Nitrile oxide cycloaddition to 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone: Solvent effect and selectivity

The facial selectivity in the nitrile oxide cycloaddition reactions of 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone and its bulky t-butyloxy derivative is reported. A quantitative evaluation of the solvent effect on the hydrogen bonding directing ability is given, showing the presence of some syn-stereoselectivity even in good H-bond acceptor solvents. The stereoselectivities of the O-t-butyl derivative may serve as reference data for more complex systems and point to the existence of a sole steric effect on the directivity; M(II) ions did not significantly improve the selectivity. The results are also discussed in light of the potential application of these scaffolds in the nucleoside analogue synthesis.     

Synthesis of syn-facial (Cr,Mn) benzyl complexes by the stereoselective thermolytic coupling of unsymmetric diazomethanes with cyclomanganated (η-arene)tricarbonylchromium complexes

The heat-promoted reaction of 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene with cyclomanganated 2-[tricarbonyl(η⁶-phenyl)chromium]pyridine afforded, upon departure of a molecule of CO, a new stable manganese alkylidene complex in which, according to X-ray diffraction analyses, the heterocyclic ligand is anti-facial with respect to the Cr(CO)₃ moiety. Similar heat-promoted reactions of unsymmetrically substituted diazoalkanes such as (Me₃Si)(H)CN₂, (Ph)(Me)CN₂, (Ph)(t-Bu)CN₂ and (Ph)(FcCH₂CH₂)CN₂, which are precursors of more electrophilic alkylidenes, with cyclomanganated 2-[tricarbonyl(η⁶-phenyl)chromium]pyridine derivatives afforded new syn-facial heterobimetallic benzyl complexes. The stereoselectivity of these reactions depends on the steric demand of the substituents at the diazoalkane. A phenyl substituent at the diazoalkane favors the formation of syn-facial heterobimetallic benzyl complexes with the Ph group in the endo position. Combining this “phenyl directing effect” to the steric effect operated by a bulky group at the phenyldiazoalkane, like noticed with (Ph)(t-Bu)CN₂, led to total stereoselectivity. This study discloses four new X-ray structures of syn-facial Cr,Mn benzyl complexes, which all present the same short Cr-to-Mn distance of ca. 3.04 Å.     

(E) Enol ethers from the stereoselective reduction of α-alkoxy-β-ketophosphonates and Wittig type reaction

When α-alkoxy-β-ketophosphonates, prepared by the Rh(II) mediated insertion reaction of α-diazo-β-ketophosphonates into the OH bond of primary alcohols, were reduced either by NaBH₄ in the presence of CaCl₂ or by DIBAL, they respectively gave the corresponding anti or syn stereomeric hydroxyphosphonates with pronounced to complete stereoselectivity. Submitted to the action of potassium tert-butoxyde, syn isomers led to the corresponding pure (E) enol ethers in moderate to good yields. Under the same conditions anti isomers led to a mixture of (Z) and (E) enol ethers in rather poor yields. The sequence was applied to the preparation of some allyl-vinyl ethers with a (E) configuration for the vinylic double bond.     

Influence of solvent polarity and acidity properties on the frequency of the carbonyl band of dimethylformamide,acetophenone and benzophenone

The frequency shift induced by solvent in the ν(CO) bands in N,N-dimethylformamide, benzophenone and acetophenone has been studied. The experimental frequency measured in 40 solvents, has been correlated with solvent polarity and acidity properties, using π* and α parameters put forward by Kamletet al. [J. org. Chem.48, 2877 (1983)]. From the relationships established, the relative importance of the non-specific and specific solute-solvent interactions acting in each case are able to be determined and values of π* and α calculated for unstudied solvents. In hydroxylic solvents, the carbonyl band of the three probe solutes shows two components whose different behaviour can be explained by association at different H-bond acceptor sites present in each solute molecule.     

