Chiral diphosphites derived from D-glucose: new highly modular ligands for the asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation

A series of novel diphosphite ligands derived from readily available D-(+)-glucose have been synthesized. These ligands were screened in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of a series of alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives. Both excellent enantioselectivities (ee up to >99%) and activities were achieved. The advantage of these ligands is that their modular nature allows an easy systematic variation in the configuration of the stereocenters (C-3, C-5) at the ligand backbone and in the biaryl substituents, so the optimum configuration for maximum enantioselectivity in asymmetric hydrogenation can be determined. Results show that enantiomeric excesses depend strongly on the absolute configuration of C-3 and slightly on the stereocenter carbon C-5, while the sense of the enantiodiscrimination is predominantly controlled by the configuration of the biaryls at the phosphite moieties. Moreover, the presence of bulky substituents at the ortho-positions of the biaryl diphosphite moieties has a positive effect on enantioselectivity.     

Asymmetric Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation using a furanoside phosphite-phosphoroamidite and diphosphoroamidite ligand library

A furanoside phosphite-phosphoroamidite and diphosphoroamidite ligand library L1-L5a-f was tested in the asymmetric Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives and enamides. Enantioselectivity depended strongly on the ligand parameters. High enantioselectivities were obtained in the reduction of dimethyl itaconate (up to >99% ee), α-dehydroamino acid esters (up to 99% ee) and several enamides (up to 92% ee). Kinetic and NMR studies on the intermediates of the catalytic cycle of the reaction indicate that the [Rh(P(1)-P(2))(substrate)](+) species is the resting state of the reaction and that the rate dependence is first order in rhodium and hydrogen pressure and zeroth order in the substrate.     

Application of chiral mixed phosphorus/sulfur ligands to enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed dehydroamino acid hydrogenation and ketone hydrosilylation processes

Chiral mixed phosphorus/sulfur ligands 1-3 have been shown to be effective in enantioselective Rh-catalyzed dehydroamino acid hydrogenation and ketone hydrosilylation reactions (eqs 1, 2). After assaying the influence of the substituents at sulfur, the substituents on the ligand backbone, the relative stereochemistry within the ligand backbone, and the substituents at phosphorus, ligands 2c (R = 3,5-dimethylphenyl) and 3 were found to be optimal in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of a variety of alpha-acylaminoacrylates in high enantioselectivity (89-97% ee). A similar optimization of the catalyst for the Rh-catalyzed hydrosilylation of ketones showed that ligand 3 afforded the highest enantioselectivities for a wide variety of aryl alkyl and dialkyl ketones (up to 99% ee). A model for asymmetric induction in the hydrogenation reaction is discussed in the context of existing models, based on the absolute stereochemistry of the products and the X-ray crystal structures of catalyst precursors and intermediates.     

Monophosphite ligands derived from carbohydrates and H8-BINOL: highly enantioselective Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenations

A series of monophosphite ligands derived from carbohydrates and H₈-BINOL have been synthesized. Excellent enantioselectivities (over 99% ee) were obtained when these ligands were applied in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate and enamides.     

A novel class of P-O monophosphite ligands derived from D-mannitol: broad applications in highly enantioselective Rh-catalyzed hydrogenations

We report on a new class of P-O monophosphite ligands (designated 3a-k) with a double six-membered-ring backbone onto which are attached additional groups and on applications of their Rh complexes in the hydrogenation of enamides, alpha-dehydroamino acid esters, dimethyl itaconate, and beta-(acylamino)acrylates. Our results demonstrate that the Rh complexes with ligands 3a-k exhibit high enantioselectivity and reactivity in asymmetric hydrogenation reactions. An ee value of up to 98.0% was obtained for the hydrogenation of alpha-dehydroamino acid esters, and the ee values were all over 99% for the other three types of substrate, with a turnover number of up to 5000.     

Phenol-derived chiral phosphine–phosphite ligands in the rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of functionalized olefins

A set of 15 chiral Taddol- and Binol-based phosphine–phosphite ligands were tested in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of three olefins, methyl 2-hydroxymethyl-acrylate, 1-phenylvinyl acetate, and α-methyl cinnamic acid. The best enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee) were observed in the hydrogenation of methyl 2-hydroxymethyl-acrylate using Binol-based ligands. As previously observed in other applications of this class of modular chiral ligand in enantioselective catalysis, the stereochemical outcome of the reactions greatly depended on the substituents at the ligand aryl backbone in the ortho-position to the chiral phosphite unit.     

