities are found for the hemilabile, monodentate FENOPs 1 (83 % ee, S enantiomer) and 2 (69 % ee, S enantiomer). Only small amounts of 1 or 2 generate selective PdL* catalysts, while complete abolition of enantioselectivity appears with unselective PdL*2 species with higher FENOP concentrations in the cases of 1 or 2. Computational transition structure analyses reveal steric and electronic origins of enantioselectivities. The nucleophile is electronically guided trans to phosphorus. endo-Allyl arrangements are favored over exo-allyl orientations for 1 and 2 due to Pd-pi-pyridyl interactions with short "side-on" Pd-aryl interactions. More remote "edge-on" Pd-pi-aryl interactions in 3 with Pd-N(lp) coordination favor endo-allyl units slightly more and explain the switch of enantioselectivity from 1 (S) and 2 (S) to 3 (R).     

1-Phosphino-2-sulfenylferrocenes as planar chiral ligands in enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic substitutions

The synthesis of a wide structural variety of enantiopure 1-phosphino-2-sulfenylferrocene ligands 1 possessing exclusively planar chirality is described. In the case of the readily available tert-butylsulfenyl derivatives very high enantioselectivities were obtained in the palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate (ee's up to 97%) and nitrogen nucleophiles (ee's up to 99.5%). Palladium complexes of these ferrocenes were characterized by NMR and X-ray diffraction, revealing the P,S-bidentate character of the ligands 1 and the formation of a single epimer on the stereogenic sulfur atom resulting from the complexation with palladium. A model justifying the observed asymmetric induction exerted by this novel family of chiral ferrocenes, supported by solution NMR studies on a palladium allylic complex, is discussed.     

Reversal in enantioselectivity for the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution with novel metallocene-based planar chiral diphosphine ligands

The novel C₂-symmetric metallocene-based ligands with only planar chirality were synthesized easily and applied in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution with excellent enantioselectivity and high catalytic activity. When two ester groups on Cp rings of the metallocene were replaced by hydroxymethyl groups, opposite configuration of the product was obtained with high catalytic activity and excellent enantioselectivity. The opposite configuration of products was also obtained when the hydroxyl groups were protected as esters or ethers. These results might be attributed to the different configuration of the diphosphine ligands-Pd(II) complexes.     

Origin of enantioselectivity with heterobidentate sulfide-tertiary amine (sp) ligands in palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution

A series of new chiral heterobidentate sulfide-tertiary amine (sp³) ligands 3a-c, 6 were readily prepared from cheap and easily available (R)-cysteine and l-(+)-methionine. A Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate was used as a model reaction to examine the catalytic efficiencies of these aziridine sulfide ligands, and ligand 3b afforded the enantioselectivity of up to 91% ee. The origin of enantioselectivity for heterobidentate sulfide-tertiary amine (sp³) ligands was first rationalized based on X-ray crystallographic data, and NMR spectroscopic data for relevant intermediate palladium allylic complexes. Our results demonstrated that the sulfur atom was a better π-allyl acceptor than the nitrogen atom for heterobidentate sulfide-tertiary amine (sp³) ligands, and the steric as well electronic properties of the palladium allylic complexes were crucial for the enantioselectivity.     

Unexpected reversal of the enantioselectivity using chiral quinolylmethyl- and acridininyloxazolines as ligands for asymmetric palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation

New chiral quinolylmethyloxazolines and acridininyloxazolines were prepared and assessed in the enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. The introduction of a benzo-fused substituent on the pyridine ring not containing the chiral backbone resulted in the switch of the expected chiral sense of enantioselection of the reaction. Enantiomeric excesses up to 78% were obtained.     

Synthesis of chiral 2-alkyl-8-quinolinyl-oxazoline ligands: reversal of enantioselectivity in the asymmetric palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation

New chiral 2-alkyl-8-quinolinyl-oxazolines were synthesized from 2-alkyl-8-quinolinecarboxylic acids and enantiomerically pure amino alcohols using a convenient procedure. Enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate in the presence of 2-alkyl-8-quinolinyl-oxazolines provided an alkylation product with an opposite configuration compared to those obtained from unsubstituted quinolinyl-oxazoline ligands.     

Role of planar chirality of S,N- and P,N-ferrocene ligands in palladium-catalyzed allylic substitutions

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitutions using thioether and phosphino derivatives of ferrocenyloxazoline as ligands have been investigated with a focus on studying the role of planar chirality. In allylic alkylation, up to 98% ee and 95% ee were achieved with S,N- and P,N-ligands, respectively. In allylic amination, 97% ee was realized with P,N-ligands in the presence of TBAF. Several palladium allylic complexes were characterized by X-ray diffraction and/or solution NMR. Thioether derivatives of ferrocenyloxazolines with only planar chirality showed lower enantioselectivity in the allylic alkylation except 5c because of the formation of a new chirality on sulfur atom during the coordination of sulfur with palladium. On the other hand, in the planar chiral P,N-ligands without central chirality, (Sp)-11a-c there was no such disturbance and comparatively higher enantioselectivity in both palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation and amination was provided.     

