Next‐Generation D2‐Symmetric Chiral Porphyrins for Cobalt(II)‐Based Metalloradical Catalysis: Catalyst Engineering by Distal Bridging

Novel D₂‐symmetric chiral amidoporphyrins with alkyl bridges across two chiral amide units on both sides of the porphyrin plane (designated “HuPhyrin”) have been effectively constructed in a modular fashion to permit variation of the bridge length. The Co^II complexes of HuPhyrin, [Co(HuPhyrin)], represent new‐generation metalloradical catalysts where the metal‐centered d‐radical is situated inside a cavity‐like ligand with a more rigid chiral environment and enhanced hydrogen‐bonding capability. As demonstrated with cyclopropanation and aziridination as model reactions, the bridged [Co(HuPhyrin)] functions notably different from the open catalysts, exhibiting significant enhancement in both reactivity and stereoselectivity. Furthermore, the length of the distal alkyl bridge can have a remarkable influence on the catalytic properties.     

Enantioselective Construction of α‐Chiral Silanes by Nickel‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−C(sp3) Cross‐Coupling

An enantioselective C(sp³)?C(sp³) cross‐coupling of racemic α‐silylated alkyl iodides and alkylzinc reagents is reported. The reaction is catalyzed by NiCl₂/(S,S)‐Bn‐Pybox and yields α‐chiral silanes with high enantiocontrol. The catalyst system does not promote the cross‐coupling of the corresponding carbon analogue, corroborating the stabilizing effect of the silyl group on the alkyl radical intermediate (α‐silicon effect). Both coupling partners can be, but do not need to be, functionalized, and hence, even α‐chiral silanes with no functional group in direct proximity of the asymmetrically substituted carbon atom become accessible. This distinguishes the new method from established approaches for the synthesis of α‐chiral silanes.     

Development of Chiral Spiro P‐N‐S Ligands for Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of β‐Alkyl‐β‐Ketoesters

The chiral tridentate spiro P‐N‐S ligands (SpiroSAP) were developed, and their iridium complexes were prepared. Introduction of a 1,3‐dithiane moiety into the ligand resulted in a highly efficient chiral iridium catalyst for asymmetric hydrogenation of β‐alkyl‐β‐ketoesters, producing chiral β‐alkyl‐β‐hydroxyesters with excellent enantioselectivities (95–99.9 % ee) and turnover numbers of up to 355 000.     

Tackling N‐Alkyl Imines with 3d Metal Catalysis: Highly Enantioselective Iron‐Catalyzed Synthesis of α‐Chiral Amines

A readily activated iron alkyl precatalyst effectively catalyzes the highly enantioselective hydroboration of N‐alkyl imines. Employing a chiral bis(oxazolinylmethylidene)isoindoline pincer ligand, the asymmetric reduction of various acyclic N‐alkyl imines provided the corresponding α‐chiral amines in excellent yields and with up to >99 % ee. The applicability of this base metal catalytic system was further demonstrated with the synthesis of the pharmaceuticals Fendiline and Tecalcet.     

Synthesis of New Chiral and Racemic 1,3‐Dioxolanes

A series of chiral 1,3‐dioxolanes, 3 – 12 , with >99% ee values, have been synthesized. This is the first study of chiral ketalization reaction starting from ketones with aryl, monosubstituted aryl, and long alkyl chains (C₁₁—AC₁₃). Their ee values were determined by chiral high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on Chiralcel OD column, using their racemic 1,3‐dioxolanes rac‐ 3 – 12 , which were also synthesized for the first time. These chiral and racemic 1,3‐dioxolanes were characterizated by infrared, NMR (¹H, ¹³C), mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, optical rotation, and chiral HPLC.     

