Iridium complex-catalyzed allylic amination of allylic esters

Iridium complex-catalyzed allylic amination of allylic carbonates was studied. The solvent strongly affected the catalytic activity. The use of a polar solvent such as EtOH is essential for obtaining the products in high yield. The reaction of (E)-3-substituted-2-propenyl carbonate and 1-substituted-2-propenyl carbonate with pyrrolidine in the presence of a catalytic amount of [Ir(COD)Cl](2) and P(OPh)(3) (P/Ir = 2) gave a branch amine with up to 99% selectivity. Both secondary and primary amines could be used for this reaction. When a primary amine was used, selective monoallylation occurred. No diallylation product was obtained. The reaction of 1,1-disubstituted-2-propenyl acetate with amines exclusively gave an alpha,alpha-disubstituted allylic amine. This reaction provides an alternative route to the addition of an organometallic reagent to ketimines for the preparation of such amines. The reaction of (Z)-3-substituted-2-propenyl carbonate with amines gave (Z)-linear amines with up to 100% selectivity. In all cases, no (E)-linear amine was obtained. The selectivities described here have not been achieved in similar palladium complex-catalyzed reactions.     

Enantioselective olefin epoxidation using novel biphenyl and binaphthyl azepines and azepinium salts

Homologous biphenyl and (diastereomeric) binaphthyl tertiary azepines and quaternary iminium salts were prepared from (S)- and (R)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-amine. Both the amines and iminium ions behave as effective catalysts for the enantioselective epoxidation of unfunctionalized olefins (ee up to 87%).     

Asymmetric Petasis Borono‐Mannich Allylation Reactions Catalyzed by Chiral Biphenols

Chiral biphenols catalyze the asymmetric Petasis borono‐Mannich allylation of aldehydes and amines through the use of a bench‐stable allyldioxaborolane. The reaction proceeds via a two‐step, one‐pot process and requires 2–8 mole % of 3,3′‐Ph₂‐BINOL as the optimal catalyst. Under microwave heating the reaction affords chiral homoallylic amines in excellent yields (up to 99 %) and high enantioselectivies (er up to 99:1). The catalytic reaction is a true multicomponent condensation reaction whereas both the aldehyde and the amine can possess a wide range of structural and electronic properties. Use of crotyldioxaborolane in the reaction results in stereodivergent products with anti‐ and syn‐diastereomers both in good diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities from the corresponding E‐ and Z‐borolane stereoisomers.     

An Enantioselective Bidentate Auxiliary Directed Palladium‐Catalyzed Benzylic C−H Arylation of Amines Using a BINOL Phosphate Ligand

A new enantioselective palladium(II)‐catalyzed benzylic C?H arylation reaction of amines is enabled by the bidentate picolinamide (PA) directing group. This reaction provides the first example of enantioselective benzylic γ‐C?H arylations of alkyl amines, and proceeds with up to 97 % ee. The 2,2′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl (BINOL) phosphoric acid ligand, Cs₂CO₃, and solvent‐free conditions are essential for high enantioselectivity. Mechanistic studies suggest that multiple BINOL ligands are involved in the stereodetermining C?H palladation step.     

Facile synthesis of structurally diverse 3,3'-disubstituted 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diamines in optically pure forms

A new synthetic route to 3,3'-dihalo BINAMs based on the direct halogenation of H8-BINAM and subsequent rearomatization to the binaphthyl core has been developed. The combination of this new procedure and Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions enabled us to synthesize various 3,3'-disubstituted BINAMs in only three steps starting from H8-BINAM.     

Synthesis of Novel Monodentate Phosphoramidites and Their Application in Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenations

New monodentate H₈‐binaphthol based phosphoramidites 6 b–i have been prepared. Starting from (S)‐3,3′‐dibromo‐5,5′,6,6′,7,7′,8,8′‐octahydro‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diol 3 , a general protocol for the synthesis of ligands 6 is presented. A small ligand library bearing aryl substituents in the 3,3′‐position of the binaphthol core was synthesized and successfully tested in the iridium‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of 2‐amidocinnamates to obtain different α‐amino acid derivatives in up to 99 % ee.     

