The Effect of Enantiomer Elution Order on the Determination of Minor Enantiomeric Impurity in Ketoprofen and Enantiomeric Purity Evaluation of Commercially Available Dexketoprofen Formulations

In a recent study, opposite enantiomer elution order was observed for ketoprofen enantiomers on two amylose-phenylcarbamate-based chiral columns with the same chemical composition of the chiral selector but in one case with coated while in the other with an immobilized chiral selector. In the present study, the influence of this uncommon effect on method validation parameters for the determination of minor enantiomeric impurity in dexketoprofen was studied. The validated methods with two alternative elution orders for enantiomers were applied for the evaluation of enantiomeric impurity in six marketed dexketoprofen formulations from various vendors. In most of these formulations except one the content of enantiomeric impurity exceeded 0.1% (w/w).     

N,N′-Dioxide-scandium(III) complex catalyzed highly enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indole to alkylidene malonates

A highly efficient enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with alkylidene malonates has been developed using chiral N,N′-dioxide L4-scandium(III) complex as the catalyst, giving the corresponding products in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield and 95% ee). The product 3a was facilely converted into several interesting compounds, such as tryptamines, indolepropionic acids and β-carbolines. It is noteworthy that the seven-membered β-carboline-like compound has been synthesized for the first time. Based on the crystal structure of the chiral N,N′-dioxide L10-scandium(III) complex, the proposed transition state and possible catalytic cycle were presented to elucidate the reaction mechanism.     

Computer-aided molecular modeling study of enantioseparation of iodiconazole and structurally related triadimenol analogues by capillary electrophoresis: Chiral recognition mechanism and mathematical model for predicting chiral separation

Chiral separation of iodiconazole, a new antifungal drug, and 12 new structurally related triadimenol analogues had been developed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HP-γ-CD) as the chiral selector. The effect of structural features of analytes on Δt and R_s was studied under the optimum separation conditions. Using molecular docking technique and binding energy calculations, the inclusion process between HP-γ-CD and enantiomers was investigated and chiral recognition mechanisms were discussed. The results suggest that hydrogen bonding between fluorine at position 4 of the phenyl group beside the chiral carbon and the hydroxyl group on the HP-γ-CD rim and face to face π–π interactions between two phenyl rings highly contributed to the enantiorecognition process between HP-γ-CD and iodiconazole. The N-methyl group beside chiral carbon also played an important role in enantiomeric separation. Additionally, the big difference in binding energy (ΔΔE) highly contributed to good separation in the presence of HP-γ-CD chiral selector, which may be a helpful initial guide for chiral selector selection and predicting the result of enantioseparation. Furthermore, the new mathematical equation established based on the results of molecular mechanics calculations exhibited good capability in predicting chiral separation of these triadimenol analogues using HP-γ-CD mediated CE.     

Enantiomeric separation of racemic clenbuterol by capillary zone electrophoresis

A method for capillary electrophoretic enantiomeric separation of a racemic clenbuterol has been established with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin as the chiral selector. General equations and data analysis are presented to relate mobility to the equilibrium constants in simple binding equilibria and used to determine binding constants and thermodynamic parameters for host-guest complexation of clenbuterol enantiomers with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin as a selector. The effects of β-cyclodextrin type and concentration, buffer type, concentration and pH, as well as separation voltage and capillary temperature were investigated in detail. A maximal resolution of 6.78 was obtained. The binding constants of the host-guest complex of clenbuterol enantiomers with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, K _R-CD and K _S-CD are 22.50 and 43.09 l mol^-1, respectively.     

Enantiomeric NMR signal separation mechanism and prediction of separation behavior for a praseodymium (III) complex with (S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N-disuccinate

Because choice of chiral nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) shift reagents and concentration conditions have been made empirically by trials and errors for chiral NMR analyses, the prediction of NMR signal separation behavior is an urgent issue. In this study, the separation of enantiomeric and enantiotopic ¹H and ¹³C NMR signals for α-amino acids and tartaric acid was performed by using the praseodymium(III) complex with (S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinate ((S,S)-EDDS). All the present D-amino acids exhibited larger downfield shift of their α-protons and α-carbons compared with those for the corresponding L-amino acids in common. This regularity is applicable to absolute configurational assignment and determination of optical purity of amino acids. The chemical shifts of β-protons of d - and l -alanine fully bound with the Pr(III) ((S,S)-EDDS) complex (δ_bs) and the adduct formation constants of both enantiomers (Ks) were obtained by dependences of the observed downfield shifts of the β-protons on the total concentrations of the respective enantiomers in the presence of a constant concentration of the Pr(III) complex. The difference in the K values was found to be predominant determining factor for the enantiomeric signal separation. The chemical shifts of both enantiomers (δs) and the enantiomeric signal separations (Δδs) under given conditions could be calculated from the δ_b and K values. Furthermore, prediction of the signal separation behavior was enabled by using the calculated δ values and the signal broadening obtained by dependences of the half-height widths of the observed signals on the bound/free substrate concentration ratios for the respective enantiomers.     

