Chiral thiophosphoramide catalyzed asymmetric aryl transfer reactions for the synthesis of functional diarylmethanols

In this investigation, chiral thiophosphoramide 3d was easily prepared from chiral (1R,2R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine and then applied as an efficient chiral ligand in the catalytic asymmetric arylation reactions of various aromatic aldehydes. The corresponding diarylmethanol products were produced with good to excellent yields (up to 98%) and enantioselectivities (up to 94%). The recovery of chiral ligand 3d could be as high as 96%.     

Introducing the Chiral Transient Directing Group Strategy to Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Asymmetric C−H Activation

The chiral transient directing group (TDG) strategy has been successfully introduced to the rhodium(III)-catalyzed asymmetric C−H activation. In the presence of a catalytic amount of a chiral amine and an achiral rhodium catalyst, various chiral phthalides were synthesized from simple aldehydes with high chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and enantioselectivity (53 examples, up to 73 % yield and >99 % ee). It is noteworthy that the chiral induction model is different from the previously reported chiral TDG system using amino acid derivatives and palladium salts. The imino group generated in situ from chiral amine and aldehyde acts as the monodentate TDG to promote the C−H activation, stereoselectively generating the chiral rhodacycle bearing a chiral metal center. Moreover, the stereogenic center of the product is created and stereocontrolled during the Grignard-type addition of the C−Rh bond to aldehyde, rather than during the C−H activation step.     

Synthesis of Axially Chiral Styrenes through Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric C−H Olefination Enabled by an Amino Amide Transient Directing Group

The atroposelective synthesis of axially chiral styrenes remains a formidable challenge due to their relatively lower rotational barriers compared to the biaryl atropoisomers. Herein, we describe the construction of axially chiral styrenes through Pd^II-catalyzed atroposelective C−H olefination, using a bulky amino amide as a transient chiral auxiliary. Various axially chiral styrenes were produced with good yields and high enantioselectivity (up to 95 % yield and 99 % ee). Carboxylic acid derivatives of the resulting axially chiral styrenes showed superior enantiocontrol over the biaryl counterparts in Co^III-catalyzed enantioselective C(sp³)−H amidation of thioamide. Mechanistic studies suggest that C−H cleavage is the enantioselectivity-determining step.     

On the abundance of chiral crystals

A common perception of many chemists is that non-biological chiral crystals comprise a small fraction of all crystals, as is the case of chiral non-biological molecules (~10%). We show that the proportion of non-biological chiral crystals is as high as 23%; and only ~6% of these are labelled as chiral.     

Synthesis of Axially Chiral Biaryl-2-amines by PdII-Catalyzed Free-Amine-Directed Atroposelective C−H Olefination

A simple and ubiquitously present group, free amine, is used as a directing group to synthesize axially chiral biaryl compounds by Pd^II-catalyzed atroposelective C−H olefination. A broad range of axially chiral biaryl-2-amines can be obtained in good yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee). Chiral spiro phosphoric acid (SPA) proved to be an efficient ligand and the loading could be reduced to 1 mol % without erosion of enantiocontrol in gram-scale synthesis. The resulting axially chiral biaryl-2-amines also provide a platform for the synthesis of a set of chiral ligands.     

Asymmetric Hydrolytic Kinetic Resolution with Recyclable Macrocyclic CoIII–Salen Complexes: A Practical Strategy in the Preparation of (R)‐Mexiletine and (S)‐Propranolol

A chiral cobalt(III) complex ( 1 e ) was synthesized by the interaction of cobalt(II) acetate and ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate with a chiral dinuclear macrocyclic salen ligand that was derived from 1R,2R‐(?)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane with trigol bis‐aldehyde. A variety of epoxides and glycidyl ethers were suitable substrates for the reaction with water in the presence of chiral macrocyclic salen complex 1 e at room temperature to afford chiral epoxides and diols by hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR). Excellent yields (47 % with respect to the epoxides, 53 % with respect to the diols) and high enantioselectivity (ee>99 % for the epoxides, up to 96 % for the diols) were achieved in 2.5–16 h. The Co^III macrocyclic salen complex ( 1 e ) maintained its performance on a multigram scale and was expediently recycled a number of times. We further extended our study of chiral epoxides that were synthesized by using HKR to the synthesis of chiral drug molecules (R)‐mexiletine and (S)‐propranolol.     

Nickel-catalyzed enantioselective hydrovinylation of silyl-protected allylic alcohols: An efficient access to homoallylic alcohols with a chiral quaternary center

Asymmetric hydrovinylation of silyl-protected allylic alcohols catalyzed by nickel complexes of chiral spiro phosphoramidite ligands was developed. A series of homoallylic alcohols with a chiral quaternary center were produced in high yields (up to 97%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). The reaction provides an efficient method for preparing bifunctional compounds with a chiral quaternary carbon center.     

