Marked difference in singlet-chemiexcitation efficiency between syn-anti isomers of spiro[1,2-dioxetane-3,1′-dihydroisobenzofuran] for intramolecular charge-transfer-induced decomposition

Spiro[1,2-dioxetane-3,1′-dihydroisobenzofuran] syn-3 bearing a hydroxy group at the 6-position (as a model syn-rotamer of parent dioxetane 4 bearing a 3-hydroxyphenyl group) and its isomer anti-3 (as a model anti-rotamer of 4) were synthesized. When these spiro-dioxetanes were treated with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in DMSO, anti-3 emitted light with high efficiency (Φ^CL = 0.41), while the respective value for syn-3 was only 1/10 for anti-3. This significant difference in Φ^CL between syn-3 and anti-3 was attributed to the difference in their singlet-chemiexcitation efficiencies.     

Synthesis and conformational analysis of 3-hydroxypipecolic acid analogs via CSI-mediated stereoselective amination

A short and efficient stereoselective synthetic approach toward substituted piperidines, involving (2S,3S)-3-hydroxypipecolic acid 1, (2R,3S)-3-hydroxypipecolic acid 3, and their acid-reduced analogs 2 and 4, has been developed. The requisite anti- and syn-1,2-amino alcohols 11 and 12 for the preparation of title four piperidine analogs 1-4 were synthesized via the regioselective and diastereoselective amination of anti- and syn-1,2-dibenzyl ethers 13 and 14 using chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (CSI). As a result, reaction of anti-1,2-dibenzyl ether 13 with CSI afforded exclusively the anti-1,2-amino alcohol 11 with the diastereoselectivity of 49:1 in toluene at −78 °C and syn-isomer 14 gave the syn-1,2-amino alcohol 12 as the major product with the diastereoselectivity of 12:1 in hexane at −78 °C. The result of these reactions could be explained by the neighboring group effect leading to retention of stereochemistry. In addition, conformational changes of trans-piperidine intermediate 9 in terms of the nature of N-protecting groups are described. The conformations of 9 and 24-28 were confirmed by ¹H NMR analysis and NOE correlation. Furthermore, the conformations of piperidines 18 and 23 with hydroxyl methyl substituent at C-2 were investigated by NMR spectroscopy.     

The cooperative effect of a hydroxyl and carboxyl group on the catalytic ability of novel β-homoproline derivatives on direct asymmetric aldol reactions

Novel β-homoproline derivatives, 2-hydroxy-2-(pyrrolidin-2-yl)acetic acids (R,S)- and (S,S)-1a-d, were synthesized. All of the prepared compounds were used as organocatalysts in the direct asymmetric aldol reaction of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde with several ketones. Among these catalysts, (R)-2-hydroxy-2-((S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl)acetic acid (R,S)-1a showed good catalytic ability in the formation of aldol product 13 (up to 69% ee, 95% yield), which was similar to the results catalyzed by l-proline (71% ee, 96% yield). Relatively low yields and low enantioselectivities were observed in aldol reactions catalyzed by (S,S)-1a, for example, 13 was obtained in 55% yield and 13% ee. The aldol reaction catalyzed by the methyl-protected carboxylic acid 1b and esters 1c,d produced much lower chemical yields and enantioselectivities during the formation of 13. The cooperative effect of the (R)-configured hydroxyl group and the carboxyl group was found to play an important role in inducing enantioselectivity in the aldol reaction. Relatively high diastereoselectivities (anti:syn = 85:15) and enantioselectivity (anti, 83% ee) were observed in the aldol reactions of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde with cyclohexanone, which was catalyzed by (R,S)-1a.     

