Synthesis of 1,1′-methylenedi[(1R,1′R,3R,3′R,5R,5′R)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ol] and derivatives: precursors of long-chain polyketides

Racemic 1,1′-methylene[(1RS,1′RS,3RS,3′RS,5RS,5′RS)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ol] ((±)-6) derived from 2,2′-methylenedifuran has been resolved kinetically with Candida cyclindracea lipase-catalysed transesterification giving 1,1′-methylenedi[(1R,1′R,3R,3′R,5R,5′R)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ol] (−)-6 (30% yield, 98% ee) and 1,1′-methylenedi[(1S,1′S,3S,3′S,5S,5′S)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-yl] diacetate (+)-8, (40% yield, 98% ee). These compounds have been converted into 1,1′-methylenedi[(4S,4′S,6S,6′S)- and (4R,4′R,6R,6′R)-cyclohept-1-en-4,6-diyl] derivatives.     

Tris-chelate complexes with chiral ligands: In search of diastereoisomeric selectivity with remote stereogenic centres

The chiral ligands, 4,4′-bis{(1S,2R,4S)-(−)-bornyloxy}-2,2′-bipyridine, (1S,2R,4S)-1, and 4,4′-bis{(1R,2S,4R)-(+)-bornyloxy}-2,2′-bipyridine, (1R,2S,4R)-1, have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and, for (1S,2R,4S)-1, by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Despite the use of enantiomerically pure ligands, the formation of the complexes [Fe((1S,2R,4S)-1)₃]²⁺, [Ru((1S,2R,4S)-1)₃]²⁺, [Ru((1S,2R,4S)-1)(bpy)₂]²⁺ and [Ru((1R,2S,4R)-1)(bpy)₂]²⁺ proceeds without preference for either the Δ or Λ-diastereoisomers.     

Dynamic behaviour and X-ray analysis of chiral η-allylpalladium complexes. II

The DANTE technique and NOESY two-dimensional method have been employed to observe the isomerization of the chiral cationic complex [Pd(η³-CH₂CMeCH₂(P-P′)]⁺ (1a), where P-P′ = the chiral chelating ligand (S)(N-diphenylphosphino)(2-diphenylphosphinoxymethyl)pyrrolidine. The rate constant was found to be 0.5 s⁻¹ in CHCl₃ at 295 K and 1.50 s⁻¹ in the presence of added free ligand. In the latter case the epimerization proceeds by a π-σ-π mechanism via the intermediacy of a primary η¹-allylpalladium complex. Although the intermediate was not detected, the NMR findings reveal that it has the allylic terminus η¹-bonded to palladium. The structure of 1a in its PF₆⁻ salt has been determined. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a 10.029(4) b 19.203(8) c 36.115(6) Å, Z = 8, R = 0.0572 and R_w = 0.0712 for 3716 observed reflections with I > 3σ(I).     

Chiral Non-racemic Bis(vicinal 1,2-Diamines): 4,5-Diamino-N-(3,4-diaminobutyl)pentanamide Tetrahydrochloride, N,N′-Bis[3,4-bis (t-butoxycarbonylamino)butyl]urea and N,N′Bis

The reaction of (R) or (S)-N⁴,N⁵-bis(t-butoxycarbonyl)-4,5-diaminopentanoic acid (6) with (R) or (S)-N³,N⁴-bis(t-butoxycarbonyl)-3,4-diaminobutylisocyanate (8) catalyzed by 4-dimethylamino pyridine (DMAP), leads to the synthesis of (R,R), (S,S), (R,S) and (S,R) isomeric amides (11 a — d) The addition of adipic acid monomethyl ester to (R) or (S) isocyanate, followed by saponification, acidification and subsequent reaction with the second molecule of (R) or (S) isocyanate allows isolation of the (R,R), (S.S) and the meso isomers of N,N′-bis[3,4-bis(t-butoxycarbonylamino) butyl]hexanediamide (17) Removal of protecting groups with HCl/EtOH affords chiral non-racemic molecules having two free vicinal diamine units.     

cis,cis-Spiro[4.4]nonane-1,6-diol: A new chiral auxiliary for the asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction

The use of a mono-pivalate mono-acrylate bis-ester of (+)-1S,5S,6S-spiro[4.4]nonane-1,6-diol in an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction with cyclopentadiene (2 equiv. BCl₃, −85°C, CH₂Cl₂) provided the expected endo bicyclo adduct in >97% de. Iodolactonization of the bicyclo adduct provided the (+)-lactone (5) with a 1S,4S,6S,8R,9S configuration (97% ee). The de's obtained from using various types and amounts of Lewis acids, and both chiral and racemic bis-esters in the Diels-Alder reaction with cyclopentadiene are also reported.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,3-diols from (R)-cyanohydrins