Investigations into the enantioselective C-protonation of prostereogenic enolate(s) derived from N,N′-diisopropyl-2-phenylpropanamide using suicide C-based proton sources

The synthesis of enantiomerically enriched (−)-(R)-N, N′-diisopropyl-2-phenylpropanamide was achieved in up to 69% enantiomeric excess by symmetrisation of the corresponding racemic amide by addition of sec-BuLi (to give the corresponding achiral lithium enolate) and subsequent desymmetrisation by the addition of a chiral C-based proton source. We discuss potential factors that may be responsible for this observed enantioselectivity and comment on the role of the chiral acid.     

In situ synthesis of di-n-butyl l-tartrate–boric acid complex chiral selector and its application in chiral microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography

A novel procedure for in situ assembling a complex chiral selector, di-n-butyl l-tartrate–boric acid complex, by the reaction of di-n-butyl l-tartrate with boric acid in a running buffer was reported and its application in the enantioseparation of β-blockers and structural related compounds by chiral microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) has been demonstrated. In order to achieve a good enantioseparation, the effect of dibutyl l-tartrate and sodium tetraborate concentration, surfactant identity and concentration, cosurfactant, buffer pH and composition, organic modifiers, as well as applied voltage and capillary length were investigated. Ten pairs of enantiomers that could not be separated with only dibutyl l-tartrate, obtained good chiral separation using the complex chiral selector; among them, seven pairs could be baseline resolved under optimized experimental conditions. The fixation of chiral centers by the formation of five-membered rings, and being oppositely charged with basic analytes were thought to be the key factors giving the complex chiral selector a superior chiral recognition capability. The effect of the molecular structure of analytes on enantioseparation was discussed in terms of molecular interaction.     

Synthesis of p-amino-N,N′-dihydroxybenzamidine using a TBDMS protecting group protocol

A synthetic route to p-amino-N,N′-dihydroxybenzamidine is established using a TBDMS protecting group strategy starting with p-nitrobenzhydroxamic acid chloride, which is transformed to O,O′-bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-N,N′-dihydroxybenzamidine. Reduction with sodium dithionite occurs without degradation of the dihydroxyamidine functional group. Deprotection with ammonium fluoride is fast and efficient. This is important because no other possibility to synthesize this derivative has been found up to now. Furthermore, TBDMS protecting group strategy is proved to be adaptable to other substituted N,N′-dihydroxybenzamidines.     

Two multidimensional chromatographic methods for enantiomeric analysis of o,p′-DDT and o,p′-DDD in contaminated soil and air in a malaria area of South Africa

In rural parts of South Africa the organochlorine insecticide DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) is still used for malaria vector control where traditional dwellings are sprayed on the inside with small quantities of technical DDT. Since o,p′-DDT may show enantioselective oestrogenicity and biodegradability, it is important to analyse enantiomers of o,p′-DDT and its chiral degradation product, o,p′-DDD, for both health and environmental-forensic considerations. Generally, chiral analysis is performed using heart-cut multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) and, more recently, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC). We developed an off-line gas chromatographic fraction collection (heart-cut) procedure for the selective capturing of the appropriate isomers from a first apolar column, followed by reinjection and separation on a second chiral column. Only the o,p′-isomers of DDT and DDD fractions from the first dimension complex chromatogram (achiral apolar GC column separation) were selectively collected onto a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) multichannel open tubular silicone rubber trap by simply placing the latter device on the flame tip of an inactivated flame ionisation detector (FID). The multichannel trap containing the o,p′-heart-cuts was then thermally desorbed into a GC with time-of-flight mass spectrometry detection (GC–TOFMS) for second dimension enantioselective separation on a chiral column (β-cyclodextrin-based). By selectively capturing only the o,p′-isomers from the complex sample chromatogram, ¹D separation of ultra-trace level enantiomers could be achieved on the second chiral column without matrix interference. Here, we present solventless concentration techniques for extraction of DDT from contaminated soil and air, and report enantiomeric fraction (EF) values of o,p′-DDT and o,p′-DDD obtained by a new multidimensional approach for heart-cut gas chromatographic fraction collection for off-line second dimension enantiomeric separation by ¹D GC–TOFMS of selected isomers. This multidimensional method is compared to the complementary technique of comprehensive GC × GC–TOFMS using the same enantioselective column, this time as the first dimension of separation.     