Acid-catalyzed rearrangement of α-hydroxytrialkylsilanes

Cationic rearrangement of several α-hydroxysilanes is described. Treatment of both (1R,1′R,2′S)-α-hydroxycyclopropylsilane syn-9 and (1S,1′R,2′S)-anti-9 under aqueous H₂SO₄ underwent rearrangement via a common α-silyl cation intermediate A to give a mixture of the ring-opened (R)-vinylsilane 13, the tandem [1,2]-CC bond migration product (1R,2S,1′R)-14, and its 1′S isomer 15. On the other hand, the acidic treatment of (R,E)-α-hydroxyalkenylsilane 8 or (R,Z)-8 was each accompanied with partial racemization to give an enantiomeric isomer of allylic alcohol 23 via a preferential syn-facial S_N2′ reaction, respectively. Both α-hydroxyalkynylsilane 6 and α-hydroxyalkylsilane 12 were inert to the acidic conditions; however, treatment of (R)-α-mesyloxyalkynylsilane 26 under aqueous H₂SO₄ gave a mixture of the optically active rearranged allene 27, α,β-unsaturated ketone 28, and (S)-α-hydroxyalkynylsilane 6 with partial racemization. Comparisons of the reactivities of these α-hydroxysilanes under acidic conditions are also disclosed.     

Two-carbon homologation of ketones via sily ketene acetals: Synthesis of α,β-unsaturated acids and α-trimethylsilyl δ-ketoacids

The reaction of C,O,O-tris(trimethylsilyl)ketene acetal 1 with saturated, cyclic and aromatic ketones 2 proceeds smoothly in the presence of titanium chloride to give (E)-α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids 3 with fairly good stereoselectivity. With α,β-unsaturated ketones 4, α-trimethylsilyl δ-ketoacids 5 (syn + anti) are obtained according to Michael-type 1,4 addition. These diastereoisomers are separated and the configurations of 5a are achieved by X-ray molecular analysis.     

Synthesis of conformationally constrained spirodihydrofuropyridine analogues of epibatidine

Conformationally constrained spirofuropyridine analogues of epibatidine, syn-2 and anti-2, in which the 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane system and the 2-chloropyridine ring are held rigidly with the shorter and longer N-N distances, respectively, were synthesized from N-Boc-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one. The preliminary binding studies suggested that syn-2 has stronger binding affinity for nAChRs than anti-2.     

Rotamer-dependent chemiluminescence in the intramolecular charge-transfer-induced decomposition of bicyclic dioxetanes bearing a hydroxyaryl group

Base-induced chemiluminescent decomposition of acylamino-substituted dioxetane 1b bearing a 3-hydroxyphenyl group proceeded according to dual phase kinetics due to syn-anti isomerism of the aryl group. For dioxetane 7 bearing a 6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl group, syn- and anti-rotamers were each isolated and their structures were determined by X-ray single crystallographic analysis. Both rotamers underwent base-induced decomposition accompanied by the emission of red light to exclusively give the same keto imide 8. However, a marked difference in chemiluminescence efficiency was observed between anti-7 and syn-7.     

Enantioselective alkylation and protonation of prochiral enolates in the asymmetric synthesis of β-amino acids

Achiral 1-benzoyl-3-methylperhydropyrimidin-4-one (1) was deemed a useful, potential precursor for the enantioselective synthesis of α-substituted β-amino acids. Pyrimidinone 1 was prepared from inexpensive β-aminopropanoic acid in 62% overall yield. Prochiral enolate derivative 1 -Li was alkylated in good yield and moderate enantioselectivity in the presence of chiral amines (S)-8, (S,S)-9, (S,S)-10, or (−)-sparteine. The enantioselectivity of the alkylation process is highest in toluene as the solvent and in the presence of lithium bromide as additive. The racemic alkylated derivatives 2 and 3 were readily metallated with LDA to give prochiral enolates 2-Li and 3-Li, that were reprotonated with novel chiral phenolic acids (S)-11, (S,S)-12, (S)-13, and (S,S)-14 in moderate enantioselectivity in the case of 2-Li and good enantioselectivity in the case of 3-Li. The acid (6N HCl) hydrolysis of enantioenriched 2 and 3 proceeded in good yield and without racemization to afford α-alkyl-β-amino acids 4 and 5, respectively.     