Influence of the side chain protecting group on the stereoselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of d-talo-configured nitrones

Two new five-membered cyclic d-talo-configured nitrones were synthesized from d-mannose, and examined in 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with vinyl acetate and vinylene carbonate. The stereoselectivity of the cycloadditions depends greatly on the protecting group of the vicinal diol attached to the nitrone C-5 carbon atom. Methyl protection resulted in limited syn/anti-selectivity, giving mixtures of the two isomeric exo-syn and exo-anti isoxazolidines in comparable amounts. On the other hand, the cyclohexylidene-substituted nitrone reacted more selectively in favour of the syn isomer. The difference in the diastereoselectivity was attributed to the specific spatial orientation of the nitrone C-5 substituent.     

Cyclic-tri(N-methyl-meta-benzamide)s: substituent effects on the bowl-shaped conformation in the crystal and solution states

Cyclic trimers of 3-(N-alkylamino)benzoic acid (calix[3]amides) with various substituents at the meta position of the phenyl rings were synthesized and the effects of the substituents on the crystal structures and energy profiles in solution were examined. The calixamides existed in a syn conformation in the crystal state, and this was also the major conformation in solution, especially in polar solvents. The energy barrier between syn and anti conformers in the solution was not significantly affected by substituents (12.7-14.0 kcal/mol). The effect of the substituent on the temperature dependence of the syn/anti ratio are discussed.     

Switching diastereoselectivity of direct Mannich-type reaction of cyclic ketones by polymeric laponite nanoclay catalyst

A new polymeric laponite nanoclay heterogeneous catalytic system based on HPMC (hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose) was developed for direct Mannich-type reaction of ketones with substituted benzaldehydes and anilines to afford corresponding β-amino ketones in good to high yields. Interestingly, cyclic ketones exhibited different chemoselectivity. Cyclopentanone underwent aldol condensation to give crossed-aldol product, while cyclohexanone and cyclopentanone afforded corresponding Mannich adducts. In the case of cyclohexanone, stereoselectivity was changed depending on the nature of the substitution on benzaldehydes, in which, moderate electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups afforded the anti isomer as major products, but strongly electron-donating substituted benzaldehydes led to syn isomer as the major Mannich adducts. Mannich reaction with cycloheptanone led to Mannich adducts with excellent syn selectivity.     

Photocleavage of dimers of coumarin and 6-alkylcoumarins

The cleavage of four coumarin dimers, the syn-head-to-tail (ht) dimer of parent coumarin (syn-ht-CC1), the anti- and syn-hh dimers of 6-methylcoumarin (anti-hh-CC2 and syn-hh-CC2, respectively) and the anti-hh dimer of 6-dodecylcoumarin (anti-hh-CC3), was studied by UV–vis and IR spectroscopy and HPLC upon direct 254 nm irradiation as well as sensitized excitation. The quantum yield of dimer splitting is Φ_sp = 0.1–0.3 in various solvents and the effects of structure and solvent polarity are small. In certain solvents some of the dimers produced CO₂ along with the monomers in the splitting reaction. Electron transfer from dimers to the triplet state of sensitizers, such as benzophenone or 9,10-anthraquinone, was observed in acetonitrile.     

Evaluation of triproline and tri-α-methylproline chiral stationary phases: Retention and enantioseparation associated with hydrogen bonding

In this study, to demonstrate preparation strategy and improve understanding of chiral recognition mechanisms, triproline chiral stationary phases (CSPs) were evaluated with a series of analytes classified as having none, one, two or three H-bond donors. The average retention factors and mobile phase strength generally followed none < one < two < three hydrogen bond donors. The average solvent volume ratio (H_r stands for average hexane volume ratio in the mobile phase, Hp_r for heptane, ACN_r for acetonitrile, or H₂O_r for water) normalized chromatographic parameters calculated for di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, and decaproline CSPs facilitated the characterization of properties associated to the H-bond donor categorization. The H_r of triproline CSP were 1.0, 0.96 and 0.88 for analyte of none, one and two hydrogen bond donors with hexane/2-propanol mobile phase, respectively. The number of hydrogen bond donors in an analyte was found to be a primary factor in influencing the retention and enantioseparation in the normal-phase and polar organic modes. Two H-bond acceptor solvents methyl tert-butyl ether and ethyl acetate increased chiral separation on oligoproline CSPs for some compounds. The role of carbon-donor hydrogen bonding at the H atom of proline asymmetric center was implied through testing a tri-α-methylproline stationary phase. On oligoproline CSPs, three factors including adjacent hydrogen bond acceptor and carbon-donor, and a rigid proline residue chain were recognized as important for contributing to the broad enantioselectivity. The α hydrogen atom on chiral center of stationary phase was found to play a crucial role in enantiomeric discrimination.     

