Asymmetric Strecker Reaction Arising from the Molecular Orientation of an Achiral Imine at the Single‐Crystal Face: Enantioenriched l‐ and d‐Amino Acids

Strecker synthesis has long been considered one of the prebiotic reactions for the synthesis of α‐amino acids. However, the correlation between the origin of chirality and highly enantioenriched α‐amino acids through this method remains a puzzle. In the reaction, it may be conceivable that the handedness of amino acids has been determined at the formation stage of the chiral intermediate α‐aminonitrile, that is, the enantioselective addition of hydrogen cyanide to an imine. Herein, an enantiotopic crystal surface of an achiral imine acted as an origin of chirality for the enantioselective formation of α‐aminonitriles by the addition of HCN. In conjunction with the amplification of the enantiomeric excess and multiplication of enantioenriched aminonitrile, a large amount of near enantiopure α‐amino acids, with the l ‐ and d ‐handedness corresponding to the molecular orientation of the imine, is reported.     

Highly Efficient Carbon Monoxide Capture by Carbanion‐Functionalized Ionic Liquids through C‐Site Interactions

A novel method for the highly efficient and reversible capture of CO in carbanion‐functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) by a C‐site interaction is reported. Because of its supernucleophilicity, the carbanion in ILs could absorb CO efficiently. As a result, a relatively high absorption capacity for CO (up to 0.046 mol mol⁻¹) was achieved under ambient conditions, compared with CO solubility in a commonly used IL [Bmim][Tf₂N] (2×10⁻³ mol mol⁻¹). The results of quantum mechanical calculations and spectroscopic investigation confirmed that the chemical interaction between the C‐site in the carbanion and CO resulted in the superior CO absorption capacities. Furthermore, the subsequent conversion of captured CO into valuable chemicals with good reactivity was also realized through the alkoxycarbonylation reaction under mild conditions. Highly efficient CO absorption by carbanion‐functionalized ILs provides a new way of separating and converting CO.     

Individual (f,tA)‐ and (f,tC)‐Fullerene‐Based Nickel(II) Glycinates: Protected Chiral Amino Acids Directly Linked to a Chiral π‐Electron System

Stereoselective electrosynthesis of the first individual (^f,tA)‐ and (^f,tC)‐1,4‐fullerene derivatives with a non‐inherently chiral functionalization pattern is described, as well as the first example of an optically pure protected primary amino acid directly linked to the fullerene through only the chiral α‐amino‐acid carbon atom. An application of an auxiliary chiral nickel‐Schiff base moiety as derivatizing agent allowed separation of (^f,tA)‐ and (^f,tC)‐1,4‐fullerene derivatives using an achiral stationary phase, a separation which has never been done before.