Asymmetric sulfonium ylide mediated cyclopropanation: stereocontrolled synthesis of (+)-LY354740

The reaction of ester-stabilized sulfonium ylides with cyclopentenone to give (+)-5 ((1S,5R,6S)-ethyl 2-oxobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-6-carboxylate), an important precursor to the pharmacologically important compound (+)-LY354740, has been studied using chiral sulfides operating in both catalytic (sulfide, Cu(acac)2, ethyl diazoacetate, 60 degrees C) and stoichiometric modes (sulfonium salt, base, room temperature). It was found that the reaction conditions employed had a major influence over both diastereo- and enantioselectivity. Under catalytic conditions, good enantioselectivity with low diastereoselectivity was observed, but under stoichiometric conditions low enantioselectivity with high diastereoselectivity was observed. When the stoichiometric reactions were conducted at high dilution, diastereoselectivity was reduced. This indicated that base-mediated betaine equilibration was occurring (which is slow relative to ring closure at high dilution). Based on this model, conditions for achieving high enantioselectivity were established as follows: use of a preformed ylide, absence of base, hindered ester (to reduce ylide-mediated betaine equilibration), and low concentration. Under these conditions high enantioselectivity (95 % ee) was achieved, albeit with low diastereocontrol. Our model for selectivity has been applied to other sulfonium ylide mediated cyclopropanation reactions and successfully accounts for the diastereoselectivity observed in all such reported reactions to date.     

The complexity of catalysis: origins of enantio- and diastereocontrol in sulfur ylide mediated epoxidation reactions

The reaction of chiral sulfur ylides with aldehydes and ketones has emerged as a useful asymmetric process for the synthesis of epoxides. Processes employing either catalytic or stoichiometric amounts of sulfides have been developed. Although a large number of chiral sulfur ylides have been tested in the epoxidation process, only a few have delivered high diastereo- and enantio- selectivity. This review examines the factors that influence stereocontrol (steric hindrance of the sulfide, ylide conformation, ylide face selectivity, reversibility of betaine formation, solvent, and metal salts). This analysis leads to the conclusion that high reversibility in betaine formation leads to high diastereoselectivity but low enantioselectivity, and non-reversible betaine formation leads to low diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivity (provided that other criteria are met). To achieve both high diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivity simultaneously, requires non-reversible formation of the anti-betaine and reversible formation of the syn-betaine. Thus, factors that influence the degree of reversibility in betaine formation are critically important since with subtle changes in reaction conditions (solvent, temperature, metal ions) both high enantio- and diastereoselectivity can often be achieved.     

A new protocol for the in situ generation of aromatic,heteroaromatic, and unsaturated diazo compounds and its application in catalytic and asymmetric epoxidation of carbonyl compounds. Extensive studies to map out scope and limitations,and rationalization of diastereo- and enantioselectivities

A variety of metalated tosylhydrazone salts derived from benzaldehyde have been prepared and were reacted with benzaldehyde in the presence of tetrahydrothiophene (THT) (20 mol %) and Rh(2)(OAc)(4) (1 mol %) to give stilbene oxide. Of the lithium, sodium, and potassium salts tested, the sodium salt was found to give the highest yield and selectivity. This study was extended to a wide variety of aromatic, heteroaromatic, aliphatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated, and acetylenic aldehydes and to ketones. On the whole, high yields of epoxides with moderate to very high diastereoselectivities were observed. A broad range of tosylhydrazone salts derived from aromatic, heteroaromatic, and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes was also examined using the same protocol in reactions with benzaldehyde, and again, good yields and high diastereoselectivities were observed in most cases. Thus, a general process for the in situ generation of diazo compounds from tosylhydrazone sodium salts has been established and applied in sulfur-ylide mediated epoxidation reactions. The chiral, camphor-derived, [2.2.1] bicyclic sulfide 7 was employed (at 5-20 mol % loading) to render the above processes asymmetric with a range of carbonyl compounds and tosylhydrazone sodium salts. Benzaldehyde tosylhydrazone sodium salt gave enantioselectivities of 91 +/- 3% ee and high levels of diastereoselectivity with a range of aldehydes. However, tosylhydrazone salts derived from a range of carbonyl compounds gave more variable selectivities. Although those salts derived from electron-rich or neutral aldehydes gave high enantioselectivities, those derived from electron-deficient or hindered aromatic aldehydes gave somewhat reduced enantioselectivities. Using alpha,beta-unsaturated hydrazones, chiral sulfide 7 gave epoxides with high diastereoselectivities, but only moderate yields were achieved (12-56%) with varying degrees of enantioselectivity. A study of solvent effects showed that, while the impact on enantioselectivity was small, the efficiency of diazo compound generation was influenced, and CH(3)CN and 1,4-dioxane emerged as the optimum solvents. A general rationalization of the factors that influence both relative and absolute stereochemistry for all of the different substrates is provided. Reversibility in formation of the betaine intermediate is an important issue in the control of diastereoselectivity. Hence, where low diastereocontrol was observed, the results have been rationalized in terms of the factors that contribute to the reduced reversion of the syn betaine back to the original starting materials. The enantioselectivity is governed by ylide conformation, facial selectivity in the ylide reaction, and, again, the degree of reversibility in betaine formation. From experimental evidence and calculations, it has been shown that sulfide 7 gives almost complete control of facial selectivity, and, hence, it is the ylide conformation and degree of reversibility that are responsible for the enantioselectivity observed. A simple test has been developed to ascertain whether the reduced enantioselectivity observed in particular cases is due to poor control in ylide conformation or due to partial reversibility in the formation of the betaine.     

