Enantioselective synthesis of (−)-(1R,2R)-1,2-dihydrochrysene-1,2-diol

A general chiral building block containing the 1R,2R-trans-diol moiety was constructed utilizing the stereoselective Shi-epoxidation reaction on a tetralone scaffold assembled by a Negishi cross-coupling on N,N-diethylbenzamide. Further elaboration of this chiral building block into polycyclic aromatic compounds was demonstrated with the total synthesis of the precursor for the most carcinogenic metabolite of chrysene, (−)-(1R,2R)-1,2-dihydrochrysene-1,2-diol in 87% ee.     

Cyanosilylation of aldehydes catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes

N-Heterocyclic carbenes produced in situ from salts of imidazolium, benzimidazolium, pyrido[1,2-c]imidazolium, imidazolinium, thiazolium, and triazolium catalyze the addition of trimethylsilylcyanide to aldehydes to yield cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers. The use of C₂-symmetric imidazolidenyl carbene derived from (R,R)-1,3-bis[(1-naphthyl)ethyl]imidazolium chloride led to enantioselective cyanosilylation.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a dichloro zinc complex of N,N′-bis-(2,6-dichloro-benzyl)-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane: Application to ring opening polymerization of rac-lactide

A novel dichloro zinc complex (L¹)ZnCl₂, where L¹ is N,N′-bis-(2,6-dichloro-benzyl)-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, has been synthesized and characterized. The dimethyl derivatives, generated in situ from the well characterized dichloro zinc complexes (L¹)ZnCl₂ and (L²)ZnCl₂, where L² is N,N′-bis-(benzyl)-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, were employed as initiators for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide (rac-LA). The complexes were found to be highly efficient initiators yielding the polylactide (PLA) with a narrow molecular weight distribution. The catalytic activity and heterotactic selectivity of the Zn(II) complexes were affected by the substituents on the phenyl groups of benzyl moieties in (R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane. The dimethyl derivative of (L²)ZnCl₂ produced highly stereocontrolled PLA with P_r = 0.75 at −25 °C.     

Ruthenium complexes that incorporate a chiro-inositol derived diphosphinite ligand as catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation reactions

The diol, 1d-1,2,5,6-tetra-O-methyl-chiro-inositol (D-9), can be conveniently prepared from 1d-chiro-inositol using a series of standard protection/deprotection steps. Treatment of D-9 with Ph₂PCl gives the chiral diphosphinite, 1d-3,4-bis(O-diphenylphosphino)-1,2,5,6-tetra-O-methyl-chiro-inositol (D-10). The structure of D-10 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Using 1l-chiro-inositol as starting material and following the same synthetic sequence used to produce D-10, the other enantiomer of this diphosphinite, 1l-3,4-bis(O-diphenylphosphino)-1,2,5,6-tetra-O-methyl-chiro-inositol (L-10) can also be obtained. Ruthenium complexes of these diphosphinite ligands can be conveniently prepared through ligand substitution reactions with appropriate substrate complexes. Thus, treatment of [RuCl₂(COD)]_n with D-10 in the presence of triethylamine produces the bis(diphosphinite) complex, RuHCl{κ²(P,P)-1d-3,4-bis(O-diphenylphosphino)-1,2,5,6-tetra-O-methyl-chiro-inositol}₂ (11). In addition, reaction between RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃, D-10 and (1R,2R)-(+)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine gives the mono(diphosphinite) complex, RuCl₂{κ²(P,P)-1d-3,4-bis(O-diphenylphosphino)-1,2,5,6-tetra-O-methyl-chiro-inositol}{κ²(N,N)-(1R,2R)-(+)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine} (12). The closely related complex RuCl₂{κ²(P,P)-1d-3,4-bis(O-diphenylphosphino)-1,2,5,6-tetra-O-methyl-chiro-inositol}{κ²(N,N)-(1S,2S)-(−)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine} (13) can be obtained in a similar manner using (1S,2S)-(−)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine in place of the corresponding (+)-isomer. These new chiral, diphosphinite complexes catalyse the hydrogenation of the ketones acetophenone and 3-quinuclidinone to give the corresponding alcohols with low to moderate enantiomeric excesses. The complexes are not catalytically active for the hydrogenation of the olefin dimethylitaconate or the α-ketoester methyl benzoylformate.     

