Catalysis of 3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid and related pyrrolidine derivatives in enantioselective anti-Mannich-type reactions: importance of the 3-acid group on pyrrolidine for stereocontrol

The development of enantioselective anti-selective Mannich-type reactions of aldehydes and ketones with imines catalyzed by 3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid and related pyrrolidine derivatives is reported in detail. Both (3R,5R)-5-methyl-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid and (R)-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid efficiently catalyzed the reactions of aldehydes with alpha-imino esters under mild conditions and afforded anti-Mannich products with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (anti/syn up to 99:1, up to >99% ee). For the reactions of ketones with alpha-imino esters, (R)-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid was an efficient catalyst (anti/syn up to >99:1, up to 99% ee). Evaluation of a series of pyrrolidine-based catalysts indicated that the acid group at the beta-position of the pyrrolidine ring of the catalyst played an important role in forwarding the carbon-carbon bond formation and in directing anti-selectivity and enantioselectivity.     

Enantiopure beta-hydroxysulfoxide derivatives as novel chiral auxiliaries in asymmetric biaryl Suzuki reactions

[reaction: see text] Highly diastereoselective biaryl Suzuki coupling reactions of (1R)-1-(2-iodo or bromophenyl)-2-(R)-(4-tolylsulfinyl)-1-ethanol derivatives with various aryl- or naphthylboronic acids (or esters) were performed with high yields (up to 99%) and an excellent control of the axial chirality (up to 98% de).     

Double axially chiral bisphosphorylimides as novel Brønsted acids in asymmetric three-component Mannich reaction

A double axially chiral bisphosphorylimide has been demonstrated to be an efficient and highly sterically hindered Brønsted acid in asymmetric three-component Mannich reactions. Optically active syn-β-amino ketones were obtained in high yields (up to 99%) with excellent diastereoselectivity (99:1) and enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). A gram-scale reaction was also performed to prove the synthetic application value of this reaction.     

Synthesis of enantiopure β-amino alcohols via AKR/ARO of epoxides using recyclable macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes

A series of chiral macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes 1-8 were synthesized and characterized. These complexes were found to be highly active, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective catalysts in aminolytic kinetic resolution (AKR) of racemic trans-epoxides as well as asymmetric ring opening (ARO) of prochiral meso-epoxides with various anilines as nucleophiles at room temperature in 18-24 h. Excellent yields (>99% with respect to the nucleophile) with high enantioselectivity (ee, >99%) of chiral anti-β-amino alcohols was achieved with concomitant recovery of corresponding epoxides in high ee (up to >99%). The complex 1 also catalyzed the ARO of meso-epoxides to provide corresponding syn-β-amino alcohols in high yield (99%) and ee (up to 91%). Due to built-in basic sites in the catalyst, no external base (as an additive) was required to promote AKR and ARO reactions. The catalyst 1 was conveniently recycled several times with retention of its performance. The AKR of trans-stilbene oxide with aniline was successfully demonstrated at relatively higher scale (10 mmol) using the catalyst 1.     

Chiral Diamine-catalyzed Asymmetric Aldol Reaction

A highly efficient catalytic system composed of a simple and commercially available chiral primary diamine (1R,2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine(6) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was employed for asymmetric Aldol reaction in em-PrOH at room temperature. A loading of 10%(molar fraction) catalyst 6 with TFA as a cocatalyst could catalyze the Aldol reactions of various ketones or aldehydes with a series of aromatic aldehydes, furnishing Aldol pro- ducts in moderate to high yields(up to >99%) with enantioselectivities of up to >99% and diastereoselectivities of up to 99:1.     

Alpha'-hydroxy enones as achiral templates for Lewis acid-catalyzed enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions

alpha'-Hydroxy enones react with dienes in the presence of (S,S)-[Cu(tBu-box)](OTf)2 or (S,S)-[Cu(tBu-box)](SbF6)2 (2 to 10 mol %) to afford the corresponding Diels-Alder adducts in high yield and selectivity. Isomeric ratios (regioselectivity, endo/exo or cis/trans) of up to >99:1 and ee values of up to >99% are obtained. Significantly, difficult dienes such as isoprene, 2,3-dimethyl butadiene and piperylene behave satisfactorily. Subsequent oxidative cleavage of the ketol in the resulting cycloadducts by treatment with cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) yields the corresponding enantiopure carboxylic acids. Alternatively, carbonyl addition and subsequent diol cleavage with CAN produces the corresponding ketone adducts.     

