Ruthenium complexes of the general formula [RuCl2(PHOX)2] and their catalytic activity in the Mukaiyama aldol reaction

New ruthenium phosphinooxazoline (PHOX) complexes were synthesized and applied in the Mukaiyama aldol reaction. Four ruthenium complexes of the general formula [RuCl₂(PHOX)₂] were synthesized from [RuCl₂(dmso)₄] and the corresponding PHOX ligands through thermal ligand exchange. Two of the complexes were characterized structurally. Achiral PHOX ligands gave the ruthenium complexes as single isomers, whereas chiral PHOX ligands gave a mixture of isomers and also some incomplete substitution. After activation by chloride abstraction, one of the new ruthenium complexes was applied as catalyst in the Mukaiyama aldol reaction to give silyl-protected β-hydroxyl alcohols in 74–92% isolated yields (room temperature, 18–24 h reaction time, 1 mol % catalyst loading).     

Cover Picture: Axis-Unfixed Biphenylphosphine-Oxazoline Ligands: Design and Applications in Asymmetric Catalytic Reactions (Chem. Rec. 10/2023)

The design and synthesis of chiral ligands plays an important role in asymmetric catalytic reactions. Over the past decades, various types of chiral phosphine-oxazolines (PHOX ligands) have been developed and have greatly advanced the field of asymmetric catalysis. Novel chiral PHOX ligand with an axis-unfixed biphenyl backbone, developed by our group, have shown interesting coordination behavior and excellent chiral inducing ability in various transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric reactions. This personal account focuses on our developed axis-unfixed biphenylphosphine-oxazoline ligand (BiphPHOX), including an overview of its design and applications, which will provide inspiration for the exploration of novel ligands and related reactions.     

Phagocytosis induces superoxide formation and apoptosis in macrophages

Phagocytosis by inflammatory cells is an essential step and a part of innate immunity for protection against foreign pathogens, microorganism or dead cells. Phagocytosis, endocytotic events sequel to binding particle ligands to the specific receptors on phagocyte cell surface such as Fcgamma recptor (FcgammaR), complement receptor (CR), beta-glucan receptor, and phosphatidylserine (PS) receptor, require actin assembly, pseudopod extension and phagosome closure. Rho GTPases (RhoA, Cdc42, and Rac1) are critically involved in these processes. Abrupt superoxide formation, called as oxidative burst, occurs through NADPH oxidase complex in leukocytes following phagocytosis. NADPH oxidase complex is composed of membrane proteins, p22PHOX and gp91PHOX, and cytosolic proteins, p40PHOX, p47PHOX and p67PHOX. The cytosolic subunits and Rac-GTP are translocated to the membrane, forming complete NADPH oxidase complex with membrane part subunits. Binding of imunoglobulin G (IgG)- and complement-opsonized particles to FcgammaR and CR of leukocytes induces apoptosis of the cells, which may be due to oxidative burst and accompanying cytochrome c release and casapase-3 activation.     

Rapid synthesis of an electron-deficient t-BuPHOX ligand: cross-coupling of aryl bromides with secondary phosphine oxides

Herein an efficient and direct copper-catalyzed coupling of oxazoline-containing aryl bromides with electron-deficient secondary phosphine oxides is reported. The resulting tertiary phosphine oxides can be reduced to prepare a range of PHOX ligands. The presented strategy is a useful alternative to known methods for constructing PHOX derivatives.     

Tetrathiafulvalene–oxazoline ligands in the iridium catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of arylimines

Cationic iridium complexes based on enantiomerically pure tetrathiafulvalene–oxazoline ligands have been used in the asymmetric hydrogenation of N-(phenylethylidene)aniline. Complete conversions with ee’s up to 68% could be reached in the case of the TTF–phosphinooxazoline (TTF–PHOX) ligands.     

