Synthesis of novel chiral bis(2-oxazolinyl)xanthene (xabox) ligands and their evaluation in catalytic asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of nitrones with 3-crotonoyl-2-oxazolidinone

Chiral 4,5-bis(2-oxazolinyl)-(2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethyl)-9H-xanthenes (xabox) were synthesized and the chiral environments were evaluated in catalytic asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of nitrones resulting in good to excellent enantioselectivities. 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition reactions of nitrones with 3-crotonoyl-2-oxazolidinone in the presence of a bis(2-oxazolinyl)xanthene (4c; xabox-Bn) and Mn(II) or Mg(II) complex as a chiral Lewis acid catalyst proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding cycloadducts ranging from 96:4 to >99:1 of endo:exo ratio and ranging from 91% to 98% ee for the endo adduct.     

Asymmetric cycloaddition reactions between 2-benzopyrylium-4-olates and 3-(2-alkenoyl)-2-oxazolidinones in the presence of 2,6-bis(oxazolinyl)pyridine-lanthanoid complexes

Highly enantioselective (96% ee) and endo-selective (>99:1) cycloaddition reactions were observed between carbonyl ylides, generated from o-(p-bromobenzyloxy)carbonyl-α-diazoacetophenone, and 3-crotonoyl-2-oxazolidinone using (4S,5S)-Pybox-4,5-Ph₂-Yb(OTf)₃ (20 mol %) as the chiral Lewis acid catalyst. In contrast, high exo-selectivity (exo/endo=82:18; 96% ee, exo) was observed for the reaction of o-methoxycarbonyl-α-diazoacetophenone with 3-acryloyl-2-oxazolidinone under similar conditions as reported previously. In the case of cycloaddition reactions between 2-benzopyrylium-4-olate, generated from o-methoxycarbonyl-α-diazoacetophenone, and 3-cinnamoyl- or 3-[(E)-3-(ethoxycarbonyl)propenoyl]-2-oxazolidinones, using the same chiral Lewis acid, the reaction favored the endo-adduct with relatively good enantioselectivity (72 and 78% ee, respectively).     

Asymmetric hetero-Diels–Alder reaction of 1-alkyl-3-silyloxy-1,3-dienes with ethyl glyoxylate catalyzed by a chiral (salen)cobalt(II) complex

The hetero-Diels–Alder reactions of 1-alkyl-3-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy-1,3-butadienes with ethyl glyoxylate catalyzed by chiral salen–metal complexes have been studied. With a cobalt(II) complex as the catalyst, the reaction of 1-(2-benzyloxyethyl)-3-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy-1,3-butadiene with ethyl glyoxylate gave the Diels–Alder product in 75% isolated yield with the endo:exo ratio >99:1 and the enantiomeric excess ≥52%. The effects of temperature, catalyst and solvent are also discussed.     

Substituent control in the diastereoselectivity of dipolar cycloadditions of nitrones and their Zn(II) complexes with N-arylmaleimides

The π-π stacking interactions between maleimide's and nitrone's aromatic rings during the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition were assumed to control the exo-endo selectivity of the reaction. The exo-endo ratios change during the reactions until they reach a constant value, which depends on the substituent. Electron-withdrawing groups favour the exo adduct while electron-donating groups favour the endo adduct. The nitrone ZnBr₂ complexes react much more slowly than the free nitrone and the cycloaddition is exo selective in all cases independent of the substituents on the maleimide's aromatic ring. Thermal retrocycloaddition of the cycloadducts produce the corresponding nitrones. The ring opening in the presence of secondary amines did not induce imine formation. endo Adducts were shown for the first time to be the stable paramagnetic compounds.     

Highly enantioselective hetero Diels–Alder reactions of N-sulfinyl dienophiles promoted by copper(II)- and zinc(II)-chiral bis(oxazoline) complexes

Hetero Diels–Alder reactions of 1,3-cyclohexadiene with N-sulfinyl dienophiles 1a or 1b, promoted by Cu(II)- or Zn(II)-chiral bis(oxazoline) complexes, afforded endo adducts in high yields (up to 85%) and enantiomeric excess (e.e. of up to >98%) under stoichiometric conditions. With 10 mol% loading of the Zn(II) catalyst up to 75% e.e. was obtained for the endo adduct (endo:exo=10:1, total yield 68%).     

