Stereoselective quaternization of alpha-amino phenylacetonitriles mediated by a remote sulfinyl group

Enantiomerically pure alpha-substituted alpha-amino phenylacetonitriles have been readily prepared from 2-p-tolylsulfinylbenzaldimines following a two-step sequence: a moderately stereoselective hydrocyanation of the imines and a completely stereoselective quaternization of the resulting diastereoisomeric mixture of alpha-amino phenylacetonitriles with different alkylating or acylating reagents in the presence of KHMDS. Theoretical calculations support a stereoselectivity control exerted by the remote sulfinyl group, as long as it is responsible for the conformational preferences of the benzyllithium intermediates, which suffer the attack of the electrophiles to the less hindered diastereotopic face.     

Asymmetric synthesis of benzylic quaternary difunctionalized carbons mediated by a remote sulfinyl group

Enantiomerically enriched α-aryl α-cyanoacetates and α-aryl α-acylacetonitriles bearing a benzylic quaternary stereocenter have been readily synthesized by stereoselective reaction of 2-alkyl-2-[2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)phenyl]acetonitriles with different acylating and alkoxycarbonylating reagents under basic conditions. The stereoselectivity of the reactions proved closely dependent on the nature of the intermediate carbanionic species, the evolution of which was effectively controlled by a sulfinyl group as a remote chiral auxiliary.     

Regioselective titanium mediated reductive opening of 2,3-epoxy alcohols

Lithium borohydride reduction of 2,3-epoxy alcohols was shown to yield 1,2-diols in high regioselectivity with the aid of titanium tetraisopropoxide in benzene solution.     

Synthesis of optically pure vic-sulfanyl amines mediated by a remote sulfinyl group

Enantiomerically pure syn-1,2-diaryl-1,2-sulfanylamine derivatives can be obtained in a completely stereoselective manner by reaction of the benzylcarbanion Li-(S)-1 with N-phenyl (or PMP)-arylidene aldimines and further desulfinylation with t-BuLi. Theoretical studies at the DFT (mPW1PW91) level with the CPCM model, by using the Gaussian09 program, provide a good explanation for the stereochemical results.     

Asymmetric intramolecular pauson-khand reaction mediated by a remote sulfenyl or sulfinyl group

In this work, we report the use of the asymmetric intramolecular Pauson-Khand reactions of 4-aryl-4-cyano-1,6-enynes for obtaining enantiomerically enriched bicyclo[3.3.0]octenones, and the influence of both the quaternary stereocenter and the sulfur functions located at ortho-position of the aryl group, on their stereoselectivity and reactivity. The sulfenyl derivatives bearing substituted or unsubstituted triple bonds and mono- and disubstituted alkene moieties afford bicyclo[3.3.0]octenones in high yields with complete diastereocontrol. These results are explained by assuming the association of the lone electron pair at sulfur to the Co-alkyne complexes.     

Stereoselective synthesis of highly O-functionalized enantiopure 2,3,4-trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans by tandem debenzylative cyclization of glycal derived 2,3-epoxy alcohols

A new and highly efficient methodology for the construction of synthetically important highly O-functionalized enantiopure 2,3,4-trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans with three contiguous stereocenters is reported.     

Regioselective reductions of 2,3-epoxy alcohols

Regioselective reduction of 3-substituted-2,3-epoxy alcohols to 1,3-diols with sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum hydride (Red-al) is shown to be a general reaction for these substitutes.     

Stereocontrolled reactions mediated by a remote sulfoxide group: synthesis of optically pure anti-beta-amino alcohols

[reaction: see text] A one-step synthesis of enantiomerically pure anti-1,2-amino alcohol derivatives has been achieved by reaction of prochiral oxygenated 2-p-tolylsulfinylbenzyl carbanions with N-sulfinylimines bearing the same configuration at sulfur.     

Asymmetric synthesis of ethoxydienamines in superbasic medium mediated by chiral sulfinyl group

The direct addition of metalated alkoxydiene 2, obtained from α,β-unsaturated acetal 1 through a LIC-KOR-promoted conjugated elimination reaction, to enantiopure sulfinimines 3 (both R and SN-sulfinyl imines) afforded N-sulfinyl alkoxydienyl amines 4 with high diastereoselectivity. Functionalized enantiopure alkoxydienyl amines 5 were then easily obtained upon the selective removal of the chiral auxiliary under mild conditions. Moreover, the further hydrolysis of the alkoxydienyl moiety gave access to protected enantiopure β-keto amines 7.     