Highly enantioselective hydrogenation of N-phthaloyl enamides

Rh- or Ru-catalyzed highly enantioselective hydrogenation of N-phthaloyl enamides is presented. Electron-rich TangPhos and DuanPhos are found to be effective ligands for Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of α-aryl enamides and up to 99% ee has been achieved. In contrast, for the hydrogenation of α-alkyl enamide, the Ru-C₃-TunePhos complex is more effective and up to 69% ee can be observed. This work is the first report of the hydrogenation of N-phthaloyl enamides.     

Readily available, recoverable and soluble polymer-monophosphite ligands for highly enantioselective Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation

A new family of readily available, recoverable and soluble polymer-monophosphite ligands were prepared and successfully used in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides and beta-dehydroamino acid esters, in which up to 99 and 99.9% ee were obtained, respectively.     

Polymer-supported monodentate phosphite ligands for asymmetric hydrogenation

Several new polymer-supported monophosphite ligands have been developed and the rhodium complexes were shown to be highly efficient, highly enantioselective and easily separable catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation of itaconates, enamides, α-dehydroamino acid derivatives and β-dehydroamino acid derivatives.     

Furanoside phosphite–phosphoroamidite and diphosphoroamidite ligands applied to asymmetric Cu-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions

A phosphite–phosphoroamidite and diphosphoroamidite ligand library was applied in the Cu-catalyzed allylic substitution of a range of cinnamyl-type substrates using several organometallic nucleophiles. Results indicated that selectivity depended strongly on the ligand parameters (position of the phosphoroamidite group at either C-5 or C-3 of the furanoside backbone, as well as the configuration of C-3, the introduction of a second phosphoroamidite moiety, the substituents and configurations in the biaryl phosphite/phosphoroamidite moieties), the nature of the leaving group of the substrate and the alkylating reagent. Good enantioselectivities (up to 76%) and activity combined with high regioselectivities were obtained.     

Chiral furanoside phosphite–phosphoroamidites: new ligands for asymmetric catalytic hydroformylation

We have designed a new series of phosphite–phosphoroamidites ligands 1–4 based on a furanoside backbone. These ligands were screened in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydroformylation of styrene, inducing high regioselectivities with 2-phenylpropanal and moderate enantioselectivities (up to 65% e.e.). The results showed that the configuration of the stereogenic carbon atom C(3) at the ligand backbone had remarkable effects on the activity and enantioselectivity. Replacing the tert-butyl substituents with methoxy substituents at the para positions of the biphenyl moieties improved the enantioselectivities. We have also studied the solution structures of HRh(PP)(CO)₂ complexes.     

Highly efficient rhodium/monodentate phosphoramidite catalyst and its application in the enantioselective hydrogenation of enamides and alpha-dehydroamino acid derivatives

An easily prepared and highly efficient monodentate phosphoramidite ligand derived from BINOL, (S)-2,2'-O,O-(1,1'-binaphthyl)-dioxo-N,N-diethylphospholidine, was examined in the hydrogenation of both enamides and alpha-dehydroamino acid derivatives. The catalyst provided remarkably high enantioselectivities (up to 99.6% ee for enamides and >99.9% ee for alpha-dehydroamino acid derivatives).     

Modular furanoside phosphite ligands for asymmetric Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution.

A series of diphosphite, phosphine-phosphite, and thioether-phosphite ligands 1-5 with a furanoside backbone have been used in the enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution of rac-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate giving low to high enantioselectivies (from close to 0% to 97% ee). The modular nature of these ligands enables systematic investigations of the effect of the ligand structure on the enantioselectivity. The enantioselectivity is mainly determined by the configuration of the stereogenic center C-3 of the furanose backbone. From this we conclude that the attack of the nucleophile takes place trans toward the donating group at the stereogenic C-5 atom. Systematic variation of the donor group attached to the carbon atom C-5 indicated that the presence of a bulky phosphite functionality has a positive effect on enantioselectivity. Thus, the highest ee's are obtained using the bulky diphosphite ligand 1b containing a xylofuranoside backbone.     

