Kinetic resolution of racemic secondary alcohols catalyzed by chiral diaminodiphosphine-Ir(I) complexes

Chiral diaminodiphosphine-Ir(I) complexes were found to efficiently catalyze enantioselective oxidation of racemic secondary alcohols in acetone. In the presence of base, oxidative kinetic resolution of the alcohols proceeded smoothly with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee) under mild conditions. [reaction: see text].     

Enantioselective alkynylation of aldehydes catalyzed by [2.2]paracyclophane-based ligands

[reaction: see text] [2.2]Paracyclophane-based ketimine ligands were evaluated as catalysts for the enantioselective addition of in situ-prepared alkynylzinc reagents to aldehydes. The initial high activity and enantioselectivity of these ligands could be improved by an additive screening. The final protocol gives chiral propargyl alcohols in up to >98% ee.     

Preparation of optically active allylic hydroperoxy alcohols and 1, 3-diols by enzyme-catalyzed kinetic resolution and photooxygenation of chiral homoallylic alcohols

All four possible enantiomers of the 3-hydroperoxy-4-penten-1-ols 2a, b and their corresponding 4-pentene-1,3-diols 4a,b have been prepared for the first time in high enantiomeric purity (up to 98% ee) and in preparative amounts according to two distinct ways: First the photooxygenation of the racemic homoallylic alcohols 1 gave the racemic hydroperoxy alcohols 2, which have subsequently been kinetically resolved by horseradish peroxidase (HRP); alternatively, first the lipase-catalyzed resolution afforded the optically active homoallylic alcohols 1 and subsequent photooxygenation led to the enantiomerically enriched hydroperoxy alcohols 2.     

High-efficiency and minimum-waste continuous kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols by using lipase in supercritical carbon dioxide

A novel continuous-flow scCO(2) process for kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols can be performed with an immobilized lipase to lead to a quantitative mixture of the corresponding optically active acetates with up to 99% ee and unreacted alcohols with up to 99% ee, in which the productivity of the optically active compounds was improved by over 400 times compared to the corresponding batch reaction using scCO(2).     

Palladium-catalyzed enantioselective 1,3-rearrangement of racemic allylic sulfinates: asymmetric synthesis of allylic sulfones and kinetic resolution of an allylic sulfinate

Described is an asymmetric synthesis of cyclic and acyclic allylic S-aryl and S-alkyl sulfones through a highly selective palladium(0)-catalyzed 1,3-rearrangement of racemic allylic sulfinates. Treatment of racemic cyclic and acyclic allylic S-tolyl- and S-tert-butylsulfinates with Pd(2)(dba)(3).CHCl(3) as precatalyst and N,N'-(1R,2R)-1,2-cyclohexanediylbis[2-(diphenylphosphino)benzamide] as ligand for the palladium atom afforded the corresponding isomeric allylic S-tolyl and S-tert-butyl sulfones of 93-99% ee in 82-96% yield. The rearrangement of the allylic sulfinates most likely proceeds in an intermolecular fashion via formation of a cationic pi-allylpalladium complex and the sulfinate ion. The racemic allylic sulfinates were obtained from the corresponding racemic alcohols and racemic tolylsulfinyl chloride and racemic tert-butylsulfinyl chloride, respectively, in high yields. Rearrangement of the racemic tert-butylsulfinic acid 2-cyclooct-1-enyl ester with Pd(2)(dba)(3).CHCl(3) and the bisphosphane was accompanied by a highly selective kinetic resolution of the substrate and gave at 50% conversion the (R)-configured sulfinate as mixture of the S(S) and R(S) diastereomers of 92% ee and 85% ee and the (S)-configured 3-tert-butylsulfonyl cyclooctene sulfone 15a with 98% ee in almost quantitative yields.     