Design of Binaphthyl‐Modified Symmetrical Chiral Phase‐Transfer Catalysts: Substituent Effect of 4,4′,6,6′‐Positions of Binaphthyl Rings in the Asymmetric Alkylation of a Glycine Derivative

A series of symmetrical chiral phase‐transfer catalysts with 4,4′,6,6′‐tetrasubstituted binaphthyl units have been designed, and these aryl‐ and trialkylsilyl‐substituted phase‐transfer catalysts, which included a highly fluorinated catalyst, were prepared. The chiral efficiency of these chiral phase‐transfer catalysts was investigated in the asymmetric alkylation of tert‐butylglycinate–benzophenone Schiff base under mild phase‐transfer conditions, and the eminent substituent effect of the 4,4′,6,6′‐positions of the binaphthyl units on enantioselection was observed. In particular, the OctMe₂Si‐substituted catalyst was found to be highly efficient for the phase‐transfer alkylation of tert‐butylglycinate–benzophenone Schiff base with various alkyl halides, including sec‐alkyl halides. The highly fluorinated catalyst was also utilized as a recyclable chiral phase‐transfer catalyst by simple extraction with fluorous solvents.     

Chiral stationary phases based on chitosan bis(4‐methylphenylcarbamate)‐(alkoxyformamide)

Highly N‐deacetylated chitosan was chosen as a natural chiral origin for the synthesis of the selectors of chiral stationary phases. Therefore, chitosan was firstly acylated by various alkyl chloroformates yielding chitosan alkoxyformamides, and then these resulting products were further derivatized with 4‐methylphenyl isocyanate to afford chitosan bis(4‐methylphenylcarbamate)‐(alkoxyformamide). A series of chiral stationary phases was prepared by coating these derivatives on 3‐aminopropyl silica gel. The content of the derivatives on the chiral stationary phases was nearly 20% by weight. The chiral stationary phases prepared from chitosan bis(4‐methylphenylcarbamate)‐(ethoxyformamide) and chitosan bis(4‐methylphenylcarbamate)‐(isopropoxyformamide) comparatively showed better enantioseparation capability than those prepared from chitosan bis(4‐methylphenylcarbamate)‐(n‐pentoxyformamide) and chitosan bis(4‐methylphenylcarbamate)‐(benzoxyformamide). The tolerance against organic solvents of the chiral stationary phase of chitosan bis(4‐methylphenylcarbamate)‐(ethoxyformamide) was investigated, and the results revealed that this phase can work in 100% ethyl acetate and 100% chloroform mobile phases. Because as‐synthesized chiral selectors did not dissolve in many common organic solvents, the corresponding chiral stationary phases can be utilized in a wider range of mobile phases in comparison with conventional coating type chiral stationary phases of cellulose and amylose derivatives.     

Enantioseparation of Amino Acids on a Chiral Stationary Phase Derived from L‐α‐Norleucinyl‐ and Pyrrolidinyl‐disubstituted Cyanuric Chloride by High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography

A silica‐based chiral stationary phase (CSP) derived from L‐α‐norleucinyl‐ and pyrrolidinyl‐disubstituted cyanuric chloride was prepared for the enantioseparation of methyl esters of N‐(3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl) amino acids by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The chromatographic results show that effective enantioseparation of methyl esters of N‐(3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl)amino acids, except for proline, was achieved on this chiral stationary phase. The chromatographic resolution of racemic n‐propyl ester of N‐(3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl)valine on CSP‐B is better than that of racemic methyl ester of N‐(3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl)valine on CSP‐B or CSP‐A reported previously (J. Chromatogr. A, 676 (1994) 303). The comparison of the chromatographic results obtained in this study with those on CSP‐A reported previously reveals that steric effect, instead of hydrophobic interaction, between the n‐butyl group attached to the chiral center of the chiral selector and the alkyl group attached to the chiral center of the chiral selectand plays a significant role in chiral discrimination. The increase in the selectivity factor of methyl esters of N‐(3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl)amino acids with bulky alkyl groups was examined on CSP‐B.     

Enantioselective Formal α‐Methylation and α‐Benzylation of Aldehydes by Means of Photo‐organocatalysis

Detailed herein is the photochemical organocatalytic enantioselective α‐alkylation of aldehydes with (phenylsulfonyl)alkyl iodides. The chemistry relies on the direct photoexcitation of enamines to trigger the formation of reactive carbon‐centered radicals from iodosulfones, while the ground‐state chiral enamines provide effective stereochemical control over the radical trapping process. The phenylsulfonyl moiety, acting as a redox auxiliary group, facilitates the generation of radicals. In addition, it can eventually be removed under mild reducing conditions to reveal methyl and benzyl groups.     

