Enantioselective Reduction of Prochiral Ketones with NaBH4/Me2SO4/(S)-Me-CBS

The enantioselective reduction of prochiral ketones with NaBH₄/Me₂SO₄/(S)-Me-CBS is described. Borane is generated in situ via the reaction of NaBH₄ with Me₂SO₄ in tetrahydrofuran, which is as efficient as the commercial one. Such in situ–generated borane reagent was applied to reduce prochiral ketones in the presence of chiral oxazaborolidine catalyst directly. The corresponding chiral secondary alcohols were obtained with excellent enantiomeric excesses (93–99% ee) and good to excellent yield (80–99%).     

Catalytic asymmetric borane reduction of prochiral ketones by the use of diazaborolidine catalysts prepared from chiral β-diamines

The catalytic asymmetric borane reduction of prochiral ketones was examined in the presence of chiral diazaborolidine catalysts prepared in situ from chiral β-diamines and borane. Chiral secondary alcohols were obtained with modest to high enantiomeric excesses (up to 92% ee) using (S)-2-[(4-trifluoromethyl)anilinomethyl]indoline 2f.     

8-Amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolines as ligands in iridium(III) catalysts for the reduction of aryl ketones by asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH)

Aqua iridium(III) complexes with 8-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolines CAMPY L1 and its derivatives as chiral ligands proved to be very efficient catalysts for the reduction of a wide range of prochiral aryl ketones, revealing a variety of behaviours in terms of reaction rate and stereoselectivity. As standard substrates, differently substituted acetophenones were studied and good enantioselectivity (86% ee) was achieved in the reduction of 1-(o-tolyl)ethan-1-one 6. Particularly interesting was the ATH reaction in the case of β-amino keto esters, precursors of β-lactams and azetidinones. The best results were obtained with [Cp¹Ir(H₂O)(L1)]SO₄ affording the corresponding diastereomeric alcohols in an (R,S)-configuration with an excellent 99% ee in the reduction of 2-(benzamido methyl)-3-oxo-3-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)propanoate 12.     

Synthesis of new chiral keto alcohols by baker’s yeast

Fourteen chiral α- and β-keto alcohols 2a–2r were synthesized by the asymmetric reduction of their corresponding diketones 1a–1r via baker’s yeast. In addition, ten corresponding racemic α-keto alcohols were synthesized by the benzoin condensation of their corresponding aldehydes, which were used for the determination of the ee values through their chiral resolution on chiral HPLC. Amongst the 15 diketones, 1j and chiral α-keto alcohols 2i, 2j and chiral β-keto alcohol 2r are novel compounds. Six keto alcohols 2b, 2c, 2d, 2f, 2h and 2p were synthesized by baker’s yeast for the first time. There are some studies in the literature where baker’s yeast was applied to the diketones 1a, 1g, 1e, 1k and 1n under various conditions different to those reported herein. The yields and the ee values of these studies were not as high as ours. All of the keto alcohols synthesized were characterized by IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C), and MS. The relationship between the structure of the diketone and the yield, diastereoselectivity and enantiomeric excess is also discussed.     

Chiral squaric prolinols: a new type of ligand for the asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketones by borane

A series of chiral bifunctional squaric prolinol ligands, having N, S substituents at C(3) of the squaric ring were synthesized and applied to the asymmetric borane reduction of prochiral ketones via an in situ formed chiral boron heterocycle, affording secondary alcohols with high yields and excellent enantiomeric excesses (up to 99%). The crystal structure of 5a was obtained and the mechanism of the catalytic asymmetric reduction is also discussed.     

Reaction between hydrazines and chiral α-acetylenic ketones: synthesis of novel enantiomerically pure pyrazolyl-β-amino alcohols

A simple and efficient methodology toward the stereoselective synthesis of novel, enantiomerically pure, pyrazolyl-β-amino alcohols is presented. Thus, when hydrazines 4a,b were allowed to react at 0°C with chiral α-acetylenic ketones of type 3, pyrazolyl oxazolidine derivatives 5a–d were formed with total regioselectivity in 92–97% yield. Subsequent oxazolidine ring opening by means of TFA, and re-protection of the amino group as the N-Boc derivatives, afforded enantiopure amino alcohols 7a–d.     

New chiral monodentate phospholane ligands by highly stereoselective hydrophosphination

New chiral phospholanes 6 were prepared in both enantiomeric forms starting from l- and d-tartaric acid. The key step in the synthetic sequence is the double hydrophosphination of unsaturated chiral bis(lactone) 9 by NaPhPH(BH₃). This method was used for the first time in the formation of chiral phospholanes. The structure of phospholane 6a was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. σ-Donor properties of the phospholanes were estimated by measurement of ¹J(³¹P–⁷⁷Se) coupling constants in the corresponding phosphine selenides. The new phospholanes were tested as ligands in the Rh-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of functionalized standard olefins (65–92% ee).     