Asymmetric Sulfonium Ylide Mediated Cyclopropanation: Stereocontrolled Synthesis of (+)‐LY354740

The reaction of ester‐stabilized sulfonium ylides with cyclopentenone to give (+)‐ 5 ((1S,5R,6S)‐ethyl 2‐oxobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane‐6‐carboxylate), an important precursor to the pharmacologically important compound (+)‐LY354740, has been studied using chiral sulfides operating in both catalytic (sulfide, Cu(acac)₂, ethyl diazoacetate, 60 °C) and stoichiometric modes (sulfonium salt, base, room temperature). It was found that the reaction conditions employed had a major influence over both diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity. Under catalytic conditions, good enantioselectivity with low diastereoselectivity was observed, but under stoichiometric conditions low enantioselectivity with high diastereoselectivity was observed. When the stoichiometric reactions were conducted at high dilution, diastereoselectivity was reduced. This indicated that base‐mediated betaine equilibration was occurring (which is slow relative to ring closure at high dilution). Based on this model, conditions for achieving high enantioselectivity were established as follows: use of a preformed ylide, absence of base, hindered ester (to reduce ylide‐mediated betaine equilibration), and low concentration. Under these conditions high enantioselectivity (95 % ee) was achieved, albeit with low diastereocontrol. Our model for selectivity has been applied to other sulfonium ylide mediated cyclopropanation reactions and successfully accounts for the diastereoselectivity observed in all such reported reactions to date.     

Asymmetric synthesis of cyclopropyl phosphonates using chiral terpenyl sulfonium and selenonium ylides

The asymmetric cyclopropanation of a vinylphosphonate using optically active sulfonium and selenonium ylides derived from (−)-menthol and (+)-limonene was developed. The ylides were generated in situ by the reaction of the corresponding sulfonium or selenonium salt in the presence of potassium carbonate or DBU as a base. The transfer of the CHPh and CHCO₂Et groups into the cyclopropane ring showed moderate diastereoselectivity and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99:1) for the trans- and cis-products. The absolute configuration of phenyl cyclopropyl was assigned based on comparison to their tolyl analogues.     

Enantioselective organocatalytic cyclopropanations. The identification of a new class of iminium catalyst based upon directed electrostatic activation

A new method for enantioselective organocatalytic cyclopropanation is described. This study outlines the identification of a new class of iminium catalyst based on the concept of directed electrostatic activation (DEA). This novel organocatalytic mechanism exploits dual activation of ylide and enal substrates through a proposed electrostatic activation and stereodirected protocol. Formation of trisubstituted cyclopropanes with high levels of enantio- and diastereoinduction is accomplished for a variety of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and sulfonium ylides. In addition, mechanistic studies have found that this cyclopropanation reaction exhibits enantioselectivity and reactivity profiles that are in accord with the proposed DEA step.     

Asymmetric addition of alkylzinc reagents to cyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and a tandem enantioselective addition/diastereoselective epoxidation with dioxygen

Although over 100 catalysts have been reported to catalyze the asymmetric addition of alkyl groups to aldehydes, these catalysts fail to promote additions to ketones with >90% enantioselectivity. This paper describes the asymmetric 1,2-addition of alkyl groups to conjugated cyclic enones to give allylic alcohols with chiral quaternary centers. The resultant allylic alcohols are converted into epoxy alcohols with excellent diastereoselectivities. Treatment of the epoxy alcohols with BF3.OEt2 induces a semipinacol rearrangement to provide alpha,alpha-dialkyl-beta-hydroxy ketones with all-carbon chiral quaternary centers. We also report a one-pot procedure for the asymmetric addition/diastereoselective epoxidation reaction. Simply exposing the reaction mixture to dioxygen after the asymmetric addition reaction is complete results in epoxidation of the allylic alcohol with high diastereoselectivity.     