Oxodealkenylative Cleavage of Alkene C(sp3)−C(sp2) Bonds: A Practical Method for Introducing Carbonyls into Chiral Pool Materials

Reported herein is a one‐pot protocol for the oxodealkenylative introduction of carbonyl functionalities into terpenes and terpene‐derived compounds. This transformation proceeds by Criegee ozonolysis of an alkene, reductive cleavage of the resulting α‐alkoxy hydroperoxide, trapping of the generated alkyl radical with 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl (TEMPO), and subsequent oxidative fragmentation with MMPP. Using readily available starting materials from chiral pool, a variety of carbonyl‐containing products have been accessed rapidly in good yields.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Sonogashira Type Coupling of Alkynes with α‐Bromoamides

An asymmetric copper‐catalyzed Sonogashira type coupling between alkynes and α‐bromoamides has been developed. This method represents a facile approach to synthetically useful β, γ‐alkynyl amides from two readily available starting materials in a highly enantioselective manner. A Bisoxazoline diphenylanaline (BOPA) serves as the effective chiral ligand. Preliminary mechanistic studies support the formation of alkyl radical species .     

Chiral Phosphoric Acid Dual‐Function Catalysis: Asymmetric Allylation with α‐Vinyl Allylboron Reagents

We report a dual function asymmetric catalysis by a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst that controls both enantioselective addition of an achiral α‐vinyl allylboronate to aldehydes and pseudo‐axial orientation of the α‐vinyl group in the transition state. The reaction produces dienyl homoallylic alcohols with high Z‐selectivities and enantioselectivities. Computational studies revealed that minimization of steric interactions between the alkyl groups of the diol on boron and the chiral phosphoric acid catalyst influence the orientation of α‐vinyl substituent of the allylboronate reagent to occupy a pseudo‐axial position in the transition state.     

(R)‐2,3‐Cyclohexylideneglyceraldehyde,a Chiral Pool Synthon for the Synthesis of 2‐Azido‐1,3‐diols

A new approach was proposed for the synthesis of 2‐azido‐1,3‐diols from easily available and inexpensive chiral pool synthon (R)‐2,3‐O‐cyclohexylidene‐D ‐glyceraldehyde, through Mitsunobu azidation of 1,2‐diols. Both C(2) and C(1) azides in variable ratios were obtained in alkyl substituted diols with C(2) as the major one.     

Kinetic Resolution of Tertiary 2‐Alkoxycarboxamido‐Substituted Allylic Alcohols by Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Intramolecular Transesterification

A highly enantioselective kinetic resolution of tertiary 2‐alkoxycarboxamido allylic alcohols has been achieved through a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed intramolecular transesterification reaction. Both alkyl,aryl‐ and dialkyl‐substituted tertiary allylic alcohols were resolved with excellent efficiencies, affording both the recovered tertiary alcohols and the carbamate products with high enantioselectivities (with s factors up to 164.6). A gram‐scale reaction with 1 mol % catalyst loading and the facile conversion of the enantioenriched products into useful chiral building blocks, such as chiral oxazolidinones and β‐amino alcohols, demonstrate the value of this reaction.     

Direct Regiospecific and Highly Enantioselective Intermolecular α‐Allylic Alkylation of Aldehydes by a Combination of Transition‐Metal and Chiral Amine Catalysts

