Synthesis of (−)-(4R,5R)-4,5-bis[di-3′-(2′,6′-dimethoxypyridyl)phosphinomethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane and its application in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation reactions

The chiral ligand (−)-(4R,5R)-4,5-bis[di-3′-(2′,6′-dimethoxypyridyl)phosphinomethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane 3 [(R,R)-Py*-DIOP] was synthesized via a key intermediate bis[3-(2,6-dimethoxypyridyl)]phosphine-borane 9. The asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral olefins was investigated using a rhodium catalyst containing 3. For the hydrogenation of amidoacrylic acids, enols and itaconic acid, while the enantioselectivity of [Rh-(R,R)-Py*-DIOP] was similar to that of [Rh-(R,R)-DIOP] the absolute configurations of the products from the two catalyst systems were found to be opposite.     

New chiral phosphine-phosphonites derived from (2R,3R)-dimethyl tartrate, (S)-binaphthol and (1R,2S)-ephedrine

The reaction of 2-lithiophenyldiphenylphosphine with phosphorus trichloride afforded the new unsymmetric phosphine, dichloro(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)phosphine (4). Condensation of 4 with (a) (2R,3R)-dimethyl tartrate or (b) (S)-binaphthol in the presence of triethylamine gave new chiral phosphine-phosphonite ligands, (2R,3R)-[2-(2′-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)-4,5-bis(carbomethoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane] ((2R,3R)-5) and (S)-[2-(diphenylphosphino)benzene][1,1′-binaphthalen-2,2′-diyl]phosphonite] ((S)-6). The analogous reaction of 4 with (1R,2S)-ephedrine using N-methylmorpholine as the base, gave [2-(2′-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-1,3,2-oxazaphospholidine] (7) as a 95:5 mixture of diastereoisomers.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (S)-α-methylphenylalanine using (S)-BINOLAMs as new phase-transfer catalysts

A series of (S)-bis(aminomethyl)binaphthols [(S)-BINOLAMs] 4 have been prepared and used as catalysts in the enantioselective C-alkylation reaction of the aldimine Schiff bases of alanine esters 5 under solid–liquid phase-transfer catalysis (PTC) conditions employing NaOH as base in toluene at room temperature. (S)-3,3′-Bis[(diethylamino)methyl]-2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthalene 4a gave the best e.e.s. (S)-α-Methylphenylalanine 7 was isolated, after hydrolysis of the iminoester, in 85% yield with an e.e. of 68%.     

Lipase mediated resolution of 1,3-butanediol derivatives: chiral building blocks for pheromone enantiosynthesis. Part 3

(R,S)-1,3-Butanediol 5 was kinetically resolved by enzymatic acetylation with vinyl acetate under the presence of Chirazyme™ L-2, c–f, yielding (S)-1-O-acetyl-1,3-hydroxybutane 6 and (R)-1,3-di-O-acetyl-1,3-butanediol 7 with enantiomeric excesses of 91% (E=67.3). Compounds 6 and 7 were easily transformed into the corresponding (S)-3-O-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)-3-hydroxybutanal 10 and (R)-3-benzyloxybutanal 19, through a protection–deprotection and functional group interchange methodology. Subsequent reaction of 10 and 19 with 3-(methoxycarbonylpropionylmethylene)triphenylphosphorane afforded methyl (E,S)-8-O-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)-4-oxo-5-nonenoate 12 and (E,R)-8-benzyloxy-4-oxo-5-nonenoate 20. The alkenes 19 and 20 were then catalytically hydrogenated to the corresponding saturated esters 13 and 21. Treatment of 13 and 21 with 1,2-ethanedithiol/F₃B·OEt₂ afforded dithioketals 14 and 22, which were respectively reduced to (S)-1,8-dihydroxy-4-nonanone ethylidenedithioketal 15 and (R)-8-O-benzyl-1,8-dihydroxy-4-nonanone ethylidenedithioketal 23. Finally, deprotection of 15 by catalytic hydrogenation under acidic conditions gave the expected (5S,7S)-(−)-7-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane 1. The (5R,7R)-(+)-1 enantiomer was analogously prepared from 23. Both compounds were formed by this procedure with an e.e. of 91%.     

