Current progress in the asymmetric aldol addition reaction

Control of stereochemistry during aldol addition reactions has attracted considerable interest over the years as the aldol reaction is one of the most fundamental tools for the construction of new carbon-carbon bonds. Several strategies have been implemented whereby eventually any single possible stereoisomeric aldol product can be accessed by choosing the appropriate procedure. With earlier methods, stoichiometric quantities of chiral reagents were required for efficient asymmetric induction, with the auxiliary most often attached covalently to the substrate carbonyl. Lewis acid catalyzed addition reactions of silyl enolates to aldehydes (Mukaiyama reaction) later opened the way for catalytic asymmetric induction. In the last few years, both chiral metal complexes and small chiral organic molecules have been found to catalyse the direct aldol addition of unmodified ketones to aldehydes with relatively high chemical and stereochemical efficiency. These techniques along with the more recent developments in the area are discussed in this tutorial review.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric aldol reaction in the presence of water

Water was found to be a suitable solvent for the l-prolinethioamide catalysed aldol reaction of various cyclic ketones with aromatic aldehydes. Treatment of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde with as little as 1.2 equiv. of cyclohexanone in the presence of the protonated catalyst 1-TFA, afforded aldol products in high yields (up to 97%) with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity (up to >5 : 95 dr and 98% ee). The use of a high excess of ketone was avoided by conducting the aldol addition in the presence of water. Furthermore, different 'salting-out' and 'salting-in' salts were investigated and it was proven that the rate of acceleration and the stereochemical outcome of the reaction are affected by hydrophobic aggregation. Scope and limitation studies revealed that electron deficient aldehydes afforded aldol products with high stereoselectivity in the presence of 1-Cl(2)CHCO(2)H. It was shown that various cyclic ketones, under the conditions found, gave aldol products with fair yields, even if they are used in substoichiometric amounts (1.2 to 2.0 equiv.).     

Asymmetric vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction of aldehyde-derived dienolates

Unsaturated aldehydes are exquisite building blocks for further transformations in polyketide synthesis. Besides standard transformations that take advantage of the aldehyde functionality, the conjugate addition of hydrides followed by internal protonation allows access to alpha chiral aldehydes. Even though vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reactions have been used in natural product syntheses before, the first enantioselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction of aldehyde-derived dienolates is described.     

Substrate-controlled stereoselectivity in the Yamamoto aldol reaction

The Yamamoto aldol reaction is a vinylogous aldol reaction that relies on bulky aluminium-based Lewis acids. These activate both the aldehyde as well as become part of the enolate moiety. The report discloses the first detailed study on the substrate-controlled Yamamoto aldol reaction in which 2,3-syn and 2,3-anti disubstituted aldehydes serve as the stereodirecting elements. The "size" of the substituent in the β-position strongly determines the facial selectivity of enolate addition to the aldehyde. Large substituents favour formation of 1,3-syn diols while slim alkynyl groups preferentially lead to 1,3-anti products.     

The boron-mediated ketone-ketone aldol reaction

The first examples of the directed, boron-mediated aldol reaction between different ketones are presented. Transformation of a variety of ketones to their corresponding boron enolates with Chx₂BCl/Et₃N, followed by reaction with acceptor ketones in diethyl ether, and oxidation of the resultant boron aldolate (H₂O₂, MeOH/pH 7 buffer), provided the aldol addition products. The reaction was most facile when cyclic ketones were used, with the highest yields obtained for the reaction of boron enolates with cyclohexanone as the acceptor.     

Pyrrolidine as an efficient organocatalyst for direct aldol reaction of trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal with ketones

Pyrrolidine-catalyzed aldol reaction of trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal (1) with ketones or aldehydes was described. In the presence of 20 mol % of pyrrolidine, the reaction proceeded smoothly at room temperature to afford the aldol products in good to excellent yields (up to 95%). Pyrrolidine showed a much higher catalytic activity than piperidine in the reaction with less reactive ketones. GC analysis clearly indicated that the catalyst and the enamine intermediates were kept at extremely low concentration during the reaction. Based on these observations, we suggested that formation of the enamine would be a rate-determining step for the catalytic aldol reaction. In addition, the asymmetric aldol reaction of 1 with cyclohexanone catalyzed by l-proline derivatives was also discussed.     

