A Cationic Ruthenium Complex for the Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols

A synthetic protocol making use of a well‐defined cationic ruthenium complex 2 enabling the racemization of enantiomerically pure secondary alcohols in the presence of a weak base (K₂CO₃) is described. The compatibility of 2 with Candida Antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435) allows the development of an efficient dynamic kinetic resolution of sec‐alcohols in the absence of an additional strong base. This procedure involves the first example of a dynamic kinetic resolution of alcohols in the presence of a cationic ruthenium catalyst. In addition, we describe the conversion of ketones to the enantioenriched acetates in a one‐pot reaction, probing the versatility of complex 2 .     

Iterative tandem catalysis of racemic AB monomers

Racemic AB monomers encompassing a secondary hydroxy group and a methyl ester moiety were synthesized and converted to chiral polyesters by iterative tandem catalysis (ITC). The concurrent action of an enantioselective acylation catalyst (Novozym 435) and a racemization catalyst (Ru(Shvo)) results in the high conversion of the racemic monomers to enantio‐enriched polymers. Several factors are important for attaining high ee's and high molecular weights. The enantioselectivities observed for the novel AB monomers by Novozym 435 are high enough at 70 °C (E ratio ≥ 200) for the monomers to be useful for ITC. ITC of methyl 6‐hydroxyheptanoate showed that a catalyst loading of ～1.4 mol % Ru(Shvo), 25 mg Novozym 435/mmol AB monomer, and 0.5 mmol DMP/mmol monomer employing a monomer concentration of 1 mol/L gave a monomer conversion of 94%, an ee of 91%, and an M_p of 6.0 kg/mol. Application of these conditions to the other AB monomers revealed the sensitivity of the system. Reduced enantioselectivities were observed when longer reaction times were required for attaining high conversions. These long reaction times were necessary due to the slow (or absent) racemization activity of the Ru(Shvo) catalyst as a result of catalyst deactivation. Since quantitative conversions are crucial to attain high molecular weight polymers in polycondensation reactions, we could significantly improve the system by switching to isopropyl esters of the AB monomers and/or by strict exclusion of oxygen during the ITC. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2721–2733, 2008     

(S)‐Selective Kinetic Resolution and Chemoenzymatic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols

(S)‐Selective kinetic resolution was achieved through the use of a commercially available protease, which was activated with a combination of two different surfactants. The kinetic resolution (KR) process was optimized with respect to activation of the protease and to the acyl donor. The KR proved to be compatible with a range of functionalized sec‐alcohols, giving good to high enantiomeric ratio values (up to >200). The enzymatic resolution was combined with a ruthenium‐catalyzed racemization to give an (S)‐selective dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of sec‐alcohols. The DKR process works under very mild reaction conditions to give the corresponding esters in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.     

Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Homoallylic Alcohols: Application to the Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure 5,6‐Dihydropyran‐2‐ones and δ‐Lactones

Dynamic kinetic resolution of various homoallylic alcohols with the use of Candida antarctica lipase B and ruthenium catalyst 2 afforded homoallylic acetates in high yields and with high enantioselectivity. These enantiopure acetates were further transformed into homoallylic acrylates after hydrolysis of the ester function and subsequent DMAP‐catalyzed esterification with acryloyl chloride. After ring‐closing metathesis 5,6‐dihydropyran‐2‐ones were obtained in good yields. Selective hydrogenation of the carbon? carbon double bond afforded the corresponding δ‐lactones without loss of chiral information.     

Dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols combining enzyme-catalyzed transesterification and zeolite-catalyzed racemization

Hydrophobic zeolite beta containing low concentrations of Zr or Al was found to be a good catalyst for the racemization of 1-phenylethanol. The formation of styrene as a side product could be minimized by reducing the metal concentration in the zeolite beta. Combined with an immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica, the dynamic kinetic resolution of 1-phenylethanol to the (R)-phenylethylester can be achieved with high yield and selectivity. The reaction was best conducted in toluene as solvent at 60 degrees C, with higher temperatures leading to a loss in the enantioselectivity of the formed ester. By using high-molecular-weight acyl-transfer reagents, such as vinyl butyrate or vinyl octanoate, a high enantiomeric excess of the product esters of 92 and 98 %, respectively, could be achieved. This is attributed to a steric effect: the bulky ester is less able to enter the pore space of the zeolite catalyst where the active sites for racemization are localized. Close to 100 % conversion of the alcohol was achieved within 2 h. If the more common acyl donor, isopropenyl acetate, was used, the enantiomeric excess (ee) of the formed ester was only 67 %, and the reaction was considerably slower.     