Vinyl substituted (1R,2S)-amino alcohols 5 were obtained by addition of vinyl magnesium bromide to the corresponding cyanohydrin O-trimethylsilyl ethers (R)-2. The O- and N-protected vinyl amino alcohols 6 were ozonized at −78°C in methanol yielding (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,3-diols7 in high enantiomeric and diastereomeric excesses. For purification, compounds 7 in some cases were acetylated to give the derivatives (1R,2S)-8. Racemic 6a was converted by oxidative ozonolysis at −78°C in methanolic NaOH solution to the corresponding methyl N-acetyl-β-hydroxy propanoate 9a. The configuration of (1R,2S)-8a was confirmed by x-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Enantioselective permeation of racemic alcohol through polymeric membrane

Copolymer of 1,2-bis(2-methyl-1-triethylsiloxy-1-propenyloxy)ethane and dialdehyde have been synthesized by Mukaiyama Aldol polymerization using lipase as the catalyst. The chirality of the polymer was tested by optical rotation and circular dichroism study. The membrane forming ability of this chiral polymer was examined by casting the membrane in three different solvents viz., N-methyl-2-pyrilidone (NMP), dimethyl formamide (DMF) and dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) using the phase inversion method and it was found that chiral polymer–NMP membranes formed more uniform and regular surface morphology as was evident from SEM analysis. The enantioselective membranes prepared in the solvents was tested for resolution of racemic alcohol and it was found that NMP is the best solvent for obtaining highest enantioselectivity value. It was also found that the enantioselectivity for adsorption favoured the (S)-isomer whereas permeation favoured the (R)-isomer which is confirmed from interpretation of the adsorption isotherm by Langmuir model. Accordingly, the enantioselective permeation was caused by suppression of the (S)-isomer permeation. Optical resolution of (±)trans-sobrerol was achieved by pressure driven permeation through the membrane. The highest enantioselectivity, enantiomeric excess and permeation co-efficient was obtained as 98.59%, 20.42 and 13.627 m² h⁻¹, respectively. With an increase in polymer content in the membrane, the permeation rate increases.     

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ferrocenyl ketones: a new simple route to chiral ferrocenyl alcohols

The asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of ferrocenyl ketones, such as FcC(O)CH₂Y [Fc = ferrocenyl, Y = H (1a), CH₃ (1b), Cl (1c) or N₃ (1d)] has been carried out using the Noyori/Ikariya catalysts [(−)-(1R,2S)-ephedrine] or N-tosyl-(1R,2R)-diphenylethylenediamine [(R,R)-TsDPEN] as chiral ligands combined with [RuCl₂(η⁶-benzene)]₂ and 2-PrOH or HCO₂H–Et₃N as the hydrogen sources, respectively. The best results were achieved with the [(R,R)-TsDPEN–Ru^IIHCO₂H–Et₃N] catalytic system, which produced the ferrocenylalcohols (R)-2a, (R)-2c, and (R)-2d in good yields and excellent enantiomeric excesses (>98% ee).     

Synthesis and olfactory properties of (−)-(1R,2S)-Georgywood

The enantiomers of Georgywood^® were synthesized from (E)-2-methyl-6-methylene-nona-2,7-diene and methacrylaldehyde followed by oxidation of the Diels–Alder adduct and classical racemate separation of the acid with optically-active N-methylephedrine. Conversion to the final ketone and olfactory evaluation showed that the (−)-(1R,2S)-enantiomer is more powerful by a factor of >100 than its antipode. The absolute configuration was determined by conformational studies and CD-analysis.     

Metal complexes of biologically important ligands: Synthesis of amino acidato complexes of Pd containing a C,N-cyclometallated group as an ancillary ligand

New amino acidato complexes of Pd^II of stoichiometry [Pd(C---N)(Aa)] (C---N=C,N-cyclometallated ligand, Aa = N,O-amino acidato ligand) have been obtained by reaction of [Pd(C---N)(acac)] (C---N=N,N-dimethylbenzylamine-C²,N (dmba) (1) or N,N-dimethyl(S--phenylethyl)amine-C²,N (S-dmphea) (2)) with glycine, chiral amino acids (alanine, phenylalanine and valine), and amino acid derivatives (N-acetylglycine and N-acetyl-,β-dehydroalanine) in MeOH. The compounds are characterized by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The geometry of these complexes has been unambiguously determined by NOE difference experiments and NOESY measurements.     