Enantioselective aza-Diels-Alder reaction of Brassard’s diene with aldimines catalyzed by chiral N,N′-dioxide-Yb(OTf)3 complex

The chiral N,N′-dioxide-Yb(OTf)₃ complex-catalyzed enantioselective aza-Diels-Alder reaction of Brassard’s diene with aldimines has been developed, giving the corresponding α,β-unsaturated δ-lactam derivatives in moderate yields with good enantioselectivities (up to 81% ee and up to 99% ee by single recrystallization) under mild conditions. Isolation of the reaction intermediate indicates that this asymmetric aza-Diels-Alder reaction proceeds through a stepwise Mannich-type pathway.     

NMR in chiral polypeptide liquid crystals: the problem of amines

It is shown that lyotropic liquid crystal mixtures made of poly-γ-benzyl-l-glutamate (PBLG) dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) are efficient anisotropic NMR solvents to distinguish the enantiomers of chiral amines through the effects of the differential ordering of enantiomers. This type of solvent overcomes problems often encountered when dissolving amines into the more conventional PBLG/CHCl₃ or PBLG/CH₂Cl₂ liquid crystals. Furthermore, it is shown that perdeuterobenzyl chloride is an excellent achiral deuterated derivatizing agent for enantiomeric excess measurements of chiral amines in conjunction with the PBLG/DMF solvent.     

Asymmetric addition of trimethylsilylcyanide to N-benzylimines catalyzed by recyclable chiral dimeric V(V) salen complex

Chiral dimeric vanadium (V) salen complex (10 mol%) derived from 5,5-Methylene di-[(S,S)-{N-(3-tert-butyl salicylidine)-N′-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl salicylidene)]-1,2-cyclohexanediamine] with vanadyl suphate followed by auto oxidation was used as efficient catalyst for enantioselective Strecker reaction of N-benzylimines with TMSCN at −30 °C. Excellent yield (92%) of α-aminonitrile and high chiral induction was achieved (ee up to 94%) in case of 2-methoxy substituted N-benzylimines in 10 h. The catalytic system worked well up to four cycles with retention of enantioselectivity.     

Binding modes identification through molecular dynamic simulations: A case study with carnosine enantiomers and the Teicoplanin A2‐2‐based chiral stationary phase

In the present study, an in silico methodology able to define the binding modes adopted by carnosine enantiomers in the setting of the chiral recognition process is described. The inter‐ and intramolecular forces involved in the enantioseparation process with the Teicoplanin A2‐2 chiral selector and carnosine as model compound are successfully identified. This approach fully rationalizes, at a molecular level, the (S) < (R) enantiomeric elution order obtained under reversed‐phase conditions. Consistent explanations were achieved by managing molecular dynamics results with advanced techniques of data analysis. As a result, the time‐dependent identification of all the interactions simultaneously occurring in the chiral selector‐enantiomeric analyte binding process was obtained. Accordingly, it was found that only (R)‐carnosine is able to engage a stabilizing charge–charge interaction through its ionized imidazole ring with the carboxylate counter‐part on the chiral selector. Instead, (S)‐carnosine establishes intramolecular contacts between its ionized functional groups, that limit its conformational freedom and impair the association with the chiral selector unit.     

Efficient synthesis of chiral C2-symmetric diamines via allylboration of bis-N,N′-metallodiimines

An enantioselective synthesis of C₂-symmetric bis-homoallylic aromatic and heteroaromatic diamines in 54-89% yields, in 73-94% de and ?98% ee has been achieved via the allylboration of the corresponding N,N′-bis(trimethylsilyl)dialdimines and N,N′-bis(diisobutylalumino)dialdimines with B-allyldiisopinocampheylborane in the presence of methanol, followed by alkaline hydrogen peroxide workup. One-pot synthesis of stable N,N′-bis(benzaldimine-triethylborane) complexes and subsequent allylboration to afford benzene diamines is also described.     

