Catalysis of 3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid and related pyrrolidine derivatives in enantioselective anti-Mannich-type reactions: importance of the 3-acid group on pyrrolidine for stereocontrol

The development of enantioselective anti-selective Mannich-type reactions of aldehydes and ketones with imines catalyzed by 3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid and related pyrrolidine derivatives is reported in detail. Both (3R,5R)-5-methyl-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid and (R)-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid efficiently catalyzed the reactions of aldehydes with alpha-imino esters under mild conditions and afforded anti-Mannich products with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (anti/syn up to 99:1, up to >99% ee). For the reactions of ketones with alpha-imino esters, (R)-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid was an efficient catalyst (anti/syn up to >99:1, up to 99% ee). Evaluation of a series of pyrrolidine-based catalysts indicated that the acid group at the beta-position of the pyrrolidine ring of the catalyst played an important role in forwarding the carbon-carbon bond formation and in directing anti-selectivity and enantioselectivity.     

The Direct catalytic asymmetric cross-Mannich reaction: a highly enantioselective route to 3-amino alcohols and alpha-amino acid derivatives

The first proline-catalyzed direct catalytic asymmetric one-pot, three-component cross-Mannich reaction has been developed. The highly chemoselective reactions between two different unmodified aldehydes and one aromatic amine are new routes to 3-amino aldehydes with dr>19:1 and up to >99 % ee. The asymmetric cross-Mannich reactions are highly syn-selective and in several cases the two new carbon centers are formed with absolute stereocontrol. The reaction does not display nonlinear effects and therefore only one proline molecule is involved in the transition state. The reaction was also catalyzed with good selectivity by other proline derivatives. The Mannich products were converted into 3-amino alcohols and 2-aminobutane-1,4-diols with up to >99 % ee. The first one-pot, three-component, direct catalytic asymmetric cross-Mannich reactions between unmodified aldehydes, p-anisidine, and ethyl glyoxylate have been developed. The novel cross-Mannich reaction furnishes either enantiomer of unnatural alpha-amino acid derivatives in high yield and up to >99 % ee. The one-pot, three-component, direct catalytic asymmetric reactions were readily scaled up, operationally simple, and conductible in environmentally benign and wet solvents. The mechanism and stereochemistry of the proline-catalyzed, one-pot, three-component, asymmetric cross-Mannich reaction are also discussed.     

Direct organocatalytic asymmetric Mannich-type reactions in aqueous media: one-pot Mannich-allylation reactions

The first direct organocatalytic asymmetric Mannich-type reactions in aqueous media are demonstrated herein. l-Proline-catalyzed reactions in aqueous media to provide β-formyl substituted α-amino acid derivatives with excellent diastereoselectivities (dr up to 19:1, syn/anti) and high enantioselectivities (ee between 72 and >99%). These conditions provided for the development of novel one-pot asymmetric syntheses of cyclic γ-allyl substituted α-amino acid derivatives (ee up to >99%). This was accomplished by combining the proline-catalyzed Mannich-type reactions with indium promoted allylations in aqueous media.     

Highly diastereoselective cyanation of methyl ketimines obtained from (R)-glyceraldehyde

[reaction: see text] Addition of trimethylsilyl cyanide to ketimines derived from (R)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl methyl ketone to generate a quaternary stereocenter has been achieved with high yields and excellent diastereoselectivity. The stereoselectivity was found to be temperature and solvent dependent. The beta-hydroxy-alpha-amino nitrile of syn configuration was the major compound in kinetically controlled reactions, whereas the anti stereoisomer was obtained in excess in thermodynamically controlled reactions. Double stereodifferentiation under kinetic control conditions was successful, and the cyanation reaction occurred with complete syn diastereoselectivity using the matched pair. The versatility of the resulting amino nitrile as a synthetic intermediate was tested by performing the synthesis of orthogonally protected (R)-(2-aminomethyl)alanine.     

Highly diastereoselective addition of nitromethane anion to chiral alpha-amidoalkylphenyl sulfones. Synthesis of optically active alpha-amino acid derivatives

Optically active syn-alpha-amidoalkylphenyl sulfones can be prepared from chiral aldehydes in anhydrous conditions using benzenesulfinic acid. These sulfones in basic conditions give N-acylimines that react with sodium methanenitronate to afford the corresponding nitro adducts with high anti diastereoselectivity. PM3 semiempirical calculations provide a rationale for the observed opposite stereoselectivity. The obtained nitro derivatives undergo a Nef reaction followed by a methylation giving optically active beta-hydroxy-alpha-amino acid and alpha,beta-diamino acid esters in good yield. These amino acid derivatives are important building blocks for the preparation of biologically active compounds.     