Kinetic resolution of d,l-myo-inositol derivatives catalyzed by chiral Cu(II) complex

Kinetic resolution of d,l-myo-inositol derivatives having a 1,2-diol functionality by monobenzoylation was achieved using (R,R)-Ph-BOX-Cu(II) as a catalyst. The monobenzoylation preferentially took place at the 1,2-diol functionality via a highly enantiodiscriminatory process, which was largely influenced by a substituent at the position adjacent to the 1,2-diol functionality. This method was applied to a synthesis of biologically important d-inositol-1-phosphate.     

3,3-Bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)propionic acid: A tripodal N,N,O ligand for manganese and rhenium complexes - Syntheses and structures

The tripodal N,N,O ligands 3,3-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)propionic acid (Hbdmpzp) (1) and 3,3-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)propionic acid (Hbpzp) (2) form the “missing link” between the well-known bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetic acids and related ligands with a longer “carboxylate arm”. To illustrate the reactivity of this ligand, manganese and rhenium complexes bearing the ligand bdmpzp are reported. The complexes are compared to related compounds bearing other tripod ligands such as bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetate (bdmpza) and 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)propionate (bmip). Spectroscopic and structural data are used as a basis for comparison, as well as DFT calculations. Both ligands 1 and 2 and the complexes fac-[Mn(bdmpzp)(CO)₃] (3) and fac-[Re(bdmpzp)(CO)₃] (4) were characterised by X-ray crystallography.     

Formation of chiral 21-helical columnar host system with phenylacetylene unit by using (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol

A tunable supramolecular phenylacetylene host system with a chiral channel-like cavity is developed by using (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol. This host system possesses a chiral 2₁-helical columnar structure; chiral cavities are constructed by the self-assembly of the 2₁-helical column, and guest molecules are included by varying the packing of this column.     

Amide-based atropisomers in tachykinin NK1-receptor antagonists: synthesis and antagonistic activity of axially chiral N-benzylcarboxamide derivatives of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,5]oxazocin-6-one

A series of novel N-benzylcarboxamide derivatives of bicyclic compounds, 3,4-dihydropyrido[3,2-f][1,4]oxazepin-5(2H)-one and 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,5]oxazocin-6-one, were synthesized by cyclization of N-benzyl-2-chloro-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)- [and -(3-hydroxypropyl)-] nicotinamides, respectively. Atropisomerism was observed in 5-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-7-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,5]oxazocin-6-ones due to steric hindrance of the carboxamide moiety and restriction of its rotation. Cyclization of N-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-2-chloro-N-[(2S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl]-5-methyl-4-phenylnicotinamide gave (3S)-5-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-3,8-dimethyl-7-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-6H-pyrido[2,3b][1,5]oxazocin-6-one, which exists predominantly in the thermodynamically stable aR-conformer in CDCl₃. This compound showed excellent NK₁-antagonistic activity with IC₅₀ value (in vitro inhibition of [¹²⁵I]-Bolton-Hunter-substance P binding in human IM-9 cells) of 0.47 nM, which is ca. 200-fold more potent than that of its enantiomer, indicating that the atropisomer chirality affects NK₁-receptor recognition.     

Sensitive monitoring of monoterpene metabolites in human urine using two-step derivatisation and positive chemical ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry

A gas chromatographic–positive chemical ionisation-tandem mass spectrometric (GC–PCI-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of 10 oxidative metabolites of the monoterpenoid hydrocarbons α-pinene, (R)-limonene, and Δ³-carene ((+)-3-carene) in human urine was developed and tested for the monoterpene biomonitoring of the general population (n = 36). The method involves enzymatic cleavage of the glucuronides followed by solid-supported liquid–liquid extraction and derivatisation using a two-step reaction with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide and N-(trimethylsilyl)imidazole. The method proved to be both sensitive and reliable with detection limits ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 μg L⁻¹. In contrast to the frequent and distinct quantities of (1S,2S,4R)-limonene-1,2-diol, the (1R,2R,4R)-stereoisomer could not be detected. The expected metabolite of (+)-3-carene, 3-caren-10-ol was not detected in any of the samples. All other metabolites were detected in almost all urine samples.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of 4-((3S,5R)-3,5-dihydroxynonadecyl)phenol