Convenient preparation of chiral phase-transfer catalysts with conformationally fixed biphenyl core for catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α-alkyl- and α,α-dialkyl-α-amino acids: application to the short asymmetric synthesis of BIRT-377

Chiral phase-transfer catalysts (S)-1a, (S)-1b, and (S)-2 with conformationally fixed biphenyl cores were conveniently prepared from the known, easily available (S)-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diol 3 and (S)-4,5,6,4′,5′,6′-hexamethoxybiphenyl-2,2′-dicarboxylic acid 14, respectively, in five steps. The catalysts, (S)-1a and (S)-1b are readily applicable to asymmetric alkylation of N-(diphenylmethylene)glycine tert-butyl ester with excellent enantioselectivity. In particular, catalyst (S)-1b was found to exhibit the unique temperature effect on the enantioselectivity, and asymmetric alkylation of glycine derivatives at room temperature gave higher enantiomeric excess than that at 0 °C. In addition, the catalyst (S)-2 exhibited the high catalytic performance (0.01-1 mol %) in the asymmetric alkylation of N-(diphenylmethylene)glycine tert-butyl ester and N-(p-chlorophenylmethylene)alanine tert-butyl ester compared to the existing chiral phase-transfer catalysts, thereby allowing to realize a general and useful procedure for highly practical enantioselective synthesis of structurally diverse natural and unnatural α-alkyl-α-amino acids as well as α,α-dialkyl-α-amino acids. This approach is successfully applied to the short asymmetric synthesis of cell adhesion BIRT-377.     

Conformational studies by dynamic NMR spectroscopy. Part 96: Stereomutations of highly hindered naphthylphenyl atropisomers in solution and in the solids

When a benzene ring bears two 2-methyl-1-naphthyl moieties in the para, meta or ortho positions as in 1,4-bis(2-methyl-1-naphthyl)benzene, 1, 1,3-bis(2-methyl-1-naphthyl)benzene, 2 and 1,2-bis(2-methyl-1-naphthyl)benzene 3, two rotational isomers (atropisomers) are generated, with the two naphthyl substituents in a syn or anti relationship. In the case of the para and meta derivatives (1 and 2, respectively) these atropisomers could not be separated but were detected by NMR spectroscopy, that also allowed the determination of their syn-anti interconversion barriers in solution (19.5 and 20.4 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively) and, in the case of 2, also in the solid state (26.7 kcal mol⁻¹). In the more hindered ortho derivative 3, the syn (meso) and anti (racemic) atropisomers interconvert in solution with a barrier (31.2 kcal mol⁻¹) sufficiently high to allow their physical separation. The racemic form could also be separated (by enantioselective HPLC) into the PP and MM enantiomers. Analysis of the corresponding CD spectra allowed the assignment of the absolute configuration. When three such naphthyl substituents are bonded to the phenyl in a meta relationship, two atropisomers in statistical proportions were observed: the anti (C_s symmetry) and the syn (C_3v symmetry) display a 3:1 ratio at the equilibrium in solution. This ratio is different in the solid state, as is the interconversion barrier (22.1 and 32.1 kcal mol⁻¹ in solution and in the solid, respectively).     

Synthesis,structure and reactivity of a macrocyclic imine: aza-[13]-macrodiolides

The in situ synthesis and subsequent reactions of macrocylic imine 2 are reported. The imine was trapped with cyanotrimethylsilane to give α-amino nitrile aza-[13]-macrodiolides in a 1:1 ratio of diastereomers. A crystal structure of the syn α-cyano nitrile diastereomer, 7a, provided insights into the lack of selectivity in reactions of 2 relative to macrocyclic alkene 1. Reactions to functionalize the syn diastereomer 7a are also reported.     

Synthesis of enantiopure β-amino alcohols via AKR/ARO of epoxides using recyclable macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes

A series of chiral macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes 1-8 were synthesized and characterized. These complexes were found to be highly active, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective catalysts in aminolytic kinetic resolution (AKR) of racemic trans-epoxides as well as asymmetric ring opening (ARO) of prochiral meso-epoxides with various anilines as nucleophiles at room temperature in 18-24 h. Excellent yields (>99% with respect to the nucleophile) with high enantioselectivity (ee, >99%) of chiral anti-β-amino alcohols was achieved with concomitant recovery of corresponding epoxides in high ee (up to >99%). The complex 1 also catalyzed the ARO of meso-epoxides to provide corresponding syn-β-amino alcohols in high yield (99%) and ee (up to 91%). Due to built-in basic sites in the catalyst, no external base (as an additive) was required to promote AKR and ARO reactions. The catalyst 1 was conveniently recycled several times with retention of its performance. The AKR of trans-stilbene oxide with aniline was successfully demonstrated at relatively higher scale (10 mmol) using the catalyst 1.     