Scope of the reductive aldol reaction: application to aromatic carbocycles and heterocycles

The reductive aldol reaction of electron deficient aromatic compounds has been investigated and found to be a viable method for carbon-carbon bond formation. Reductions under ammonia and ammonia-free conditions were both capable of facilitating the aldol reaction although the latter showed more scope for reaction with enolisable aldehydes. Moreover, reduction under ammonia-free conditions allowed the addition of Lewis acids which improved stereoselectivity to favour the anti stereoisomer. Production of the syn diastereoisomer was possible through either one of two different protocols performed after partial reduction was complete. While the main emphasis of this paper concerns the reductive aldol reaction of electron deficient pyrroles, it was also shown that both benzenoid and furan aromatic compounds were amenable to such reducing conditions.     

Development of an organo- and enzyme-catalysed one-pot,sequential three-component reaction

A one-pot, three-component process is described which involves both organo- and enzyme-catalysed carbon–carbon bond-forming steps. In the first step, an organocatalyst catalyses the aldol reaction between acetaldehyde and a glyoxylamide. After dilution with additional aqueous buffer, and addition of pyruvate and an aldolase enzyme variant, a second aldol reaction occurs to yield a final product. Crucially, it was possible to develop a reaction in which both the organo- and enzyme-catalysed reactions could be performed in the same aqueous buffer system. The reaction described is the first example of a one-pot, three-component reaction in which the two carbon–carbon bond-forming processes are catalysed using the combination of an organocatalyst and an enzyme.     

Review of the aldol reaction

Aldol condensation is an important synthetic method widely used in organic synthesis. Development of catalytic methods that avoids the production of stoichiometric by-products while maintaining high levels of control available from stoichiometric processes provides an atom-economical alternative for these important transformations. Indeed, numerous catalysts for the aldol reaction have been reported in recent years, including enzymes, catalytic antibodies, organometals, organocatalysts, and small molecules. The direct aldol reaction is the most important reaction employed by synthetic chemists and is common in nature. Recently, various Lewis acids have been examined as catalysts for aldol reactions, but aldol condensation in a micellar medium has not been studied in detail so far. Because of stronger environmental concerns, organic reactions in green media, especially in water, have attracted more attention. It is believed that micelles act as nano reactors to enhance the reaction rates and give very good to excellent yields of end products.     

Hydrogen bond catalyzed enantioselective vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction

[chemical reaction: see text]. The concept of hydrogen bonding catalysis was extended to the vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction, which gives rapid access to polyketide derivatives. The reaction of the silyldienol ether shown and a range of aldehydes catalyzed by TADDOL proceeds regiospecifically to produce the addition products in good yields and enantiomeric excesses.     

The first direct and enantioselective cross-aldol reaction of aldehydes

The first enantioselective catalytic direct cross-aldol reaction that employs nonequivalent aldehydes has been accomplished using proline as the reaction catalyst. Structural variation in both the aldol donor (R1 = Me, n-Bu, Bn, 91 to >99%) and aldol acceptor (R2 = I-Pr, I-Bu, c-C6H11, Et, Ph, 97-99% ee) are possible while maintaining high reaction efficiency (75-88% yield). Significantly, this new aldol variant allows facile enantioselective access to a broad range of beta-hydroxy aldehydes which are valuable intermediates in polyketide syntheses.     

A ribozyme for the aldol reaction

Directed in vitro evolution can create RNA catalysts for a variety of organic reactions, supporting the "RNA world" hypothesis, which proposes that metabolic transformations in early life were catalyzed by RNA molecules rather than proteins. Among the most fundamental carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions in nature is the aldol reaction, mainly catalyzed by aldolases that utilize either an enamine mechanism (class I) or a Zn(2+) cofactor (class II). We report on isolation of a Zn(2+)-dependent ribozyme that catalyzes an aldol reaction at its own modified 5' end with a 4300-fold rate enhancement over the uncatalyzed background reaction. The ribozyme can also act as an intermolecular catalyst that transfers a biotinylated benzaldehyde derivative to the aldol donor substrate, coupled to an external hexameric RNA oligonucleotide, supporting the existence of RNA-originated biosynthetic pathways for metabolic sugar precursors and other biomolecules.     

Boron-mediated aldol reaction of carboxylic esters: complementary anti- and syn-selective asymmetric aldol reactions

The boron-mediated aldol reaction of carboxylic esters is described in detail. Contrary to the general belief that carboxylic esters are inert under the condition of the boron enolate formation, propionate esters are enolized with certain combinations of a boron triflate and an amine. More importantly, the stereochemical course of the aldol reaction can be controlled by the judicious selection of the enolization reagents. Treatment of propionate esters with c-Hex2BOTf and triethylamine produces anti-aldol products, and that with Bu2BOTf and diisopropylethylamine gives syn-aldol products selectively after reaction with aldehydes. Complementary anti- and syn-selective asymmetric aldol reactions with structurally related, readily available chiral norephedrine-derived propionate esters are developed.     

