Enantioselective epoxidation of conjugated cis-enynes by chiral dioxirane

This paper describes a highly chemo- and enantioselective epoxidation of conjugated cis-enynes using readily available glucose-derived ketone 2 as catalyst and Oxone as oxidant to form cis-propargyl epoxides in high ee's. The interaction between the alkyne group of the substrate and the oxazolidinone moiety of the ketone catalyst as well as the interactions between the substituents on enynes and the oxazolidinone moiety of the ketone catalyst are important for the stereodifferentiation.     

Highly enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

We describe an efficient and highly enantioselective conjugate transfer hydrogenation of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones that is catalyzed by a salt made from tert-butyl valinate and a recently introduced powerful chiral phosphoric acid catalyst (TRIP).     

Enantioselective epoxidation of terminal olefins by chiral dioxirane

[see reaction]. This paper describes an enantioselective epoxidation of terminal olefins using chiral ketone 3 as catalyst and Oxone as oxidant. Up to 85% ee has been obtained.     

Design of new chiral phase-transfer catalysts with dual functions for highly enantioselective epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

A new chiral ammonium bromide, 1-Br, possessing diarylmethanol functionality as a substrate recognition site has been designed as a promising, dual-functioning catalyst for the highly enantioselective epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones under mild phase-transfer conditions. For instance, vigorous stirring of a mixture of chalcone, 1-Br (3 mol %), and 13% NaOCl in toluene at 0 degrees C for 24 h gave rise to epoxy chalcone quantitatively with 96% ee. A variety of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones can also be epoxidized with rigorous stereochemical control, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness and utility of the present system. Further, a successful single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1-PF6 uncovered its distinctive three-dimensional molecular architecture and provided useful information for postulating the transition state.     

Effective asymmetric epoxidation of styrenes by chiral dioxirane

High enantioselectivity (80-92% enantiomeric excess (ee)) has been obtained for the epoxidation of various styrenes using an easily prepared ketone (4) catalyst.     

Catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters using an yttrium-biphenyldiol complex

We succeeded in a catalytic asymmetric epoxidation reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters via a conjugate addition of an oxidant using 2-10 mol % of the yttirium-chiral biphenyldiol catalyst. A variety of substrates with beta-aryl and beta-alkyl substituents were epoxidized efficiently, yielding the corresponding alpha,beta-epoxy esters in up to 97% yield and 99% ee.     

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of malononitrile to alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

The highly enantioselective Michael addition of malononitrile to acyclic and cyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones has been developed. The Michael reaction catalyzed by a primary amine derived from quinidine proceeded smoothly and provided the desired adducts with excellent enantioselectivities (83-97% ee).     

Highly stereoselective epoxidation of alpha-methyl-gamma-hydroxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters: rationalization and synthetic applications

The diastereoselectivity of the nucleophilic epoxidation of gamma-hydroxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters having a methyl substituent at the alpha- or beta-position was investigated. Epoxidation of the alpha-methyl-substituted enoate was highly stereoselective, giving rise to the syn isomer. This finding was used to perform an enantioselective synthesis of a natural product having a beta-hydroxy-alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone motif. The nucleophilic epoxidation of enoates was found to be irreversible. Models to explain the observed stereoselectivities are proposed.     

Highly enantioselective,catalytic conjugate addition of cyanide to alpha,beta-unsaturated imides

(Salen)Al-Cl complex 1a catalyzes the asymmetric conjugate addition of hydrogen cyanide to alpha,beta-unsaturated imides in high yields and enantioselectivities. The cyanide adducts can readily be converted into a variety of useful chiral building blocks, including alpha-substituted-beta-amino acids and beta-substituted-gamma-aminobutyric acids. Mechanistic data obtained thus far point to a cooperative bimetallic mechanism for nucleophile and electrophile activation.     

Highly versatile enantioselective conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to alpha,beta-unsaturated thioesters

Herein, we report efficient catalysts for the asymmetric copper-catalyzed conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to alpha,beta-unsaturated thioesters. MeMgBr adds to aromatic alpha,beta-unsaturated thioesters with excellent enantioselectivities and moderate to good yields using Josiphos/CuBr and Tol-BINAP/CuI complexes. The use of bulky Grignard reagents leads to unprecedented enantioselectivities in the 1,4-addition to a broad range of aromatic and aliphatic alpha,beta-unsaturated thioesters using Tol-BINAP/CuI. The highest enantioselectivities reported so far for the addition of Grignard reagents to crowded beta-substituted aliphatic substrates are achieved with Tol-BINAP/CuI.     

Highly stereoselective intermolecular oxy-michael addition reaction to alpha,beta-unsaturated malonate esters

[reaction: see text] The highly diastereoselective oxy-Michael addition of the "naked" anion of (6S)-methyl delta lactol to alkylidiene-, arylidene-, and heteroarylidenemalonate derivatives leading to the direct formation of THP-protected beta-hydroxy ester derivatives is described. Subsequent acid-mediated deprotection affords the enantioenriched aldol products in quantitative yields.     

Calcium-catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective 1,4-addition of glycine derivatives to alpha,beta-unsaturated esters

The first highly diastereo- and enantioselective catalytic asymmetric 1,4-addition reactions of a glycine Schiff base to beta-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated esters have been developed. The reaction pathway was successfully controlled, and the desired 1,4-addition products were exclusively obtained with high enantioselectivities. The product obtained was converted to a 3-substituted glutamic acid derivative by acid hydrolysis.     

Studies of substituent effect on asymmetric epoxidation of chromenes by chiral dioxirane

A series of 6- and 8-substituted chromenes has been investigated for asymmetric epoxidation using chiral ketone catalysts. Up to 93% ee was achieved. Higher ee's are obtained when substrates are substituted at the 6-position. The enhanced enantioselectivity is likely due to the beneficial interaction between the 6-substituent of the substrate and the N-aryl or alkyl group of the ketone catalyst.     

Highly enantioselective michael addition of cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

[reaction: see text] The highly enantioselective Michael addition of 1,3-cyclic dicarbonyl compounds to alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones was reported to be catalyzed by an organic primary amine derived from quinine. A chiral anticoagulant drug, (S)-warfarin, was directly prepared in 96% ee, and other related important adducts were also obtained in excellent enantioselectivity (89-99% ee).