Synthesis and characterization of binuclear μ-oxo and μ-telluro molybdenum(V) complexes, [CpMo(O)(μ-Te)]2

Pyrolysis of an in-situ generated intermediate, produced in the reaction of [Cp^∗MoCl₄], 1, (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅) with [LiBH₄·THF], with an excess of difuryl ditelluride in toluene at 90 °C yielded syn and anti isomers of [Cp^∗Mo(O)(μ-Te)]₂ (2, 3) and [Cp^∗₂Mo₂O₂(μ-O)(μ-Te)] (4, 5). In a similar fashion, dibenzyl diselenide yielded syn and anti isomers of [Cp^∗Mo(O)(μ-Se)]₂ (6, 7), along with the known nido-[(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₈Se₂]. Note that in parallel with 2-7, [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₅H₉] was isolated as the major product in both cases. Compounds 2-7 have been isolated in modest yield as orange to brown crystalline solids. All the new compounds have been characterized in solution by mass, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy, and the structural types were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis of 2-4 and 7.     

Aspects of stereocontrol in the L-Selectride reduction of 4-acyl-1,3-dioxolane derivatives

The application of L-Selectride, either alone or in combination with ZnCl₂, to aryl ketones 1, 8 and 11 resulted in highly anti-stereoselective reduction. In contrast, lactols 22 and 23 gave a moderate syn-preference using L-Selectride alone and a high syn-preference in the presence of ZnCl₂. Uniquely, high anti- stereoselectivity was observed in the reduction of o-anisyl lactol 37 with L-Selectride alone, which was switched to a high syn-preference when ZnCl₂ was present.     

Conformational fluxionality in a palladium(II) complex of flexible click chelator 4-phenyl-1-(2-picolyl)-1,2,3-triazole: A dynamic NMR and DFT study

An experimental and theoretical DFT study was carried out on the solution behavior in [D₇]DMF for bis-chelate complex [Pd(L)₂](BF₄)₂·2CH₃CN (L = 4-phenyl-1-(2-picolyl)-1,2,3-triazole). In structure of [Pd(L)₂]²⁺, the central square-planar palladium(II) cation is trans-chelated by two L substrates, each through the pyridine and the triazole N2 nitrogen atoms, forming two six-membered metallacycles. These can adopt boat-like conformations anti-trans-[Pd(L)₂]²⁺ and syn-trans-[Pd(L)₂]²⁺ in which the picolyl methylene carbons are anti or syn, respectively, relative to the palladium coordination plane. In solution, the boat-to-boat inversion at both metallacycles takes place. The conformers are in a dynamic equilibrium, which was monitored by variable-temperature (VT) ¹H NMR spectroscopy in the temperature range of 223-353 K. The equilibrium lies on the side of the anti-trans-[Pd(L)₂]²⁺ conformer and the corresponding reaction enthalpy and entropy is estimated to be 0.6 ± 0.5 kcal mol⁻¹ and 0.8 ± 1 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. From the full-line-shape analysis of resonances in the VT ¹H NMR spectra, the activation enthalpy and activation entropy was determined to be 13.0 ± 0.4 kcal mol⁻¹ and 2.7 ± 1.6 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The activation entropy close to zero suggests a nondissociative mechanism for the isomerisation. DFT investigation revealed that the isomerisation proceeds through a one step mechanism with a barrier of 11.40 kcal mol⁻¹. The structures of the syn and anti conformers as well as that of the transition state were characterized. Energy decomposition analysis was carried out in order to explore the origins of the stability difference between the syn and anti isomers.     

Total synthesis of phytoprostane F1 and its 16 epimer

The first synthesis of the two enantiomers of phytoprostane F₁ methyl ester 1 and 2 is described using the syn-anti-syn alcoxy ester 3 as starting material.     