2-Cyano-2-indolylpropanoic acid as a chiral derivatizing agent for the absolute configuration assignment of secondary alcohols and primary amines by 1H NMR and VCD

A convenient approach for the absolute configuration assignment of secondary alcohols in the (8R,1′R,2′S,5′R)-15,25, (8S,1′R,2′S,5′R)-15,25, (8R,1′R)-21–24, and (8S,1′R)-21–24 ester series, and of primary amines in the (8R,1′R)-32–37 and (8S,1′R)-32–37 amide series, by means of ¹H NMR and VCD spectroscopy, using 2-cyano-2-indolylpropanoic acid as a chiral derivatizing agent is presented. DFT calculations were carried out to demonstrate the anisotropic effect of the indole skeleton on the chiral alcohol or the amine fragment. Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) measurements of the above series indicated a VCD bisignated couplet resulting from the interaction of the ester carbonyl group and the CN group. The absolute configuration assignments were further tested by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Total synthesis of the 5-epimers of naturally occurring (−)-hyacinthacine A5 and unnatural (+)-hyacinthacine A4

(1R,2S,3R,5S,7aR)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine 10 [(+)-5-epihyacinthacine A₅] and (1R,2S,3R,5S,7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine 17 [ent-5-epihyacinthacine A₄] have been synthesized by either Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) or Wittig methodology using aldehydes 6 and 13, prepared from (2R,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine 5 (partially protected DALDP) and (2R,3S,4R,5S)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2′-O-pivaloylpyrrolidine 12 (partially protected DGADP), respectively, and the appropriated ylide, followed by cyclization through an internal reductive amination process of the corresponding intermediate pyrrolidinic ketones 7 and 14 and subsequent deprotection.     

New methodology for the synthesis of enantiopure (3R,2aR)-(−)-3-phenyl-hexahydro-oxazolo[3,2-a]-pyridin-5-one: a synthesis of (S)-(+)-coniine

A new and efficient methodology for the enantiopure synthesis of (3R,2aR)-(−)-3-phenyl-hexahydro-oxazolo[3,2-a]pyridin-5-one 3 starting from (1′R)-(−)-1-(2′-hydroxy-1′-phenyl-ethyl)-(1H)-pyridin-2-one 1 is described. In addition, the enantiospecific synthesis of (S)-(+)-coniine hydrochloride 6 in good yield from 3 is reported.     

Mesoporous SBA-15-supported chiral catalysts: preparation,characterization and asymmetric catalysis

Two mesoporous silica-supported chiral Rh and Ru catalysts 5 and 6 with ordered two-dimensional hexagonal mesostructures were prepared by directly postgrafting organometallic complexes RhCl[(R)-MonoPhos(CH₂)₃Si(OMe)₃][(R,R)-DPEN] and RuCl₂[(R)-MonoPhos(CH₂)₃Si(OMe)₃][(R,R)-DPEN] (DPEN = 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine) on SBA-15. During the asymmetric hydrogenation of various aromatic ketones under 40 atm H₂, both catalysts exhibited high catalytic activities (more than 97% conversions) and moderate enantioselectivities (33–54% ee). Furthermore, the chiral Rh catalyst 5 could be easily recovered and used repetitively five times without significantly affecting its catalytic activity and enantioselectivity. A catalytic comparison of the mesoporous silica-supported chiral Rh catalyst 4 prepared by a postmodification method is also discussed.     

Easy access to optically active Hagemann's esters

The synthesis of optically active Hagemann's esters was investigated. The starting materials in this approach were enamino esters (R,Z)-8, prepared through the condensation of keto ester 6 with (R)-1-phenylethylamine 7. Michael addition reaction of the enamino esters (R,Z)-8 with methyl vinyl ketone gave the expected adducts 10 with good e.e.s of 93–96%. Subsequent annulation of the adducts furnished optically active Hagemann's esters.     

Synthesis of 3 or 3,3′-substituted BINOL ligands and their application in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes

Three new substituted BINOL ligands (R)-3-[4,6-bis(dimethylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol (R)-1, (R)-3,3′-bis[4,6-bis(dimethylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol (R)-2 and 2,4-bis(2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthalen-3-yl)-6-(p-tolyl)-1,3,5-triazine (R,R)-3 have been obtained by directed ortho-lithiation or Suzuki cross-coupling process. Ligand (R)-1 shows improved catalytic properties for the asymmetric diethylzinc addition to aromatic aldehydes.     