Palladium-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation of thiocarboxylate ions: asymmetric synthesis of allylic thioesters and memory effect/dynamic kinetic resolution of allylic esters

The palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of KSAc and KSBz with racemic cyclic and acyclic allylic esters by using N,N'-(1R,2R)-1,2-cyclohexandiylbis[2-(diphenylphosphino)-benzamide] as ligand frequently gave the corresponding allylic thioesters with high ee values and yields. The reaction of the cyclic allylic carbonates with KSAc in the presence of H(2)O was accompanied by a partial palladium-catalyzed enantioselective "hydrolysis" of the substrates with formation of the corresponding enantioenriched allylic alcohols. The degree of the "hydrolysis" was strongly dependent on the solvent and the thiocarboxylate ion. Highly selective kinetic resolutions (KRs) were observed in the palladium-catalyzed reaction of the racemic cyclohexenyl and cycloheptenyl acetates with KSAc. While the KR of the cyclohexenyl acetate is characterized by a selectivity factor S = 72 +/- 19, that of the cycloheptenyl acetate afforded (R)-cycloheptenyl acetate of >or=99% ee in 48% yield and (S)-cycloheptenyl thioacetate of 98% ee in 50% yield. The palladium-catalyzed reaction of the racemic cyclopentenyl acetate with KSAc showed a strong "memory effect" (ME), that is, both enantiomers reacted with different enantioselectivities. The ME was probed by studying the palladium-catalyzed reactions of both the matched acetate of >or=99% ee and the mismatched acetate of >or=99% ee with KSAc. The acetates not only reacted with different enantioselectivities and rates but also suffered an unexpected and concomitant palladium-catalyzed racemization in the presence of the chiral ligand. This led in the case of the mismatched acetate to a temporary dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) that featured a racemization of the mismatched acetate by the chiral catalyst. Studies of the palladium-catalyzed reaction of the racemic cyclopentenyl acetate, carbonate, and naphthoate with KSAc in the presence of the chiral ligand also showed the ME to be strongly dependent on the nucleofuge. This also allowed the synthesis of (S)-cyclopentenyl thioacetate of 92% ee in high yield from the racemic cyclopentenyl naphthoate.     

Synthesis and application of bimetallic chiral [Co(salen)]‐type complexes: a new catalytic approach to synthesis of optically pure β‐blockers via kinetic resolution of epichlorohydrin

A series of bimetallic chiral [Co(salen)]‐type complexes were successfully applied for the synthesis of optically pure β‐blockers via phenolic kinetic resolution (PKR) of racemic epichlorohydrin [2‐(chloromethyl)oxirane; ( ± )ECH]. The reaction proceeded readily at room temperature and consequently provided enantiomerically enriched corresponding α‐aryloxy alcohols with excellent enantioselectivities of up to 98% ee. The PKR method described in this work is highly efficient and straightforward strategy for the synthesis of chiral building blocks. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic kinetic resolution of beta-azido alcohols. An efficient route to chiral aziridines and beta-amino alcohols

Enzymatic resolution of beta-azido alcohols in combination with ruthenium-catalyzed alcohol isomerization led to a successful dynamic kinetic resolution. A variety of racemic beta-azido alcohols were efficiently transformed to the corresponding enantiomerically pure acetates (ee up to 99% and conversion up to 98%). The synthetic utility of this procedure has been illustrated by the practical synthesis of (S)-propanolol I and (R)-beta-azido-alpha-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanol ((R)-1c), a direct precursor of denopamine II.     

Catalytic asymmetric generation of (Z)-disubstituted allylic alcohols

A one-pot method for the direct preparation of enantioenriched (Z)-disubstituted allylic alcohols is introduced. Hydroboration of 1-halo-1-alkynes with dicyclohexylborane, reaction with t-BuLi, and transmetalation with dialkylzinc reagents generate (Z)-disubstituted vinylzinc intermediates. In situ reaction of these reagents with aldehydes in the presence of a catalyst derived from (-)-MIB generates (Z)-disubstituted allylic alcohols. It was found that the resulting allylic alcohols were racemic, most likely due to a rapid addition reaction promoted by LiX (X = Br and Cl). To suppress the LiX-promoted reaction, a series of inhibitors were screened. It was found that 20-30 mol % tetraethylethylenediamine inhibited LiCl without inhibiting the chiral zinc-based Lewis acid. In this fashion, (Z)-disubstituted allylic alcohols were obtained with up to 98% ee. The asymmetric (Z)-vinylation could be coupled with tandem diastereoselective epoxidation reactions to provide epoxy alcohols and allylic epoxy alcohols with up to three contiguous stereogenic centers, enabling the rapid construction of complex building blocks with high levels of enantio- and diastereoselectivity.     

