Enantioselective Access to (−)‐Ambrox® Starting from β‐Farnesene

Starting from inexpensive (E)‐β‐farnesene ( 1 ), an eight‐step enantioselective synthesis of the olfactively precious Ambrox^® ((?)‐ 2a ) has been performed. The crucial step is the catalytic asymmetric isomerization of (2E,6E)‐N,N‐diethylfarnesylamine ( 3 ) to the corresponding enamine (?)‐(R,E)‐ 4a , applying Takasago's well‐known industrial methodology. The resulting dihydrofarnesal ((+)‐(R)‐ 5 ) (90% yield, 96% ee), obtained after in situ hydrolysis (AcOH, H₂O), was then cyclized under catalytic SnCl₄ conditions, via its corresponding unreported enol acetate (?)‐(R)‐ 4b , to afford trans‐decalenic aldehyde (+)‐ 6a . Subsequent transformations furnished bicyclic ketone (?)‐ 8a and unsaturated nitrile (+)‐ 11 , both reported as intermediates to access to (?)‐ 2a .     

Preparation of C2‐Symmetric Bis[2‐(diphenylphosphino)ferrocen‐1‐yl]‐ methane and Its Use in Rhodium‐ and Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation

The two diphosphine ligands (R_p,R_p)‐ and (S_p,S_p)‐bis[2‐(diphenylphospino)ferrocenyl]methane, (R_p,R_p)‐ and (S_p,S_p)‐ 1 , resp., were prepared in six steps from (S)‐ and (R)‐ferrocenyl tolyl sulfoxide, respectively (Scheme). In the solid state, both the diborane complex (R_p,R_p)‐ 1 ? (BH₃)₂ and the palladium dichloride complex [PdCl₂((R_p,R_p)‐ 1 )] were found to adopt C₂‐pseudosymmetric structures according to X‐ray analyses (Figs. 2 and 3). In the Rh‐ and Ru‐catalyzed hydrogenation of selected alkenes and ketones in the presence of the new ligands, enantioselectivities of up to 55% ee were obtained.     

[(1R,2R)‐1,2‐Di­amino­cyclo­hexane‐κ2N,N′](α‐di­imine‐κ2N,N′)­platinum(II) bis­(hexa­fluoro­phosphate), where α‐di­imine is 2,2′‐bi­pyridine and 1,10‐phen­anthroline

The title Pt^II complexes, viz. (2,2′‐bi­pyridine‐κ²N,N′)[(1R,2R)‐1,2‐di­amino­cyclo­hexane‐κ²N,N′]­platinum(II) bis­(hexa­fluoro­phosphate), [Pt(C₆H₁₄N₂)(C₁₀H₈N₂)](PF₆)₂, and [(1R,2R)‐1,2‐di­amino­cyclo­hexane‐κ²N,N′](1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)platinum(II) bis­(hexa­fluoro­phosphate), [Pt(C₆H₁₄N₂)(C₁₂H₈N₂)](PF₆)₂, containing an aromatic α‐di­imine and a non‐planar di­amino­cyclo­hexane, both form a ladder‐type structure, which is constructed via loose π–π stacking on the α‐di­imine ligands and hydrogen bonding between the cyclic amines and the counter‐anions. In the former compound, there are two independent complex cations, both of which have a twofold axis through the Pt atom.     

6,6′‐Di­methoxy‐2,2′‐[(1R,2R)‐cyclo­hexane‐1,2‐diyl­bis­(nitrilo­methyl­idyne)]­diphenol: three C—H⃛O hydrogen bonds generate a three‐dimensional framework

Molecules of the title compound, alternatively called (R,R)‐N,N′‐bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene)‐trans‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine, C₂₂H₂₆N₂O₄, contain two intramolecular O—H⃛N hydrogen bonds and adopt a conformation with approximate twofold rotational symmetry. The mol­ecules are linked by three C—H⃛O hydrogen bonds [H⃛O = 2.45–2.55 Å, C⃛O = 3.329 (2)–3.398 (2) Å and C—H⃛O = 142–172°] into a continuous framework.     