Rhodium/diene-catalyzed asymmetric arylation of N-Boc-protected α,β-unsaturated δ-lactam with arylboronic acids: enantioselective synthesis of 4-aryl-2-piperidinones

Utilizing toluene/isopropanol (20:1 to 40:1) as a solvent and KHF₂ as an additive, the rhodium/diene-catalyzed asymmetric arylation (RCAA) reaction of arylboronic acids to N-Boc-protected α,β-unsaturated δ-lactam proceeded smoothly to afford chiral 4-aryl-2-piperidinones with high to excellent yields (up to 94%) and enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee). Further conversion of adduct (R)-1-(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-piperidone to (R)-Homobaclofen hydrochloride was also presented.     

Syntheses of chiral β- and γ-amino ethers, morpholines, and their homologues via nucleophilic ring-opening of chiral activated aziridines and azetidines

Lewis acid catalyzed quaternary ammonium salt mediated highly regioselective ring-opening of chiral activated aziridines and azetidines with alcohols to nonracemic β- and γ-amino ethers has been developed. The reaction mainly proceeds via an S(N)2 pathway, and the partial racemization of the starting substrate was effectively controlled by using quaternary ammonium salts. β- and γ-amino ethers are obtained with high enantio- and diastereospecificity (ee up to >99%, de up to 99%). The methodology was further extended to synthesize morpholines and their homologues with high enantiospecificity (ee up to 90%) when halo alcohols were employed as the nucleophiles.     

手性药物催化β-酮酸酯不对称α-羟基化反应研究

以商业化易得的具有碱性氮原子的手性药物为有机催化剂,用于催化β-酮酸酯不对称α-羟基化反应,发现以噻吗洛尔或普萘洛尔为催化剂,反应对映选择性分别可达32%和18%.对噻吗洛尔和普萘洛尔进行结构修饰,合成了12个洛尔药物类似物,并考察了其催化效果,发现在优化的反应条件下,以30mol%(R)-1-叔丁胺基-3-(2-萘氧基)-2-丙醇(7f)为催化剂,20mol%β-环糊精为助催化剂,叔丁基过氧化氢为氧化剂,正己烷为溶剂,反应对映选择性最高可达57%,收率92%.不对称α-羟基化产物(S)-5-氯-2-羟基-1-茚酮-2-甲酸甲酯(2a)在乙酸乙酯中一次重结晶后,对映体光学纯度可达99%,收率68%.     

Highly enantioselective alkynylation of aldehydes catalyzed by a readily available chiral amino alcohol-based ligand

A new inexpensive chiral amino alcohol-based ligand, (1S,2S)-2-N,N-dimethylamino-1-(p-nitrophenyl)-3- (t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)propane-1-ol, was developed for the asymmetric alkynylation of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, to prepare the corresponding propargylic alcohols in high yields with up to 99% ee.     

Role of Adamantane Amide Based on L-Proline Double-H Potential Organocatalyst in Aldol Reaction with Product Separated via Host-guest Interaction

Chiral organocatalysts of 4-adamantane amide based on L-proline with double hydrogen potential were synthesized and used in asymmetric aldol reactions. The reactions were evaluated in toluene under -20℃. A series of aldol products was obtained from moderate to good yields(up to 98%) with excellent diastereoselectivities(up to >99:1) and enantioselectivities(up to >99%). The aldol products in the system were separated by α-cyclodextrin via host-guest interaction and determined by chiral HPLC. The catalyst could be reused up to five times. The 4-substitution position played an important role in diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity.     

Camphor-based Schiff base ligand SBAIB: an enantioselective catalyst for addition of phenylacetylene to aldehydes

A series of Schiff base ligands were synthesized from (1R)-camphor. Under the optimal conditions, (+)-SBAIB-a, 10 was found to be an excellent catalyst for the enantioselective addition of phenylacetylene to various aldehydes without utilizing either achiral additives or Ti(O(i)Pr)(4). This approach yielded (R)-propargylic alcohols in extremely high yields (up to 99%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 92%). The corresponding (S)-propargylic alcohols were synthesized in good to high enantioselectivities (up to 91%) and excellent yields (up to 99%) using (-)-SBAIB-a, 41.     

Chiral rare earth organophosphates as homogeneous Lewis acid catalysts for the highly enantioselective hetero-Diels–Alder reactions

Various trivalent rare earth-chiral phosphate complexes [(R)-1-RE, (R)-3-RE, and (R)-4-Ce] were prepared and evaluated as a Lewis acid catalyst for the asymmetric hetero-Diels–Alder reaction of aldehydes with the Danishefsky's diene. Some of them effectively promoted the reaction at room temperature in the presence or absence of achiral additives under homogeneous conditions to afford the corresponding cycloadducts with high ee's (up to 99% ee). During these reactions, remarkably high asymmetric amplifications (positive nonlinear effects) were observed as the first example in the metal ion–chiral ligand 1:3 catalytic system. A scandium catalyst bearing the H₈-BNP ligand, (R)-3-Sc, could be recovered after the reaction and successfully reused for the next round of reactions. In addition, the hetero-Diels–Alder reaction of -keto esters was effectively catalyzed by the ytterbium complex, (R)-1-Yb, without any additives thus producing the asymmetric quaternary carbon in excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee).     