Development of a Double Allylboration Reagent Targeting 1,5-syn-(E)-Diols: Application to the Synthesis of the C(23)-C(40) Fragment of Tetrafibricin

Interest in the synthesis of the C(23)-C(40) fragment 2 of tetrafibricin prompted us to develop a new method for the synthesis of 1,5-syn-(E)-diols. Toward this end, the kinetically controlled hydroboration of allenes 6, 33, ent-39, 42, and 45 with the Soderquist borane 25R were studied. Tetrabutylammonium allenyltrifluoroborate 45 gave superior results and was utilized in a double allylboration sequence with two different aldehydes to provide the targeted 1,5-syn-(E)-diols in generally high yields (72-98%), and with high enantioselectivity (>95% ee), diastereoselectivity (dr >20:1), and (E)/(Z) selectivity (>20:1). This new method was applied to the synthesis of the C(23)-C(40) fragment 2 of tetrafibricin.     

Structurally simple chiral thioureas as chiral solvating agents in the enantiodiscrimination of α-hydroxy and α-amino carboxylic acids

C₂-Symmetrical chiral thioureas (S,S)-1 and (S,S)-2 were prepared in good yield by the reaction of 2 equiv of inexpensive (S)-1-phenylethylamine, or the corresponding naphthyl analog, with 1 equiv of thiophosgene in the presence of excess triethylamine. The presence of asymmetric elements in (S,S)-1 and (S,S)-2, and their capacity to act as receptors for anionic species via hydrogen bonding were exploited in the development of ¹H NMR spectroscopic enantiodiscrimination of chiral carboxylic acids. In particular, the diastereomeric complexes derived from thioureas (S,S)-1 and (S,S)-2 with ammonium salts of the chiral acids gave rise to well separated signals of the α-hydrogens and simple integration provides the corresponding enantiomeric ratios. Furthermore, it was observed that C_α-H in the (R) enantiomers of the chiral α-hydroxy and α-amino carboxylic acids studied in this work consistently appears downfield relative to the same signals in the (S) enantiomers.     

δ-Lactone formation from δ-hydroxy-trans-α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids accompanied by trans-cis isomerization: synthesis of (−)-tetra-O-acetylosmundalin

(±)-(4,5-anti)-4-Benzyloxy-5-hydroxy-(2E)-hexenoic acid 6 was subjected to δ-lactonization in the presence of 2,4,6-trichlorobenzoyl chloride and pyridine to give the α,β-unsaturated-δ-lactone congener (±)-7 (87% yield) accompanied by trans-cis isomerization. This δ-lactonization procedure was applied to the chiral synthesis of (+)-(4S,5R)-7 or (−)-(4R,5S)-7 from the chiral starting material (+)-(4S,5R)-6 or (−)-(4R,5S)-6. Deprotection of the benzyl group in (+)-(4S,5R)-7 or (−)-(4R,5S)-7 by the AlCl₃/m-xylene system gave the natural osmundalactone (+)-(4S,5R)-5 or (−)-(4R,5S)-5 in good yield, respectively. Condensation of (−)-(4R,5S)-5 and tetraacetyl-β-d-glucosyltrichloroimidate 22 in the presence of BF₃·Et₂O afforded the condensation product (−)-8 (97% yield), which was identical to tetra-O-acetylosmundalin (−)-8 derived from natural osmundalin 9.     

Enantioselective recognition of amines with an atropisomeric 1,8-bisphenolnaphthalene

1,8-Bis[5′(2′-hydroxy-4′-methylbiphenyl)]naphthalene, 2, was prepared from 1,8-dibromonaphthalene and 4-methoxy-2-methylphenylboronic acid in four steps with 51% overall yield. The axially chiral anti-isomer of 2 is stable to racemization at room temperature and the free energy of activation for the conversion of the anti-isomer to the syn-form was determined as 110.0 kJ/mol at 77.1 °C. At submillimolar concentration, enantiopure 2 can be used as circular dichroism sensor to detect a wide range of chiral amines.