An efficient preparation of β‐dimethylaminovinyl sulfone and sulfoximide,and investigation of their reactivity as dipolarophiles

A simple reaction affording (E)‐1‐dimethylamino‐2‐phenylsulfonylethylene, and S‐((E)‐2‐(N',N'‐dimethylamino)ethenyl)‐S‐phenyl‐N‐(p‐tolylsulfonyl) sulfoximide in high yields is described. A reversal in regioselectivity was observed when the β‐dimethylaminovinyl sulfone was employed as a dipolarophile in cycloadditions with nitrile oxides. The sulfone gives rise mainly to 4‐substituted isoxazoles, after elimination of dimethyl amine. In comparison, phenyl vinyl sulfone cycloadds to give 5‐substituted isoxazolines. Although not showing comparable dipolarophilic activity in reactions with nitrile oxides and nitrile imides, the β‐dimethylaminovinyl sulfoximide was easily converted to S‐((E)‐(3‐ethoxycarbonyl)prop‐2‐enyl)‐S‐phenyl‐N‐(p‐tolylsulfonyl) sulfoximide. This allylic sulfoximide cycloadds in good yield to both benzonitrile oxide and diphenylnitrile imide, but no stereoselectivity was observed in the process; and only modest regioselectivity was detected in the case of benzonitrile oxide.     

Synthesis of New C2‐Symmetric Chiral Bisamides from (1S,2S)‐Cyclohexane‐1,2‐dicarboxylic Acid

A series of new C₂‐symmetric (1S,2S)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐dicarboxamides was synthesized from (1S,2S)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐dicarbonyl dichloride and N‐benzyl‐substituted aromatic amines, which were prepared from 2‐aminopyridine, 2‐chloroaniline, and 2‐aminophenol via imine formation with benzaldehyde and subsequent reduction with NaBH₄. (1S,2S)‐N,N′‐Dibenzyl‐N,N′‐bis[2‐(benzyloxy)phenyl]cyclohexane‐1,2‐dicarboxamide was converted to (1S,2S)‐N,N′‐dibenzyl‐N,N′‐bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane‐1,2‐dicarboxamide via hydrogenolysis in the presence of Pd(OH)₂ on active carbon powder.     

Crystallographic report: [N,N′‐Bis‐(6‐methylpyrid‐2‐ylium)‐(1R,2R)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane] bis‐[(p‐cymene)‐ trichlororuthenate(II)]

The chiral compound (H₂cydiampy)[RuCl₃(p‐cymene)]₂ has been obtained in high yield by treating [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ with an excess of hydrochloric acid in the presence of one equivalent of N,N′‐bis‐(6‐methylpyrid‐2‐yl)‐(1R,2R)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane (cydiampy). It crystallizes in the chiral tetragonal space group P4₃2₁2, with half of the atoms of the dication related to the other half by a crystallographic C₂ axis that also makes equivalent the two anionic metal moieties. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Regioselective Benzoylation of 6‐O‐Protected and 4,6‐O‐Diprotected Hexopyranosides as Promoted by Chiral and Achiral Ditertiary 1,2‐Diamines