Yb(OTf)3-Catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrone with alkene; Switch in diastereoselectivity by solvent and bidentate auxiliary

Yb(OTf)₃ (ytterbium trifluoromethanesulfonate)-catalyzed diastereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a nitrone with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds was studied. While endo-cycloadduct was obtained from the reaction of C, N-diphenylnitrone with N-crotonoyl-oxazolidinone or N-crotonyl-2-pyrrolidinone in toluene, exo-adduct was predominant in acetonitrile. The enones carrying imidazolidinone or succinimide ring reacted with the nitrone to give the exo-adducts primarily in both solvents.     

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition reaction of a d-galactose derived nitrone with allyl alcohol: synthesis of polyhydroxylated perhydroazaazulene alkaloids

Diastereofacial intermolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of d-galactose derived nitrone with allyl alcohol followed by tosylation afforded, in a 1:1 ratio endo- and exo-isooxazolidines 4a and 4b with complete diastereoselectivity at the nitrone carbon. The N–O bond reductive cleavage and S_N2 displacement afforded the pyrrolidine ring with a galactose appendage that on acetonide cleavage and reductive amino-cyclization afforded pentahydroxylated perhydroazaazulenes 1a and 1b.     

Inverse electron demand asymmetric cycloadditions of cyclic carbonyl ylides catalyzed by chiral Lewis acids—Scope and limitations of diazo and olefinic substrates

High enantioselectivities (94-96% ee) were obtained for the inverse electron-demand 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions between cyclohexyl vinyl ether and 2-benzopyrylium-4-olate generated via Rh₂(OAc)₄-catalyzed decomposition of o-methoxycarbonyl-α-diazoacetophenone. The reactions were effectively catalyzed by Eu(OTf)₃, Ho(OTf)₃, or Gd(OTf)₃ complexes (10 mol %) of chiral 2,6-bis[(4S,5S)-4,5-diphenyl-2-oxazolinyl]pyridine. The reactions with the other electron-rich dipolarophiles such as allyl alcohol, 2,3-dihydrofuran, and butyl-tert-butyldimethylsilylketene acetal showed moderate enanantioselectivities (60-73% ee). Good to high enantioselectivities (73-97% ee) were also obtained for the cycloadditions between 3-acyl-2-benzopyrylium-4-olates, generated from methyl 2-(2-diazo-1,3-dioxoalkyl)benzoates and butyl or cyclohexyl vinyl ethers, in the presence of binaphthyldiimine (BINIM)-Ni(II) complexes (10 mol %). Under similar conditions, the reaction between methyl 2-(2-diazo-1,3-dioxohexyl)benzoate and 2,3-dihydrofuran was highly endo-selective, and moderately enantioselective (70% ee). For the BINIM-Ni(II)-catalyzed reactions of cyclohexyl vinyl ether, the use of an epoxyindanone as the 3-acyl-2-benzopyrylium-4-olate precursor revealed that the chiral Lewis acid can function as a catalyst for asymmetric induction. The scope of the cyclic carbonyl ylides was extended to those generated from 1-diazo-2,5-pentanedione derivatives, which were reacted with butyl or TBS vinyl ether and catalyzed using the (4S,5S)-Pybox-4,5-Ph₂-Lu(OTf)₃ complex to give good levels of asymmetric inductions (75-84% ee).     

Use of chiral Ti(IV) complexes in the cycloaddition of C,N-diphenylnitrone to tert-butyl vinyl ether

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of C,N-diphenylnitrone to tert-butyl vinyl ether in the presence of several chiral Ti(IV) species which incorporate different bidentate C₂-symmetrical ligands has been investigated. Several complexes have shown very efficient catalytic activity. The endo/exo selectivity of the process can be dramatically reversed in relation to the uncatalysed reaction, but low enantioselectivities up to 41% ee are found.     

Iron carbonyl complexes of 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(methylene)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. Crystal and molecular structure of (C10H10O)Fe(CO)3 and (C9H10CO)Fe2(CO)6

The reaction of 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(methylene)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (I) with iron carbonyls in various solvents yields the (η⁴-1,3-diene)Fe(CO)₃ isomers (II: exo; III: endo) and the bimetallic isomers bis[(η⁴-1,3-diene)Fe(CO)₃] (IV: bis(exo); V: endo,exo). In weakly coordinating solvents, a parallel rearrangement of I occurs through CO bond cleavage of the allylic ether by Fe₂(CO)₉ yielding an unsaturated ketone (VI) bonded to two Fe(CO)₃ groups through a trimethylenemethane and a 1,3-diene system, respectively. The geometries of III and VI have been ascertained by X-ray crystal structure determinations.     