Efficient preparation of (1′R)-(−)-1-(2′-hydroxy-1′-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-one: synthesis of (2′S,3R)-(+)-stenusine

An efficient oxidation of (2′R)-(−)-2′-phenyl-2′-(piperidin-1-yl)ethanol 2 with bromine to generate the corresponding piperidin-2-one 3 in 96% is described. In addition, starting from 3, (2′S,3R)-(+)-stenusine 8 was synthesized in 70% overall yield. The X-ray analysis of piperidine 6·HCl is also reported.     

Synthesis of 4-aryl-substituted β-lactam enantiomers by enzyme-catalyzed kinetic resolution

Enantiopure 4-phenyl- and 4-(p-tolyl)-2-azetidinones 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b (with e.e.s of ≥96%) were prepared through lipase-catalyzed asymmetric butyrylation of the primary OH group of N-hydroxymethylated β-lactams (±)-5 and (±)-6 at the (R)-stereogenic centre or by lipase-catalyzed asymmetric debutyrylation of O-butyryloxymethyl-2-azetidinones (±)-7 and (±)-8 at the (R)-stereogenic centre. The ring-opening of lactams 5a, 5b, 6b and 8a with HCl/EtOH afforded the corresponding β-amino ester enantiomers 9a, 9b, 10a and 10b with e.e.s of ≥92%.     

Total synthesis of optically active liverwort sesquiterpenes,trifarienols A and B,using phenylethylamine as a chiral auxiliary

The imine of (rac)-2,3-dimethylcyclohexanone 10a with (S)-(−)-phenylethylamine was reacted with methyl acrylate to yield methyl (1′S,6′R)-3-(1′,6′-dimethyl-2′-oxocyclohexyl)propanoate 4a in 26% (97% ee) after hydrolysis. When (2RS,3R)-2,3-dimethylcyclohexanone 10b was used, the same product 4b was obtained in 59% yield (>99.5% ee) after hydrolysis. When (2RS,3R)-2,3-dimethylcyclohexanone 10b and (R)-(+)-phenylethylamine were used, the reaction underwent in only 5% yield, the products being 4c, 12, 13, 14, and 15. Thus, the reaction of 3b with methyl acrylate is a matched case, while that of 3c is a mismatched case. These phenomena are explained by the nonbonded interaction of methyl acrylate with chiral phenylethylamine and the methyl group at the 6′-position of the cyclohexanone ring in the transition state. The propanoate product 4b was successfully transformed into liverwort sesquiterpene (+)-trifarienol A 1 and (−)-trifarienol B 2 in 10 steps. We have developed an HPLC method to determine the ees of 2,2-disubstituted and 2,2,3-trisubstituted cyclohexanones using the corresponding pentafluorophenyl esters.     

New amidophosphine-phosphinites (tLANOPs) as chiral ligands for asymmetric hydrogenation reactions

The new amidophosphine-phosphinite (AMPP) ligands 4a–g (called tLANOP ligands) derived from the chiral hydroxy amide (R)- or (S)-2-hydroxy-3,3,N-trimethylbutyramide have been prepared in 48–83% yield. The crystal structures of the square planar complexes [(SP-4-3)-Pd((R)-dmphea)((S)-4a)]BF₄ and [Rh((R)-4a)(COD)]BF₄ have allowed the absolute configurations of the ligands to be assigned. In both complexes the 7-membered chelating ring of 4a has virtually the same twist-boat conformation. With this class of ligands the rhodium catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of 4-oxoisophorone enol acetate gave (S)-phorenol acetate in up to 71% ee. The iridium catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of the cyclic iminium salts 16a and 16b afforded after work-up the corresponding cyclic secondary amine (S)-17 in up to 86% ee, when bulky groups were present on the phenyl substituents on the two phosphorus atoms.     

Synthesis of iridium complexes with new planar chiral chelating phosphinyl-imidazolylidene ligands and their application in asymmetric hydrogenation

The synthesis of planar chiral phosphinoimidazolium salts such as (R_p)-3-(4-diphenyl-phosphino[2.2]paracyclophan-12-ylmethyl)-1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolium bromide (R_p)-11c starting from enantiopure 4,12-dibromo[2.2]paracyclophane (R_p)-6 is reported. After deprotonation of these salts and a subsequent reaction with [Ir(COD)Cl]₂, chelating iridium imidazolylidene complexes (R_p)-5a–c are obtained. These complexes catalyze the asymmetric hydrogenation of functionalized and simple alkenes with up to 89% ee.     