Resolution of racemic 1-benzyl-5-oxo-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid with enantiopure (S)-phenylalanine N-benzylamide via diastereomeric salt formation

The resolution of racemic 1-benzyl-5-oxo-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid 1, a potent chiral synthon with high pharmacological activity, was investigated with a variety of basic chiral resolving agents via diastereomeric salt formation. The findings in the optimization of resolution conditions aiming at an industrial-scale production revealed that (S)-phenylalanine benzylamide (S)-10 and 2-propanol containing ca. 4 mol % of water to (RS)-1 were the best conditions for obtaining enantiopure less-soluble diastereomeric salt, (S)-1/(S)-10/0.5H₂O (81%, 98% de, E 79%). X-ray crystallographic analysis of the salt clearly revealed that water molecules play a key role in crystallizing the enantiopure salt crystals, while stabilizing the crystal structure via three types of hydrogen-bond network associated with water molecules in addition to usual acid–base hydrogen bond.     

Chiral C2-symmetric 2,3-disubstituted aziridine and 2,6-disubstituted piperidine as chiral ligands in the addition reaction of diethylzinc with arylaldehydes

Chiral C₂-symmetric 2,3-disubstituted aziridines and 2,6-disubstituted piperidines having a β-amino alcohol moiety have been successfully synthesized and their catalytic chiral induction properties have been examined in the asymmetric addition reactions of diethylzinc with arylaldehydes in hexane. When N-(2,2-diphenyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-(S,S)-2,3-bis(methoxymethyl)aziridine 11 was used as a catalytic chiral ligand, sec-alcohols having (S)-configuration formed in high yields of 86–92% but low enantiomeric excesses (ee's) of 11–13%. However, when N-(2,2-diphenyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-(R,R)-2,6-disubstituted piperidine derivatives 16 and 20 were used as the chiral ligands under the same reaction conditions, the ee's of the corresponding sec-alcohols were 20–30 and 5–6%, respectively, along with the inversion of absolute configuration. A plausible mechanism for this inversion is proposed.     

Sterically demanding cyclopentadienyl chemistry: synthesis of iron and zirconium complexes of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl

Reaction of phenyl magnesium bromide with the ,β-unsaturated ketone 3-methyl-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydroind-8(9)-en-1-one, followed by an aqueous work-up, generates the pro-chiral tetra-substituted cyclopentadiene, 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindene, Cp^‡H, a precursor to the η⁵-cyclopentadienyl ligand in (Cp^‡)₂Fe and [(Cp^‡)Fe(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂. Both complexes were generated as mixtures of rac-(RR and SS)- and meso-(RS)-isomers, and in either case pure meso-isomer was isolated by crystallisation and characterised by single crystal X-ray structure, both molecules having crystallographic C_i symmetry. Reduction with Na/Hg cleaves meso-(RS)-[(Cp^‡)Fe(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ and the resulting mixture of (R)- and (S)-[(Cp^‡)Fe(CO)₂]⁻ anions reacts with MeI to give racemic (Cp^‡)Fe(CO)₂Me, which was characterised by the X-ray crystal structure. The Cp^‡ ligand is more electron donating than (η-C₅H₅) as revealed by the reduction potential of the (Cp^‡)₂Fe⁺/(Cp^‡)₂Fe couple, E°=−0.127 V (vs. Ag  AgCl). Reaction of LiCp^‡ with ZrCl₄ yields the zirconocene dichloride [Zr(Cp^‡)₂Cl₂] as mixture of rac- and meso-isomers, from which pure rac-isomer is obtained as a mixture of RR and SS crystals by recrystallisation. The reaction of rac-[Zr(Cp^‡)₂Cl₂] with LiMe gives rac-[Zr(Cp^‡)₂Me₂]. The structures of RR-[Zr(Cp^‡)₂Cl₂] and rac-[Zr(Cp^‡)₂Me₂] have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The structural studies reveal the influence of the bulky substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand on the metal---Cp^‡ distances and other metric parameters.     

Enzymatic resolution of (RS)-β-hydroxy selenides in organic media

Kinetic resolutions of a number of β-hydroxy selenides promoted by enzymes were performed using PPL (free Porcine pancreatic lipase), PSL (Amano PS—free Pseudomonas sp. lipase) and CALB (NOVOZYM 435^®—immobilized Candida Antarctica lipase type B) with (RS)-1-phenylselanyl-propan-2-ol. CALB gave the best results and provided both (R)- and (S)-enantiomers in high enantiomeric purity. A comparative study of the effect of temperature, solvent, enzyme immobilization and the structure of the substrates on the resolution is presented.     