Stereoselective construction of quaternary chiral centers using Ti(III)-mediated opening of 2,3-epoxy alcohols: studies directed toward the synthesis of penifulvins

A trisubstituted α,β-unsaturated ester moiety was suitably placed in a molecule also bearing an epoxy alcohol moiety at its other end to intramolecularly trap the intermediate radical, which was formed when the molecule was treated with Cp₂Ti(III)Cl to regio- and stereoselectively open its epoxy ring, giving rise to a quaternary chiral center. The method was subsequently used in an attempt to construct the bicyclic core framework of potent insecticides penifulvins.     

Stereoselective synthesis of β-fluoroallyl alcohols

β-Fluoroallyl alcohols ($\text{6}$) were obtained with high stereoselectivity by the LiA1H₄ reduction of 1-acetoxy-3-alkyl-2,2-difluorocyclopropanes ($\text{5}$).     

Stereoselective alkynylation of trans-2,3-epoxy sulfides with double inversion of configuration by alkynylaluminums

A stereoselective alkynylation reaction of rans-1-phenylthio-2,3-epoxyalkanes with alkynylaluminums which proceeds via episulfonium ions, that is, with double inversion of configuration, has been developed.     

Optically pure trans-2,3-disubstituted N-sulfinyl aziridines. Regio- and stereoselective opening mediated by the sulfinyl group

A new entry to optically pure trans-2,3-disubstituted N-sulfinyl aziridines starting from 1,2-aminosulfides, involving formation of a sulfonium salt intermediate followed by intramolecular nucleophilic attack by the sulfinamide nitrogen atom, is reported. The regio- and stereoselective opening of the aziridine ring can be achieved by anchimeric assistance of the sulfinyl group.     

Highly stereoselective synthesis of erythro-α, β-epoxy alcohols by the reduction of α, β-epoxy ketones with zinc borohydride

$\text{Erythro}$-α, β-epoxy alcohols were prepared in high stereoselectivity by zinc borohydride reduction of the corresponding α, β-epoxy ketones regardless of the substituents on the epoxide ring.     

The C2 selective nucleophilic substitution reactions of 2,3-epoxy alcohols mediated by trialkyl borates: the first endo-mode epoxide-opening reaction through an intramolecular metal chelate

[reaction: see text] Highly efficient C2 selective substitution reactions of 2,3-epoxy alcohols with nucleophiles were developed by using NaN(3)-(CH(3)O)(3)B, NaSPh-(CH(3)O)(3)B, or NaCN-(C(2)H(5)O)(3)B system. The reaction proceeds through novel endo-mode epoxide opening of an intramolecular boron chelate, which was suggested from both experimental and quantum mechanic studies.     

Synthesis of chiral 4-hydroxy-2,3-unsaturated carbonyl compounds from 3,4-epoxy alcohols by oxidation: application in the formal synthesis of macrosphelide A

An interesting transformation during the oxidation of 3,4-epoxy alcohols 1a-d, derived from the corresponding homoallylic alcohols, led to the formation of 4-hydroxy-2,3-unsaturated carbonyls 2a-d in very good yields. One of these products 2c was transformed into the functionalised carboxylic acid 5, an advanced stage intermediate from which the total synthesis of macrosphelide A has been reported.     

Stereoselective synthesis of secondary and tertiary propargylic alcohols induced by a chiral sulfoxide auxiliary

The synthesis of optically active secondary and tertiary propargylic alcohols was accomplished by addition of lithium acetylide to chiral β-sulfinyl enones. Only a stoichiometric amount of the lithium acetylide was required and various substituents were tolerated. This reaction could be applied to substrates consisting of both ketones and aldehydes in high yields and excellent diastereoselectivities.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 1,2-aminoalcohols by [2,3]-wittig rearrangements

[2,3]-Wittig rearrangements of (E)-3-aza-allylic alcohol derivatives can provide access to functionalized 1,2-aminoalcohols with high syn or anti diastereoselectivity depending on the anionic stabilizing group (amide or alkyne).