Immobilized microorganisms in the reduction of ethyl 4-chloro acetoacetate

Microorganisms were used to reduce ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetate (CAAE) to ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate [(S)-CHBE]. Mucor ramannianus provided 98% conversion with 84% ee. Free cells of Kluyveromyces marxianus led to 95% conversion with 81% ee. After a fractionary factorial design to study the reaction conditions, calcium alginate immobilized cells of K. marxianus furnished the product with 99% conversion with 91% ee.     

Polymeric salen-Ti(IV) or V(V) complex catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of O-acetylcyanohydrins from KCN, Ac2O and aldehydes

Polymeric salen-Ti(IV) and V(V) complexes were employed in the enantioselective O-acetyl cyanation of aldehydes with potassium cyanide and acetic anhydride. The crosslinked polymeric salen-Ti(IV) catalyst exhibited good activities and enantioselectivities, up to 91% ee with 99% conversion was obtained at −20 °C with 1 mol% of catalyst (based on bimetallic catalytic unit). Moreover, six consecutive recyclings with the easily recovered crosslinked polymeric catalyst showed no obvious decrease in either activity or enantioselectivity. Linear polymeric salen-V(V) catalyst showed good catalytic efficiency too, up to 94% ee with 99% conversion was obtained at −42 °C with 5 mol% of catalyst.     

Deracemisation of β-hydroxy esters using immobilised whole cells of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330: substrate specificity and mechanistic investigation

Deracemisation of aryl substituted β-hydroxy esters by immobilised whole cells of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 gave >99% ee and up to 75% yield of their corresponding (S)-enantiomers. Mechanistic investigation of the deracemisation reaction carried out using a deuterated substrate, ethyl 3-deutero-3-hydroxy-3-phenyl propanoate revealed that while the (S)-enantiomer remains unreacted the (R)-enantiomer undergoes enantioselective oxidation to its corresponding ketoester, which on complementary enantiospecific reduction gives the (S)-enantiomer in high yield and % ee.     

Me-AnilaPhos: a new chiral phosphine-phosphoramidite ligand for a highly efficient Rh-catalyzed asymmetric olefin hydrogenation

A cationic rhodium(I) complex with a novel chiral phosphine-phosphoramidite ligand based on 2-diphenylphosphino-N-methylaniline and R-BINOL moieties has been synthesized. The complex provided remarkably high activity and enantioselectivity in the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl (Z)-α-acetamidocinnamate (100% conversion after 10 min, 98% ee) and dimethyl itaconate (100% conversion after 26 min, 96% ee) under ambient conditions (1 bar hydrogen pressure, room temperature) using 1 mol % of the catalyst in dichloromethane as solvent. On the other hand, when hydrogenation was performed in methanol, both conversion and enantioselectivity were significantly diminished, due to the partial decomposition of the rhodium/phosphine-phosphoramidite complex.     

New chiral ferrocenyl amidophosphine ligand for remarkable improvement of enantioselectivities in copper-catalyzed addition of diethylzinc to N-sulfonylimines

(S)-N-Ferrocenoyl-2-[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]-pyrrolidine 3 was conveniently prepared from commercially available l-proline and ferrocenecarboxylic acid. In the presence of a catalytic amount of chiral ligand 3 (4 mol %) and Cu(OTf)₂ (3 mol %), the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to N-sulfonylimines was achieved in 57-99% yield with up to 88% ee.     

Preparation of all stereoisomers of 2-allyl-2-methyl-3-hydroxycyclopentanone by desymmetric processes based on a microbial oxidation and reduction system

All stereoisomers of 2-allyl-3-hydroxy-2-methylcyclopentanones 2-5 were prepared in high conversion and in an optically pure form by microbial reduction and oxidation. The reduction of symmetric diketone 1 by Geotrichum candidum NBRC 4597 under anaerobic conditions gave 2 in 83% yield (98% conversion), >99% de, and >99% ee, whereas the reduction of 1 by G. candidum NBRC 5767 under aerobic conditions gave 3 in 75% yield (99% conversion), >99% de, and >99% ee. Oxidation of meso-diol 6 by G. candidum NBRC 5767 under aerobic conditions afforded 4 in 83% yield (99% conversion) and >99% ee, while oxidation of meso-diol 7 by Mucor heimalis IAM 6095 in the presence of cyclohexanone as a co-oxidant afforded 5 in 68% yield (75% conversion) and >99% ee.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of 3(2H)-furanones with adjacent quaternary and tertiary stereocenters

An efficient stereoselective Michael addition of simple 3(2H)-furanones to α,β-unsaturated ketones has been described. The protocol provides a facile and efficient access to complex 3(2H)-furanones containing adjacent quaternary and tertiary stereocenters in high yields (up to 99%) with good diastereoselectivities (up to 86:14) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee) under mild conditions.     