Asymmetric synthesis of 3,4-diaminochroman-2-ones promoted by guanidine and bisguanidium salt

A highly enantioselective synthesis of 3,4-diaminochroman-2-ones has been realized via the domino reaction of o-hydroxy aromatic aldimines and azlactones. Notably, a cis-product was obtained as the major product by the use of guanidine 2a whereas a trans-product was the major product with bisguanidium salt 3?HBAr(F)(4). In two cases, various substituted 3,4-dihydrocoumarins were obtained with high yields (up to 99%) as well as excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) and diastereoselectivities (up to >99:1 cis:trans and 98:2 trans:cis, respectively) under mild reaction conditions.     

Highly enantioselective desymmetrization of meso- and prochiral cyclic ketones via organocatalytic Michael reaction

An efficient and novel organocatalyst has been developed for the asymmetric desymmetrization of meso- and prochiral ketones by direct Michael addition to nitroolefins. This strategy can afford the desymmetrization products with excellent diastereo- (up to >99:1) and enantioselectivity (up to 96%) in great yields (up to 95%).     

A new type of organocatalyst for highly stereoselective Michael addition of ketones to nitroolefins on water

(S)-2-((Naphthalen-2-ylsulfonyl)methyl)pyrrolidine, prepared in three steps from (S)-N-Boc-2-[((4-toluenesulfonyl)oxy)methyl]pyrrolidine in 62% overall yield, was used as a new type of organocatalyst bearing a pyrrolidine and a sulfone moiety. It shows very high catalytic activity toward the direct asymmetric Michael reaction of cyclohexanone and nitroolefins. All the corresponding adducts can be furnished in 90-99% yields and with up to 98% ee and over 99:1 dr on water in the presence of this catalyst (15 mol %) without any additive.     

Asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to nitroolefins catalyzed by l-prolinamide derivatives using phenols as co-catalysts

The asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to nitroolefins was investigated using l-prolinamide derivatives of 2-(2′-piperidinyl)pyridine as catalyst and a variety of phenols as co-catalyst. Extensive screening toward the effect of prolinamides, phenols, and solvents on this transformation revealed that a combination of (S)-2-(2′-piperidinyl)pyridine-derived trans-4-hydroxy-l-prolinamide 2c, (S)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol, and dichloromethane was a promising system. This system was shown to be amenable to a rich variety of aldehydes and nitroolefins and afforded the nitroaldehyde products with excellent yield, enantiomeric excess (up to 99%) and diastereoselectivity ratio (up to 99/1), even in the case of 1 mol % catalyst loading and 1.5 equiv of aldehydes.     

Enzyme-catalysed improved resolution of (RS)-4-cyano-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-isopropyl-1-butanol

Resolutions of (RS)-4-cyano-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-isopropyl-1-butanol 1 using various enzymes were performed. Among them, Pseudomonas fluorescens resolved it with moderate stereoselectivity (E=13) and reacted faster with the (S)-enantiomer. To optimize enzyme-catalysed reaction conditions for the resolution, the effect of solvents and additives was studied. In n-hexane:ethyl acetate (9:1), both reaction rate and selectivity were high. When pyridine, potassium carbonate and molecular sieves were used as additives, the enantiomeric excess of the (R)-enantiomer was 99, 99 and 98% at 52–60% conversion, respectively. However, in diisopropyl ether, the enantiomeric excess of unreacted alcohol (R)-1 was up to 99% at 70% conversion without additives.     

Enantioselective Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of N-formyl dehydroamino esters with monodentate phosphoramidite ligands

Enantioselectivities up to >99% ee were achieved in the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of N-formyl dehydroamino esters using monodentate phosphoramidites as chiral ligands. The substrates were synthesized by condensation of methyl isocyanoacetate with a range of aldehydes and with cyclohexanone. A highly convenient multigram scale one step synthesis of methyl 2-(formamido)acrylate was developed. This compound was used in the synthesis of methyl 2-(formamido)cinnamate via a solvent free Heck reaction. Moreover, full conversion and >99% ee were obtained in 1 h in the hydrogenation of methyl 2-(formamido)acrylate with 0.2 mol % catalyst and 2 bar hydrogen pressure. The versatility of the formyl protection was established by its removal under mild conditions.     

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of isobutyraldehyde to nitroalkenes

The asymmetric catalytic Michael reaction between isobutyraldehyde and nitroalkanes with chiral primary amine thiourea organocatalysts was described. In the presence of 10 mol % of 1-((1R,2R)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethyl)-3-benzylthiourea, the desired products were achieved in excellent enantioselectivity (up to>99% ee) with up to 98% yield.