Amplification of the enantiomeric excess of a compound in kinetic resolution by a racemic reagent

The possibility of amplifying the small ee of a enantioimpure substance using a racemic reagent in kinetic resolution is discussed. A kinetic treatment of this problem along with some experimental proofs of the concept is presented. Simulation on kinetic resolution of small ee substrate by a racemic reagent showed an important enantioenrichment in the substrate ee, sometimes reaching close to absolute ee. Experiments of kinetic resolution of an amine of a small ee by a racemic acylating reagent gave a substantial amplification in ee of the amine. The possible transformation of an undetectable low ee in substrate to a detectable higher ee by using a suitable racemic reagent is also briefly discussed with help of calculations. The usefulness of asymmetric amplification by a racemic reagent is considered in the context of the biomolecular homochirality on earth.     

Towards enantiomeric 2,3-epoxypropylphosphonates

Hydrolysis of diethyl 2,3-epoxypropylphosphonate in the presence of (R,R)-salen–Co(III)-OAc after 19 h afforded a mixture of (S)-epoxide (82% ee) and diethyl (R)-2,3-dihydroxypropylphosphonate (98% ee). Improved enantiomeric excess (93%) of the (S)-epoxide was obtained in the 72 h hydrolytic kinetic resolution experiment. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of (S)-epoxide (91% ee) gave (S)-diol (72% ee) due to low C-3 regioselectivity of the reaction.     

Separation of secondary alcohols via enzymatic kinetic resolution using fatty esters as reusable acylating agents

A two consecutive step procedure for the resolution-separation of secondary alcohols employing ethyl tetradecanoate in the presence of lipase allowed the enzymatic kinetic resolution of two target molecules, 1-phenylethanol and 6-methylhept-5-en-2-ol. (S)-1-Phenylethanol was isolated in a yield of 47% with an ee of 94% and (R)-1-phenylethanol in a yield of 51% with an ee of 95%. (S)-6-Methylhept-5-en-2-ol was isolated in a yield 47% and an ee of 87% and (R)-6-methylhept-5-en-2-ol in a yield 49% and an ee of 90%.     

Immobilized microorganisms in the reduction of ethyl 4-chloro acetoacetate

Microorganisms were used to reduce ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetate (CAAE) to ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate [(S)-CHBE]. Mucor ramannianus provided 98% conversion with 84% ee. Free cells of Kluyveromyces marxianus led to 95% conversion with 81% ee. After a fractionary factorial design to study the reaction conditions, calcium alginate immobilized cells of K. marxianus furnished the product with 99% conversion with 91% ee.     

A chiral primary-tertiary-1,2-diamine as an efficient catalyst in asymmetric aldehyde–ketone or ketone–ketone aldol reactions

A novel chiral 1,2-diaminocyclohexane derivative, (1R,2R)-N¹-n-pentyl, N¹-benzyl-1,2-cyclohexanediamine, was designed, synthesized and applied as a catalyst in a number of aldol reactions between ketones and aryl aldehydes. Reactions between acetone and aryl aldehydes gave aldol products with moderate to good yields and with excellent enantioselectivity (up to yield 85%, ee 98%), while reactions between cyclohexanone and aryl aldehydes provided anti-β-hydroxyketone products with excellent yields, diastereoselectivity and with enantioselectivity (up to 82% yield, anti/syn ratio 99:1, ee 99%). The aldol reactions between acetone and isatins were investigated, which afforded excellent yields and enantioselectivity (up to 95% yield, 98% ee). The (R)- and (S)-isomers of convolutamydine A were obtained with 95% yield and 96% ee, and 95% yield and 94% ee, respectively.     