Cu-Fesulphos complexes: efficient chiral catalysts for asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

The Cu^I-Fesulphos catalyst system (≤3 mol %) shows an excellent performance in the asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides. High to very high levels of reactivity, endo/exo selectivity, and enantioselectivity (69->99% ee) are generally achieved with a very wide range of azomethine ylides and dipolarophiles. Based on experimental and computational studies data, a model that accounts for this high enantiocontrol is proposed.     

Kinetics of the metathesis polymerization of 5,6-Di(methoxycarbonyl)bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes on an original Hoveyda-Grubbs II type catalyst

The kinetics of the metathesis polymerization of three isomeric 2,3-dicarbomethoxy-5-norbornenes on an original Hoveyda-Grubbs II type catalyst Has been investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The activation energies of metathesis polymerization and the homopolymerization rate constants have been calculated for all esters from experimental data. The polymerization rate constant of endic acid dimethyl ester (endo,endo-2,3-dicarbomethoxy-5-norbornene) is almost two orders of magnitude lower than that of the reaction of exo,exo-2,3-dicarbomethoxy-5-norbornene. Selected parameters of the microstructure of the resulting polymers are presented.     

Asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions with hydrogen bonding heterogeneous catalysts and mechanistic studies on the reversal of enantioselectivity

Chiral bis(oxazoline) complexes of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Mg(II) have been immobilized on silica support via hydrogen-bonding interactions. Up to 93% ee is obtained in the Diels-Alder reaction between 3-((E)-2-butenoyl)-1,3-oxazolin-2-one and cyclopentadiene at room temperature with the heterogeneous bis(oxazoline) complexes, and the catalysts can be recycled without losing enantioselectivity. Experimental and theoretical studies show that the reversal of the absolute product configuration upon immobilization of the PhBOX-Cu(II) catalyst is triggered by the anion dissociation from Cu(II) onto the surface of the support.     

[4 + 2] Cycloaddition reactions of hexachlorotropone

The cycloaddition of hexachlorotropone to selected olefins, including 1,3-dienes, has been examined. Unlike tropone, which undergoes [6 + 4] cycloadditions with 1,3-dienes, only [4 + 2] processes were observed with hexachlorotropone. Its apparent preference for exo-addition (contrast tetrachlorocyclopentadienone) probably results from thermodynamic control of the endo : exo product ratios.     

Ag/ThioClickFerrophos catalyzed highly enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with alkenes

A silver(I)/ThioClickFerrophos complex catalyzed the endo selective asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of methyl N-benzylideneglycinate (the source of azomethine ylides) with α,β-unsaturated esters and maleimides to give the endo-2,4,5- and 2,3,4,5-substituted pyrrolidines in good yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). The complex also effectively catalyzed the endo selective reactions with β-nitrostyrene to give the 4-nitropyrrolidine in a high enantioselectivity.     

The role of the trifluoromethyl group in reactivity and selectivity in polar cycloaddition reactions. A DFT study

The role of the trifluoromethyl group in reactivity, regio-, and stereoselectivity in cycloaddition reactions has been analyzed by studying the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (13DC) reactions of nitrone 4 with 3,3,3-trifluoro-1-nitropropene 7b and 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-nitropropene 14 using density functional theory (DFT) methods at the B3LYP/6-311G(d) level. The recent M06-2X functional has also been evaluated but, although the thermodynamic performance is improved, the kinetic data are not necessarily better than those obtained by the popular B3LYP functional for cycloaddition reactions. Four reactive channels associated with the meta and ortho regio- and endo and exo stereoselective approach modes of the nitro group of these disubstituted ethylenes relative to nitrone 4 have been explored and characterized. Unlike other electron-withdrawing groups, the trifluoromethyl group increases the reactivity of the nitroethylene, but it does not modify the meta and endo selectivities when it is located at the β conjugated position of nitroethylene. Analysis of the global and local electrophilicity indices allows for an explanation of the role of the trifluoromethyl group in reactivity and regioselectivity of electrophilically activated ethylenes.     

