Synthesis of (R)- and (S)-4-hydroxyisophorone by ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketoisophorone

The first synthesis of (R)- and (S)-4-hydroxyisophorone by catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ketoisophorone is reported. Ruthenium catalysts containing commercially available chiral amino alcohols afforded 4-hydroxyisophorone in up to 97% selectivity and 97% ee. (R)- or (S)-4-Hydroxyisophorones with >99% ee were isolated by crystallization. The catalyst precursors [RuCl₂((S,R)-ADPE)(η⁶-p-cymene)] ((S,R)-ADPE=(1S,2R)-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol-N) and (R_Ru)-[RuCl((S,R)-ADPE⁻¹)(η⁶-p-cymene)] (ADPE⁻¹=amino-1,2-diphenylethanolato-N,O) were isolated for the first time and the X-ray crystal structure of the latter determined.     

Simultaneous enzymatic synthesis of (S)-3-fluoroalanine and (R)-3-fluorolactic acid

A coupled enzymatic system for the simultaneous synthesis of (S)-3-fluoroalanine (1a) and (R)-3-fluorolactic acid (3) with l-alanine dehydrogenase (l-AlaDH) from Bacillus subtilis and rabbit muscle l-lactate dehydrogenase (l-LDH) using rac-1 and NAD⁺ is described. Analysis of isolated products of the laboratory preparative scale process revealed 1a in 60% yield and 88% ee and 3 in 80% yield and over 99% ee. The compounds 1a and 3 represent chiral building blocks for the synthesis of several products with pharmacological activity.     

A facile synthesis of optically pure L-armentomycin and its D-isomer.Highly enantioselective reduction of the CC double bond of methyl (E)- and (Z)-2,4,4-trichloro-2-butenoate by using baker's yeast

Optically pure L-armentomycin [(S)-2-amino-4,4-dichlorobutanoic acid] and its D-isomer [(R)-2-amino-4,4-dichlorobutanoic acid] were prepared by using methyl (E)- and (Z)-2,4,4-trichloro-2-butenoate as key intermediate, which were reduced with baker's yeast to (R)- and (S)-2,4,4-trichlorobutanoate in 84~92 and 97~98% ee, respectively, in 60~65% yields.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 3-substituted 8-hydroxy-3,4-dihydroisocoumarins from (S)-4-isopropyl-2-(2-methoxy-6-methylphenyl)oxazoline

Reaction of the laterally lithiated (S)-4-isopropyl-2-(2-methoxy-6-methylphenyl)oxazoline with p-tolualdehyde gave an inseparable mixture of the addition products in low diastereoselectivity. However, the (S,S)-product cyclized to the corresponding 3,4-dihydroisocoumarin faster than the (S,R)-product on silica gel, which allowed to be produced both enantiomers of 8-methoxy-3-(p-tolyl)-3,4-dihydroisocoumarin in moderate to good optical purity [S-enantiomer: 75% ee; R-enantiomer: 96% ee]. This procedure was applied to the short-step synthesis of optically active 3,4-dihydroisocoumarin natural products such as (R)-8-hydroxy-3-(1-tridecyl)-3,4-dihydroisocoumarin and (R)-phyllodulcin.     

Novel and enantioselective syntheses of (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid: a synthon for sitagliptin and its derivatives

A new synthetic strategy for (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid, a building block in the preparation of sitagliptin and its derivatives, was developed. Pd(OAc)₂ catalyzed coupling of 2,4,5-trifluoro-1-iodobenzene with allyl alcohol gave 3-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)propanal in a yield of 95%. l-Proline catalyzed reaction of the 3-phenylpropanal (in only 1.2 molar equiv) with nitrosobenzene followed by reduction with NaBH₄ and Pd/C catalyzed hydrogenation gave (R)-3-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)propane-1,2-diol with >99% ee and 65% yield. Selective tosylation of primary hydroxyl group of the 1,2-propandiol unit followed by cyanide displacement afforded (R)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanenitrile (80%). The nitrile was converted to the title β-hydroxy acid under basic hydrolysis in a yield of 90%. Thus, (R)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid was prepared enantioselectively from the starting material in four steps and 45% overall yield. The reaction sequence was repeated with d-proline as the catalyst to give (S)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid in 45% overall yield and >99% enantiomeric excess.     