Application of a chiral copper-1,1-bis{2-[(4S)-tert-butyloxazolinyl]}cyclopropane catalyst for asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene

The structural effects of the bridge moiety and 5-position on bisoxazoline ligands were studied for the copper-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate. The 1,1-bis{2-[(4S)-tert-butyloxazolinyl]}cyclopropane ligand showed a remarkable enhancement in the stereoselectivities (trans/cis = 84/16, >99.9% ee for the trans product) compared with the previously reported best ligand, 2,2-bis{2-[(4S)-tert-butyloxazolinyl]}propane (trans/cis = 75/25, 99.0% ee for the trans product).     

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of isobutyraldehyde to nitroalkenes

The asymmetric catalytic Michael reaction between isobutyraldehyde and nitroalkanes with chiral primary amine thiourea organocatalysts was described. In the presence of 10 mol % of 1-((1R,2R)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethyl)-3-benzylthiourea, the desired products were achieved in excellent enantioselectivity (up to>99% ee) with up to 98% yield.     

Asymmetric epoxidation of cis-1-propenylphosphonic acid (CPPA) catalyzed by chiral tungsten(VI) and molybdenum(VI) complexes

In the presence of 5.0 mol% chiral tungsten(VI) and molybdenum(VI) complexes, the catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of cis-1-propenylphosphonic acid (CPPA) with 30% aqueous H₂O₂ affording (1R,2S)-(−)-(1, 2)-epoxypropyl phosphonic acid (fosfomycin) was first described. The enantioselectivities of the tungsten and molybdenum catalysts depend strongly on the ligands, reaction temperature and solvent. In CH₂Cl₂ at 0 °C for 72 h, complex MoO₂[(+)-campy]₂ catalyzed the asymmetric epoxidation in a 100% conversion of CPPA with the highest 80% ee. The mechanism of the present epoxidation could be described as direct oxygen transfer occurred on the interface of the biphasic H₂O-nonprotic system.     

Synthesis of both enantiomers of ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxbutanoate from a prochiral ketone using Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330

Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 when grown in a medium containing glycerol reduced ethyl-4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate to (R)-ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanote (ee >99%, yield: 94%) while glucose and sucrose grown cells yielded (S)-ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanote (ee >99%, yield: 96%). The activity of ethyl-4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate reductase was higher in glucose-grown cells (160 U/g protein) when compared to sucrose (158 U/g protein) and glycerol (22 U/g protein). Both the enantiomers of ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate (ee >99%) can thus be obtained using Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 by altering the carbon source in the growth medium.     

Synthesis of enantiopure β-amino alcohols via AKR/ARO of epoxides using recyclable macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes

A series of chiral macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes 1-8 were synthesized and characterized. These complexes were found to be highly active, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective catalysts in aminolytic kinetic resolution (AKR) of racemic trans-epoxides as well as asymmetric ring opening (ARO) of prochiral meso-epoxides with various anilines as nucleophiles at room temperature in 18-24 h. Excellent yields (>99% with respect to the nucleophile) with high enantioselectivity (ee, >99%) of chiral anti-β-amino alcohols was achieved with concomitant recovery of corresponding epoxides in high ee (up to >99%). The complex 1 also catalyzed the ARO of meso-epoxides to provide corresponding syn-β-amino alcohols in high yield (99%) and ee (up to 91%). Due to built-in basic sites in the catalyst, no external base (as an additive) was required to promote AKR and ARO reactions. The catalyst 1 was conveniently recycled several times with retention of its performance. The AKR of trans-stilbene oxide with aniline was successfully demonstrated at relatively higher scale (10 mmol) using the catalyst 1.     

Chiral primary amine thiourea promoted highly enantioselective Michael reactions of isobutylaldehyde with maleimides

Chiral primary amine thiourea catalysts were first successfully applied to promote Michael addition of isobutyraldehyde to maleimides. A variety of N-aryl and N-aliphatic maleimides provided Michael adducts in excellent yields (up to 98%) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) with 5 mol % catalyst.     

Synthesis of highly decorated chiral 2-nitro-cyclohexane carboxylic esters through microwave-assisted organocatalyzed cascade reactions

Starting from (E)-β-substituted-β-nitroacrylates and α,β-unsaturated ketones, a stereoselective organocatalyzed one-pot methodology allowed to synthesize highly decorated chiral 2-nitro-cyclohexane carboxylic esters. The reaction is promoted by Cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amines in the presence of an acidic co-catalyst and affords two diastereoisomers, in good yields and high enantiomeric excess (often higher than 90% ee). By replacing conventional heating with microwave irradiation, cleaner reactions in shortened times (from 48 h to 30 min) were obtained, with improved dr (80:20) and high ee (up to 94%). The application of microwave technology to this organocatalytic methodology allowed also employing C1 substituted enones, leading to cyclohexanones with four contiguous stereocenters in two isomers only, and up to 99% enantioselectivity.     

l-Prolinamide derivatives as efficient organocatalysts for aldol reactions on water

A series of l-prolinamide derivatives have been evaluated as potential organocatalysts for aldol reactions. To synthesize these catalysts, a novel and simple route has been developed using proline N-carboxyanhydride (proline-NCA). A new catalyst with a trifluoromethyl-sulfonamide group has been found exhibiting excellent diastereoselectivity (anti/syn: 97/3) and enantioselectivity (99% ee) with 10 mol % loading and being easily recyclable in water.     