Aspects of stereocontrol in the L-Selectride reduction of 4-acyl-1,3-dioxolane derivatives

The application of L-Selectride, either alone or in combination with ZnCl₂, to aryl ketones 1, 8 and 11 resulted in highly anti-stereoselective reduction. In contrast, lactols 22 and 23 gave a moderate syn-preference using L-Selectride alone and a high syn-preference in the presence of ZnCl₂. Uniquely, high anti- stereoselectivity was observed in the reduction of o-anisyl lactol 37 with L-Selectride alone, which was switched to a high syn-preference when ZnCl₂ was present.     

Highly diastereoselective nucleophilic addition of organometallic reagents to 2-pyrrolidinyl nitrones: a semiempirical approach

2-Pyrrolidinyl nitrones 1 and 2 derived from l-proline and trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline, respectively, undergo nucleophilic additions of Grignard reagents and organolithium compounds with high syn selectivity, to yield enantiomerically pure pyrrolidinyl benzyl hydroxylamines. A rationale for the observed stereoselectivity based on semiempirical calculations is presented.     

1,5-Stereocontrol in tin(IV) halide mediated reactions between N- and S-substituted pent-2-enylstannanes and aldehydes or imines

Following transmetalation of (4S)-4-(dibenzylamino)pent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane with tin(IV) bromide, reactions of the resulting allyltin tribromide with aldehydes gave (3Z)-1,5-syn-5-(dibenzylamino)hex-3-en-1-ols with excellent, ca. 98:2, stereocontrol. (4R)-5-Benzylthio-4-methylpent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane similarly reacted with aldehydes to give (3Z)-1,5-anti-6-benzylthio-5-methylhex-3-en-1-ols with 87:13 stereocontrol. Although the analogous reaction of (4R)-4-benzylthiopent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane with benzaldehyde proceeded with some stereoselectivity, 80–90:20–10, in favour of the (3Z)-1,5-syn-diastereoisomer, the yield was low due to a competing Lewis acid catalysed 1,4-elimination. N-Acylamino- and S-acylthio-pent-2-enylstannanes reacted with aldehydes with variable syn/anti-stereoselectivities. Tin(IV) chloride promoted reactions of the 4-(dibenzylamino)pent-2-enylstannane with 1-alkoxycarbonylimines gave (E)-alk-4-enoates with a modest preference for the 2,6-anti-products, 2,6-anti/2,6-syn=75:25.     

Transannular interactions insyn- andanti- [2.2](1,4) napthalenophanes andsyn- andanti- [2.2](1,4) anthracenophanes

The UV spectra of the title compounds were interpreted as a result ofPPP-CI-1 calculations of excitation energies and oscillator strengths for the singlet—singlet transitions. A good agreement of the theoretical transitions with the experimental spectrum was found. A strong transannular effect was characteristic for thesyn isomers, the effect decreased in the order:syn-ring anthracenophane,syn-ring naphtalenophane,anti-ring naphthalenophane,anti-ring anthracenophane. Also the influence of a pseudo-substituent effect was found and discussed.     

Isomerization of E-α,β-epoxyamides to Z-α,β-epoxyamides and synthetic applications based on regio- and stereoselective oxirane ring openings

The regioselective opening reaction of 2,3-epoxyamides with various nucleophiles offers a variety of β-hydroxyamides with diverse synthetic utility depending on the introduced nucleophile. Due to the exclusive stereoselectivity in the formation of trans epoxyamides in reactions of aldehydes with stabilized sulfur ylides, we studied the isomerization of trans epoxyamides into the cis isomers with the objective of obtaining the corresponding syn opening products, which together with the anti isomers represent a variety of enantiomerically pure building blocks.     

