Highly efficient synthesis of spirocyclic (1R)-camphor-derived triazolium salts: application in the catalytic asymmetric benzoin condensation

New (1R)-camphor-derived triazolium salts, incorporating a spirocyclic system, are described. Benzoin condensation of aromatic aldehydes, mediated by these salts affords α-hydroxyketones in good yields and moderate enantiomeric excesses.     

Total syntheses of (R)-argentilactone and (R)-goniothalamin via catalytic enantioselective allylation of aldehydes

The total syntheses of (R)-argentilactone (five steps, 25% overall yield) and (R)-goniothalamin (three steps, 61% overall yield) have been described through the enantioselective catalytic allylation of aldehydes (including a propargylic aldehyde) which provided a rapid access to these natural products that display very interesting biological activities.     

Biotransformation of (+)-(1R,2S)-fenchol by the larvae of common cutworm (Spodoptera litura)

Biotransformation of (+)-(1R,2S)-fenchol by the larvae of Spodoptera litura was carried out. Substrate was converted to three new terpenoids, (+)-(1R,2S)-10-hydroxyfenchol, (+)-(1R,2R,3S)-8-hydroxyfenchol and (−)-(1S,2S,6S)-6-exo-hydroxyfenchol, and one known terpenoid, (−)-(1R,2R,3R)-9-hydroxyfenchol. These structures were established by NMR, IR, specific rotation and mass spectral studies.     

Syntheses and X-ray structures of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of N,N′-dibenzyl-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and application to nitroaldol reaction

Chiral Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with N,N′-dibenzyl-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane ligands were synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures of these complexes reveal that Cu complex has the distorted square-planar geometry and the Zn one has the nearly tetrahedral pattern. The coordination of metals to the chiral diamine ligand leads to a 5-membered metallaheterocycle of (S,S)-configuration of nitrogen atoms. Their asymmetric catalytic activities to nitroaldol reaction of benzaldehyde and nitromethane were examined. The difference of the geometry around metals leads to the opposite preferential configuration of alcohol products using these chiral complexes as asymmetric catalysts in the presence of triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (−)-allosedamine and (1R,3R)-HPA-12 from β-p-toluenesulfonamido-γ,δ-unsaturated sulfoxide

A stereoselective synthesis of (−)-allosedamine and HPA-12 is disclosed. The key steps of the synthesis include the diastereoselective synthesis of a β-sulfonamido unsaturated sulfoxide, elaboration of a bromohydrin via intramolecular sulfinyl group participation and a ring-closing metathesis reaction for the construction of the piperidine ring of allosedamine.     

Chiral separation of (R,S)-2-phenyl-1-propanol through cellulose acetate butyrate membranes

As the cellulose acetate butyrate possessed multichiral carbon atoms in its molecular structure unit, enantioselective membrane was prepared using cellulose acetate butyrate as membrane material. The flux and permselective properties of membrane using aqueous solutions of (R,S)-2-phenyl-1-propanol as feed solution was studied. The top surface and cross-section morphology of the resulting membranes were examined by scanning electron microscopy. When the membrane was prepared with 15 wt.% cellulose acetate butyrate and 20 wt.% DMF in the casting solution, and the operating pressure and feed concentration of racemate were 2 kgf/cm² and 5 mmol/L, respectively, over 98% of enantiomeric excess (e.e.) was obtained. This is a report, for the first time, that the cellulose acetate butyrate is used as optical resolution membrane material for isolating the optical isomers of (R,S)-2-phenyl-1-propanol.     

Formation of chiral 21-helical columnar host system with phenylacetylene unit by using (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol

A tunable supramolecular phenylacetylene host system with a chiral channel-like cavity is developed by using (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol. This host system possesses a chiral 2₁-helical columnar structure; chiral cavities are constructed by the self-assembly of the 2₁-helical column, and guest molecules are included by varying the packing of this column.     

New 1,2,4,5-tetrakis-(N-imidazoliniummethyl)benzene and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis-(N-benzimidazoliummethyl)benzene salts as N-heterocyclic tetracarbene precursors: synthesis and involvement in ruthenium-catalyzed allylation reactions

New tetraimidazolinium and tetrabenzimidazolium salts have been prepared. Upon reaction with ^tBuOK, they generate carbene ligands, which were associated in situ to [RuCp*(MeCN)₃]PF₆ to produce new ruthenium catalysts that are active for the substitution of allylic substrates by amines, phenols, and carbonucleophiles. The influence of the N-heterocyclic core as well as that of the N-substitutents at the periphery of the salts, on reactivity and regioselectivity have been examined.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (+)-(8R,8aR)-perhydro-8-indolizidinol

A highly stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-(8R,8aR)-perhydro-8-indolizidinol is described. Key steps involved in this synthesis are diastereoselective zinc allylation, azido-olefin cyclization and reductive amination followed by cyclization which effectively constructed the indolizidine ring. This contributes a unique approach to the synthesis of indolizidine alkaloids that offers the advantages of brevity and relatively high overall yields.     

Radical mediated stereoselective synthesis of (4R,8R)-4,8-dimethyldecanal, an aggregation pheromone of Tribolium flour beetles

(4R,8R)-4,8-Dimethyldecanal, a common aggregation pheromone of Tribolium flour beetles, has been synthesized from (R)-2,3-O-isopropylideneglyceraldehyde in 11 steps and 7% overall yield. The key step in the synthesis is the highly diastereoselective chelation-controlled radical reaction of ethyl (4S,5R)-4-benzyloxy-5,6-(isopropylidenedioxy)-2-methylenehexanoate with ethyl (R)-5-iodo-3-methylpentanoate performed in the presence of 7 equiv of MgBr₂·OEt₂.     