Synthesis of Novel Chiral Ionic Liquid and Its Application in Reduction of Prochiral Ketones to the Corresponding Chiral Alcohols Using NaBH4

A novel chiral ionic liquid (CIL) based on nicotinium salt has been synthesized and used as an efficient asymmetric chiral catalyst for reduction of acetophenone derivatives with NaBH₄ in methanol at room temperature. The optically active alcohols were obtained in low to moderate enantiomeric excess in a short reaction time.     

N,N-1,2-Benzenedisulfonylimide,a new cyclic leaving group for the stereoselective nucleophilic substitution of amines

We hereby report the preparation and nucleophilic substitutions of the N,N-1,2-benzenedisulfonylimide derivatives 1a and 2a of the chiral amines 1 and 2. The nucleophilic attack of KNO₂ afforded the respective alcohols 3 and 4 with 84–90% inversion of configuration. Nucleophilic attack by the azide ion afforded the azide products 5 and 6 which were reduced to the corresponding inverted amines 1 and 2 (94–98.5% inversion). The improved leaving group ability of the N,N-1,2-benzenedisulfonylimides compared with previously reported N,N-disulfonylimides is discussed. Chiral GLC analysis of all products is summarized and the alternative chiral analysis of product 3 by ¹³C NMR using heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin as a chiral solvating agent (CSA) is discussed.     

Synthesis of New Chiral and Racemic 1,3‐Dioxolanes

A series of chiral 1,3‐dioxolanes, 3 – 12 , with >99% ee values, have been synthesized. This is the first study of chiral ketalization reaction starting from ketones with aryl, monosubstituted aryl, and long alkyl chains (C₁₁—AC₁₃). Their ee values were determined by chiral high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on Chiralcel OD column, using their racemic 1,3‐dioxolanes rac‐ 3 – 12 , which were also synthesized for the first time. These chiral and racemic 1,3‐dioxolanes were characterizated by infrared, NMR (¹H, ¹³C), mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, optical rotation, and chiral HPLC.     

Synthesis of 1,3-diaryl-1H-benzo[g]indazoles

A facile three-step synthetic route toward 1,3-diaryl-1H-benzo[g]indazoles 1a–1n starting with 3,4-dimethoxy-2-allylbenzaldehyde (6) in modest total yield is described. The facile route was carried by aldol condensation of aldehyde 6 with aryl methyl ketones 5a–5d in alkaline MeOH at reflux, Knorr pyrazole synthesis of the resulting chalcones 4a–4d with aryl hydrazines 3a–3e in EtOH at reflux followed by DDQ-mediated aromatization in toluene at reflux, and oxidative cleavage annulation of olefins 2a–2n with the one-pot combination of OsO₄/NaIO₄/HOAc in the aqueous THF at reflux.     

Trianglamine as a new chiral shift reagent for secondary alcohols

Chiral trianglamines 1 and 2 were found to be useful as NMR chiral shift reagents for the determination of enantiomeric purity and absolute configuration of several kinds of secondary alcohols, cyanohydrins, and propargyl alcohols.     

Synthesis and application of chiral N, N'-dialkylated cyclohexanedi- amine for asymmetric hydrogenation of aryl ketones

Chiral N, N'-dialkylated cyclohexanediamine derived ligands have been synthesized and used in the asymmetric hydrogenation of aryl ketones. Optically active alcohols with up to 90% enantiomeric excess were obtained in high yields.     

Synthesis of novel chiral lipophilic pyridyl-containing β-amino alcohol ligands and enantioselective hydrolysis of α-amino acid esters by chiral metallomicelles

Seven novel chiral lipophilic pyridyl-containing β-amino alcohol ligands have been synthesized by coupling of 6-alkoxymethyl-2-chloromethylpyridine 3 with the corresponding chiral β-amino alcohols or l-cysteine. Their metal ion complexes have been investigated as catalysts for the enantioselective hydrolysis of N-protected α-amino acid esters in aqueous comicellar solution. The results indicate that the hydrophobic interactions between substrate and metallocatalyst, the rigidity of the ligand, the hydroxyl group of the ligand acting as a nucleophile for the transacylation process, and the micellar microenvironment are important factors for the activity and enantioselectivity. Large rate accelerations (up to three orders of magnitude) and moderate enantioselectivities (up to 7.81 (k_R/k_S)) employing 4a–Cu²⁺ have been observed.     