Preparation of (R)- and (S)-6-hydroxybuspirone by enzymatic resolution or hydroxylation

6-Hydroxybuspirone is an active metabolite of the antianxiety drug buspirone. The (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of 6-hydroxybuspirone were prepared using an enzymatic resolution process. l-Amino acid acylase from Aspergillus melleus (Amano Acylase 30000) was used to hydrolyze racemic 6-acetoxybuspirone to (S)-6-hydroxybuspirone in 95% ee after 45% conversion. The remaining (R)-6-acetoxybuspirone with 88% ee was converted to (R)-6-hydroxybuspirone by acid hydrolysis. The ee of both enantiomers could be improved to 99% by crystallization as a metastable polymorph. (S)-6-Hydroxybuspirone was also obtained in 88% ee and 14.5% yield by hydroxylation of buspirone using Streptomyces antibioticus ATCC 14890.     

Cymantrene-based iminodiamidophosphites: the first phosphite-type ligands with planar chirality

Optically active phosphite-type ligands with planar chirality have been synthesized for the first time. The new cymantrene-based P,N-iminodiamidophosphites demonstrated high enantioselectivity in the Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylallyl acetate with dimethyl malonate (up to 94% ee), pyrrolidine (up to 78% ee) and sodium para-toluene sulfinate (up to 84% ee).     

Novel C2-symmetric bisoxazolines with a chiral trans-(2R,3R)-diphenylcyclopropane backbone: preparation and application in several enantioselective catalytic reactions

Various chiral bisoxazoline ligands with a chiral trans-(2R,3R)-diphenylcyclopropane backbone have been efficiently synthesized (five examples). These chiral ligands were tested and compared in palladium(0)-catalysed enantioselective allylic alkylations (up to 97% ee), copper(I)-catalysed enantioselective cyclopropanations (up to 89% ee) and aziridinations (up to 90% ee). We observed that the presence of a stereogenic centre on the oxazoline moiety is mandatory in order to obtain acceptable enantioselectivities.     

Baker's yeast: production of d- and l-3-hydroxy esters

Baker's yeast grown under oxygen limited conditions and used in the reduction of 3-oxo esters results in a shift of the stereoselectivity of the yeast towards d-hydroxy esters as compared with ordinary baker's yeast. The highest degree of stereoselectivity was obtained with growing yeast or yeast harvested while growing. In contrast, the stereoselectivity was shifted towards l-hydroxy esters when the oxo esters were added slowly to ordinary baker's yeast supplied with gluconolactone as co-substrate. The reduction rate with gluconolactone was increased by active aeration. Ethyl l-(S)-3-hydroxybutanoate was afforded in >99% ee. Both enantiomers of ethyl 3-hydroxypentanoate, d-(R) in 96% ee and l-(S) in 93% ee, and of ethyl 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate, d-(S) in 98% ee and l-(R) in 94% ee, were obtained. The results demonstrate that the stereoselectivity of baker's yeast can be controlled to a large extent without the use of inhibitors, heat treatment, etc.     

Chemoenzymatic route to optically active dihydroxy cyclopenta[b]naphthalenones; precursors for decalin-based bioactive natural products

The development of an efficient chemoenzymatic route for the synthesis of optically active dihydroxy cyclopenta[b]naphthalenones; (+)-1,4a-dihydroxy-4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-2(4H)-one (+)-10 and (+)-1,8a-dihydroxy-4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-2(4H)-one (+)-11 is described. Different lipases and esterases were tested in the enzymatic hydrolysis of the corresponding acetates (±)-4a-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-1-yl acetate (±)-8, (±)-8a-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-1-yl acetate (±)-9, CRL (Candida Rugosa Lipase) and PLE (Pig Liver Esterase) were found to be the most effectual enzymes; for (?)-8 by 47% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy; (+)-10 by 98% ee in the presence of CRL; whereas, (?)-8 was obtained with 40% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy, (+)-10 with 58% ee in the PLE hydrolysis. It was concluded that CRL was the best biocatalyst for the substrate (±)-8. Moreover, enzymatic resolution in the presence of CRL yields, (?)-9 with 46% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy derivative; (+)-11 with 98% ee; however, in the presence of PLE, yields (?)-9 with 36% ee as well as the related dihydroxy derivative; (+)-11 with 49% ee respectively. The study concluded that CRL is the best biocatalyst for compounds (±)-8 and (±)-9.     