A stereoselective total synthesis of 4-((3S,5R)-3,5-dihydroxynonadecyl)phenol has been accomplished in two different synthetic approaches. In the first approach, Prins cyclization has been successfully utilized to produce the anti-1,3-diol unit, which was further converted into a required syn-1,3-diol through Mitsunobu reaction. The side chain was constructed through cross metathesis and hydrogenation sequence. In the second approach, the chiral syn-1,3-diol was prepared by a sequence of reactions such as alkylation of 1,3-dithane with (R)-epichlorohydrin, ring opening of the epoxide with vinylmagnesium bromide, and 1,3-syn-reduction of the β-hydroxyketone with NaBH₄ in the presence of diethylmethoxyborane.     

Enantiopure trans-1-amino-2-(arylsulfanyl)cyclohexanes: novel chiral motifs for ligands and organocatalysts

In order to obtain the title compounds (1R,2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diol was stereoselectively converted into cis-(1R,2S)-2-(arylsulfanyl)cyclohexanols and these products were submitted to the nucleophilic substitution via the Mitsunobu reaction (HN₃, DEAD). Reduction of the isolated azides gave the desired trans-(1S,2S)-1-amino-2-(arylsulfanyl)cyclohexanes. The (1S,2S)-1-amino-2-(2-aminophenylsulfanyl)cyclohexanes thus prepared were reacted with 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl isothiocyanate to furnish the respective bis-thiourea compounds. An application of a derivative of this type as an organocatalyst (20 mol %) in the Baylis–Hillman reaction gave the respective product in up to 93% ee.     

The stereoselective synthesis of (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene and (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene

(E)-(1,2-Difluoro-1,2-ethenediyl)bis[tributylstannane], 3, readily undergoes a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with iodotrifluoroethene to yield (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene, 4, in high isomeric purity. (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[tributylstannane], 7, was sequentially prepared from (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[triethylsilane], 5, which was prepared via a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 3 with (E)-1,2-difluoro-1-iodo-2-triethylsilylethene, 6. Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI cross-coupling of 7 with iodotrifluoroethene gave (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene, 8.     

Crystal chemistry and crystallography of the SrR2CuO5 (R=lanthanides) phases

The crystal chemistry and crystallography of the compounds SrR₂CuO₅ (Sr-121, R=lanthanides) were investigated using the powder X-ray Rietveld refinement technique. Among the 11 compositions studied, only R=Dy and Ho formed the stable SrR₂CuO₅ phase. SrR₂CuO₅ was found to be isostructural with the “green phase”, BaR₂CuO₅. The basic structure is orthorhombic with space group Pnma. The lattice parameters for SrDyCuO₅ are a=12.08080(6) Å, b=5.60421(2) Å, c=7.12971(3) Å, V=482.705(4) Å³, and Z=8; and for the Ho analog are a=12.03727(12) Å, b=5.58947(7) Å, c=7.10169(7) Å, V=477.816(9) Å³, and Z=8. In the SrR₂CuO₅ structure, each R is surrounded by seven oxygen atoms, forming a monocapped trigonal prism (RO₇). The isolated CuO₅ group forms a distorted square pyramid. Consecutive layers of prisms are stacked in the b-direction. Bond valence calculations imply that residual strain is largely responsible for the narrow stability of the SrR₂CuO₅ phases with R=Dy and Ho only. X-ray powder reference diffraction patterns for SrDy₂CuO₅ and SrHo₂CuO₅ were determined.     

Efficient synthesis of chiral C2-symmetric diamines via allylboration of bis-N,N′-metallodiimines

An enantioselective synthesis of C₂-symmetric bis-homoallylic aromatic and heteroaromatic diamines in 54-89% yields, in 73-94% de and ?98% ee has been achieved via the allylboration of the corresponding N,N′-bis(trimethylsilyl)dialdimines and N,N′-bis(diisobutylalumino)dialdimines with B-allyldiisopinocampheylborane in the presence of methanol, followed by alkaline hydrogen peroxide workup. One-pot synthesis of stable N,N′-bis(benzaldimine-triethylborane) complexes and subsequent allylboration to afford benzene diamines is also described.     