Stereoselective beta-hydroxy-alpha-amino acid synthesis via an ether-directed, palladium-catalysed aza-Claisen rearrangement

A highly diastereoselective synthesis of (2S,3S)-beta-hydroxy-alpha-amino acids has been developed from enantiopure alpha-hydroxy acids using a MOM-ether-directed, palladium(II)-catalysed, aza-Claisen rearrangement of allylic acetimidates to effect the key step. This highly stereoselective process gave allylic amides in diastereomeric ratios of up to 14 : 1. Problems associated with the isolation of 1,3-products (anti-Claisen) from sterically demanding substrates via an insitu palladium(0)-catalysed rearrangement process were overcome by the addition of a re-oxidant, p-benzoquinone, leading to cleaner reactions and improved yields of the 3,3-products (Claisen). The target beta-hydroxy-alpha-amino acids are an important class of natural products that are also components of more complex organic compounds with significant biological properties.     

Novel cyclic β-aminophosphonate derivatives as efficient organocatalysts for the asymmetric Michael addition reactions of ketones to nitrostyrenes

Three novel catalysts based upon cyclic β-aminophosphonate derivatives 1–3 were designed to catalyze the asymmetric Michael addition reactions of ketones to β-nitrostyrenes. Among the catalysts that have been prepared in this study, cyclic β-aminophosphonic acid monoethylester 3 showed the highest catalytic ability, giving the corresponding Michael adduct in good yields, high enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee), and high diastereoselectivities (syn:anti up to 95:5).     

Catalytic enantioselective aldol additions of alpha-isothiocyanato imides to aldehydes

Highly enantioselective organocatalytic aldol additions of alpha-isothiocyanato imides to aldehydes are reported. These reactions provide convenient access to enantiomerically enriched and protected beta-hydroxy-alpha-amino acids with catalyst loadings as low as 1 mol%.     

Lobocyclamide B from Lyngbya confervoides. Configuration and asymmetric synthesis of beta-hydroxy-alpha-amino acids by (-)-sparteine-mediated aldol addition

[reaction: see text] Lobocyclamide B, a cyclododecapeptide containing five beta-hydroxy-alpha-amino acid residues, was isolated from Lyngbya confervoides. This is the first reported occurrence of gamma-hydroxythreonine in a natural peptide. Optically active beta-hydroxy-alpha-amino acids required for configurational analysis of the title compound were prepared using a novel (-)-sparteine-mediated asymmetric aldol addition of N-(diphenylmethylene)glycine tert-butyl ester to aldehydes. The method is general for aliphatic and aryl aldehydes and notable for operational simplicity.     

Organocatalytic sequential Michael reactions: stereoselective synthesis of multifunctionalized tetrahydroindan derivatives

Multifunctionalized tetrahydroindan derivatives with four stereocenters were constructed via two sequential Michael reactions between cyclic γ,δ-unsaturated-β-ketoester and nitroalkenes initiated with 0.5-2 mol % of cinchona alkaloid based bifunctional organocatalysts and then with 1 equiv of tetramethylguanidine for cyclization. The desired products could be obtained in high yields (up to 99% yield) with excellent enantioselectivities (95-99% ee) as well as diastereoselectivities (up to >99:1 dr) even on a gram scale.     

Enantioselective cyclizations of silyloxyenynes catalyzed by cationic metal phosphine complexes

The discovery of complementary methods for enantioselective transition metal-catalyzed cyclization with silyloxyenynes has been accomplished using chiral phosphine ligands. Under palladium catalysis, 1,6-silyloxyenynes bearing a terminal alkyne led to the desired five-membered ring with high enantioselectivities (up to 91% ee). As for reactions under cationic gold catalysis, 1,6- and 1,5-silyloxyenynes bearing an internal alkyne furnished the chiral cyclopentane derivatives with excellent enantiomeric excess (up to 94% ee). Modification of the substrate by incorporating an α,β-unsaturation led to the discovery of a tandem cyclization. Remarkably, using silyloxy-1,3-dien-7-ynes under gold catalysis conditions provided the bicyclic derivatives with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20:1 dr and 99% ee).     

Chiral pyrrolidine quaternary derivatives as organocatalysts for asymmetric Michael additions

A series of chiral pyrrolidine quaternary derivatives were designed and synthesized. It was found that these derivatives are highly efficient organocatalysts for the asymmetric Michael addition reactions of aldehydes and ketones to nitroolefins with high yields (up to 96%), high enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee), and high diastereoselectivities (up to 97:3 dr). Furthermore, catalyst 7a could be recycled without remarkable loss of catalytic activity and stereoselectivity.     

Dynamic kinetic resolution of α-chloro esters in asymmetric nucleophilic substitution using diacetone-D-glucose as a chiral auxiliary

Diacetone-D-glucose mediated dynamic kinetic resolution of α-chloro-α-aryl esters in nucleophilic substitution reactions has been investigated. Reactions of various amine nucleophiles in the presence of TBAI and DIEA can provide the substitution products 2-10 up to 97% yield and 97:3 dr. This simple procedure with easy removal of the chiral auxiliary provides a practical protocol for asymmetric syntheses of α-amino acid derivatives up to 97:3 er.     