Immobilized microorganisms in the reduction of ethyl benzoylacetate

The enantioselective reduction of ethyl benzoylacetate (EBA) into ethyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoate (S-HPPE) by nine yeast strains and three filamentous fungi strains is described. The conversion obtained was in the range 0-89% and the enantiomeric excess was 100% in many cases. Conversion levels were higher when the reduction was performed with microorganisms immobilized in calcium alginate and enantioselectivity remained excellent. Some reaction’s conditions of bioreduction by immobilized cells of Rhodotorula rubra were studied using a 2^5-2 fractional factorial design.     

Determination of methanol in o,o-dimethyldithiophosphoric acid (DMDTPA) of technical grade by UV/vis spectrophotometry and by HPLC

Two procedures are proposed in this work for the determination of methanol impurities in o,o-dimethyldithiophosphoric acid (DMDTPA). To avoid possible interferences from the main component, DMDTPA was precipitated in the form of insoluble lead complex. Free Pb(II) ions were eliminated with sulfuric acid and methanol was oxidized to formaldehyde with potassium permanganate in methanesulfonic acid medium. Finally, the excess of oxidizing agent was neutralized with saturated sodium oxalate. The above pretreatment procedure was identical for spectrophotometric assay and for chromatographic determination. In the first case, the solution obtained was treated with Nash reagent to form 3,5-diacetyl-1,4-dihydrolutidine (λ_max = 415 nm). In the calibration range 0.1-1.0% (methanol in DMDTPA), the analytical figures of merit were: R² = 0.9993, quantification limit 0.02% methanol in DMDTPA coefficient of variance (n = 5) for 0.1% and 0.4% methanol respectively 6.7% and 2.4%. Recoveries obtained in the sample fortified with 0.1, 0.2, 0.4% of methanol (in DMDTPA) were in the range 99-105%. For chromatographic procedure, formaldehyde was derivatized with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and separation was achieved on Luna C18(2) column using the isocratic elution with acetonitrile-water (70:30, v/v) and spectrophotometric detection at 360 nm. In the calibration range 0.05-0.25% (methanol in DMDTPA), R² was always higher than 0.999, the quantification limit was 0.004% and the recoveries in these same fortified samples in the range 98-101%. No statistically significant differences were observed between the results obtained in the analysis of technical grade DMDTPA by the two procedures (ANOVA, p < 0.05)     

Preparative isolation and purification of isobenzofuranone derivatives and saponins from seeds of Nigella glandulifera Freyn by high-speed counter-current chromatography combined with gel filtration

Although the medicinal plant and food Nigella glandulifera Freyn has been researched for decades, isobenzofuranones have never been isolated before. Two isobenzofuranone derivatives and two saponins were successfully separated and purified from seeds of N. glandulifera Freyn by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) with the optimized two-phase solvent system, n-hexane-ethyl acetate–methanol–water (7:3:5:5, v/v). Salfredin B₁₁ (22.1 mg, HPLC purity 95.3%), 5, 7-dihydroxy-6-(3-methybut-2-enyl) isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (18.9 mg, HPLC purity 97.3%) and crude sample 2 (555 mg) were separated from 600 mg of ethyl acetate extract of N. glandulifera Freyn. Following a cleaning-up step by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20, hederagenin (12 mg) and 3-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin (45 mg) were separated from sample 2. All of the fractions before peak II were collected and subjected to a Sephadex LH-20 column and eluted by methanol, two of triterpene saponins (12 mg of hederagenin and 45 mg of 3-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin) were isolated. The structures of peak fractions were identified by IR, electron ionization MS, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. 5, 7-Dihydroxy-6-(3-methybut-2-enyl) isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one was isolated for the first time from higher plant and salfredin B11 was isolated for the first time in this plant.     

Bacterial polyesters grafted with poly(ethylene glycol): Behaviour in aqueous media

An easy method for grafting of poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate-co-3-hydroxyundecenoate) (PHOU) was developed. Oxidation of the pendant double bonds of PHOU into carboxyl groups to yield poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate-co-3-hydroxy-9-carboxydecanoate) (PHOD) and the esterification of the carboxyl side groups with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were carried out in a single reaction solution. The grafting yield is dependent on the molar mass of the PEG graft. The maximum carboxyl group conversion (52%) was obtained with PEG M_n = 350 and decreased with increasing molar mass of PEG (19% for PEG M_n = 2000). Yields were determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. Short PEG grafts lowered the glass transition temperature (PHOD-g-PEG 350 −57 °C) compared to PHOD (−19 °C) and PHOU (−39 °C). This effect depends on the COOH conversion and PEG chain length. Grafting enhanced the hydrophilic character of the modified polymers making them soluble in polar solvents, such as alcohols and water/acetone mixtures. PHOD-g-PEG films were more stable towards hydrolytic degradation as PHOD films. No obvious modification of films was observed after more than 200 days at pH 7.2 and 37 °C. The molar mass of the grafted polymers decreased only slightly during this period, while PHOD films were hydrolyzed into soluble fragments.     

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.