Stereoselective synthesis of new monoterpene β-amino alcohols

The regio- and stereoselective osmium-catalysed aminohydroxylation of (+)-2-carene (99% ee), and (+)-3-carene (99% ee), (?)-β-pinene (99% ee) and (?)-camphene (75% ee) with chloramine-T is described. The products β-hydroxy-p-toluenesulfonamides were reduced with sodium in liquid ammonia to give the corresponding β-amino alcohols with 48–83% yields. The methylation-reduction of β-hydroxy-p-toluenesulfonamides gave β-methylamino alcohols with 33–55% yields.     

A short and efficient asymmetric synthesis of (−)-frontalin, (−)-exo-isobrevicomin and a volatile contributor of beer-aroma

The natural products, (−)-frontalin and (+)-exo-isobrevicomin were synthesized employing Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation and ZrCl₄-catalyzed intramolecular acetalization as the key steps. (−)-Frontalin was synthesized in three steps with a 61.4% overall yield and 89.9% ee and (−)-exo-isobrevicomin also obtained in an overall satisfactory yield of 10.1% and 97% ee. We have also synthesized the volatile contributor of beer aroma in a 96% ee.     

Resolution of C2-symmetric 9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11,12-dicarboxylic acid and 2,3-diphenylsuccinic acid using (S)-proline

Racemic 9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11,12-dicarboxylic acid is resolved to obtain the corresponding (S,S)-isomer in 96±2% ee and the (R,R)-isomer in 97±2% ee through complexation with (S)-proline in methanol. The racemic 2,3-diphenylsuccinic acid has been resolved to obtain the (S,S)-isomer in 93% ee using (S)-proline in methanol.     

Self-disproportionation of enantiomers of 3,3,3-trifluorolactic acid amides via sublimation

Preparation of racemic and enantiomerically enriched N-phenyl- and N-benzyl-3,3,3-trifluorolactic acid amides has been developed. These compounds were found to have substantial magnitude of the self-disproportionation of enantiomers (SDE) via sublimation. For example, when N-phenyl-3,3,3-trifluorolactic acid amide of 87% ee was sublimed (12 h) from a Petri dish at 80 °C open to the atmosphere, the enantiomeric excess of the remainder increased to 96% ee. On the other hand, when a sample of the same compound of 67% ee was subjected to SDE via sublimation under the same conditions, the enantiomeric excess has decreased to 18% ee. These preliminary results as well as excellent chemical and physico-chemical characteristics of these amide derivatives render them as readily available and very promising substrates for systematic study of SDE via sublimation.     

An efficient preparative scale resolution of 3-phenylbutyric acid by lipase from Burkholderia cepacia (Chirazyme L1)

Lipase from Burkholderia cepacia (Chirazyme L1) catalysed the highly enantioselective hydrolysis of racemic methyl 3-phenylbutyrate to afford (R)-(−)-methyl 3-phenylbutyrate of >98% ee (E>50). The resolution was performed at 150 g scale yielding 68.7 g of (R)-(−)-methyl 3-phenylbutyrate (>98% ee, 92% yield on enantiomer) and (S)-(+)-3-phenylbutyric acid of 89% ee.     

Enzymatic kinetic resolution of tropic acid

A new strategy has been developed for the CAL-B catalysed kinetic resolution of tropic acid by which both enantiomers of tropic acid can be obtained in good enantiomeric excess. (R)-Tropic acid was synthesised with 90% ee and (S)-tropic acid butyl ester in 99% ee by the hydrolysis of tropic acid butyl ester. The other enantiomers were available through the enzymatically catalysed reaction of tropic acid lactone with butanol to give (S)-tropic acid lactone and (R)-tropic acid ester in >98% ee.     

A P-chiral bisdiamidophosphite ligand with a 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-d-mannite backbone and its application in asymmetric catalysis

A novel readily available P,P-bidentate diamidophosphite ligand with P^∗-stereocentres is prepared from an inexpensive C₂-symmetric 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-d-mannite. By using this efficient ligand, up to 98% ee is achieved in Pd-catalysed asymmetric allylic alkylation, up to 92% ee in Pd-catalysed asymmetric allylic amination and up to 87% ee in Rh-catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation. The influence of the precatalyst, substrate and solvent on the enantioselectivity is discussed.     