Tuning of the electronic properties of a cyclopentadienylruthenium catalyst to match racemization of electron-rich and electron-deficient alcohols

The synthesis of a new series of cyclopentadienylruthenium catalysts with varying electronic properties and their application in racemization of secondary alcohols are described. These racemizations involve two key steps: 1) β-hydride elimination (dehydrogenation) and 2) re-addition of the hydride to the intermediate ketone. The results obtained confirm our previous theory that the electronic properties of the substrate determine which of these two steps is rate determining. For an electron-deficient alcohol the rate-determining step is the β-hydride elimination (dehydrogenation), whereas for an electron-rich alcohol the re-addition of the hydride becomes the rate-determining step. By matching the electronic properties of the catalyst with the electronic properties of the alcohol, we have now shown that a dramatic increase in racemization rate can be obtained. For example, electron-deficient alcohol 15 racemized 30 times faster with electron-deficient catalyst 6 than with the unmodified standard catalyst 4. The application of these protocols will extend the scope of cyclopentadienylruthenium catalysts in racemization and dynamic kinetic resolution.     

Highly efficient synthesis of enantiopure diacetylated C(2)-symmetric diols by ruthenium- and enzyme-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT)

Highly efficient synthesis of enantiopure diacetates of 2,4-pentanediol and 2,5-hexanediol starting from commercially available mixtures of the diols (dl/meso approximately 1:1) has been realized by combining a fast ruthenium-catalyzed epimerization with an enzymatic transesterification. The in situ coupling of these two processes produces the diacetates in high yield in >99 % enantiomeric excess.     

Acid Zeolites as Alcohol Racemization Catalysts: Screening and Application in Biphasic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

Acid zeolites were screened as heterogeneous catalysts for racemization of benzylic alcohols. The most promising zeolites appeared to be H‐Beta zeolites, for which the optimal reaction conditions were studied in further detail. The zeolite performance was compared to that of homogeneous acids and acid resins under similar reaction conditions. In a second part of the research, H‐Beta zeolites were applied in dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of 1‐phenylethanol, which was conducted by means of a two‐phase approach and which resulted in yields smoothly crossing the 50 % border up to 90 %, with an enantiomeric excess of >99 %. To explore the applicability of this biphasic methodology, several other substrates were examined in the standard racemization reaction and in the biphasic dynamic kinetic resolution.     

Lipase‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of C1‐ and C2‐Symmetric Racemic Axially Chiral 2,2′‐Dihydroxy‐1,1′‐biaryls

We have discovered that the racemization of configurationally stable, axially chiral 2,2′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐biaryls proceeds with a catalytic amount of a cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complex at 35–50 °C. Combining this racemization procedure with lipase‐catalyzed kinetic resolution led to the first lipase/metal‐integrated dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic axially chiral biaryl compounds. The method was applied to the synthesis of various enantio‐enriched C₁‐ and C₂‐symmetric biaryl diols in yields of up to 98 % and enantiomeric excesses of up to 98 %, which paves the way for new developments in the field of asymmetric synthesis.     

A Chemoenzymatic Approach to Enantiomerically Pure Amines Using Dynamic Kinetic Resolution: Application to the Synthesis of Norsertraline

Dynamic transformation : A racemization catalyst and the enzyme Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) were combined in a one‐pot dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of primary amines, which were transformed to their corresponding amides in up to 95 % yield and >99 % ee. This chemoenzymatic DKR was also applied to the synthesis of norsertraline (see scheme).

     

选择性催化混合单体制备多组分聚酯的研究进展

以聚乳酸和聚碳酸酯等为代表的生物可降解高分子材料已被应用于包装材料和生物医用等领域.然而受链段结构的影响,这类均聚物材料在实际应用中受到了一定限制.将不同性质聚合物链段通过共价键连接形成的嵌段共聚物具有组分均匀、性能可控等优点,是优化材料性能的一种方法.本文概述了环酯、环氧化物和CO2(或环状酸酐)的多元共聚反应合成嵌...     

Asymmetric catalysis by chiral hydrogen-bond donors

Hydrogen bonding is responsible for the structure of much of the world around us. The unusual and complex properties of bulk water, the ability of proteins to fold into stable three-dimensional structures, the fidelity of DNA base pairing, and the binding of ligands to receptors are among the manifestations of this ubiquitous noncovalent interaction. In addition to its primacy as a structural determinant, hydrogen bonding plays a crucial functional role in catalysis. Hydrogen bonding to an electrophile serves to decrease the electron density of this species, activating it toward nucleophilic attack. This principle is employed frequently by Nature's catalysts, enzymes, for the acceleration of a wide range of chemical processes. Recently, organic chemists have begun to appreciate the tremendous potential offered by hydrogen bonding as a mechanism for electrophile activation in small-molecule, synthetic catalyst systems. In particular, chiral hydrogen-bond donors have emerged as a broadly applicable class of catalysts for enantioselective synthesis. This review documents these advances, emphasizing the structural and mechanistic features that contribute to high enantioselectivity in hydrogen-bond-mediated catalytic processes.