Aerobic oxidative desymmetrization of meso-diols with bifunctional amidoiridium catalysts bearing chiral N-sulfonyldiamine ligands

Asymmetric aerobic oxidation of a range of meso- and prochiral diols with chiral bifunctional Ir catalysts is described. A high level of chiral discrimination ability of Cp^∗Ir complexes derived from (S,S)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine was successfully demonstrated by desymmetrization of secondary benzylic diols such as cis-indan-1,3-diol and cis-1,4-diphenylbutane-1,4-diol, providing the corresponding (R)-hydroxyl ketones with excellent chemo- and enantioselectivities. Enantiotopic group discrimination in oxidation of symmetrical primary 1,4- and 1,5-diols gave rise to chiral lactones with moderate ees under similar aerobic conditions.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and properties of Ni(II) and Co(III) complexes derived from tripod polypyridine ligands containing N7 or N6 donor set atoms

New complexes [Ni^II(pbpaen)](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Co^III(pbpaen)](ClO₄)₃ (2) (pbpaen = N′-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-N,N-bis {2-[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]ethyl}ethane-1,2-diamine) have been synthesized and characterized by IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies. An X-ray structure of the nickel(II) complex shows that [Ni(pbpaen)](ClO₄)₂ (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2_1/c. The cation [Ni(pbpaen)]²⁺ is pseudo-octahedral with one of the three pyridyl nitrogen atom uncoordinated. The crystal lattice of this complex is stabilized by intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonding systems, giving one-dimensional sheets like arrays. All attempts to obtain nickel or cobalt complexes with protonated forms of the ligand resulted in isolation of only [Co^III(bpaen)](ClO₄)₃ (3) compound in which the tripod pbpaen ligand has lost one of the three pyridylmethyl groups, procuring then bpaen ligand {bpaen = N,N-bis{2-[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]ethyl}ethane-1,2-diamine}. The X-ray crystal structure reveals that the compound 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2 with the Co³⁺ ion having a distorted-octahedral environment. These two ligands with strong-field N donor stabilise the +3 oxidation state of the Co center.     

Development of a chiral host system tunable via changes in a 21-column packing structure

A tunable chiral host system was developed by the self-assembly of a chiral 2₁-column structure formed from (1R,2R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine and dicarboxylic acid. This host system can include guest molecules by changing the packing of a chiral 2₁-column enantioselectively.     

Acid-catalyzed enzymatic hydrolysis of 1-methylcyclohexene oxide

Limonene-1,2-epoxide hydrolase from Rhodococcus erythropolis DCL14, an enzyme involved in the limonene metabolism of this microorganism, catalyzes the enantioselective hydrolysis of 1-methylcyclohexene oxide. (1R,2S)-1-Methylcyclohexene oxide was the preferred substrate and it was mainly hydrolyzed to (1S,2S)-1-methylcyclohexane-1,2-diol, while (1S,2R)-1-methylcyclohexene oxide was converted more slowly and mainly yielded (1R,2R)-1-methylcyclohexane-1,2-diol. The reaction proceeded with a high regioselectivity (C1:C2, 85:15). H₂¹⁸O-labelling experiments confirmed that the nucleophile was mainly incorporated at the most substituted carbon atom, suggesting that limonene-1,2-epoxide hydrolase uses an acid-catalyzed enzyme mechanism.     

Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by Ti(IV) complexes of C2-symmetrical chiral BINOL derivatives

Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to a series of aromatic aldehydes is developed using new chiral C₂-symmetric ligand (S)-2,2′-(1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diylbis(oxy))bis(methylene)bis(4-nitrophenol) (S)-2b. The catalytic system employing 10 mol % of (S)-2b and 120 mol % of Ti(OiPr)₄ was found to promote the addition of diethylzinc to a wide range of aromatic aldehydes with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents, giving up to 89% ee and up to 95% yield of the corresponding secondary alcohol under mild conditions.     

Fluorination of alcohols and diols with a novel fluorous deoxy-fluorination reagent

We prepared a novel fluorous deoxy-fluorination reagent N,N-diethyl-α,α-difluoro-[3,5-bis(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)benzyl]amine (1b) from 3,5-diiodobenzoic acid (3b) via N,N-diethyl-3,5-bis(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)benzamide (2b) in four steps and used it for the fluorination of alcohols and diols. After the fluorination reactions, the isolation of the products and recovery of 2b was performed by extraction with a fluorous/organic solvent system.