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of a new class of CyPHOX ligands

Four newly designed CyPHOX ligands with chiral cyclohexane scaffold replacing the previous planar aryl group of PHOX ligands, were efficiently prepared. The synthesis features a kinetically controlled asymmetric phos-Michael reactions of trisubstituted cyclic carboxylates, which is quite simple, reliable and scalable.     

DNA-based phosphane ligands

In order to expand the repertoire of DNA sequences specifically interacting with transition metals, we report here the first examples of DNA sequences carrying mono- and bidentate phosphane ligands as well as P,N-ligands. Aminoalkyl-modified oligonucleotides have been reacted at predetermined internal sites with carboxylate derivatives of pyrphos, BINAP and phosphinooxazoline (PHOX) 2 b-d. Carbodiimide coupling in the presence of N-hydroxysuccinimide provided the DNA-ligand conjugates in 38-78 % yield. Phosphane-containing oligonucleotides and their phosphane sulfide analogues were characterized by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF and FT-ICR-ESI) and their stability after purification and isolation was systematically investigated. While DNA-appended pyrphos ligand was quickly oxidized, BINAP and PHOX conjugates showed high stabilities, making them useful precursors for incorporation of transition metals into DNA.     

New indenyl phosphinooxazoline complexes of iron and their catalytic activity in the Mukaiyama aldol reaction

New phosphinooxazoline (PHOX) η⁵-indenyl complexes of iron were synthesized and applied as catalysts in the Mukaiyama aldol reaction. Reaction of three different PHOX ligands with [Fe(η⁵-Ind)I(CO)₂] afforded the iodide salts of three complexes of the general formula [Fe(η⁵-Ind)(CO)(PHOX)]⁺ in 73-81% isolated yields. The molecular structure of one of the new complexes was determined, revealing a pseudo octahedral coordination geometry about the iron center. The iron complexes are catalytically active in the Mukaiyama aldol reaction between aldehydes and 1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-1-methoxyethene to give the corresponding aldol adducts (3 mol % catalyst, 15 min, room temperature, 48-83% isolated yields). A previously synthesized iron complex of the general formula [Fe(η⁵-Cp)(CO)(PHOX)]⁺ was found to be catalytically active in the title reaction as well, but needed three hours at room temperature to convert the starting materials to the products.     

Synthesis of new serine-based phosphinooxazoline ligands and iridium complexes for asymmetric hydrogenations

A series of serine-based phosphinooxazoline ligands was synthesized and the corresponding iridum complexes were successfully applied in the asymmetric hydrogenation of various unfunctionalized olefines and acetophenone-N-phenyl-imine. The results show that these new derivatives are useful substitutes for the standard tert-leucine-derived PHOX ligands.     

手性芳基膦-噁唑啉的简便合成

膦-噁唑啉化合物作为一类“优势配体”,自发现以来就引起化学家们的广泛关注。 现有合成方法存在路线长、收率低、分离困难等问题。 本研究发展了一种合成手性芳基膦-噁唑啉(PHOX)的简单高效方法。 在1-羟基苯并三唑(HOBt)、1-(3-二甲氨基丙基)-3-乙基碳二亚胺盐酸盐(EDCI)作用下,2-(二苯基膦基)苯甲酸与多种光学纯的氨基醇发生缩合反应,高收率获得酰胺基醇类化合物;之后酰胺基醇经三苯基膦/三乙胺/四氯化碳体系处理完成噁唑啉环的构建,以64%86%的总收率得到膦-噁唑啉化合物。 随后,合成的化合物(S)-t-BuPHOX被应用于钯催化β-酮酯的脱羧Tsuji烯丙基化反应,得到了80%的收率和84%的ee值。 该新方法具有原料易得、条件温和、收率高等优点。     

A combined experimental and computational study of dihydrido(phosphinooxazoline)iridium complexes