Dimethylsilyl ketene acetal as a nucleophile in asymmetric Michael reaction: enhanced enantioselectivity in oxazaborolidinone-catalyzed reaction

[reaction: see text] Dimethylsilanyl [Me2Si(H)] ketene S,O-acetal 6b is an effective nucleophile that retards the undesirable Si+-catalyzed racemic pathway in the oxazaborolidinone-catalyzed asymmetric Michael reaction. Through the further suppression of the Si+-catalyzed pathway by carrying out the reaction in the presence of 2,6-diisopropylphenol and t-BuOMe as additives, enantioselectivity up to 98% ee could be achieved for a variety of acyclic enones.     

Biomimetic catalytic enantioselective decarboxylative aldol reaction of β-ketoacids with trifluoromethyl ketones

We disclose an organocatalyzed enantioselective decarboxylative ketone aldol reaction of β-ketoacids with trifluoromethyl ketones in the presence of biscinchona alkaloid (DHQD)(2)AQN, affording chiral tertiary alcohols in up to 98% yield and 90% ee.     

Oxidative kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols catalyzed by chiral ferrocenyloxazolinylphosphine-ruthenium complexes

Oxidative kinetic resolution of racemic secondary alcohols by using acetone as a hydrogen acceptor in the presence of a catalytic amount of [RuCl(2)(PPh(3))(ferrocenyloxazolinylphosphine)] (2) proceeds effectively to recover the corresponding alcohols in high yields with an excellent enantioselectivity. When 1-indanol is employed as a racemic alcohol, the oxidation proceeds quite smoothly even in the presence of 0.0025 mol % of the catalyst 2 to give an optically active 1-indanol in good yield with high enantioselectivity (up to 94% ee), where turnover frequency (TOF) exceeds 80,000 h(-1). From a practical viewpoint, the kinetic resolution is investigated in a large scale, optically pure (S)-1-indanol (75 g, 56% yield, >99% ee) being obtained from racemic 1-indanol (134 g) by employing this kinetic resolution method twice.     

Practical synthesis of optically active styrene oxides via reductive transformation of 2-chloroacetophenones with chiral rhodium catalysts

[reaction: see text] A practical method for the synthesis of optically active styrene oxides has been developed via formation of optically active 2-chloro-1-phenylethanols generated by reductive transformation of ring-substituted 2-chloroacetophenones. The optically active alcohols with up to 98% ee are obtainable from the asymmetric reduction of acetophenones with an S/C = 1000-5000 with a formic acid triethylamine mixture containing a well-defined chiral Rh complex, CpRhCl[(R,R)-Tsdpen].     

Direct, catalytic enantioselective nitroaldol (Henry) reaction of trifluoromethyl ketones: an asymmetric entry to alpha-trifluoromethyl-substituted quaternary carbons

Herein we describe the first direct, catalytic enantioselective nitroaldol (Henry) reaction of simple alpha-trifluoromethyl ketones with nitromethane using a chiral monometallic lanthanum(III) triflate salt complex, namely [(Delta,S,S,S)-Binolam]3.La(OTf)3, as enantioselective catalyst. The resulting alpha-trifluoromethyl tertiary nitroaldols were obtained in moderate to high yields (up to 93%) and enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). These adducts are versatile chiral building blocks and may be reduced (NiCl2/NaBH4) to their beta-amino-alpha-trifluoromethyl tertiary alcohols without loss of enantiomeric purity.     

Asymmetric hydrogenolysis of racemic tertiary alcohols, 3-substituted 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones

Asymmetric hydrogenolysis of racemic tertiary alcohols, 3-substituted 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones, was developed using chiral phosphoric acid as catalyst and a Hantzsch ester as the hydrogen source with up to 95% ee. The reaction process of this asymmetric transfer hydrogenation may occur directly through the acyliminium ion intermediate.     