On the efficiency of two-coordinate palladium(0) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in amination and Suzuki-Miyaura reactions of aryl chlorides

The catalytic activity of novel two-coordinate palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes that differ in their steric and electronic properties is compared in catalytic amination and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a dichloro zinc complex of N,N′-bis-(2,6-dichloro-benzyl)-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane: Application to ring opening polymerization of rac-lactide

A novel dichloro zinc complex (L¹)ZnCl₂, where L¹ is N,N′-bis-(2,6-dichloro-benzyl)-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, has been synthesized and characterized. The dimethyl derivatives, generated in situ from the well characterized dichloro zinc complexes (L¹)ZnCl₂ and (L²)ZnCl₂, where L² is N,N′-bis-(benzyl)-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, were employed as initiators for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide (rac-LA). The complexes were found to be highly efficient initiators yielding the polylactide (PLA) with a narrow molecular weight distribution. The catalytic activity and heterotactic selectivity of the Zn(II) complexes were affected by the substituents on the phenyl groups of benzyl moieties in (R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane. The dimethyl derivative of (L²)ZnCl₂ produced highly stereocontrolled PLA with P_r = 0.75 at −25 °C.     

An organo-catalytic approach to the enantioselective synthesis of (R)-selegiline

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of (R)-selegiline has been achieved by two routes, via proline-catalyzed α-aminooxylation as well as α-amination of phenylpropanaldehyde as the key step.     

Use of tetrahydropyrimidinium salts for highly efficient palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of aryl bromides and chlorides

New, sterically demanding 1,3-dialkyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium salts (2) as NHC precursors have been synthesized and characterized. These salts, in combination with palladium acetate, provided active catalysts for the cross-coupling of aryl chlorides and bromides under mild conditions. The catalytic system was applied to the Heck, Suzuki and benzaldehyde (Kumada) coupling reactions. Catalyst activity was found to be influenced by the presence of a methoxy group on the ring of the p-position of benzyl substituent of the ligand precursor.     

Ru-catalyzed enantioselective preparation of methyl (R)-o-chloromandelate and its application in the synthesis of (S)-Clopidogrel

The preparation of methyl (R)-o-chloromandelate via Ru-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation was investigated. With Ru-(R,R)-2,4,6-triisopropyl C₆H₂SO₂-DPEN as the catalyst and HCOOH-Et₃N azeotrope as the hydrogen donor, up to 92% ee was obtained in an optional condition. The synthesis of (S)-Clopidogrel was also studied.     

Practical synthesis of (2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-3-methylproline, a constituent of papuamides, using a diastereoselective tandem Michael-aldol reaction

(2S,3R)-3-Hydroxy-3-methylproline, a constituent of cyclodepsipeptides polyoxypeptins A and B, was efficiently synthesized by lithium chloride-induced diastereoselective tandem Michael-aldol reaction using methyl vinyl ketone and N-1-naphthylsulfonylglycine (R)-binaphthyl ester and subsequent hydrolysis of the product in 39% overall yield and five steps.     

Highly enantioselective aldol reaction of acetaldehyde and isatins only with 4-hydroxydiarylprolinol as catalyst: concise stereoselective synthesis of (R)-convolutamydines B and E, (−)-donaxaridine and (R)-chimonamidine

A highly enantioselective aldol reaction of acetaldehyde and a wide scope of isatins has been presented only using readily available 4-hydroxydiarylprolinol as catalyst, affording various desired 3-substituted 3-hydroxyindolin-2-one adducts with moderate to high yield (up to 95%) and good enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). This method not only represents an example of concise stereoselective synthesis of enantiopure (R)-convolutamydines B and E, but also firstly exhibits expedient asymmetric synthesis optically active (−)-donaxaridine and (R)-chimonamidine.     

Cyanosilylation of aldehydes catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes

N-Heterocyclic carbenes produced in situ from salts of imidazolium, benzimidazolium, pyrido[1,2-c]imidazolium, imidazolinium, thiazolium, and triazolium catalyze the addition of trimethylsilylcyanide to aldehydes to yield cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers. The use of C₂-symmetric imidazolidenyl carbene derived from (R,R)-1,3-bis[(1-naphthyl)ethyl]imidazolium chloride led to enantioselective cyanosilylation.     

New S,O-acetals from (1R)-(−)-myrtenal as chiral auxiliaries in nucleophilic additions

Treatment of hydroxythiol 4 with α,α-diethoxyacetophenone at room temperature yielded a mixture of epimeric S,O-acetals 6 and 7 (1:4, 92% yield), which were efficiently separated by flash chromatography. The OTBS derivatives 8 and 9 were treated with several Grignard reagents to afford carbinols 10 and 13 respectively (85-99% yield, >95% dr). After successive hydrolysis and reduction of 10 and 13 it is possible to obtain either enantiomer of diols 16 in high optical purity (>95% er).     

A versatile combined N-heterocyclic carbene and base-catalyzed multiple cascade approach for the synthesis of functionalized benzofuran-3-(2H)-ones

Functionalized 2,2-disubstituted benzofuran-3-(2H)-ones have been synthesized from simple aldehyde building blocks in a combined NHC- and base-catalyzed one-pot cascade reaction in moderate to excellent yields. This modular approach comprises a NHC-catalyzed hydroacylation/Stetter reaction sequence followed by a retro-Michael, 1,3-H shift and oxa-Michael cascade rearrangement promoted by strong bases.