The bromination,debromination and debromosilylation of silylstyrenes and other vinylsilanes

The bromination of some vinylsilanes, and the debrominations and debromosilylations of their dibromides are stereospecific. Based on the crystal structure of the dibromide derived form trans-triphenylsilylstyrene, it is shown that bromination and debromination of silylstyrenes occur with syn stereochemistry, and that debromosilylation occurs with anti stereochemistry in polar solvents. Different stereochemistries may prevail with other vinylsilanes. Other elimination and substitution reactions are also described.     

Control of diastereofacial discrimination in the conjugate addition to 5-phenyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl substituted propenoate

The conjugate addition of methylcuprates and methyllithium to ethyl 5-phenyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl-2-propenoate was investigated. It was found that the stereoselectivity is highly dependent on the reagent used. In reactions with stabilized methylcuprates, the anti-1,4-addition product is mainly formed, whereas syn-diastereoselectivity is observed in the reaction with methyllithium. Additions of methyllithium were optimized with respect to solvent and additives.     

Topochemical photodimerization of (E)-3-benzylidene-4-chromanone derivatives from β-type structures directed by halogen groups

Halogen substituent plays an important role in the crystalline packing of aromatic compounds. The [2+2] photocycloaddition of (E)-3-benzylidene-4-chromanones in the crystalline state was investigated, and halogen substitution has been adopted to organize molecules with proper arrangement for photodimerization. Not halogen bonds, but the electron-withdrawing property of halogen atoms can enhance the face-to-face π-π interactions. Therefore, F, Cl or Br substitution at the para position of phenyl gave rise to almost the same β-structures with face-to-face π-stacking. Only resulted β-structures can undergo photodimerization, which gave the syn-HH (syn-head-to-head) products with high regio-/stereoselectivity.     

Molecular Lipophilicity Calculations of Chemically Heterogeneous Chemicals and Drugs on the Basis of Structural Similarity and Physicochemical Parameters

Abstract

QSARs based on molecular polarizability (α) and H-bond acceptor factors (∑C_a) as independent variables provided good predictability of octanol/water partition coefficients (P) for chemicals and drugs. However, for some molecules containing few functional groups, the calculated values deviated significantly from those observed. This approach gave good results when applied to a set of 138 chemicals and drugs previously studied by Mannhold and Dross who compared other methods to calculate log P values.

At the same time, three variations on a molecular similarity approach were pursued. In this study, a large training set with experimentally determined octanol/water partition coefficients (P) was searched for structures closely related to the compound-of-interest. The most successful of these variations took the mean log P value of few most closely related compounds after each was adjusted for differences between their and the compound-of-interest's polarizabilities (α) and H-bond acceptor capacities (∑C_a).     

Biocatalytic promiscuity: lipase-catalyzed asymmetric aldol reaction of heterocyclic ketones with aldehydes

The new promiscuous activity of lipase from porcine pancreas, type II (PPL II), has been observed to catalyze the direct asymmetric aldol reaction of heterocyclic ketones with aromatic aldehydes. PPL II showed favorable catalytic activity and had a good adaptability to different substrates in the reaction. The enantioselectivities of up to 87% ee and diastereoselectivities of up to 83:17 (anti/syn) were achieved. It is interesting that PPL II possesses the function of aldolase in organic solvents.     

Diastereoselective reductive aldol reactions of Boc-protected electron deficient pyrroles

An anti-selective reductive aldol reaction of a Boc-protected, 2-substituted pyrrole is reported. Reduction with LiDBB generates an exocyclic lithium enolate, but optimal stereoselectivity is obtained by transmetallation to magnesium with MgBr₂·OEt₂. The corresponding syn-aldols can easily be obtained (protected as carbamates) by subsequent inversion.