Monobenzoylation of triols (6‐O‐silylated glycopyranosides) or diols (4,6‐O‐benzylidenated glycopyranosides) with benzoyl chloride and triethylamine at ?60° to 23° is promoted by catalytic amounts of ditertiary 1,2‐diamines. The regioselectivity depends mostly on the structure of the alcohols; it is modulated by the configuration and constitution of the diamines, as shown by comparing the effect of Oriyama's catalyst ((S)‐ 1 and (R)‐ 1 ), N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), N,N,N′,N′‐tetraethylethylenediamine (TEEDA), Et₃N, and EtNMe₂. The effect of the catalysts on the reactivity is impaired by their steric hindrance. In agreement with the modest enantioselectivity of the mono‐ and dibenzoylation of rac‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diol in the presence of Oriyama's catalyst, the influence of these diamines on the regioselectivity is rather limited. While associated with procedural simplicity, these catalysts lead, in a few cases, to higher yields of a single benzoate than established methods, viz. in the preparation of the 3‐O‐benzoyl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside 4 , the 2‐O‐benzoyl α‐D ‐galactopyranoside 22 , the 3‐O‐benzoyl α‐D ‐galactopyranoside 23 , and the benzylidenated 2‐O‐benzoyl α‐D ‐galactopyranoside 44 . The regioselective benzoylation of the benzylidenated β‐D ‐mannopyranoside 47 , leading to 48 , appears to be new.     

Generation and reactivity of 3‐carbethoxy‐5‐phenyl‐5H,7H‐thiazolo[3,4‐c]oxazol‐4‐ium‐1‐olate

3‐Carbethoxy‐5‐phenyl‐5H,7H‐thiazolo[3,4‐c]oxazol‐4‐ium‐1‐olate was generated from (2R,4R)‐N‐ethoxyoxalyl‐2‐phenylthiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid and its reactivity studied. This münchnone showed low reactivity as dipole although from the reaction with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate the corresponding (3R)‐3‐phenyl‐17H,3H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐c]thiazole‐5,6,7‐tricarboxylate could be isolated. The thermolysis of (2R,4R)‐N‐ethoxyoxalyl‐2‐phenylthiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid in refluxing acetic anhydride led to the synthesis of N‐(1‐ethoxycarbonyl‐2‐phenylvinyl)‐2‐phenyl‐4‐thioxo‐1,3‐thiazolidine. The structure of methyl (2R,4R)‐N‐ethoxyoxalyl‐2‐phenylthiazoliddine‐4‐carboxylate was determined by X‐ray crystallography.     

New electron‐deficient chiral phosphines: (4R,5R)‐1,3‐bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)perhydro‐1,3,2‐benzodiazaphosphol‐2‐yl] substituted amines

Three chiral electron‐deficient phosphine ligands, [(4R,15R)‐,3‐bis­(tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonyl)­per­hydro‐1,3,2‐benzodiazaphosphol‐2‐yl]­diethyl­amine, C₁₂H₂₀F₆N₃O₄PS₂, (IIIa), [(4R,5R)‐1,3‐bis­(tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonyl)­per­hydro‐1,3,2‐benzodi­aza­phosphol‐2‐yl]­di­methyl­amine, C₁₀H₁₆F₆N₃O₄PS₂, (IIIb), and bis­[(4R,5R)‐1,3‐bis­(tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonyl)­per­hydro‐1,3,2‐benzodi­aza­phosphol‐2‐yl]­methyl­amine, (IV), as the chloroform solvate, C₁₇H₂₃F₁₂N₅O₈P₂S₄·0.98CHCl₃, have been prepared from (1R,2R)‐N,N′‐bis­(tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonyl)‐1,2‐cyclo­hexane­di­amine and diethyl phosphor­amido­us dichloride, dimethyl phosphoramidous dichloride or methyl imidodi­phosphorus tetrachloride. The π‐acceptor abilities of these new types of ligands have been evaluated by X‐ray determination of the P—N bond lengths; it has been found that the most promising ligand is the bis­(phosphine) (IV).     