Highly enantioselective synthesis of chiral allenes by sequential creation of stereogenic center and chirality transfer in a single pot operation

Chiral allenes are readily accessed in a single pot operation in the reaction of terminal alkynes, aldehydes, chiral secondary amines, and zinc halides in good yields (up to 77% yield) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) in toluene at 120 °C. The reaction proceeds through initial formation of chiral propargylamine intermediates with creation of a new stereogenic center and subsequent chirality transfer via an intramolecular hydride shift to produce chiral allenes with high enantiomeric purities.     

Enantioselective Pictet-Spengler Reactions of Isatins for the Synthesis of Spiroindolones

The condensation cyclization between isatins and 5-methoxy tryptamine catalyzed by chiral phosphoric acids provides spirooxindole tetrahydro-β-carboline products in excellent yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivity (up to 98:2 er). A comparison of catalysts provides insight for the substrate scope and factors responsible for efficient catalytic activity and selectivity in the spirocyclization. Chiral phosphoric acids with different 3,3′-substitution on the binaphthyl system and opposite axial chirality afford the spiroindolone product with the same absolute configuration.     

Construction of Optically Active Quaternary Propargyl Amines by Highly Enantioselective Zinc/BINOL‐Catalyzed Alkynylation of Ketoimines

A general and efficient method for the highly enantioselective alkynylation of ketoimines through a zinc/1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol (BINOL)‐catalyzed process has been developed. A variety of ketoimines, including α‐fluoroalkyl α‐imine esters, α‐aryl α‐imine esters, and trifluoromethyl aryl ketoimines, are applicable and provide their corresponding quaternary propargyl amines in excellent yields with high ee values (up to 99 % ee). Both the steric and electronic effects of substituents at the 3,3′ positions of BINOL are critical for the reaction efficiency and enantioselectivity. To demonstrate the usefulness of the method, (R)‐α‐CF₃ α‐proline has been prepared in a highly efficient manner. The notable features of this protocol are its broad substrate scope, high reaction efficiency (up to 99 %) and enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee), low catalyst loading (5 mol % of BINOL derivative), and mild reaction conditions.     

Transition-Metal Free Electrophilic Aminations of Polyfunctional O-2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyl Hydroxylamines with Zinc and Magnesium Organometallics

We reported a new electrophilic amination of various primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl, benzylic, allylic zinc and magnesium organometallics with O-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl hydroxylamines (O-TBHAs) in 52–99 % yield. These O-TBHAs displayed an excellent long-term stability and were readily prepared from various highly functionalized secondary amines via a convenient 3 step procedure. The amination reactions showed remarkable chemoselectivity proceeding without any transition-metal catalyst and were usually complete after 1–3 h reaction time at 25 °C. Furthermore, this electrophilic amination also provided access to enantioenriched tertiary amines (up to 88 % ee) by using optically enriched secondary alkylmagnesium reagents of the type s-AlkylMgCH₂SiMe₃.     

Synthesis of Highly Enantioenriched Sulfonimidoyl Fluorides and Sulfonimidamides by Stereospecific Sulfur–Fluorine Exchange (SuFEx) Reaction

Sulfonimidamides present exciting opportunities as chiral isosteres of sulfonamides, with potential for additional directional interactions. Here, we present the first modular enantioselective synthesis of sulfonimidamides, including the first stereoselective synthesis of enantioenriched sulfonimidoyl fluorides, and studies on their reactivity. A new route to sulfonimidoyl fluorides is presented from solid bench-stable, N-Boc-sulfinamide (Boc=tert-butyloxycarbonyl) salt building blocks. Enantioenriched arylsulfonimidoyl fluorides are shown to be readily racemised by fluoride ions. Conditions are developed, which trap fluoride and enable the stereospecific reaction of sulfonimidoyl fluorides with primary and secondary amines (100 % es, es=enantiospecificity) generating sulfonimidamides with up to 99 % ee. Aryl and alkyl sulfonimidoyl fluoride reagents are suitable for mild late stage functionalisation reactions, exemplified by coupling with a selection of complex amines in marketed drugs.     

Enantioselective hydrogenation of aromatic ketones catalyzed by Ru complexes of Goodwin-Lions-type sp2N/sp3N hybrid ligands R-BINAN-R'-Py

Goodwin-Lions-type sp2N/sp3N hybrid ligands R-BINAN-R'-Py possessing a C2 axis binaphthyl skeleton have been designed and synthesized. Combination of the new non-phosphine ligand with Ru(pi-CH2C(CH3)CH2)2(cod) has been revealed to catalyze the hydrogenation of aromatic ketones with high enantioselectivity of up to 99% ee. The reaction proceeds essentially without the need for any bases, but the reactivity is enhanced by the addition of KOt-C4H9 attaining an S/C ratio of up to 10 000. The success should expand the range of possibilities in designing catalysts not only for hydrogenation but also for many other reactions.     