Synthesis of (1S,4R)-4-isopropyl-1-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol,the aggregation pheromone of the ambrosia beetle Platypus quercivorus,its racemate, (1R,4R)- and (1S,4S)-isomers

(S)-Perillyl alcohol was converted to (R)-cryptone (91.5–93% ee) in six steps, which was then treated with methyllithium to give (1S,4R)-4-isopropyl-1-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol, the aggregation pheromone of the ambrosia beetle Platypus quercivorus. The racemic pheromone was also prepared by methylation of (±)-cryptone. Both (1R,4R)- and (1S,4S)-isomers (98% ee) of the pheromone were synthesized from the enantiomers of dihydrolimonene oxide.     

Homochiral (R)- and (S)-1-heteroaryl- and 1-aryl-2-propanols via microbial redox

Preparation of various heteroaryl propanols 2a–g and of the corresponding propanones 3a–g as starting materials for microbial redox is described. The kinetic resolution of the racemic propanols 2a–g is obtained via oxidation with Pseudomonas paucimobilis and Bacillus stearothermophilus [(R)-alcohols, ee 74–100%]. Similar results are achieved with 3-(2-hydroxypropyl)trifluoromethylbenzene 7 (44%, ee 100% of the (R)-alcohol 6). The reduction of the propanones 3a–d and 3g with baker's yeast and other fungi gives the (S)-alcohols (ee 100%). The pure (S)-alcohols are also obtained by reduction of 1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-propanone 7. 1-[(4,4-Dimethyl)-2-(Δ²)oxazolinyl]-2-propanone 3e and 1[2-(Δ²)-thiazolinyl)-2-propanone 3f are not reduced. The heterocyclic rings of (S)-5-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylisoxazole 2d and of (S)-2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-4-methylthiazole 2g are deblocked to the homochiral enamino ketone 8 (78%) and to the protected β-hydroxy aldehyde 9 (73%), respectively. The (R)-3-(2-hydroxypropyl)trifluoromethylbenzene 6 is transfomed into the homochiral precursor of (S)-fenfluramine 10 (overall yield 65%).     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of (5S)- and (5R)-hydroxymethyl-3,5-dimethyl-4-(methoxymethoxy)-5H-thiophen-2-one: a precursor of thiolactomycin and determination of its absolute configuration

A convenient enantioselective synthesis of (5S)- and (5R)-hydroxymethyl-3,5-dimethyl-4-(methoxymethoxy)-5H-thiophen-2-one, a key intermediate in the synthesis of thiolactomycin has been carried out by a Carica papaya lipase-mediated resolution protocol to provide (R)-2 in a 94% ee and its enantiomer (S)-9 in a 98% ee. The absolute configuration at the C-5 position has been determined by Mosher’s method.     

Resolution of C2-symmetric 9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11,12-dicarboxylic acid and 2,3-diphenylsuccinic acid using (S)-proline

Racemic 9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11,12-dicarboxylic acid is resolved to obtain the corresponding (S,S)-isomer in 96±2% ee and the (R,R)-isomer in 97±2% ee through complexation with (S)-proline in methanol. The racemic 2,3-diphenylsuccinic acid has been resolved to obtain the (S,S)-isomer in 93% ee using (S)-proline in methanol.     

(R)- or (S)-Bi-2-naphthol assisted,l-proline catalyzed direct aldol reaction

Chiral Brønsted acids (R)- and (S)-BINOL were employed as additives in the classic l-proline catalyzed direct aldol reaction. Eighteen substrates were tested with 0.5 mol % (R)-BINOL loading and 1 mol % of (S)-BINOL loading, and the enantioselectivity was improved from 72% ee without additive to 98% ee. In the proposed transition state, the chiral Brønsted acid promoted the reaction through hydrogen bonding, which not only activated the carbonyl group but also stabilized the transition state.     