Remote electronic control of the ligand in the enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation with chiral oxazolinylpyridines

New chiral oxazolinylpyridines bearing electron-donating and withdrawing groups in the 4-position of the pyridine ring have been prepared and assessed in the enantioselective palladium catalyzed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. The electronic properties of substituents strongly affect the catalytic activity and only slightly affect the enantioselectivity of the substitution reaction. Enantioselectivity up to 93% was obtained.     

Origin of enantioselectivity in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions using chiral N,N-ligands with different rigidity and flexibility

The chiral bidentate-N,N ligands, (S(a))-1, (S(a))-2, (S,S)-3 and (S,S)-4, were synthesized. They were shown to contain rigid 2-pyridinyl or 8-quinolinyl building blocks and the C(2)-symmetric chiral frameworks trans-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidinyl or (S)-(+)-2,2'-(2-azapropane-1,3-diyl)-1,1'-binaphthalene. In the (S(a))-2, and (S,S)-4 ligands pair, the 8-quinolinyl skeleton is directly bonded to the C(2)-symmetric chiral frameworks (S)-(+)-2,2'-(2-azapropane-1,3-diyl)-1,1'-binaphthalene or trans-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidinyl. This feature induces rigidity in this pair of ligands upon the N,N-framework. However, this does not occur for the (S(a))-1 and (S,S)-3 ligands, in which the presence of the -CH(2)- spacer between the frameworks bearing the nitrogen atom donors gives greater flexibility to the ligand. A further difference between the pairs of ligands is significant from the electronic properties of the chiral framework N-donor atom. The coordinating properties and the specific steric structural features of the (S(a))-1, (S(a))-2, (S,S)-3, and (S,S)-4 ligands are explained by their reactions with the [Pd(PhCN)(2)Cl(2)] and [Pd(eta(3)-PhCHCHCHPh)(mu-Cl)](2) substrates, in which the reported ligands form chelate complexes, with the exception of (S(a))-2, which failed to react with [Pd(eta(3)-PhCHCHCHPh)(mu-Cl)](2). The ligands were used in the palladium-allyl catalyzed substitution reaction of 1,3-diphenylallyl acetate with dimethylmalonate, with the best result being obtained using the (S(a))-1 ligand, giving the substitution product 2-(1,3-diphenylallyl)dimethylmalonate with an enantiomeric excess of 82% in the S form and a yield of 96%. The work demonstrates that in the presence of a steric ligand control, the electronic properties of the ligand donor atoms play a role though not significant in determining the enantioselectivity of palladium(II) catalyzed allylic substitution reactions. The results of the catalytic reaction do not provide a convincing explanation considering the coordinated chiral ligand features, as rigidity or flexibility and electronic properties of the N-donor atoms. A rationalization of the results is proposed on the basis of NMR studies and DFT calculation on the cationic complexes [Pd(eta(3)-PhCHCHCHPh)(N-N*)]CF(3)SO(3), (N-N* = (S(a))-1, 9; (S,S)-3, 10; (S,S)-4, 11).     

Influences on the regioselectivity of palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations

Chelated amino acid ester enolates are excellent nucleophiles for palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations. These enolates react rapidly at -78 degrees C and in general without isomerization of pi-allyl palladium complexes. Therefore, they are good candidates for mechanistic studies and regioselective reactions. Terminal pi-allyl palladium complexes are preferentially attacked at the least hindered position giving rise to linear products, as illustrated with several (E)-configured allylic substrates. Under isomerization free conditions the branched products are formed preferentially from the corresponding (Z)-allyl substrates. An interesting behavior is observed in the reaction of secondary allylic substrates. Aryl-substituted substrates show a significant memory effect which can be explained by an asymmetric pi-allyl complex. For alkyl-substituted substrates a strong dependence of the regioselectivity on the leaving group is observed, which can be explained by different conformations in the ionization step. Under isomerization free conditions the product ratio gives important information about this step.     

Phosphoramidites based on phenyl-substituted 1,2-diols as ligands in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylations: the contribution of steric demand and chiral centers to the enantioselectivity

A small family of readily available phosphoramidite ligands, including compounds with P^∗-stereocenters, has been prepared from phenyl-substituted 1,2-diols as simple and cheap starting materials. Using these ligands, up to 84% ee was achieved in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution. The influence of structural modules such as asymmetric atoms and steric demand on the enantioselectivity is discussed.     