The first direct intermolecular regiospecific and highly enantioselective α‐allylic alkylation of linear aldehydes by a combination of achiral bench‐stable Pd⁰ complexes and simple chiral amines as co‐catalysts is disclosed. The co‐catalytic asymmetric chemoselective and regiospecific α‐allylic alkylation reaction is linked in tandem with in situ reduction to give the corresponding 2‐alkyl alcohols with high enantiomeric ratios (up to 98:2 e.r.; e.r.=enantiomeric ratio). It is also an expeditious entry to valuable 2‐alkyl substituted hemiacetals, 2‐alkyl‐butane‐1,4‐diols, and amines. The concise co‐catalytic asymmetric total syntheses of biologically active natural products (e.g., Arundic acid) are disclosed.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Intramolecular Homologation of Ketones with α‐Diazoesters: Synthesis of Cyclic α‐Aryl/Alkyl β‐Ketoesters

A catalytic asymmetric intramolecular homologation of simple ketones with α‐diazoesters was firstly accomplished with a chiral N,N′‐dioxide–Sc(OTf)₃ complex. This method provides an efficient access to chiral cyclic α‐aryl/alkyl β‐ketoesters containing an all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter. Under mild conditions, a variety of aryl‐ and alkyl‐substituted ketone groups reacted with α‐diazoester groups smoothly through an intramolecular addition/rearrangement process, producing the β‐ketoesters in high yield and enantiomeric excess.     

Catalytic Enantioselective 1,3‐Alkyl Shift in Alkyl Aryl Ethers: Efficient Synthesis of Optically Active 3,3′‐Diaryloxindoles

Reported is the first organocatalytic asymmetric 1,3‐alkyl shift in alkyl aryl ethers for the synthesis of chiral 3,3′‐diaryloxindoles using a chiral Brønsted acid catalyst. Preliminary results showed that each enantiomer of the 3,3′‐diaryloxindole, and a racemic mixture, showed different antiproliferative activities against HeLa cell lines by using an MTT assay.     

Stereoselective Csp3−Csp2 Cross‐Couplings of Chiral Secondary Alkylzinc Reagents with Alkenyl and Aryl Halides

We report palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions of chiral secondary non‐stabilized dialkylzinc reagents, prepared from readily available chiral secondary alkyl iodides, with alkenyl and aryl halides. This method provides α‐chiral alkenes and arenes with very high retention of configuration (dr up to 98:2) and satisfactory overall yields (up to 76 % for 3 reaction steps). The configurational stability of these chiral non‐stabilized dialkylzinc reagents was determined and exceeded several hours at 25 °C. DFT calculations were performed to rationalize the stereoretention during the catalytic cycle. Furthermore, the cross‐coupling reaction was applied in an efficient total synthesis of the sesquiterpenes (S)‐ and (R)‐curcumene with control of the absolute stereochemistry.     

Chemical Kinetic Resolution of Unprotected β‐Substituted β‐Amino Acids Using Recyclable Chiral Ligands

The first chemical method for resolution of N,C‐unprotected β‐amino acids was developed through enantioselective formation and disassembly of nickel(II) complexes under operationally convenient conditions. The specially designed chiral ligands are inexpensive and can be quantitatively recycled along with isolation of the target β‐substituted‐β‐amino acids in good yields and excellent enantioselectivity. The method features a broad synthetic generality including β‐aryl, β‐heteroaryl, and β‐alkyl‐derived β‐amino acids. The procedure is easily scaled up, and was used for the synthetically and economically advanced preparation of the anti‐diabetic drug sitagliptin.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of 1,3‐Butadienyl‐2‐carbinols by the Homoallenylboration of Aldehydes with a Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyst

Asymmetric C(sp)? C(sp²) bond formation to give enantiomerically enriched 1,3‐butadienyl‐2‐carbinols occurred through a homoallenylboration reaction between a 2,3‐dienylboronic ester and aldehydes under the catalysis of a chiral phosphoric acid (CPA). A diverse range of enantiomerically enriched butadiene‐substituted secondary alcohols with aryl, heterocyclic, and aliphatic substituents were synthesized in very high yield with high enantioselectivity. Preliminary density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the reaction proceeds via a cyclic six‐membered chairlike transition state with essential hydrogen‐bond activation in the allene reagent. The catalytic reaction was amenable to the gram‐scale synthesis of a chiral alkyl butadienyl adduct, which was converted into an interesting optically pure compound bearing a benzo‐fused spirocyclic cyclopentenone framework.