Study on the electronic effects on stereoconservativity of Suzuki coupling in chiral groove of binaphthyl

Suzuki diarylation of enantiopure 2,2′-diiodo-1,1′-binaphthyl catalyzed by triphenylphosphane palladium complex is accompanied by almost complete racemization of binaphthyl moiety (7% e.e.). Based on formerly proposed mechanism, secondary oxidative addition of Pd(II) to Pd(IV)-complex, competitive to transmetallation, is expected to be responsible for racemization. In accordance with it, racemization pathway can be suppressed in the favour of stereoconservative route by electronic factors, which control the rate of oxidative addition. Among the electronic factors, decreasing donating ability of the tested phosphane ligands resulted in increase of e.e. of the diarylated product up to 65%, using triindol-1-ylphosphane. However, this factor slows down also the rate of the primary oxidative addition that lowers the yield of the diarylated product. Further decrease in donating ability of the ligand makes palladium complex almost inactive in this cross-coupling reaction. Effect of the leaving group of binaphthyl 2,2′-dielectrophile (as a matter of the reactivity of C-X bond towards oxidative addition) was found to be even more dramatic: almost stereoconservative route in case of 2,2′-dibromo-1,1′-binaphthyl (95% e.e.), but no reaction in case of corresponding ditriflate.     

1,1'-Binaphthyl-2,2'-diyl phosphoroselenoyl chloride as a chiral molecular tool for the preparation of enantiomerically pure alcohols and amines

Enantiomerically pure phosphoroselenoyl chloride bearing a binaphthyl group was synthesized. This phosphoroselenoyl chloride was used to discriminate and resolve simple secondary alcohols. Stereospecific conversions of diastereomerically pure phosphoroselenoic acid esters, obtained by reaction of the chloride with simple secondary alcohols, to enantiomerically pure alcohols and amines were also achieved.     

Diastereoselective addition of amines to vinyl sulfone modified carbohydrates: a highly flexible methodology for the synthesis of new classes of deoxyaminosugars

Methyl 2,3-dideoxy-4,6-O-(phenylmethylene)-3-C-phenylsulfonyl-alpha- D-erythro-hex-2-enopyranoside (5 alpha) and methyl 2,3-dideoxy-4,6-O-(phenylmethylene)-3-C-phenylsulfonyl- beta-D-erythro-hex-2-enopyranoside (5 beta) have been subjected to Michael addition reaction with various amines to develop a new methodology for the synthesis of new classes of aminosugars. Compound 5 alpha reacted with primary amines to generate gluco- derivatives, but secondary amines produced both gluco- (major) and manno- (minor) isomers. Compound 5 beta, on the other hand, produced only gluco- isomers with both primary and secondary amines. The stereochemical course of addition of some of the amines to 5 alpha and 5 beta are significantly different from that of the addition of amines to 3-nitroenopyranoses. The present route to the syntheses of various aminosugars with gluco- configurations from 5 alpha and 5 beta constitutes a novel method for the introduction of N-monoalkylated and N,N-dialkylated amines to the C-2 carbon of pyranoses in equatorial configurations.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of 3-monosubstituted oxindoles to (E)-1,4-diaryl-2-buten-1,4-diones: a strategy for the indirect enantioselective furanylation and pyrrolylation of 3-alkyloxindoles

An asymmetric conjugate addition of 3-monosubstituted oxindoles to a range of (E)-1,4-diaryl-2-buten-1,4-diones, catalyzed by commercially available cinchonine, is described. This organocatalytic asymmetric reaction affords a broad range of 3,3'-disubstituted oxindoles that contain a 1,4-dicarbonyl moiety and vicinal quaternary and tertiary stereogenic centers in high-to-excellent yields (up to 98%), with excellent diastereomeric and moderate-to-high enantiomeric ratios (up to 99:1 and 95:5, respectively). Subsequently, cyclization of the 1,4-dicarbonyl moiety in the resultant Michael adducts under different Paal-Knorr conditions results in two new kinds of 3,3'-disubstituted oxindoles--3-furanyl- and 3-pyrrolyl-3-alkyl-oxindoles--in high yields and good enantioselectivities. Notably, the studies presented here sufficiently confirm that this two-step strategy of sequential conjugate addition/Paal-Knorr cyclization is not only an attractive method for the indirect enantioselective heteroarylation of 3-alkyloxindoles, but also opens up new avenues toward asymmetric synthesis of structurally diverse 3,3'-disubstituted oxindole derivatives.     