Steric versus electronic effects of the ligand in the enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation with chiral oxazolinylpyridines

Chiral oxazolinylpyridines bearing an oxazolinyl [bis(oxazolinyl)pyridines] or a cyano group in the 6-position of the pyridine ring were prepared and assessed in the enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. The electronic and steric properties of substituents hardly affected either the catalytic activity or the enantioselectivity of the substitution reaction. Enantioselectivities up to 94% were obtained.     

Influence on the enantioselectivity in allylic alkylation of the spacer between the amido group of d-glucosamine and the diphenylphosphino group

The synthesis of a new generation of chiral phosphine-amides derived from d-glucosamine is described. The palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of racemic 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate has been investigated. The results obtained from these new ligands showed the importance of the rigidity of the complex and of the d-glucosamine skeleton on the enantioselectivity of the reaction.     

Isotope effects and the mechanism of palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation

The palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation reaction of 1,1-dimethylallyl acetate with dimethyl malonate is studied by a combination of isotope effects and theoretical calculations. A large ¹³C isotope effect of ≈1.037 is observed at the tertiary carbon, while small isotope effects are observed at the olefinic carbons. These results support rate-limiting ionization of a η²-Pd complex. The observed isotope effects are compared with predictions from calculational models employing either solvent models or ionization of an amidinium ion. The calculated transition structures are notably η² in character, and the implications of this observation are discussed.     

Nanosheet-enhanced enantioselectivity in the vanadium-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols

The use of suitable chiral ligands is an efficient means of producing highly enantioselective transition-metal catalysts. Herein, we report a facile, economic, and effective strategy for the design of chiral ligands that demonstrate enhanced enantioselectivity and catalytic efficacy. Our simple strategy employs naturally occurring or synthetic inorganic nanosheets as huge and rigid planar substituents for, but not limited to, naturally available α-amino-acid ligands; these ligands were successfully used in the vanadium-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols. The crucial role of the inorganic nanosheets as planar substituents in improving the enantioselectivity of the reaction was clearly revealed by relating the observed enantiomeric excess with the distribution of the catalytic centers and the accessibility of the substrate molecules to the catalytic sites. DFT calculations indicated that the LDH layer improved the enantioselectivity by influencing the formation and stability of the catalytic transition states, both in terms of steric resistance and H-bonding interactions.     

Regioselective palladium-catalyzed electrophilic allylic substitution in the presence of hexamethylditin

[reaction: see text]. Palladium-catalyzed electrophilic allylic substitution of functionalized allyl chlorides and allyl acetates can be achieved in the presence of hexamethylditin under mild reaction conditions. The substitution reaction occurs with very high regioselectivity at the branched allylic terminus. Regioselective tandem bisallylation reaction could be performed by employing benzylidenemalonitrile as substrate. The reaction mechanism can be explained by involvement of a bisallylpalladium intermediate. A particularly interesting mechanistic feature of this reaction is that palladium catalyzes up to three different transformations in the same catalytic cycle. DFT calculations indicate that the regioselectivity is determined by the location of the allylic substituent in the eta1-allyl moiety of the reaction intermediate.     

New insights into the mechanism of palladium-catalyzed allylic amination

A comparative investigation into palladium-catalyzed allylic amination of unsubstituted aziridines and secondary amines has been carried out. The use of NH aziridines as nucleophiles favors formation of valuable branched products in the case of aliphatic allyl acetates. The regioselectivity of this reaction is opposite to that observed when other amines are used as nucleophiles. Our study provides evidence for the palladium-catalyzed isomerization of the branched (kinetic) product formed with common secondary amines into the thermodynamic (linear) product. In contrast, the branched allyl products obtained from unsubstituted aziridines do not undergo the isomerization process. Crossover experiments indicate that the isomerization of branched allylamines is bimolecular and is catalyzed by Pd(0). The reaction has significant solvent effect, giving the highest branched-to-linear ratios in THF. This finding can be explained by invoking the intermediacy of sigma-complexes, which is consistent with NMR data. The apparent stability of branched allyl aziridines towards palladium-catalyzed isomerization is attributed to a combination of factors that stem from a higher degree of s-character of the aziridine nitrogen compared to other amines. The reaction allows for regio- and enantioselective incorporation of aziridine rings into appropriately functionalized building blocks. The resulting methodology addresses an important issue of forming quaternary carbon centers next to nitrogen. The new insights into the mechanism of palladium-catalyzed allylic amination obtained in this study should facilitate synthesis of complex heterocycles, design of new ligands to control branched-to-linear ratio, as well as absolute stereochemistry of allylamines.