Stereoselective Cyclopropanation of 2‐[(S)‐(4‐Methylphenyl)sulfinyl]cyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐one with Sulfur Ylides and α‐Halo Carbanions. Preliminary Communication

The cyclopropanation of the title compound (S)‐ 2 with various sulfur ylides has been examined. The reaction with methylenesulfonium ylides gave the corresponding cyclopropanes 4 with low diastereoselectivity. The formation of the second product 5 arising from the subsequent methylenation of the CO group was also observed. A clean cyclopropanation of (S)‐ 2 took place with ethyl (dimethylsulfanylidene)acetate affording the cyclopropanes 6 , with high π‐facial selectivity, but low endo/exo ratio. A high endo/exo selectivity, but low π‐facial selectivity was observed in the reaction of (S)‐ 2 with (2‐ethoxy‐2‐oxoethyl)(diphenyl)sulfonium tetrafluoroborate. The use of α‐bromoacetate carbanion as the cyclopropanation reagent resulted in the formation of 6 with very high facial and endo/exo‐selectivity. In a proposed explanation of the stereochemical outcome of the cyclopropanations investigated, the ground‐state conformation of the sulfoxide 2 and the transition‐state structure of the initial addition step were taken into account.     

Two-Step Synthesis of trans-2-Arylcyclopropane Carboxylates with 98–100 % ee by the Use of a Phosphazene Base

Only the axial diastereomer of sulfonium salts 2 are formed upon alkylation of 1 . Deprotonation of 2 results in ylides, which allow the highly enantioselective cyclopropanation of Michael systems. The chiral auxiliary 1 is recovered and can be reused.     

Experimental demonstration of base-catalyzed interconversion of isomeric betaine intermediates in the Corey-Chaykovsky epoxidation

The collapse of hydroxysulfonium salts has been examined as a model for the epoxidation of aldehydes. The anti diastereomer reacted with retention of stereochemistry and no crossover, while the syn diastereomer gave crossover products along with cis and trans epoxides. Deprotonation and reprotonation on the carbon of the alpha-hydroxy sulfonium ylide is presumed responsible for production of the trans epoxide. This reaction pathway has been proposed to explain losses of enantioselectivity but never directly observed.     

Rhodium(I)/Zn(OTf)2‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Ring Opening/Cyclopropanation of Oxabenzonorbornadienes with Phosphorus Ylides

The strong binding ability of P‐ylides with transition metals limits the utilization of stabilized P‐ylide as nucleophiles in asymmetric organometallic catalysis. Herein we describe the first rhodium‐catalyzed asymmetric ring‐opening reaction of P‐ylides utilizing oxabicyclic alkenes as the electrophilic partner. Various P‐ylides including ester‐, ketone‐ and amide‐style P‐ylides are all applicable. This asymmetric reaction occurs through the cleavage of two bridgehead C?O bonds and the formation of two C?C bonds, and oxabenzonorbornadienes are used as 1,4‐biselectrophiles, thus providing access to benzonorcaradienes in good yields with high enantioselectivity and perfect diastereoselectivity. The present protocol also constitutes the first highly enantioselective direct catalytic asymmetric cyclopropanation of stabilized P‐ylide nucleophiles.     

Quantification of the electrophilic reactivities of aldehydes, imines, and enones

The rates of the epoxidation reactions of aldehydes, of the aziridination reactions of aldimines, and of the cyclopropanation reactions of α,β-unsaturated ketones with aryl-stabilized dimethylsulfonium ylides have been determined photometrically in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). All of these sulfur ylide-mediated cyclization reactions as well as the addition reactions of stabilized carbanions to N-tosyl-activated aldimines have been shown to follow a second-order rate law, where the rate constants reflect the (initial) CC bond formation between nucleophile and electrophile. The derived second-order rate constants (log k(2)) have been combined with the known nucleophilicity parameters (N, s(N)) of the aryl-stabilized sulfur ylides 4a,b and of the acceptor-substituted carbanions 4c-h to calculate the electrophilicity parameters E of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes (1a-i), N-acceptor-substituted aromatic aldimines (2a-e), and α,β-unsaturated ketones (3a-f) according to the linear free-energy relationship log k(2) = s(N)(N + E) as defined in J. Am. Chem. Soc.2001, 123, 9500-9512. The data reported in this work provide the first quantitative comparison of the electrophilic reactivities of aldehydes, imines, and simple Michael acceptors in DMSO with carbocations and cationic metal-π complexes within our comprehensive electrophilicity scale.     