A one‐dimensional coordination polymer formed from the reaction of 1,1‐diphenyl‐3,3′‐[(1R,2R)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diylbis(azanediyl)]dibut‐2‐en‐1‐one with MnCl2·4H2O

In the title coordination polymer, catena‐poly[[dichloridomanganese(II)]‐μ‐1,1‐diphenyl‐3,3′‐[(1R,2R)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diylbis(azaniumylylidene)]dibut‐1‐en‐1‐olate‐κ²O:O′], [MnCl₂(C₂₆H₃₀N₂)]_n, synthesized by the reaction of the chiral Schiff base ligand 1,1‐diphenyl‐3,3′‐[(1R,2R)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diylbis(azanediyl)]dibut‐2‐en‐1‐one (L) with MnCl₂·4H₂O, the asymmetric unit contains one crystallographically unique Mn^II ion, one unique spacer ligand, L, and two chloride ions. Each Mn^II ion is four‐coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment by two O atoms from two L ligands and by two chloride ligands. The Mn^II ions are bridged by L ligands to form a one‐dimensional chain structure along the a axis. The chloride ligands are monodentate (terminal). The ligand is in the zwitterionic enol form and displays intramolecular ionic N⁺—H...O⁻ hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions between pairs of phenyl rings which strengthen the chains.     

A Novel 2H‐Azirin‐3‐amine as a Dipeptide (Aib‐Hyp) Synthon

The synthesis of methyl (2S,4R)‐4‐(benzyloxy)‐N‐(2,2‐dimethyl‐2H‐azirin‐3‐yl)prolinate ( 10 ), a novel 2H‐azirin‐3‐amine (`3‐amino‐2H‐azirine'), is described (Scheme 1). The reaction of methyl (2S,4R)‐N‐(2‐methylpropanoyl)‐4‐(benzyloxy)prolinate ( 7 ) with Lawesson reagent gave methyl (2S,4R)‐4‐(benzyloxy)‐N‐[2‐(methylthio)propanoyl]prolinate ( 8 ) and consecutive treatment with COCl₂, 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), and NaN₃ led to 10 . The use of 10 as a building block of the dipeptide Aib‐Hyp (Aib=2‐aminoisobutyric acid, Hyp=(2S,4R)‐4‐hydroxyproline) is demonstrated by the syntheses of several model peptides (Scheme 2 and Table). The benzyl protecting group of the 4‐OH function in Hyp in the model peptides has been removed in good yields.     

Di‐ and tripeptide segments of zervamicin II‐2: Z‐Thr(OBn)‐Aib‐N(Me)Ph and Z‐Val‐Aib‐Hyp(OBn)‐OMe

The title compounds, O‐benzyl‐N‐(benzyl­oxy­carbonyl)­threonyl‐2,N‐dimethyl­alanin­anilide, C₃₀H₃₅N₃O₅, and methyl (4R)‐4‐benzyl­oxy‐N‐(benzyl­oxy­carbonyl)­valyl‐2‐(methyl­alanyl)prolinate, C₃₀H₃₉N₃O₇, were obtained from the `azirine coupling' of the corresponding protected amino acids with 2,2,N‐trimethyl‐2H‐azirin‐3‐amine and methyl (4R)‐4‐(benzyl­oxy)‐N‐(2,2‐dimethyl‐2H‐azirin‐2‐yl)prolinate, respectively. The Aib unit in each mol­ecule has the greatest turn‐ or helix‐inducing effect on the mol­ecular conformation. Inter­molecular N—H⋯O inter­actions link the mol­ecules of the tripeptide into sheets and those of the dipeptide into extended chains.     

Preparation of New Ferrocenylmonophosphine Ligands Containing Two Planar Chiral Ferrocenyl Moieties and Their Use for Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrosilylation of 1,3‐Dienes

Bis{(R_p)‐2‐[(1S)‐1‐methoxyethyl]ferrocenyl}arylphosphines (S,R_p)‐ 9 (aryl=4‐MeOC₆H₄ ( 9a ), Ph ( 9b ), 4‐CF₃C₆H₄ ( 9c ), 3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃ ( 9d )), which contain two planar chiral ferrocenyl moieties, were prepared via (R_p)‐1‐bromo‐2‐[(1S)‐1‐methoxyethyl]ferrocene ((S,R_p)‐ 8 ). Asymmetric hydrosilylation of linear 1,3‐dienes such as deca‐1,3‐diene ( 10a ) with trichlorosilane in the presence of a palladium catalyst coordinated with 9d gave allylic silanes of up to 93% ee.     