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of aryltrimethylsilyl chiral alcohols

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of aryltrimethylsilyl chiral alcohols through a transesterification reaction was studied. The optimal conditions found for the kinetic resolution of m- and p-aryltrimethylsilyl chiral alcohols, led to excellent results, high conversions (c = 50%), high enantiomeric ratios (E > 200) and enantiomeric excesses for the remaining (S)-alcohol and (R)-acetylated product (>99%). However, kinetic resolution of o-aryltrimethylsilyl chiral alcohols did not occur under the same conditions applied to the other isomers.     

Consecutive Intermolecular Reductive Amination/Asymmetric Hydrogenation: Facile Access to Sterically Tunable Chiral Vicinal Diamines and N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

A highly enantioselective iridium‐ or ruthenium‐catalyzed intermolecular reductive amination/asymmetric hydrogenation relay with 2‐quinoline aldehydes and aromatic amines has been developed. A broad range of sterically tunable chiral N,N′‐diaryl vicinal diamines were obtained in high yields (up to 95 %) with excellent enantioselectivity (up to >99 % ee). The resulting chiral diamines could be readily transformed into sterically hindered chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors, which are otherwise difficult to access. The usefulness of this synthetic approach was further demonstrated by the successful application of one of the chiral vicinal diamines and chiral NHC ligands in a transition‐metal‐catalyzed asymmetric Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction and asymmetric ring‐opening cross‐metathesis, respectively.     

Rhodium‐catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α‐Dehydroamino Ketones: A General Approach to Chiral α‐amino Ketones

Rhodium/DuanPhos‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of aliphatic α‐dehydroamino ketones has been achieved and afforded chiral α‐amino ketones in high yields and excellent enantioselectives (up to 99 % ee), which could be reduced further to chiral β‐amino alcohols by LiAlH(tBuO)₃ with good yields_. This protocol provides a readily accessible route for the synthesis of chiral α‐amino ketones and chiral β‐amino alcohols.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Pyrimidines

The asymmetric hydrogenation of pyrimidines proceeded with high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee) using an iridium catalyst composed of [IrCl(cod)]₂, a ferrocene‐containing chiral diphosphine ligand (Josiphos), iodine, and Yb(OTf)₃ (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene). The chiral catalyst converted various 4‐substituted pyrimidines into chiral 1,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidines in high yield. The lanthanide triflate is crucial for achieving the high enantioselectivity as well as for activating the heteroarene substrate.     

Synthesis of Axially Chiral Biaryl‐2‐amines by PdII‐Catalyzed Free‐Amine‐Directed Atroposelective C−H Olefination

A simple and ubiquitously present group, free amine, is used as a directing group to synthesize axially chiral biaryl compounds by Pd^II‐catalyzed atroposelective C?H olefination. A broad range of axially chiral biaryl‐2‐amines can be obtained in good yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee). Chiral spiro phosphoric acid (SPA) proved to be an efficient ligand and the loading could be reduced to 1 mol % without erosion of enantiocontrol in gram‐scale synthesis. The resulting axially chiral biaryl‐2‐amines also provide a platform for the synthesis of a set of chiral ligands.     

Enantioselective Catalysis of the Intermolecular [2+2] Photocycloaddition between 2‐Pyridones and Acetylenedicarboxylates

Intermolecular [2+2] photocycloadditions represent the most versatile and widely applicable of photochemical reactions. For the first time, such intermolecular reactions have been carried out in a catalytic fashion using a chiral triplet sensitizer, with high enantioselectivity (up to 92 % ee). The low catalyst loading (2.5–5 mol %) underlines the high efficiency of the process both in terms of reaction acceleration and differentiation of the enantiotopic faces of the substrate. The substrate is anchored to the chiral catalyst through noncovalent interactions (hydrogen bonds), thus providing a chiral environment in which the enantioselective photocycloaddition proceeds. The densely functionalized products present numerous possibilities for further synthetic transformations.     

Highly Enantioselective Direct Synthesis of Endocyclic Vicinal Diamines through Chiral Ru(diamine)‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of 2,2′‐Bisquinoline Derivatives

An asymmetric hydrogenation of 2,2′‐bisquinoline and bisquinoxaline derivatives, catalyzed by chiral cationic ruthenium diamine complexes, was developed. A broad range of chiral endocyclic vicinal diamines were obtained in high yields with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity (up to 93:7 dl/meso and >99 % ee). These chiral diamines could be easily transformed into a new class of chiral N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), which are important but difficult to access.     

Synthesis of Axially Chiral Styrenes through Pd‐Catalyzed Asymmetric C−H Olefination Enabled by an Amino Amide Transient Directing Group

The atroposelective synthesis of axially chiral styrenes remains a formidable challenge due to their relatively lower rotational barriers compared to the biaryl atropoisomers. Herein, we describe the construction of axially chiral styrenes through Pd^II‐catalyzed atroposelective C?H olefination, using a bulky amino amide as a transient chiral auxiliary. Various axially chiral styrenes were produced with good yields and high enantioselectivity (up to 95 % yield and 99 % ee). Carboxylic acid derivatives of the resulting axially chiral styrenes showed superior enantiocontrol over the biaryl counterparts in Co^III‐catalyzed enantioselective C(sp³)?H amidation of thioamide. Mechanistic studies suggest that C?H cleavage is the enantioselectivity‐determining step.     