Enantioselective tandem O-nitroso Aldol/Michael reaction

This communication presents studies that illustrated nitroso Diels-Alder adduct has been obtained in uniformly high enantioselectivity via a tandem nitroso aldol/Michael reaction using an amine catalyst. The regiochemical outcome of this construction is documented to be the opposite to that of the normal nitroso aldol reaction, which has been determined by X-ray analysis. The reaction of the enone with silver-BINAP catalyst has also been investigated in conjunction with the control of regiochemistry in a stepwise process.     

Unique chemoselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction of silyl enol diazoacetate with aldehydes and acetals catalyzed by MgI2 etherate

Functionalized diazo acetoacetates are prepared by an efficient Mukaiyama aldol reaction between 3-TBSO-2-diazo-3-butenoate with aldehydes and acetals under mild reaction conditions. A variety of substituted aldehydes and the corresponding acetals are both accessible in good to excellent yields through this methodology. MgI₂ etherate (MgI₂·(OEt₂)_n) is the preferred catalyst and, the addition proceeds without decomposition of the diazo moiety. In addition, this MgI₂·(OEt₂)_n-catalyzed Mukaiyama aldol reaction shows unique chemoselectivity towards aldehydes and acetals.     

Direct catalytic asymmetric aldol-Tishchenko reaction

A direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of propionate equivalent was achieved via the aldol-Tishchenko reaction. Coupling an irreversible Tishchenko reaction to a reversible aldol reaction overcame the retro-aldol reaction problem and thereby afforded the products in high enantio and diastereoselectivity using 10 mol % of the asymmetric catalyst. A variety of ketones and aldehydes, including propyl and butyl ketones, were coupled efficiently, yielding the corresponding aldol-Tishchenko products in up to 96% yield and 95% ee. Diastereoselectivity was generally below the detection limit of 1H NMR (>98:2). Preliminary studies performed to clarify the mechanism revealed that the aldol products were racemic with no diastereoselectivity. On the other hand, the Tishchenko products were obtained in a highly enantiocontrolled manner.     

NMR investigations on the proline-catalyzed aldehyde self-condensation: Mannich mechanism, dienamine detection, and erosion of the aldol addition selectivity

The proline-catalyzed self-condensation of aliphatic aldehydes in DMSO with varying amounts of catalyst was studied by in situ NMR spectroscopy. The reaction profiles and intermediates observed as well as deuteration studies reveal that the proline-catalyzed aldol addition and condensation are competing, but not consecutive, reaction pathways. In addition, the rate-determining step of the condensation is suggested to be the C-C bond formation. Our findings indicate the involvement of two catalyst molecules in the C-C bond formation of the aldol condensation, presumably by the activation of both the aldol acceptor and donor in a Mannich-type pathway. This mechanism is shown to be operative also in the oligomerization of acetaldehyde with high proline amounts, for which the first in situ detection of a proline-derived dienamine was accomplished. In addition, the diastereoselectivity of the aldol addition is evidenced to be time-dependent since it is undermined by the retro-aldolization and the competing irreversible aldol condensation; here NMR reaction profiles can be used as a tool for reaction optimization.     

Asymmetric aldol reaction catalyzed by the anion of an ionic liquid

Herein we report the synthesis of a chiral imidazolium salt derived from trans-L-hydroxyproline and its applications as a catalyst for the asymmetric aldol reaction. By performing the aldol reaction in [Bmim]NTf(2) as a solvent, we report excellent isolated yields of the aldol product (up to 99%), as well as modest to excellent selectivities (dr superior to 99:1. ee up to 89%). Mechanistic insights and the origins of the selectivity of the aldol reaction are discussed on the basis of the results obtained with two catalytic imidazolium salts having different H-bonding potential.     