The reaction of a [(PHOX)Ir(COD)](+) complex (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) with dihydrogen was studied by NMR spectroscopy (PHOX = chiral phosphinooxazoline ligand). A single [(PHOX)Ir(H)(2)(COD)](+) isomer was formed as the primary product at -40 degrees C in THF. Subsequent reaction with H(2) at -40 to 0 degrees C led to a mixture of two diastereomeric [(PHOX)Ir(H)(2)(solvent)(2)](+) complexes with concomitant loss of cyclooctane. The stereochemistry of the three hydride complexes could be assigned from the NMR data. The structures and energies of the observed hydride complexes and the possible stereoisomers were calculated using density functional theory. The substantial energy differences (up to 39 kcal/mol) between the various stereoisomers demonstrate the strong influence of the chiral ligand. The observed stereoselective formation of dihydride complexes can be explained by steric effects of the PHOX ligand combined with a strong electronic influence of the coordinating N and P atoms, favoring addition of a hydride trans to the Ir-N bond.     

Unequal crossover recombination - population screening for PHOX2B gene polyalanine polymorphism using CE

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by abnormal autonomic central nervous system control of breathing during sleep. Mutations in the paired-like homeobox 2B (PHOX2B) gene, including point mutation, frameshift, and polyalanine expansion, are associated with the pathogenesis of CCHS. In this study, PHOX2B mutations were analyzed in seven CCHS patients, their family members, and 1520 healthy individuals from the general population using CE to provide high sensitivity and resolution screening for the PHOX2B polyalanine polymorphism. Seven mutations in the PHOX2B gene, including two frameshift mutations and five polyalanine expansions in the 20-residue polyalanine tract, were identified. The various phenotypes observed in CCHS patients with PHOX2B mutations suggest that the size of the expansion allele is associated with the CCHS risk. In addition, significant differences were found in allele and genotype distributions between the healthy individuals. Alleles (GCN)(20) and (GCN)(15) had the highest population incidence rates of 94.84 and 4.51%, respectively, with the remaining alleles, (GCN)(13) and (GCN)(7), accounting for 0.59 and 0.06%, respectively. Therefore, it has been demonstrated that CE can be used to improve the detection of polyalanine expansions in the PHOX2B gene. The attractive alternative method is a promising tool for the detection of disorders involving trinucleotide repeat tracts.     

In situ enzymatic screening (ISES) of P,N-ligands for Ni(0)-mediated asymmetric intramolecular allylic amination

An in situ enzymatic screening (ISES) approach to rapid catalyst evaluation recently pointed to Ni(0) as a new candidate transition metal for intramolecular allylic amination. This led to further exploration of chiral bidentate phosphine ligands for such transformations. Herein, a variety of P,N-ligands are examined for this Ni(0)-chemistry, using a model reaction leading into the vinylglycinol scaffold. On the one hand, an N,N-bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)alkylamine (‘PNP’) ligand proved to be the fastest ligand yet seen for this Ni(0)-transformation. On the other, phosphinooxazoline (PHOX) ligands of the Pfaltz–Helmchen–Williams variety gave the highest enantioselectivities (up to 51% ee) among P,N-ligands examined.     

Hammett studies of enantiocontrol by PHOX ligands in Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions

Electronically modified PHOX ligands 3a-e were synthesized to probe the mechanism of the enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation and amination reactions. Alkylation with dimethyl sodiomalonate produced only a small variation in the ee (89.3% to 93.4%), but amination with benzylamine gave a much wider variation in the ee (16.4% to 66.6%). Hammett analysis suggests that the substituents interact more significantly with phosphorus and supports a combined electronic and steric basis for enantioselection. [reaction: see text]     

Design, synthesis, and applications of potential substitutes of t-Bu-phosphinooxazoline in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric transformations and their use for the improvement of the enantioselectivity in the Pd-catalyzed allylation reaction of fluorinated allyl enol carbonates

The design, synthesis, and applications of potential substitutes of t-Bu-PHOX in asymmetric catalysis is reported. The design relies on the incorporation of geminal substituents at C5 in combination with a substituent at C4 other than t-butyl (i-Pr, i-Bu, or s-Bu). Most of these new members of the PHOX ligand family behave similarly in terms of stereoinduction to t-Bu-PHOX in three palladium-catalyzed asymmetric transformations. Electronically modified ligands were also prepared and used to improve the enantioselectivity in the Pd-catalyzed allylation reaction of fluorinated allyl enol carbonates.     