Lipase-mediated kinetic resolution of (RS)-1-bromo-3-[4-(2-methoxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-propan-2-ol to (R)-1-bromo-3-(4-(2-methoxyethyl) phenoxy) propan-2-yl acetate

A novel biocatalytic method for the enantioselective synthesis of (R)-bromo-3-[4-(2-methoxy-ethyl) phenoxy]-2-propanol [(R)-BMEPP], a precursor for the synthesis of (S)-metoprolol, an anti hypertensive drug is described. We have developed kinetic resolution of rac-BMEPP by transesterification using Candida rugosa lipase and vinyl acetate as the acyl donor affording the product with excellent conversion (49%) and ee (>99%). Various reaction parameters (source of enzyme, reaction media, and concentration of substrate and acylating agent) for the enzymatic kinetic resolution have been reported.     

Synthesis of anti-Alzheimer (R)-arundic acid

The asymmetric synthesis of the anti-Alzheimer agent (R)-arundic acid has been performed via a diastereoselective photodeconjugation reaction as the key-step. The synthetic approach involves a readily available chiral auxiliary, diacetone-d-glucose, and allows access to either enantiomer as illustrated by the synthesis of (S)-arundic acid. Both enantiomers were obtained in 88% ee using the same chiral auxiliary.     

Synthesis and analytical properties of (S)-(+)-2-methoxy-2-(9-phenanthryl)propionic acid

2-Methoxy-2-(9-phenanthryl)propionic acid was synthesized as a novel chiral resolving agent. The absolute configuration of (+)-2-methoxy-2-(9-phenanthryl)propionic acid was determined to be S by using X-ray structural analysis of the (1R,2S,5R)-menthyl ester. In the crystal, the methoxyl and carbonyl groups of the ester are in a syn-periplanar position. The syn-periplanar conformations of (1R,2S,5R)-menthyl esters were also observed by the NMR analyses in CDCl₃. The utility of (S)-(+)-2-methoxy-2-(9-phenanthryl)propionic acid was exemplified by the resolution of (±)-3-octanol.     

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of tetronic acid derivatives bearing a chiral quaternary carbon: total synthesis of (S)-(−)-vertinolide

We have developed a chemoenzymatic synthesis of (S)-vertinolide 1 with a chiral quaternary carbon atom at C5. In the kinetic resolution of tetronic acid precursor 6, lipase PS-D furnished the recovered alcohol 6 with an (R)-stereochemistry in a ratio of 95% ee, whereas lipase AY gave (S)-alcohol 6 with 93% ee. Chemical transformations of (S)-alcohol 6 provided (S)-vertinolide 1 in 33% yield in five steps with no loss of enantiomeric excess.     

Asymmetric Reduction Using Lithium Aluminum Hydride Modified with Chiral Ligands Prepared from (1R)-(-)-β-Pinene

The reduction of prochiral ketones using chiral reducing reagents, prepared from lithium aluminum hydride and (-)-(1R, 2S, 3S, 5R)-10-anilinopinanediol (5) and (-)-(1R, 2S, 3S, 5R)-10-N-methylanilinopinanediol (6), affords chiral secondary alcohols in useful chemical yields (70 ～ 93%) but in low optical purity (8 ～ 33% ee). Modifiers 5 and 6 are synthesized from (lR)-(-)-β-pinene in three steps.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure diethyl (R)- and (S)-2-hydroxy-3-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propylphosphonates

The synthesis and ee determination of diethyl 3-azido-2-hydroxypropylphosphonates from 2,3-epoxypropylphosphonates have been optimised. Enantiomerically enriched diethyl (R)- and (S)-2-hydroxy-3-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propylphosphonates (R)-3a–j and (S)-3a–h as well as (S)-3j were synthesised from diethyl (R)- and (S)-2,3-epoxypropylphosphonates in a reaction sequence including azidolysis followed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with selected alkynes.     

Synthesis of (S)-, (R)-, and (rac)-2-amino-3,3-bis(4-fluorophenyl)propanoic acids and an evaluation of the DPP IV inhibitory activity of Denagliptin diastereomers

The non-proteinogenic amino acid (2S)-2-amino-3,3-bis(4-fluorophenyl)propanoic acid [(S)-1] is a key intermediate required for the synthesis of Denagliptin (2a). Denagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) inhibitor that is being developed for the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus. A diastereoselective, cost-efficient synthetic procedure for (S)-1 was developed by alkylating a Ni(II) glycine equivalent derived from (S)-2-[(N-benzylprolyl) amino] benzophenone [(S)-BPB]. The alkylated product was then decomposed to isolate the target amino acid (S)-1 (ee >99%) and ligand (S)-BPB, which can be reused in subsequent reactions. The enantiomer (R)-1 and racemate (rac)-1 were synthesized from their corresponding Ni(II) glycine equivalents. Denagliptin diastereomers (2), derived from the key intermediates (S)-1, (R)-1, and (rac)-1 were synthesized, and their dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitory activities were investigated. These findings are important in the design and synthesis of DPP IV inhibitors.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of (S)-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′,5′-Hexafluoroleucine

(S)-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′-Hexafluoroleucine ((S)- 13 ) of 81 % ee is prepared from hexafluoroacetone ( l ) and ethyl bromopyruvate (= ethyl 2-oxopropanoate) in 7 steps with an overall yield of 18% (Schemes 1 and 2). Key step in this sequence is the highly enantioselective reduction of the carbonyl group in α-keto ester 4 either by bakers' yeast (91 % ee) or by ‘catecholborane’ 6 utilizing an oxazaborolidine catalyst, yielding hydroxy ester (R)- 5 with 99% ee. The absolute configuration was determined by X-ray analysis of the HCl adduct (S,R)- 9b of (2S)-N-[(R)- l-phenylethyl]-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′-hexafluoroleucine ethyl ester.     

Stereochemistry in Lewis acid-catalyzed silylation of alcohols, silanols, and methoxysilanes with optically active methyl(1-naphthyl)phenylsilane

Stereochemistry in silylation reactions of alcohols, silanols, and methoxysilanes with optically pure (R)-methyl(1-naphthyl)phenylsilane were studied in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts. Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane [B(C₆F₅)₃] was found to be highly reactive and stereoselective in the reactions. Optically active (R)-(alkoxy)methyl(1-naphthyl)phenylsilanes with 91–97% ee were produced from alcohols through the inversion stereochemistry of the silane. Stereoselectivity in the reaction with triphenylsilanol was moderate (64% ee). (R)-1,3-Dimethyl-1-(1-naphthyl)-1,3,3-triphenyldisiloxane with 94% ee was obtained from the silane with (methoxy)methyldiphenylsilane. The reaction with (R)-(methoxy)methyl(1-naphthyl)phenylsilane (88% ee) gave (R, R)-1,3-dimethyl-1,3-di(1-naphthyl)-1,3-diphenyldisiloxane [(R, R):(R, S):(S, S) = 87:12:0.5]. The stereochemistry was proved to almost completely inversion and retention for the chiral silicon centers of the silane and methoxysilane, respectively.     

Enantioselective enzymatic acylation of 1-(3′-bromophenyl)ethylamine

An efficient biocatalytic process has been developed for the resolution of 1-(3′-bromophenyl)ethylamine (RS)-1 by way of enantioselective lipase-mediated (R)-selective acylation with ethyl 2-methoxyacetate to afford (S)-amine (S)-1 and (R)-2″-methoxyacetamide ((R)-2) in 91–95% and 90–92% isolated yield, respectively, and both with >99% ee.