Cs/ZSM-35 分子筛催化甲缩醛和乙酸甲酯发生一步法羟醛缩合反应

丙烯酸及其酯是重要的化工原料, 广泛应用于涂料、粘结剂、纤维等领域, 目前工业上常采用丙烯两段氧化法进行制备. 然而该方法以石油基原料丙烯为源头, 采用 V/Mo/Bi 等金属催化剂, 不符合可持续发展理念, 且存在环境污染及氧气下产物易过度氧化等问题. 因此, 如何高效、安全、大规模工业化制备丙烯酸及其酯是研究者追求的目标. 以乙酸甲酯(MAc) 和甲醛为原料, 通过羟醛缩合一步制备丙烯酸及其酯是一条完全不同于丙烯氧化法的合成路径, 原料均可由煤基甲醇得到, 符合我国"富煤、贫油、少气"的基本能源结构, 且该方法碳原子利用率为 100%, 副产物仅为水, 属于绿色环保合成路径.羟醛缩合是典型的碳链增长反应, 可在酸性催化剂、碱性催化剂、以及酸碱双功能催化剂存在下发生. 碱性催化剂一般为负载型碱金属氧化物, 例如以 SiO2为载体的负载型 Na, K, Cs 氧化物催化剂等, 但都存在活性组分流失的问题, 进而导致催化剂的失活, 难以实现工业化. 酸碱双功能催化剂是目前研究的热点, 由于具有酸催化剂的高选择性和碱催化剂的高活性, 其反应性能要远优于单一酸性催化剂和单一碱性催化剂, 广大研究者对此进行了深入广泛的研究, 目前基本处于实验室阶段. 相对而言, 目前酸性催化剂上通过羟醛缩合反应制备丙烯酸及其酯的研究工作较少, 特别是以固体酸为催化剂进行乙酸甲酯和甲醛气固相反应研究非常少见.我们以甲缩醛为甲醛源, 创新性地采用固体硅铝分子筛为酸性催化剂, 催化甲缩醛 (DMM) 和 MAc 发生羟醛缩合反应来制备丙烯酸. 硅铝分子筛具有较高的活性, 可高效地催化羟醛缩合反应, 且由于分子筛催化剂具有很好的再生性能, 即使催化剂寿命较短, 也可采用流化床或移动床等反应器进行工业化, 因此存在良好的工业化前景. 为了进一步深入研究酸性位和碱性位各自对 DMM 和 MAc 羟醛缩合反应的影响, 本文以 HZSM-35 分子筛为载体, 采用浸渍法制备不同碱金属铯氧化物含量的催化剂, 利用氮气吸附/脱附方法和化学程序升温 (NH3-TPD) 方法对其孔结构和酸性质进行表征, 并进一步考察催化剂的性能. 结果表明, 微孔体积随着碱金属 Cs 负载量的增加而逐渐减小, 当 Cs 负载量增加至 10 wt% 时, 样品微孔体积从初始 0.105 cm3/g 降至 0.063 cm3/g. NH3-TPD 结果显示, 当 Cs 负载量为 1 wt%, 酸性催化剂载体上的强酸和弱酸活性位被大量碱性氧化物占据; 当负载量超过 5 wt% 时, 所有的酸性位均被覆盖. 随后考察负载不同碱金属含量分子筛的羟醛缩合反应性能, 发现碱金属氧化物的引入不利于羟醛缩合反应的进行, 这主要是由于作为甲醛源的 DMM 只有在酸中心上才能进行分解产生甲醛, 促使羟醛缩合反应顺利进行. 当采用 DMM 为甲醛源时, 体系中必须有酸性位存在. 同时得知, 分子筛 HZSM-35 中强酸和弱酸均是羟醛缩合反应的有效酸性位, 但强酸同时催化原料发生类甲醇制烯烃过程, 致使大量烃类副产物生成, 产生较重的积炭物种. 羟醛缩合反应在含有大量弱酸催化剂上 (如γ-Al2O3) 也可顺利进行, 且具有较高的活性和稳定性.     

Direct catalytic enantio- and diastereoselective aldol reaction of thioamides

A direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of thioamides using a soft Lewis acid/hard Br?nsted base cooperative catalyst comprising (R,R)-Ph-BPE/[Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)]PF(6)/LiOAr is described. Exclusive enolate generation from thioacetamides through a soft-soft interaction with the soft Lewis acid allowed for a direct aldol reaction to α-nonbranched aliphatic aldehydes, which are usually susceptible to self-condensation under conventional basic conditions. A hard Lewis basic phosphine oxide has emerged as an effective additive to constitute a highly active ternary soft Lewis acid/hard Br?nsted base/hard Lewis base cooperative catalyst, enabling a direct enantio- and diastereoselective aldol reaction of thiopropionamides. Strict control of the amount of the hard Lewis base was essential to drive the catalytic cycle efficiently with a minimized retro-aldol pathway, affording syn-aldol products with high stereoselectivity. Divergent transformation of the thioamide functionality is an obvious merit of the present aldol methodology, allowing for a facile transformation of the aldol product into the corresponding aldehyde, ketone, amide, amine, and ketoester. An aldehyde derived from the direct aldol reaction was subjected to a second direct aldol reaction, which proceeded in a catalyst-controlled manner to provide 1,3-diols with high stereoselectivity.