Investigation of a broadly applicable chiral selector used in enantioselective chromatography (Whelk-O 1) as a chiral solvating agent for NMR determination of enantiomeric composition

A chiral solvating agent (CSA) based on the chiral selector used in the Whelk-O 1 chiral stationary phase (CSP) was prepared and its scope evaluated. This chiral selector possesses a cleft flanked with aromatic groups and produces upfield chemical shifts for analytes, which are held in this cleft. The enantiomers of each of the Whelk-O 1 resolvable analytes surveyed show non-equivalent ¹H NMR spectra at room temperature with the addition of only 0.5 equiv of the CSA. Similar non-equivalence is sometimes noted for enantiomers, which do not resolve on this CSP. In such cases, it is apparent that a hydrogen bond acceptor is required and higher CSA to substrate ratios and/or lower temperatures may be needed if adequate resolution of enantiomeric signals is to be obtained.     

Nonlinear effects in enantioselective chromatography: prediction of unusual elution profiles of enantiomers in non-racemic mixtures on an achiral stationary phase doped with small amounts of a chiral selector

Nonlinear effects caused by molecular association of enantiomers in non-racemic mixtures can cause unexpected effects in chiroptics, NMR spectroscopy, homogeneous catalysis, and chromatography. Herein we present a theoretical model to simulate and verify unusual elution orders of enantiomers on an achiral stationary phase doped with a small amount of a chiral selector or achiral columns coupled with columns doped with a chiral selector. Scenarios with strong, medium, and weak associations of enantiomers, different separation efficiencies typical for flash chromatography and liquid chromatography, and the influence of the enantioselectivity of the chiral selector on the complex equilibria have been investigated. The findings presented here are of importance for the validation of the determination of enantiomeric ratios in not fully separated elution zones as well as for the preparative separation of non-racemic enantiomeric mixtures on chiral stationary phases bonded to achiral matrices.     

Hydrodehalogenation of halogenated pyridines and quinolines by sodium borohydride/N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine under palladium catalysis

A protocol for the hydrodehalogenation of halogenated pyridines and quinolines by the sodium borohydride/N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (NaBH₄-TMEDA) system under palladium catalysts is reported. Catalytic amounts of [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene] dichloropalladium(II) in combination with NaBH₄-TMEDA rapidly hydrodehalogenate chloro(bromo)-pyridines and -quinolines at room temperature in quantitative yields. Chemoselective reduction of 4,7-dichloroquinoline affords 7-chloroquinoline as the sole product in almost quantitative yield. Moreover, palladium(II) acetate-triphenylphosphine and NaBH₄-TMEDA are able to reduce efficiently reactive bromo-pyridines and -quinolines.     

Simplified syntheses of the water-soluble chiral shift reagents Sm-(R)-pdta and Sm-(S)-pdta

The chiral shift reagents Sm-(R)-pdta and Sm-(S)-pdta, which are based on (R)- or (S)-1,2-diaminopropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid were synthesized from easily accessible compounds in three simple steps, which makes the method suitable for laboratory-scale production. In addition, a new and efficient method for the preparation of pure anhydrous (R)- or (S)-1,2-diaminopropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid was developed.     

Asymmetric cyanosilylation of ketones catalyzed by novel chiral N,N′-dioxide titanium complexes

A novel C₂-symmetric chiral N,N′-dioxide titanium complex was described, which could efficiently catalyze the asymmetric cyanosilylation of ketones in high yields with up to 92% ee under mild conditions. In addition, the catalyst system was simple and the ligands could be easily prepared from commercially available chiral amino acid.     

Poly(N,N′-dibromo-N-ethyl-benzene-1,3-disulfonamide), N,N,N′,N′-tetrabromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide and novel poly(N,N′-dibromo-N-phenylbenzene-1,3-disulfonamide) as powerful reagents for benzylic bromination

N,N,N′,N′-Tetrabromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide [TBBDA], poly(N,N′-dibromo-N-ethyl-benzene-1,3-disulfonamide) [PBBS], and novel poly(N,N′-dibromo-N-phenylbenzene-1,3-disulfonamide) [PBPS] can be used for bromination of benzylic positions in solvent.