Oxidative Asymmetric Aza‐Friedel–Crafts Alkylation of Indoles with 3‐Indolinone‐2‐carboxylates Catalyzed by a BINOL Phosphoric Acid and Promoted by DDQ

An asymmetric aza‐Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction between indoles and indolenines that were derived in situ from 3‐indolinone‐2‐carboxylates has been developed by using 3,3′‐bis(triphenylsilyl)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diyl hydrogen phosphate as a catalyst. The reaction proceeded under mild conditions and provided chiral indol‐3‐yl‐3‐indolinone‐2‐carboxylate derivatives in good yields with excellent ee values (up to 98.6 %). Similarly, the Mannich‐type addition of indoline‐3‐ones to indolenines provided heterodimers with vicinal chiral quaternary centers. This method was successfully applied to the construction of the core structure of trigonoliimine C.     

Masked 3-aminoindan-1-ones by a palladium-catalyzed three-component annulation reaction

A new palladium(0)-catalyzed three-component reaction involving a set of salicylic aldehyde triflates, ethylene glycol vinyl ether, and various secondary nucleophilic amines has been developed. Through systematic optimization experiments using multivariate design, the conditions effecting robust and convenient one-pot generation of protected 3-aminoindan-1-ones were identified. A reaction route involving an initial internal Heck arylation of the hydroxyalkyl vinyl ether, iminium ion formation, and subsequent tandem cyclization is invoked to explain the selective formation of the isolated tertiary 3-aminoindan acetals. Hydrogenolysis of orthogonally blocked 3-aminoindan-1-ones delivered primary or secondary amines after 10-20 min of microwave heating.     

General stereoretentive preparation of chiral secondary mixed alkylmagnesium reagents and their use for enantioselective electrophilic aminations

A general preparation of enantiomerically and diastereomerically enriched secondary alkylmagnesium reagents was reported as well as their use for performing highly stereoselective transition-metal free electrophilic aminations leading to α-chiral amines in up to 97% ee. Thus, the reaction of t-BuLi (2.2 equiv.) with a mixture of chiral secondary alkyl iodides and the commercially available magnesium reagent Me₃SiCH₂MgCl in a 2 : 1 mixture of pentane and diethyl ether at up to −50 °C provided optically enriched secondary mixed alkylmagnesium species of the type alkyl(Me)CHMgCH₂SiMe₃ with high retention of configuration (up to 99% ee). The resulting enantiomerically enriched dialkylmagnesium reagents were trapped with electrophiles such as non-enolizable ketones, aldehydes, acid chlorides, isocyanates, chlorophosphines and O-benzoyl hydroxylamines providing α-chiral tertiary alcohols, ketones, amides, phosphines and tertiary amines in up to 89% yield (over three reaction steps) and up to 99% ee.

We report a general method for the preparation of enantiomerically enriched secondary alkylmagnesium reagents, which undergo highly stereoselective transition-metal free electrophilic aminations, leading to α-chiral amines in up to 97% ee.     

Design and Catalytic Asymmetric Construction of Axially Chiral 3,3′‐Bisindole Skeletons

The first catalytic asymmetric construction of 3,3′‐bisindole skeletons bearing both axial and central chirality has been established by organocatalytic asymmetric addition reactions of 2‐substituted 3,3′‐bisindoles with 3‐indolylmethanols (up to 98 % yield, all >95:5 d.r., >99 % ee). This reaction also represents the first highly enantioselective construction of axially chiral 3,3′‐bisindole skeletons, and utilizes the strategy of introducing a bulky group to the ortho‐position of prochiral 3,3′‐bisindoles. This reaction not only provides a good example for simultaneously controlling axial and central chirality in one operation, but also serves as a new strategy for catalytic enantioselective construction of axially chiral 3,3′‐bisindole backbones from prochiral substrates.