Etude de la reactivite d'ylures de sulfonium et de pyridinium stabilises par un groupement cyanoformyle

The sulfonium and pyridinium ylides stabilized by a cyanoformyl group, in an acidic medium, lead to sulfonium and pyridinium salts which are equivalents of pyridinium or sulfonium ketene salts. This originality has been used to prepare new stabilized ylides, or derivatives of substituted arylacetic acids or 4-hydroxy thiazoles.     

Carboxylate-stabilised sulfur ylides (thetin salts) in asymmetric epoxidation for the synthesis of glycidic acids. Mechanism and implications

The reaction of carboxylate-stabilised sulfur ylides (thetin salts) with aldehydes and ketones has been investigated. Using both achiral and chiral sulfur ylides, good yields were obtained with dimsylsodium or LHMDS as bases in DMSO or THF-DMSO mixtures. However, the enantioselectivities observed with a camphor-based sulfide were only moderate (up to 67%). The reaction was studied mechanistically by independent generation of the betaine (via the hydroxyl sulfonium salt) in the presence of a more reactive aldehyde, which resulted in incorporation of the more reactive aldehyde and showed that betaine formation was reversible. Thus, the moderate enantiomeric excess observed is a consequence of the enantiodifferentiating step being the ring closure step rather than the betaine forming step. We had expected betaine formation might be non-reversible because a carboxylate-stabilised ylide has only slightly higher stability than a phenyl-stabilised ylide, which does largely react non-reversibly with aldehydes. Evidently, a carboxylate-stabilised ylide is significantly more stable than a phenyl-stabilised ylide and as such reacts reversibly with aldehydes.     

Tetrazolic acid functionalized dihydroindol: rational design of a highly selective cyclopropanation organocatalyst

Herein we wish to report our development of an improved catalyst (S)-(-)-indoline-2-yl-1H-tetrazole (1) for the enantioselective organocatalyzed cyclopropanation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes with sulfur ylides. The new organocatalyst readily facilitates the enantioselective organocatalytic cyclopropanation, providing cyclized product in excellent diastereoselectivities ranging from 96% to 98% along with enantioselectivities exceeding 99% enantiomeric excess for all reacted alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes. The new catalyst provides the best results so far reported for intermolecular enantioselective organocatalyzed cyclopropanation.     

An improved synthesis of cyclopropanes from stabilized phosphonates and 1,2-dioxines

Addition of stabilized Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) phosphonates to substituted 1,2-dioxines leads to diastereomerically pure di- and trisubstituted cyclopropanes in high yields and represents a viable alternative to ylides in the cyclopropanation reaction involving 1,2-dioxines. While yields are comparable, reaction times with these stabilized phosphonates were accelerated and the diastereoselectivity for this cyclopropanation reaction was significantly greater than for the previously reported examples employing ylides.     

Highly enantioselective ylide-mediated synthesis of terminal epoxides

The highly efficient asymmetric epoxidation of aldehydes by methylene transfer is now possible using new sulfonium salts.     

Preparation of chiral cyclopropanes with a carbohydrate fragment from levoglucosenone

Levoglucosenone (a chiral α,β-unsaturated ketone derivative of cellulose) underwent stereoselective cyclopropanation with sulfonium ylides to form chiral trisubstituted cyclopropanes annulated with the carbohydrate moiety in high yields.     

A Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of Glycidic Amides Based on a New Class of Chiral Sulfonium Salts: Applications in Asymmetric Synthesis

A new type of chiral sulfonium salts that are characterized by a bicyclic system has been designed and synthesized from α‐amino acids. Their corresponding ylides, which were prepared by basic treatment of the sulfonium salts, reacted smoothly with a broad array of simple and chiral aldehydes to provide trans‐epoxy amides in reasonable to very good yields and excellent stereoselectivities (>98 %). The obtained epoxy amides were found to be useful as synthetic building blocks. Thus, they were reduced into their corresponding epoxy alcohols and subjected to oxirane‐ring‐opening reactions with different types of nucleophiles.     

Chalcogen Chiral Ylides for the Catalytic Asymmetric Epoxidation of Aldehydes: From Sulfur to Selenium and Tellurium

Abstract

The reaction of novel chiral selenonium and telluronium ylides was investigated with aldehydes and compared to the sulfur analogues. (2R,5R)-2,5-Dimethylselenolane was prepared and reacted as a catalyst for the benzylidenation of aldehydes. Disubstituted epoxides were readily prepared with a (surprising) absence of diastereoselectivity, and with enantiomeric excesses higher than 90%. The reaction of a tellurium analogue, (2S,5S)-2,5-diethyltellurolane, afforded the oxirane in very moderate yield and e.e.'s in the range of 62–82%. Though this was less productive, it is the first report of a chiral telluronium ylide leading to an asymmetric epoxidation of aldehydes.