Reversal of enantioselectivity by adding Ti(OiPr)4: novel sulfamide-amine alcohol ligands for the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes

Novel sulfamide-amine alcohol ligands (6) derived from (−)-ephedrine (4a) and (+)-pseudoephedrine (4b) with multiple stereogenic centers were applied to the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes, providing (S)-products in high yields and good enantioselectivities. These sulfamide-amine alcohols together with Ti(OⁱPr)₄ were shown to obtain the (R)-products in significant enantiomeric excesses (e.e.) and high yields. In addition, sulfamide-amine alcohols were superior to the original chiral sources 4a and 4b, which afforded no enantioselectivity in the Ti(OⁱPr)₄-mediated reaction.     

C2-Symmetric diphenylphosphoramide and diphenylthiophosphoramide derived from (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane as ligands for the titanium(IV) alkoxide-promoted addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes

Chiral C₂-symmetric diphenylphosphoramide 4 and diphenylthiophosphoramide 5 were prepared from the reaction of diphenylphosphinic chloride and diphenylthiophosphinic chloride with (1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane in the presence of diisopropylethylamine in high yields. They were used as chiral ligands in the catalytic asymmetric addition reaction of diethylzinc to aldehydes in the presence of titanium(IV) isopropoxide to give the corresponding sec-alcohols in 70–83% ee with an (R)-configuration and in 40–50% ee with an (S)-configuration, respectively.     

Total synthesis of (R)-(+)-salsolidine by hydride addition to (R)-N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimine

(R)-(+)-Salsolidine 1 of high enantiomeric purity was synthesized using the Pomeranz–Fritsch–Bobbitt methodology, in which the reduction (NaBH₄, DIBAL-H) of N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimine, derived from 3,4-dimethoxyacetophenone, was the key step. The synthesis was completed in a sequence of reactions involving the removal of the chiral auxiliary, N-alkylation with 2,2-diethoxyethyl bromide and final cyclization/hydrogenolysis.     

Synthesis of novel chiral Schiff base and amino alcohol derivatives of calix[4]arene and chiral recognition properties

In the present study, the synthesis and liquid phase extraction properties towards some amino acid methylesters and amino alcohols of Schiff base and amino alcohol substituted calix[4]arene are reported. The Schiff base substituted calix[4]arene 5 has been synthesized via condensation reaction involving 5,17-diformyl-11,23-di-tert-butyl-25,27-di[3-(4-formylphenoxy)propoxy]-26,28 dihydroxycalix[4]arene 4 and (R)-(?)-2-phenylglycine methyl ester in CHCl₃:MeOH. To give the amino alcohol substituted calix[4]arene 6, the synthesized chiral compound 5 was reduced by LiAlH₄. The new chiral Schiff base and amino alcohol derivatives of calix[4]arene have been characterized by a combination of FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FAB-MS and elemental analysis. Also, the extraction behaviors of 5 and 6 towards some selected amino acid methylesters and amino alcohols have been studied by liquid–liquid extraction.     

A highly efficient and straightforward stereoselective synthesis of novel chiral α-acetylenic ketones

A very efficient and straightforward synthesis of novel chiral α-acetylenic ketones of type 3 has been developed. Starting from commercially available l-(−)-serine 4, and through the Garner's aldehyde 5, ethynyloxazolidine 2 was formed in good overall yield. Condensation of the corresponding lithium acetylide 7 with different aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes 5 and 8a–h at low temperatures yielded the respective propargylic alcohols 9a–i. Subsequent mild oxidation of 9a–i with 10-I-4-iodinane oxide (IBX) 12 afforded chiral α-acetylenic ketones 3a–i almost quantitatively.     

Design and synthesis of palladium (II) OCO pincer type complexes and their catalytic role towards the α-arylation of ketones

Twelve OCO bisacetamide ligands 4aa-4dc were synthesized after condensation of isophenylenediamines 1a-1d and anhydride/acyl chlorides. The corresponding Pd(II)–OCO–H(5aa-5ac), Pd(II)–OCO–Me(5ba-5bc), Pd(II)–OCO–OMe(5ca-5?cc), Pd(II)–OCO–NO₂(5da-5dc) pincer complexes were prepared via C-H activation of precursors and Pd(OAc)₂, and characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis. The α-arylation of ketones and aryl bromides catalyzed by 5 under low catalyst loadings (0.1?mol%) show that 5da exhibits the highest catalytic activity, resulting in a 98% isolated yield.