Structure determination of a key intermediate of the enantioselective Pd complex catalyzed allylic substitution reaction

The structure of a catalytic intermediate with important implications for the interpretation of the stereochemical outcome of the palladium complex catalyzed allylic substitution with phosphino-oxazoline (PHOX) ligands is determined by liquid state NMR. The complex displays a novel structure that is highly distorted compared with other palladium eta2-olefin complexes known so far. The structure has been determined from nuclear overhauser data (NOE), scalar coupling constants, and long range projection angle restraints derived from dipole dipole cross-correlated relaxation of multiple quantum coherence. The latter restraints have been implemented into a distance geometry protocol. The projection angle restraints yield a higher precision in the determination of the relative orientation of the two molecular moieties and are essential to provide an exact structural definition of the olefinic part of the catalytic intermediate with respect to the ligand.     

Enantioselective decarboxylative alkylation reactions: catalyst development, substrate scope, and mechanistic studies

α-Quaternary ketones are accessed through novel enantioselective alkylations of allyl and propargyl electrophiles by unstabilized prochiral enolate nucleophiles in the presence of palladium complexes with various phosphinooxazoline (PHOX) ligands. Excellent yields and high enantiomeric excesses are obtained from three classes of enolate precursor: enol carbonates, enol silanes, and racemic β-ketoesters. Each of these substrate classes functions with nearly identical efficiency in terms of yield and enantioselectivity. Catalyst discovery and development, the optimization of reaction conditions, the exploration of reaction scope, and applications in target-directed synthesis are reported. Experimental observations suggest that these alkylation reactions occur through an unusual inner-sphere mechanism involving binding of the prochiral enolate nucleophile directly to the palladium center.     

Chiral terpene auxiliaries IV: new monoterpene PHOX ligands and their application in the catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones

New PHOX ligands, derived in three steps from (1R,2S,3R,5R)-3-amino-apopinan-2-ol 1 and (1R,2R,3S,5R)-3-amino-pinan-2-ol 2 were applied as chiral ligands for the formation of ruthenium catalysts. The catalysts were used in asymmetric transfer hydrogenations of prochiral ketones producing the corresponding alcohols in moderate to high yields and enantioselectivity.     

Ag+ -assisted hydrosilylation: complementary behavior of Rh and Ir catalysts (reversal of enantioselectivity)

[structure: see text]. The presence of a suitably situated hydroxy function in a PHOX ligand leads to an enhancement of the enantioselectivity in Rh-catalyzed hydrosilylations of prochiral ketones in the presence of AgBF4 (95% ee for acetophenone as compared to 75% using i-Pr-phosphinooxazoline (PHOX)). Exchanging Rh for Ir affords the product with the opposite absolute configuration (78% ee).     

Nickel(II) complexes bearing phosphinooxazoline ligands: Synthesis, structures and their ethylene oligomerization behaviors

A series of Ni(II) complexes 4a-f ligated by the unsymmetrical phosphino-oxazolines (PHOX) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy, and the structures of complexes 4c-4e were confirmed by the X-ray crystallographic analysis. All derivatives showed distorted tetrahedron geometry by the nickel center and coordinative atoms. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO) or Et₂AlCl, these complexes exhibited considerable to high activity of ethylene oligomerization. The ligands environments and reaction conditions significantly affect their catalytic activities, while the highest oligomerization activity (up to 1.18 × 10⁶ g · mol⁻¹(Ni) · h⁻¹) was observed for 4d at 20 atm of ethylene. Incorporation of 2-4 equivalents of PPh₃ as auxiliary ligands in the 4a-f/MAO catalytic systems led to higher activity and longer catalytic lifetime.