Asymmetric hydrolytic kinetic resolution with recyclable macrocyclic Co(III)-salen complexes: a practical strategy in the preparation of (R)-mexiletine and (S)-propranolol

A chiral cobalt(III) complex (1e) was synthesized by the interaction of cobalt(II) acetate and ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate with a chiral dinuclear macrocyclic salen ligand that was derived from 1R,2R-(-)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane with trigol bis-aldehyde. A variety of epoxides and glycidyl ethers were suitable substrates for the reaction with water in the presence of chiral macrocyclic salen complex 1e at room temperature to afford chiral epoxides and diols by hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR). Excellent yields (47% with respect to the epoxides, 53% with respect to the diols) and high enantioselectivity (ee>99% for the epoxides, up to 96% for the diols) were achieved in 2.5-16 h. The Co(III) macrocyclic salen complex (1e) maintained its performance on a multigram scale and was expediently recycled a number of times. We further extended our study of chiral epoxides that were synthesized by using HKR to the synthesis of chiral drug molecules (R)-mexiletine and (S)-propranolol.     

Highly Enantioselective Adsorption of Small Prochiral Molecules on a Chiral Intermetallic Compound

Intrinsically chiral surfaces of intermetallic compounds are shown to be novel materials for enantioselective processes. Their advantage is the significantly higher thermal and chemical stability, and therefore their extended application range for catalyzed chiral reactions compared to surfaces templated with chiral molecular modifiers or auxiliaries. On the Pd₁‐terminated PdGa(111) surface, room‐temperature adsorption of a small prochiral molecule (9‐ethynylphenanthrene) leads to exceptionally high enantiomeric excess ratios of up to 98 %. Our findings highlight the great potential of intrinsically chiral intermetallic compounds for the development of novel, enantioselective catalysts that can be operated at high temperatures and potentially also in harsh chemical environments.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (triaryl)methylamines by rhodium-catalyzed addition of arylboroxines to cyclic N-sulfonyl ketimines

Asymmetric addition of arylboroxines to cyclic N-sulfonyl ketimines proceeded in the presence of a rhodium catalyst coordinated with a chiral diene ligand to give high yields of benzosultams, where a triaryl-substituted stereogenic carbon center was created with high enantioselectivity (93-99% ee). The chiral benzosultams were transformed into the chiral (triaryl)methylamines by breaking the cyclic structure.     

Asymmetric autocatalysis and the origin of chiral homogeneity in organic compounds

The discovery and development of asymmetric autocatalysis, in which the structures of the chiral catalyst and the chiral product are the same, are described. Chiral 5-pyrimidyl, 3-quinolyl, and 5-carbamoyl-3-pyridyl alkanols act as highly enantioselective asymmetric autocatalysts in the enantioselective addition of diisopropylzinc to the corresponding aldehydes, such as pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde. 2-Alkynyl-5-pyrimidyl alkanol with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of >99.5% automultiplies practically perfectly as an asymmetric autocatalyst in a yield of >99% and >99.5% ee. Asymmetric autocatalysis with an amplification of ee has thus been realized. Consecutive asymmetric autocatalysis starting with chiral 2-alkynylpyrimidyl alkanol of only 0.6% ee amplifies its ee significantly, and yields itself as the product with >99.5% ee. The reaction of pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde and diisopropylzinc in the presence of chiral initiators with low ee's, such as secondary alcohol, amine, carboxylic acid, mono-substituted [2.2]paracyclophane, and chiral primary alcohols due to deuterium substitution, regulates the absolute configuration of the resulting pyrimidyl alkanols, and the ee of the resulting pyrimidyl alkanol is much higher than that of the chiral initiator. Leucine and [6]helicene with very low ee's, which are known to be induced by circularly polarized light (CPL), also serve as chiral initiators to produce pyrimidyl alkanol with higher ee's. Overall, the process represents the first correlation between the chirality of CPL and an organic compound with very high ee. Chiral inorganic crystals, such as quartz and sodium chlorate, act as chiral inducers in the asymmetric autocatalysis of pyrimidyl alkanol. The process correlates for the first time ever the chirality of inorganic crystals with an organic compound with very high ee.     

Facile access to chiral 1-pyrrolines through Rh-catalyzed enantioselective partial hydrogenation of unprotected simple pyrroles

Highly enantioselective Rh-catalyzed partial hydrogenation of unprotected simple 2-alkyl-5-aryl-disubstituted pyrroles has been successfully developed, generating a series of chiral 1-pyrroline derivatives generally with excellent results (95%–99% yields, 91%–96% ee). Moreover, 2,5-aryl-1H-pyrroles were hydrogenated well in high yields and good enantioselectivities. This efficient protocol features easily accessible substrates, wide substrate scope, well functional group compatibility, commercially available rhodium precursor and chiral ligand. It provides a versatile route to access chiral 1-pyrroline derivatives that are of great importance in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical chemistry.