Application of a high-throughput enantiomeric excess optical assay involving a dynamic covalent assembly: parallel asymmetric allylation and ee sensing of homoallylic alcohols

Asymmetric Ir-catalyzed C–C coupling of primary alcohols with allyl-acetates, as described by Krische, to form chiral secondary homo-allylic alcohols were performed in parallel as a means to optimize the ee values thereof. Specifically, approximately 400 examples of this reaction were performed by varying the catalyst, added acids and bases, and starting reactants, to form 4-phenyl-1-butene-4-ol (1). The ee values for the transformations were determined in a high-throughput fashion using a 4-component assembly that creates a circular dichroism signal indicative of the extent of asymmetric induction. Further, a parallel and rapid quantitative TLC method measures the yield of each reaction, revealing which reactions give reliable ee values in the CD-based assay. Overall, the nearly 200 reactions whose ee values were determined could be quantitated in under two hours. Using a combination of the TLC method to measure yield with the CD-assay to measure ee values, several trends in reaction conditions were revealed. For example, it was found that the cyclometalated iridium catalyst modified by BINAP and m-nitro-p-cyano-benzoic acid delivered adduct 1 with the highest levels of enantiomeric enrichment (94%), whereas the corresponding SEGPHOS-modified catalyst gave a comparable yield but lower ee (91%). Most importantly, this study shows that supramolecular assemblies can report hundreds of ee values in a rapid and reliable fashion to analyze parallel synthesis routines.     

Chemo-enzymatic enantio-convergent asymmetric synthesis of (R)-(+)-Marmin

Asymmetric biohydrolysis of trisubstituted terpenoid oxiranes (rac-1a-rac-3a) was accomplished by employing the epoxide hydrolase activity Rhodococcus and Streptomyces spp. Depending on the biocatalyst, the biohydrolysis proceeded in an enantio-convergent fashion and gave the corresponding vic-diols in up to 97% ee at conversions beyond the 50%-threshold. In order to avoid a depletion of the ee of product by further oxidative metabolism, bioconversions had to be conducted in an inert atmosphere with exclusion of molecular oxygen. The synthetic applicability of this method was demonstrated by the asymmetric total synthesis of the monoterpenoid coumarin (R)-(+)-Marmin in 95% ee.     

Amplification of chirality as a pathway to biological homochirality

Amplification of enantiomeric enrichment is a key feature for the chemical evolution of biological homochirality from the origin of chirality. The aggregations of the enantiomers by diastereomeric interactions enable the modification of their enantiomeric excess during some chemical processes. Fluorine-containing chiral compounds possess large amplification effect via distillation, sublimation and achiral chromatography by self-disproportionation. Asymmetric amplifications in enantioselective catalysis occur by the differential formation and reactivity between homochiral and heterochiral aggregate in solution.We described the amplification of ee in asymmetric autocatalysis of 5-pyrimidyl alkanol in the reaction between diisopropylzinc and pyrimidine-5-carbaldehdye. During the reactions extremely low ee (ca. 0.00005% ee) can be amplified to achieve more than 99.5% ee. Since the proposed origins of chirality such as CPL, quartz, chiral organic crystals of achiral compounds and statistical fluctuation of ee can initiate the asymmetric autocatalysis with amplification of ee, the proposed origin of chirality can be linked with enantiopure organic compound in conjunction with amplification of ee by asymmetric autocatalysis. In addition, we described that the carbon isotopically chiral compound triggers the asymmetric autocatalysis of 5-pyrimiodyl alkanol to afford the enantioenriched product with the absolute configuration correlated with that of carbon isotope chirality, that is, isotope chirality including hydrogen isotopes can control the enantioselectivity of asymmetric addition of alkyl metal reagent to aldehyde.