A new pyridine-2,6-bis(oxazoline) for efficient and flexible lanthanide-based catalysts of enantioselective reactions with 3-alkenoyl-2-oxazolidinones

A new pyridine-2,6-bis(oxazoline) (4) has been easily synthesised from the reaction of (1S,2S)-2-amino-1-phenylpropane-1,3-diol (1) and dimethyl pyridine-2,6-dicarboximidate (2), followed by TIPS (TIPS=triisopropylsilyl) protection of the 4'-CH2OH group. The catalysts derived from 4 and eight lanthanide(III) triflates have been tested over three reactions involving 3-acryloyl- and 3-crotonoyloxazolidinones (5 a,b): the Diels-Alder (DA) reaction with cyclopentadiene, the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with diphenyl nitrone and the Mukaiyama-Michael reaction with 2-trimethylsilyloxyfuran. Several reactions exhibit very good enantioselectivity (ee>90 %), and the opposite enantiomers can be easily obtained simply by changing the cation. This specific feature of the ligand can be appreciated in the DA reaction of 5 a, since the catalyst [Sc(III)4] gives the adduct (2'S)-9 a with 99 % ee, whereas the catalyst [Y(III)4] gives the opposite enantiomer with 95 % ee. A rationale of the enantioselectivity is proposed on the basis of the NMR spectra of La-based complexes involving 4 and 5 as ligands.     

Azabrendanes IV. Synthesis and characterization of N-(alkyl- and benzylsulfonyl)-exo-2-hydroxy-4-azatricyclo[4.2.1.0]nonanes

exo- and endo-5-Aminomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes have been obtained from stereoisomeric exo- and endo-5-cyanobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes and the corresponding sulfonamides were obtained through reaction of amines with methyl-, n-propyl-, n-butyl-, benzyl-, and cyclohexylsulfonyl chlorides. From the stereoisomeric sulfonamides with peroxy acids, various products were obtained: exo-sulfonamides were transformed into epoxy derivatives, and, in contrast, most of the endo-stereoisomers underwent heterocyclization resulting in substituted exo-2-hydroxy-4-azatricyclo[4.2.1.0^3,7]nonanes. The type of the products obtained did not depend on the type of peroxy acid used (peroxyacetic, peroxyphthalic, and m-chloroperoxybenzoic one). In contrast to other endo-sulfonamides, N-(cyclohexylsulfonyl)-endo-5-aminomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene in reaction with peroxyacetic acid did not undergo heterocyclization, probably, due to steric factors. The structure and stereochemical homogeneity of the sulfonamides and the structure of the products of their oxidation with peroxy acids were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. The molecular structure of N-(cyclohexylsulfonyl)-endo-5-aminomethyl-exo-2,3-epoxybicyclo[2.2.1]heptane was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The mechanism of the intramolecular heterocyclization reaction of N-substituted endo-5-aminomethyl-exo-2,3-epoxybicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes was studied at the BHandHLYP/6-31G(d) level of theory.     

Organometallic gold(III) and gold(I) complexes as catalysts for the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to nitrones: synthesis of novel gold-nitrone derivatives

Gold(III) and gold(I) anionic salts mediate the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of N-benzyl-C(2-pyridyl)nitrone (2-PyBN) (1) and methyl acrylate (2) (gold 5-10 mol% with respect to the nitrone) decreasing the reaction time and favouring the formation of the exo (cis) isomer. The best catalyst found was Na[AuCl₄] (7) able to perform the addition reaction in 56 h (instead of the 96 h required for the control experiment) and giving an endo/exo relation between isomers of 44/56 (as opposed to 73/27, blank reaction). The catalytic activity of several organometallic gold complexes with the radicals pentafluorophenyl (C₆F₅) or mesityl (2,4,6-(CH₃)₃C₆H₂) has been also investigated. In some cases the activity is very similar to that obtained with inorganic salts. With the aim of identifying possible metallic intermediates in the cycloaddition reaction, novel gold(III) and gold(I) nitrone derivatives such as [Au(C₆F₅)Cl₂(2-PyBN)] (21), [Au(C₆F₅)₂Cl(2-PyBN)] (22) and [Au(C₆F₅)(2-PyBN)] (23) have been prepared and characterized. The reaction between [AuCl₃(tht)] and 2-PyBN unexpectedly affords the ionic compound [2-PyBN-H][AuCl₄] (5) which also displays catalytic activity and moderate regioselectivity and whose crystal structure has been confirmed by X-ray studies.     

Heterogeneous asymmetric Diels–Alder reactions using a copper–chiral bis(oxazoline) complex immobilized on mesoporous silica

A chiral bis(oxazoline)–copper complex was immobilized onto mesoporous silica and the resulting heterogeneous catalyst was employed in asymmetric Diels–Alder reactions. Reactions using the catalyst exhibited good enantioselectivity of 78% enantiomeric excess and endo/exo-selectivity (17:1) better than the corresponding homogeneous reaction. The catalyst could be easily recovered and reused several times without significant loss of the remarkable reactivity, diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity.