Dependence of enantioselectivity on the ligand/metal ratio in the asymmetric Michael addition of indole to benzylidene malonates: electronic influence of substrates

Simple bis(oxazoline) ligands, especially azabis(oxazolines), can promote the copper(II)-catalyzed Michael addition of indoles to benzylidene malonates with up to >99 % ee (ee=enantiomeric excess), provided that the ligand/metal ratio is tuned meticulously with particular regard to the electronic properties of the substrate. Despite a common paradigm followed in many asymmetric catalyses, an excess of chiral ligand is not always beneficial. In fact any excess of ligand has to be avoided to reach excellent enantioselectivities when electron-rich benzylidene malonates are used. On the contrary, malonates carrying an electron-withdrawing group require an excess of ligand for an optimum ee value. A correlation of optical yields versus the sigma(I) values of several para substituents shows a sigmoid trajectory. In the presence of an additive, such as triflate, the significance of the ligand/metal ratio vanishes and very good enantioselectivities are achieved at any rate--no matter whether electron-donating or withdrawing substituents are present.     

Synthesis of new chiral macrocycles-based glycolipids and its application in asymmetric Michael addition

A series of new mix aza- and thia-macrocyclic glycolipids (9, 10, 16 and 17) have been synthesized and their enantiomeric selectivity was studied. The synthesis of the macrocycles involved a simple protection of two hydroxyl groups of the glycolipids followed by building up the mix-heteroatom macrocyclic in simple sequences. The macrocycles and previously investigated analogues (18, 19, 20 and 21) have been applied as phase transfer catalysts in the enantioselective Michael addition of 2-nitropropane to chalcone and showed good-to-excellent enantiomer excess (ee). Among the catalysts, the galactose aza-crown ether-based glycolipid 21 proved to be the most effective with 90% ee.

Graphic abstract

     

Pyrrolidine-carbamate based new and efficient chiral organocatalyst for asymmetric Michael addition of ketones to nitroolefins

The novel ((S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl)methyl phenylcarbamate was synthesized and used as an efficient organocatalyst for the asymmetric Michael addition of cyclic/acyclic ketones to nitroolefins. Interestingly, the resulting Michael adducts were obtained in good to high yields (up to 96%) with excellent stereoselectivity (ee up to >99%, dr up to >99:1) without using any additive.     

Preparation and application of chiral spiro nitrogen-containing ligands for cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition

Two novel chiral spiro nitrogen-containing ligands, 7,7′-bis(2-pyridinecarboxamido)-1,1′-spirobiindane (abbreviated as SIPAD) and 7,7′-bis(2-quinolinecarboxamido)-1,1′-spirobiindane (abbreviated as SIQAD), were conveniently prepared from 1,1′-spirobiindane-7,7′-dicarboxylic acid in high yields (85% and 84%, respectively) in two steps. The cobalt complexes prepared in situ from Co(OAc)₂ and the ligands have been proven to be efficient catalysts for the asymmetric Michael addition reaction of malonates to chalcone derivatives. The alkylation products were obtained in high yields with moderate enantiomeric excesses under mild reaction conditions.     

New nitrogen containing chiral diselenides: synthesis and asymmetric addition reactions to olefins

A simple synthesis of two new nitrogen containing diselenides, 7 and 8, is described. These compounds were employed as starting materials to effect the asymmetric methoxyselenenylation, the hydroxyselenenylation as well as the cyclofunctionalization of olefins. Starting from 7 all these addition processes occurred with good facial selectivity. Poor results were however obtained with 8. One-pot selenenylation–elimination sequences using catalytic amounts of the diselenide 7 have also been investigated.     

Modular chiral selenium-containing oxazolines: synthesis and application in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

A new series of modular chiral selenium-containing oxazolines has been synthesized from inexpensive and commercially available l-serine and l-aspartic acid. These new compounds were evaluated as chiral ligands in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reaction, furnishing the product in high enantiomeric excess, using Cs₂CO₃/CH₂Cl₂ as the base/solvent system.     

Geminal dicarboxylates as carbonyl surrogates for asymmetric synthesis. Part I. Asymmetric addition of malonate nucleophiles.

Asymmetric alkylations of allylic geminal dicarboxylates with dialkyl malonates have been investigated. The requisite allylic geminal dicarboxylates are prepared in good yields and high isomeric purities by two catalytic methods, ferric chloride-catalyzed addition of acid anhydrides to alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and palladium-catalyzed isomerization and addition reactions of propargylic acetates. The complex of palladium(0) and the chiral ligand derived from the diamide of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and 2-diphenylphosphinobenzoic acid most efficiently catalyzed the asymmetric process to provide allylic carboxylate esters with high ee. By systematic optimization studies, factors affecting the enantioselectivity of the reaction have been probed. In general, higher ee's have been achieved with those conditions which facilitate kinetic capture of the incipient pi-allylpalladium intermediate. These conditions also proved effective for achieving high regioselectivities. The minor regioisomeric product was formed when reactive substrates or achiral ligands were employed for the reaction, and could be minimized through the use of the chiral ligand. Under the established conditions, the alkylation of various gem-dicarboxylates afforded monoalkylated products in high yields with greater than 90% ee. The process constitutes the equivalent of an addition of a stabilized nucleophile to a carbonyl group with high asymmetric induction.     

Highly efficient asymmetric Michael addition of aldehyde to nitroolefin using perhydroindolic acid as a chiral organocatalyst

Perhydroindolic acids, the by-products obtained in the industrial production of a trandolapril intermediate, were used as chiral organocatalysts in asymmetric Michael addition reactions of aldehydes to nitroolefins. These proline-like catalysts are unique for their rigid bicyclic structure with two H atoms attached to the bridgehead C atoms lying on the opposite side of the ring. They therefore showed high efficiency in asymmetric Michael additions of aldehydes to nitroolefins. Under the optimal conditions, excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to 99/1 dr and 98% ee) were obtained with high chemical yields for a series of aldehydes and nitroolefins using only 5 mol% catalyst loading. The methodology features easily available catalysts, high catalytic efficiency and environmentally green procedures.     

Novel chiral ammonium ionic liquids as efficient organocatalysts for asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to nitroolefins

Two chiral ammonium ionic liquids 1a and 1b have been newly synthesized from commercially available (+)-cis-2-benzamidocyclohexanecarboxylic acid. These CILs have been demonstrated to be efficient organocatalysts for asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to nitroolefins with excellent yields (up to 99%), high enantioselectivities (up to 90%) and modest to high diastereoselectivities (syn/anti ratio up to 99/1).     

Noncovalently supported heterogeneous chiral amine catalysts for asymmetric direct aldol and Michael addition reactions

A new strategy for the immobilization of asymmetric organocatalysts by combining polystyrene (PS)/sulfonic acids and chiral amines in situ through acid-base interactions is presented. The PS/sulfonic acids play a dual role as catalyst anchors and modulators for activity and stereoselectivity. Different types of polymeric sulfonic acids were examined and 1% divinylbenzene (DVB) cross-linked PS/sulfonic acid 1 e with a medium loading of sulfonic acid moieties was found to be the optimal support. Furthermore, the noncovalency of this system allows combinatorial screening of optimal catalysts for the targeted reactions. In this regard, highly efficient and enantioselective heterogeneous catalysts were identified for the asymmetric direct aldol and Michael addition reactions. The catalysts could be easily recovered by filtration and reused for six cycles with similar stereoselectivity but slightly decreased activity. Significantly, the deactivated catalysts could be regenerated following an acidic washing/amine recharging procedure.     

The preparation of novel chiral auxiliaries SAMIQ/RAMIQ and their application in the asymmetric Michael addition

A pair of novel chiral auxiliaries SAMIQ/RAMIQ was synthesized from l- or d-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride over six steps in 45.8% and 44.4% yield, respectively. The SAMIQ-/RAMIQ-hydrazone methodology was applied for the asymmetric Michael addition of ketones to α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid methyl esters, which afforded 3-substituted-5-oxo-alkanoates in moderate to good yield (65–82%) with excellent enantioselectivity (ee=95.3%∼>99.5%).     

Silica gel supported pyrrolidine-based chiral ionic liquid as recyclable organocatalyst for asymmetric Michael addition to nitrostyrenes

A novel silica gel supported pyrrolidine-based chiral ionic liquid 6a has been developed and found to be a highly effective catalyst for the Michael addition reaction of ketones with nitrostyrenes. The reactions generated the corresponding products in good yields (up to 94%), excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee), and high diastereoselectivities (up to >99:1 dr). In addition, the catalyst 6a can be reused at least five times without a significant loss of catalytic activity and stereoselectivity.     

Surfactant-type asymmetric organocatalyst: organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition to nitrostyrenes in water

A surfactant-type asymmetric organocatalyst (STAO) catalyzed highly efficient Michael addition to nitroalkenes with high stereoselectivities in water without using any organic solvents or additional additives.     

Aromatic l-prolinamide-catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to nitroalkenes

Two chiral aromatic l-prolinamides were synthesized in high overall yield (95%) from N-Boc-l-proline and served as organocatalysts in asymmetric Michael reactions of aldehydes to nitroalkenes. Under the optimized reaction conditions, (S)-N-tritylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamide 4 was found to be a highly efficient organocatalyst for the Michael addition, and the corresponding Michael adducts were obtained in good yields (up to 94%), with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) and diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr).     

Thiophosphoramide catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition of cyclopentanone to chalcones

Thiophosphoramide 1b was found to be an effective bifunctional organocatalyst in the asymmetric Michael reaction of cyclopentanone to various chalcones, affording the corresponding adducts in satisfactory yields with moderate to excellent diastereo- (up to 90/10 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee).     

Development of chiral pincer palladium complexes bearing a pyrroloimidazolone unit. Catalytic use for asymmetric Michael addition

Novel pincer palladium complexes having chiral hexahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazolone groups were designed and prepared. Catalytic asymmetric Michael addition of isopropyl 2-cyanopropionate to ethyl vinyl ketone was catalyzed by the chiral pincer palladium complex to give isopropyl 2-cyano-2-methyl-5-oxoheptanoate with high enantioselectivity (up to 83% ee). [structure: see text]     

Camphor-derived C(1)-symmetric chiral diamine organocatalysts for asymmetric Michael addition of nitroalkanes to enones

A series of stable C(1)-symmetric chiral diamines () were conveniently synthesized by condensing exo-(-)-bornylamine or (+)-(1S,2S,5R)-menthylamine with various commercially available Cbz-protected amino acids. Among them, can efficiently promote the Michael addition of nitroalkanes to a broad scope of enones with high yields (up to 96%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98%) under mild conditions.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of 2,4-pentandione to nitroolefins

[reaction: see text] A novel binaphthyl-derived amine thiourea organocatalyst has been developed and demonstrated to efficiently catalyze Michael addition reactions (using as low as 1 mol % loading) of diketones to nitroalkenes with remarkably high enantioselectivities.