The molecular and supramolecular structures of the isomeric compounds 5,7‐di­methoxy­imidazo­[1,2‐c]­pyrimidine and 7‐methoxy‐1‐methyl­imidazo­[1,2‐a]­pyrimidin‐5(1H)‐one

The supramolecular structures of the isomeric compounds 5,7‐di­methoxy­imidazo­[1,2‐c]­pyrimidine, C₈H₉N₃O₂, (I), and 7‐methoxy‐1‐methyl­imidazo­[1,2‐a]­pyrimidin‐5(1H)‐one, C₈H₉N₃O₂, (II), are determined by weak C—H⃛N and C—H⃛O hydrogen bonds in (I), which generate alternating linked centrosymmetric R(8) and R(10) rings that form a ribbon running parallel to the c axis, and by C—H⃛O bonds in (II), which link the mol­ecules into sheets comprising centro­symmetric R(10) and R(22) rings.     

Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation Catalyzed by Novel C2‐Symmetric Bisphosphinites

In this article, we present our results concerning new C₂‐symmetric bisphosphinites with a (1R,2R)‐1,2‐bis([1,1′: 3′,1″‐terphenyl]‐5′‐yl)ethane backbone. For the given chirality of the backbone, derivatives with aromatic and aliphatic substituents at the donor P‐atoms were synthesized with moderate yields in a straightforward manner. These compounds were evaluated in the Pd⁰‐catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylations (up to 67% ee).     

Enantioselective Synthesis and Application to the Allylic Imidate Rearrangement of Amine‐Coordinated Palladacycle Catalysts of Cobalt Sandwich Complexes

The reaction of (η⁵‐(N,N‐dimethylaminomethyl)cyclopentadien‐yl)(η⁴‐tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt with sodium tetrachloropalladate and (R)‐N‐acetylphenylalanine gave planar chiral palladacycle di‐μ‐chloridebis[(η⁵‐(S_p)‐2‐(N,N‐dimethylaminomethyl)cyclopentadienyl,1‐C,3′‐N)(η⁴‐tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt]dipalladium [(S_p)‐Me₂‐CAP‐Cl] in 92 % ee and 64 % yield. Enantiopurity (>98 % ee) was achieved by purification of the monomeric (R)‐proline adducts and conversion back to the chloride dimer. Treatment with AgOAc gave (S_p)‐Me₂‐CAP‐OAc which was applied to asymmetric transcyclopalladation (up to 78 % ee). The (R)‐N‐acetylphenylalanine mediated palladation methodology was applicable also to the corresponding N,N‐diethyl (82 % ee, 39 % yield) and pyrrolidinyl (>98 % ee, 43 % yield) cobalt sandwich complexes. A combination of 5 mol % of the latter [(S_p)‐Pyrr‐CAP‐Cl] and AgNO₃ (3.8 equiv) is a catalyst for the allylic imidate rearrangement of an (E)‐N‐aryltrifluoroacetimidate (up to 83 % ee), and this catalyst system is also applicable to the rearrangement of a range of (E)‐trichloroacetimidates (up to 99 % ee). This asymmetric efficiency combined with the simplicity of catalyst synthesis provides accessible solutions to the generation of non‐racemic allylic amine derivatives.     