New unsymmetrical hybrid ferrocenylphosphine-phosphoramidite ligands derived from H8-BINOL for highly efficient Rh-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation

A series of new H₈-BINOL-derived unsymmetrical hybrid ferrocenylphosphine-phosphoramidite ligands have been synthesized and successfully used in Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenations. The same or higher enantioselectivities (99.9% ee) were achieved in the hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate and α-dehydroamino acid esters as those obtained with BINOL-derived analogues. However, slightly lower enantioselectivities (99.0% ee) were obtained in the hydrogenation of enamides.     

Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of gamma-phthalimido-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters: an efficient enantioselective synthesis of beta-aryl-gamma-amino acids

A series of chiral beta-aryl-gamma-amino acid ester derivatives were synthesized in high enantioselectivities (93-97% ee) via the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of gamma-phthalimido-alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters using highly modular chiral BoPhoz-type phosphine-aminophosphine ligands. The method has been applied successfully to the synthesis of several chiral pharmaceuticals including (R)-baclofen and (R)-rolipram with high enantioselectivities.     

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of functionalized olefins using monodentate spiro phosphoramidite ligands

Novel chiral monodentate phosphorus ligands, SIPHOS, were conveniently synthesized from 1,1'-spirobiindane-7,7'-diol. The Rh complexes of SIPHOS can catalyze the hydrogenation of alpha-dehydroamino esters in mild conditions, providing alpha-amino acid derivatives in up to 99% ee. Enamides and beta-dehydroamino esters can also be hydrogenated in good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% and 94% ee, respectively). The SIPHOS ligand with smaller alkyl groups on the N-atom afforded higher enantioselectivity. The X-ray analysis of single crystal showed that the structure of Rh/SIPHOS catalyst is [Rh(COD)((S)-SIPHOS-Me)(2)](+), which clarified the configuration of the catalyst with the monodentate chiral phosphorus ligand in Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation. A positive nonlinear effect in the relationship of the optical purities of ligand and product was observed in the hydrogenation of dehydroamino acid derivatives. The kinetic study of hydrogenation showed that the reaction is zero order in the concentration of substrate and first order in the concentration of Rh catalyst and the hydrogenation pressure. The rate of hydrogenation decreased when the Rh/L ratio changed from 1:1 to 1:4.     

An ortho-substituted BIPHEP ligand and its applications in Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of cyclic enamides

[reaction: see text] An ortho-substituted BIPHEP ligand, o-Ph-hexaMeO-BIPHEP (1), is designed and synthesized. Compared with chiral biaryl phosphines without ortho substituents such as BINAP and MeO-BIPHEP, o-Ph-hexaMeO-BIPHEP shows higher enantioselectivities in Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of cyclic enamides.     

Screening of a modular sugar-based phosphite ligand library in the Cu-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition reactions

A sugar-based monophosphite ligand library L1–L5 was screened in the Cu-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition to cyclic and aliphatic linear enones. These ligands are derived from d-glucose, d-galactose and d-fructose, which lead to a wide range of sugar backbones, and contain several substituents/configurations in the biaryl moiety, with different steric and electronic properties. Systematic variation of the ligand parameters indicates that the catalytic performance (activities and enantioselectivities) is highly affected by the configuration of C-4 of the carbohydrate backbone, the size of the ring of the sugar backbone and the cooperative effect between configurations of C-3 and of the binaphthyl phosphite moiety. Good activities and enantioselectivities up to 57% and 51% were achieved for cyclic and aliphatic linear enones, respectively.     

Screening of a modular sugar-based phosphite ligand library in the asymmetric nickel-catalyzed trialkylaluminum addition to aldehydes

We synthesized a modular sugar-based phosphite ligand library for the Ni-catalyzed trialkylaluminum addition to aldehydes. This library has been designed to rapidly screen the ligands to uncover their important structure features and determine the scope of the phosphite ligands in this catalytic reaction. After systematic variation of the sugar backbone, the substituents at the phosphite moieties, and the flexibility of the ligand backbone, the monophosphite ligand 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-O-((3,3';5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diyl)phosphite)-alpha-D-glucofuranose 1c was found to be optimal, yielding high activities and enantioselectivities (ee's up to 94%) for several aryl aldehydes.     

Catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of α-ketoesters and quinoline using electronically enriched BINAP

Electronically enriched chiral BINAP derivatives were synthesized incorporating electron-donating substituents at the para-phenyl position and evaluated for the Ru-catalyzed homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of α-ketoesters with up to 92% ee. These diphophosphines were also excellent ligands for the iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of quinolines.