Lipase-catalyzed domino kinetic resolution/intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction: one-pot synthesis of optically active 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptenes from furfuryl alcohols and beta-substituted acrylic acids

The first lipase-catalyzed domino reaction is described in which the acyl moiety formed during the enzymatic kinetic resolution of furfuryl alcohols (+/-)-3 with a 1-ethoxyvinyl ester 2 was utilized as a part of the constituent structure for the subsequent Diels-Alder reaction. The preparation of ester 2 from carboxylic acid 1 and the subsequent domino reaction were carried out in a one-pot reaction. Therefore, this procedure provides a convenient preparation of the optically active 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptene derivatives 5, which has five chiral, non-racemic carbon centers, from achiral 1 and racemic 3. The overall efficiency of this process was dependent on the substituent at the C-3 position of 3, and the use of the 3-methylfurfuryl derivatives, (+/-)-3 b and (+/-)-3 f, exclusively produced diastereoselectivity with excellent enantioselectivity to give (2R)-syn-5 (91->/=99 % ee) and (S)-3 (96->/=99 % ee). Similar procedures starting from the 3-bromofurfuryl alcohols (+/-)-3 h-j provided the cycloadducts (2R)-syn-5 j-q (93->/=99 % ee), in which the bromo group was utilized for the installation of bulky substituents to the 7-oxabicycloheptene core.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Asymmetric Dearomatization of β‐Naphthols with Allyl Alcohols or Allyl Ethers

An Ir‐catalyzed intermolecular asymmetric dearomatization reaction of β‐naphthols with allyl alcohols or allyl ethers was developed. When an iridium catalyst generated from [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ (COD=cyclooctadiene) and a chiral P/olefin ligand is employed, highly functionalized β‐naphthalenone compounds bearing an all‐carbon‐substituted quaternary chiral center were obtained in up to 92 % yield and 98 % ee . The direct utilization of allyl alcohols as electrophiles represents an improvement from the viewpoint of atom economy. Allyl ethers were found to undergo asymmetric allylic substitution reaction under Ir catalysis for the first time. The diverse transformations of the dearomatized product to various motifs render this method attractive.     

Structurally diverse second-generation [2.2]paracyclophane ketimines with planar and central chirality: syntheses, structural determination, and evaluation for asymmetric catalysis

A set of 20 novel [2.2]paracyclophane ketimines with planar and central chirality has been synthesized from enantiomerically pure and racemic 5-acyl-4-hydroxy[2.2]paracyclophane and alpha-branched chiral amines. Their X-ray structures were determined to elucidate the three-dimensional structures and the absolute configuration. The ketimines were used as catalysts in the asymmetric 1,2-addition reactions of diethylzinc with substituted benzaldehydes to furnish chiral alcohols in up to 95 % ee.     

Direct catalytic asymmetric Mannich-type reaction of hydroxyketone using a Et2Zn/linked-BINOL complex: synthesis of either anti- or syn-beta-amino alcohols

Full details of a direct catalytic asymmetric Mannich-type reaction of a hydroxyketone using a Et2Zn/(S,S)-linked-BINOL complex are described. By choosing the proper protective groups on imine nitrogen, either anti- or syn-beta-amino alcohol was obtained in good diastereomeric ratio, yield, and excellent enantiomeric excess using the same zinc catalysis. N-Diphenylphosphinoyl (Dpp) imine 3 gave anti-beta-amino alcohols in anti/syn = up to >98/2, up to >99% yield, and up to >99.5% ee, while Boc-imine 4 gave syn-beta-amino alcohols in anti/syn = up to 5/95, up to >99% yield, and up to >99.5% ee. The high catalyst turnover number (TON) is also noteworthy. Catalyst loading was successfully reduced to 0.02 mol % (TON = up to 4920) for the anti-selective reaction and 0.05 mol % (TON = up to 1760) for the syn-selective reaction. The Et2Zn/(S,S)-linked-BINOL complex exhibited far better TON than in previous reports of catalytic asymmetric Mannich-type reactions. Mechanistic studies to clarify the reason for the high catalyst efficiency as well as transformations of Mannich adducts are also described.     

Enantioselective synthesis of tertiary alcohols through a zirconium-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation of pyrroles with α-ketoesters

Chiral complexes of 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol-based ligands with zirconium tert-butoxide catalyze the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of pyrroles with α-ketoesters to afford tertiary alcohols in good yields and ee up to 98%. The reaction is also of application to 4,7-dihydroindole to give C2-alkylated indoles after oxidation with p-benzoquinone.