Chloro(η6‐p‐cymene)(phosphoramidite)ruthenium(II), a 16‐Electron Fragment Stabilized by an η2‐Aryl–Metal Interaction,and Its Use in Asymmetric Cyclopropanation

Chloride abstraction from the half‐sandwich complexes [RuCl₂(η⁶‐p‐cymene)(P*‐κP)] ( 2a : P* = (S_a,R,R)‐ 1a = (1S_a)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diyl bis[(1R)‐1‐phenylethyl)]phosphoramidite; 2b : P* = (S_a,R,R)‐ 1b = (1S_a)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diyl bis[(1R)‐(1‐(1‐naphthalen‐1‐yl)ethyl]phosphoramidite) with (Et₃O)[PF₆] or Tl[PF₆] gives the cationic, 18‐electron complexes dichloro(η⁶‐p‐cymene){(1S_a)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diyl {(1R)‐1‐[(1,2‐η)‐phenyl]ethyl}[(1R)‐1‐phenylethyl]phosphoramidite‐κP}ruthenium(II) hexafluorophosphate ( 3a ) and [Ru(S)]‐dichloro(η⁶‐p‐cymene){(1S_a)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diyl {(1R)‐1‐[(1,2‐η)‐naphthalen‐1‐yl]ethyl}[(1R)‐1‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)ethyl]phosphoramidite‐κP)ruthenium(II) hexafluorophosphate ( 3b ), which feature the η²‐coordination of one aryl substituent of the phosphoramidite ligand, as indicated by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and ³¹P‐NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by an X‐ray study of 3b . Additionally, the dissociation of p‐cymene from 2a and 3a gives dichloro{(1S_a)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diyl [(1R)‐(1‐(η⁶‐phenyl)ethyl][(1R)‐1‐phenylethyl]phosphoramidite‐κP)ruthenium(II) ( 4a ) and di‐μ‐chlorobis{(1S_a)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diyl [(1R)‐1‐(η⁶‐phenyl)ethyl][(1R)‐1‐phenylethyl]phosphoramidite‐κP}diruthenium(II) bis(hexafluorophosphate) ( 5a ), respectively, in which one phenyl group of the N‐substituents is η⁶‐coordinated to the Ru‐center. Complexes 3a and 3b catalyze the asymmetric cyclopropanation of α‐methylstyrene with ethyl diazoacetate with up to 86 and 87% ee for the cis‐ and the trans‐isomers, respectively.     

Two salts of di‐p‐toluoyltartaric acid with aromatic amines

The structures of bis­[(R)‐(+)‐1‐phenyl­ethyl­ammonium] (2R,3R)‐(−)‐2,3‐di‐p‐toluoyloxybutane­dioate methanol disolvate monohydrate, 2C₈H₁₂N⁺·C₂₀H₁₆O₈²⁻·2CH₄O·H₂O, (I), and bis­(benzyl­ammonium) (2R,3R)‐(−)‐2,3‐di‐p‐toluoyl­oxy­butane­­dioate dihydrate, 2C₇H₁₀N⁺·C₂₀H₁₆O₈²⁻·2H₂O, (II), exhibit extensive hydrogen bonding, with (N—)H⋯O and (O—)H⋯O distances in the ranges 2.716 (2)–2.929 (3) and 2.687 (2)–2.767 (2) Å, respectively, in (I), and 2.673 (2)–2.888 (2) and 2.785 (2)–2.931 (2) Å, respectively, in (II). The amine groups are protonated and the carboxyl­ate groups of the tartrate anions are fully deprotonated. The conformation of the toluoyltartrate anion and its mol­ecular parameters are similar in both structures.     

Novel and Stereospecific Synthesis of (2S)‐3‐(2,4,5‐Trifluorophenyl)propane‐1,2‐diol from D‐Mannitol

A stereospecific synthesis of (2S)‐3‐(2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)propane‐1,2‐diol from D ‐mannitol has been developed. The reaction of 2,3‐O‐isopropylidene‐D ‐glyceraldehyde with 2,4,5‐trifluorophenylmagnesium bromide gave [(4R)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4‐yl](2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)methanol in 65% yield as a mixture of diastereoisomers (1 : 1). The Ph₃P catalyzed reaction of the latter with C₂Cl₆ followed by reduction with Pd/C‐catalyzed hydrogenation gave (2S)‐3‐(2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)propane‐1,2‐diol with >99% ee and 65% yield.