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 5-[2′-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[3,2-c]pyridine derivatives as platelet aggregation inhibitors

One pot synthesis and characterization of new 5-[2′-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[3,2-c]pyridines (3a–k) using amides (2a–k) were reported. The prepared 5-[2′-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[3,2-c]pyridine (3a) is a bioisostere of 4′-(6,7-dihydro-4H-thieno [3,2-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid (1), having good in vivo antithrombotic activity compared with Clopidogrel. The new tetrazole derivatives (3a–k) were screened for their in vitro activity as platelet aggregation inhibitors.     

A modular design of ruthenium(II) catalysts with chiral C2-symmetric phosphinite ligands for effective asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones

Hydrogen-transfer reduction processes are attracting increasing interest from synthetic chemists in view of their operational simplicity. The new chiral C₂-symmetric ligands N,N′-bis-[(1S)-1-sec-butyl-2-O-(diphenylphosphinite)ethyl]ethanediamide, 1 and N,N′-bis-[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-O-(diphenylphosphinite)ethyl]ethanediamide, 2 and the corresponding ruthenium complexes 3 and 4 have been prepared and their structures have been elucidated by a combination of multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. ¹H–³¹P NMR, DEPT, ¹H–¹³C HETCOR, or ¹H–¹H COSY correlation experiments were used to confirm the spectral assignments. The catalytic activity of complexes 3 and 4 in transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone derivatives by iso-PrOH has also been studied. Under optimized conditions, these chiral ruthenium complexes serve as catalyst precursors for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone derivatives in iso-PrOH and act as excellent catalysts, giving the corresponding chiral alcohols in 99% yield and up to 75% ee. This transfer hydrogenation is characterized by low reversibility under these conditions.     

Synthesis of 5-substituted-3-[(2′S,3′S)-3′-hydroxy-2′-hydroxymethyltetrahydrofuran-3′-yl]-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and their epimers

5-Phenyl-3-[(2′R,3′S)-3′-hydroxy-2′-dimethoxymethyltetrahydrofuran-3′-yl]-1,2,4-oxadiazole 10a and its epimer 11a, 5-methyl-3-[(2′R,3′S)-3′-hydroxy-2′-dimethoxymethyltetrahydrofuran-3′-yl]-1,2,4-oxadiazole 10b and its epimer 11b were synthesized from cyanohydrin benzoates 8a, 9a and cyanohydrin acetates 8b, 9b, respectively, by treatment with hydroxylamine in methanol via intramolecular transacylation and subsequent cyclization of the corresponding amidoximes. Hydrolysis and reduction of the dimethoxymethyl groups in the above compounds gave the desired compounds 12a, 13a, 12b and 13b.     

Synthesis of (−)-(1′S,4aS,8aR)- and (+)-(1′S,4aR,8aS)-4a-ethyl-1-(1′-phenylethyl)-octahydroquinolin-7-ones

A synthesis of the enamine (−)-(1′S)-5-ethyl-1-(1′-phenylethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine 4 and its application in a synthesis of (−)-(1′S,4aS,8aR)- and (+)-(1′S,4aR,8aS)-4a-ethyl-1-(1′-phenylethyl)-octahydroquinolin-7-ones 5 and 6 is described. In addition, an X-ray study of 6 is reported. Finally, the preparation of (+)-(4aS,8aR)-4a-ethyl-octahydroquinolin-7-one 7 is described.     

Enantioselective reduction of benzofuryl halomethyl ketones: asymmetric synthesis of (R)-bufuralol

Enantioselective reduction of representative 2-(bromoacetyl)- and 2-(chloroacetyl)benzofurans with (−)-B-chlorodiisopinocampheylborane and by transfer hydrogenation with formic acid/triethylamine in the presence of RhCl[R,R-TsDPEN](C₅Me₅) is described. Transfer hydrogenation of the chloro ketones produced the corresponding chlorohydrins of ⩾95% ee. (R)-Bufuralol of 96% ee was prepared from the corresponding chloro ketone by transfer hydrogenation–substitution.