Asymmetric Hydroalkoxylation of Non‐Activated Alkenes: Titanium‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Allylphenols at High Temperatures

The asymmetric catalytic addition of alcohols (phenols) to non‐activated alkenes has been realized through the cycloisomerization of 2‐allylphenols to 2‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans (2‐methylcoumarans). The reaction was catalyzed by a chiral titanium–carboxylate complex at uncommonly high temperatures for asymmetric catalytic reactions. The catalyst was generated by mixing titanium isopropoxide, the chiral ligand (aS)‐1‐(2‐methoxy‐1‐naphthyl)‐2‐naphthoic acid or its derivatives, and a co‐catalytic amount of water in a ratio of 1:1:1 (5 mol % each). This homogeneous thermal catalysis (HOT‐CAT) gave various (S)‐2‐methylcoumarans with yields of up to 90 % and in up to 85 % ee at 240 °C, and in 87 % ee at 220 °C.     

3-Pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid for direct catalytic asymmetric anti-Mannich-type reactions of unmodified ketones

We report the development of direct catalytic, enantioselective, anti-selective Mannich-type reactions between unmodified ketones and alpha-imino esters under mild conditions. The reactions were performed using 5-10 mol % of (R)-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic or (R)-beta-proline as catalyst in an environmentally benign solvent, 2-PrOH, at room temperature. The anti-Mannich products were obtained in good yields with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to anti/syn >99:1, 99% ee). While (3R,5R)-5-methyl-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid is an excellent catalyst for the anti-Mannich-type reactions of aldehydes, it did not efficiently catalyze the corresponding Mannich-type reactions of ketones; (R)-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid did efficiently catalyze the Mannich-type reactions of ketones. (S)-Proline or (S)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid has been reported to catalyze the Mannich-type reactions of ketones to afford the syn-products. Thus, the position of the carboxylic acid group on the pyrrolidine ring directs the stereoselection of the catalyzed reaction, providing either syn- or anti-Mannich products.     

Enzymatic regioselective production of chloramphenicol esters

An enzymatic study has been performed in the search for synthetic routes to produce chloramphenicol derivatives through regioselective processes using lipases. Complementary transesterification and hydrolytic reactions have been carried to synthesize chloramphenicol regioisomers. Reaction parameters, such as biocatalyst, solvent, acyl donor, and temperature have been optimised in order to obtain chloramphenicol esters with high yields through acylation processes. Scale-up of the enzymatic reactions (1 g-scale at 0.25 M) and catalyst recycling (up to 10 cycles) have been successfully achieved. Furthermore, monoacylated derivatives at the more hindered secondary position could also be obtained employing hydrolysis processes.     

An easy approach to optically active alpha-amino phosphonic acid derivatives by chiral Zn(II)-catalyzed enantioselective amination of phosphonates

A catalytic direct enantioselective electrophilic amination of beta-keto phosphonates has been developed applying chiral bisoxazoline-zinc(II) complexes as the catalyst. The reaction proceeds well for both acyclic and cyclic substrates in high yields and with up to 98% ee using azodicarboxylates as the nitrogen source. The scope of the reaction is, for example, the further transformation to optically active beta-hydroxy-alpha-amino phosphonates with very high stereoselection.     

Wide bite angle diphosphine rhodium complexes: Synthesis, structure, and catalytic 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to enones

A rhodium complex [ClRh(CO)(L1)] featuring a wide bite angle diphosphine ligand (L1 = 1,3-bis(2-diphenylphosphinomethylphenyl)benzene) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. L1 supports a bite angle (P-M-P angle, β) of 171.4° in the trans-square planar complex. L1 was tested in Rh-catalyzed 1,4-addition reactions of arylboronic acids (six examples) to α,β-unsaturated ketones (five examples). In mixed aqueous/cyclohexane solution at 60 °C, addition reactions proceed in up to quantitative yield with a 1:1 arylboronic acid/enone ratio. Yields as high as 77% can be acquired even when one of the coupling partners is sterically encumbered 2,4,6-trimethylphenylboronic acid.     

Brønsted Acid Enabled Nickel‐Catalyzed Hydroalkenylation of Aldehydes with Styrene and its Derivatives

A Brønsted acid enabled nickel‐catalyzed hydroalkenylation of aldehydes and styrene derivatives has been developed. The Brønsted acid acts as a proton shuttle to transfer a proton from the alkene to the aldehyde, thereby leading to an economical and byproduct‐free coupling. A series of synthetically useful allylic alcohols were obtained through one‐step reactions from readily available styrene derivatives and aliphatic aldehydes in up to 88 % yield and with high linear selectivity.     

Carbohydrate-derived alcohols as organocatalysts in enantioselective aldol reactions of isatins with ketones

The catalytic activity of carbohydrate-derived amino alcohols in the enantioselective aldol reaction of ketones with isatin and its derivatives has been examined for the first time. The carbohydrate-derived amino alcohols 5 were found to be efficient organocatalysts for asymmetric aldol reactions. A variety of isatins were used as substrates and the corresponding aldol products were obtained in high yields (up to 99%) and with moderate enantioselectivities (up to 75%).