Enzymatic production of (3S,4R)-(−)-4-(4′-fluorophenyl)-6-oxo-piperidin-3-carboxylic acid using a commercial preparation from Candida antarctica A: the role of a contaminant esterase

The enantioselective hydrolysis of (3RS,4RS)-trans-4-(4′-fluorophenyl)-6-oxo-piperidin-3-ethyl carboxylate (±)-2 was effected using a commercial preparation of lipase from C. antarctica A (CAL-A). We found that the hydrolytic activity of the lipase (immobilized on a number of very different supports) with this substrate was negligible. However, a contaminant esterase with Mw of 52 KDa from this commercial preparation exhibited much higher activity with (±)-2. This enzyme was purified and immobilized on PEI-coated support and the resulting enzyme preparation was highly enantioselective in the hydrolysis of (±)-2 (E >100), hydrolyzing only the (3S,4R)-(−)-3, which is a useful intermediate for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important (−)-paroxetine. Optimization of the reaction system was performed using a racemic mixture with a substrate concentration of 50 mM. This enzyme preparation was used in three reaction cycles and maintained its catalytic properties.     

Capillary electrophoresis of methylmercury with injection by sample stacking

A procedure for separation and quantitation of methylmercury by capillary electrophoresis using sample stacking as the injection technique is presented. The CE conditions have been optimized in order to separate the methylmercury from the excess cysteine peak and to concentrate large volumes of sample obtaining a low detection limit. Under the proposed operational conditions, the detection limit (S/N = 3) was 12 ng g⁻ and the limit of quantitation (S/N = 10) was 20 ng g⁻¹ with a linear range of 20–100 ng g⁻¹ (as methylmercury in samples). The method was tested using different reference materials with a certified methylmercury content.     

Stereoselective hydration of (RS)-phenylglycine nitrile by new whole cell biocatalysts

Five new bacterial isolates with stereoselective nitrile hydratase activity against (RS)-2-phenylpropionitrile and (RS)-phenylglycine nitrile were investigated. The permeabilized whole cell isolates selectively hydrate the (S)-enantiomer of phenylglycine nitrile with E values of 1.2–5.4. One isolate, which was identified as Pantoea endophytica, produced pure (S)-phenylglycine (>99% ee) as a result of hydrolysis of (S)-phenylglycine amide by an (S)-specific amidase. Surprisingly, in the hydrolysis of (RS)-phenylglycine nitrile, it was found that the (R)-amide was accumulated in excess (21% ee) despite the nitrile hydratase produced by Pantoea endophytica was (S)-selective. The synthesis of pure (R)-phenylglycine (>99% ee) was achieved in time course studies using another Pantoea sp. with (R)-selective amidase. In the case of Nocardioides sp. the intermediate product, (S)-phenylglycine amide, could be produced (52% ee) without its subsequent hydrolysis into the acid due to the apparent absence of any amidase activity.     

Enantiodivergent synthesis of 3-amino-4,4-dimethyl-1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one and derivatives: amino analogues of pantolactone

An enantiodivergent preparation of (+)-(R)- and (−)-(S)-3-amino-4,4-dimethyl-1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one, (R)- and (S)-9, and several derivatives, from 4,4-dimethyl-1-phenylpyrrolidin-2,3-dione, 4, and (R)- or (S)-1-phenylethylamine, (R)- or (S)-5, as the chirality transfer agents, is described. Amine (S)-9 has also been used as a chiral auxiliary in a diastereoselective Michael reaction.     

Preparation, crystal structure, absolute configuration, and conformational analysis of (−)436-(S)-(−)-diphenyl-1-phenylethylaminophosphine(η-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-dimethylphosphonato)cobalt(III)

Reaction of CpCoI₂(P(OMe)₃) 8 with the chiral aminophosphine (S)-(−)-diphenyl-phenylethylaminophosphine affords the diastereomeric phosphonate complexes (R,S)_Co,S_C-CpCoI(P(0)(OMe)₂)(PPh₂NHCH(Me)Ph) (10a,10b) via Arbuzov dealkylation. 10a,10b are separable and configurationally stable in solution for extended periods. The structure and absolute configuration of the lower R_f diastereomer (−)-₄₃₆-10b were determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes as a toluene solvate in space group P2₁ with a 13.194(6), b 9.062(4), c 17.023(5) Å, β 108.78(3)°, Z = 2, and was refined to R = 0.067 for 6318 reflections. Spectroscopic and structural evidence demonstrate a strong 1,6 intramolecular NH O=P hydrogen bond between the aminophosphine NH and the basic phosphoryl oxygen, which establishes a quasi-boat conformation. Proton nuclear Overhauser difference spectra show that the conformation in solution is the same as that observed in the solid state.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of cispentacin

Based on the lipase-catalysed kinetic resolution of the silyloxyalcohol (1RS,2SR)-5 by transesterification with vinyl acetate in the presence of lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia a synthesis of both enantiomers of the β-amino acid cispentacin (1R,2S)-1 and (1S,2R)-1 using simple functional group interconversions is described.