Aldol reactions between L-erythrulose derivatives and chiral alpha-amino and alpha-fluoro aldehydes: competition between Felkin-Anh and Cornforth transition states

Both matched and mismatched diastereoselection have been observed in aldol reactions of a boron enolate of a protected L-erythrulose derivative with several chiral alpha-fluoro and alpha-amino aldehydes. Strict adherence to the Felkin-Anh model for the respective transition structures does not account satisfactorily for all the observed results, as previously observed in the case of alpha-oxygenated aldehydes. In some cases, only the Cornforth model provides a good explanation. The factors that influence this dichotomy are discussed and a general mechanistic model is proposed for aldol reactions with alpha-heteroatom-substituted aldehydes. Additional support for the model was obtained from density functional calculations.     

Chiral boron enolate aldol additions to chiral aldehydes

We have examined the double-diastereodifferentiating aldol addition reactions of chiral enolborinate 1a with chiral aldehydes leading to the corresponding aldol adducts with excellent levels of 1,5-anti diastereoselection.     

Double diastereoselection in aldol reactions mediated by dicyclohexylchloroborane between L-erythrulose derivatives and chiral aldehydes. The Felkin-Anh versus Cornforth dichotomy

Both matched and mismatched diastereoselections have been observed in aldol reactions of the B,B-dicyclohexylboron enolate of a protected l-erythrulose derivative with a range of chiral aldehydes. The stereochemical outcome of reactions with alpha-methyl aldehydes can be adequately explained within the Felkin-Anh paradigm. In the case of alpha-oxygenated aldehydes, however, strict adherence to this model does not allow for a satisfactory account of the observed results. In such cases, the Cornforth model provides a much better explanation.     

Aldol condensations of chiral α-haloimidates. A chiral darzens condensation procedure.

Enantiomerically pure benzyl $\text{cis}$-α,β-epoxycarboxylates were prepared by a modified Darzens procedure utilizing aldol condensation reactions of chiral α-haloimidates with various aldehydes. A unique chirality reversal was observed using Zincenolates.     

Recent advances in chiral phosphine-silver(I) complex-catalyzed asymmetric reactions

Since the first report of silver(I)-catalyzed asymmetric aldol-type reaction of activated isocyanides with aldehydes using a chiral ferrocenylphosphine as a chiral phosphine ligand has been appeared in 1990, various chiral phosphine-silver(I) catalysts have been utilized in asymmetric transformations. This feature articles describes recent examples of chiral phosphine-silver(I) complex-catalyzed asymmetric reactions such as allylation, aldol reaction, Mannich-type reaction, hetero-Diels-Alder reaction, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and nitroso aldol reaction.     

Stereoselective titanium-mediated syn-aldol reaction from a lactate-derived chiral ethyl ketone

Stereoselectivity of the titanium-mediated aldol process based on (S)-2-benzyloxy-3-pentanone, 1, is dramatically modified by the presence of a Lewis acid. Among the Lewis acids surveyed, TiCl₄ has given access to the corresponding 2,4-anti-4,5-syn aldol adducts with the highest diastereomeric ratios. The excellent stereocontrol exerted by the aforementioned ketone has been demonstrated in double asymmetric reactions involving chiral α-methyl-β-OTBDPS aldehydes.     

Scope and limitations of chiral B-

A new chiral oxazaborolidine catalyst was prepared in situ from 3, 5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylboron dichloride and N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-(S)-tryptophan. This catalyst is much more active than Corey's original catalyst for the Mukaiyama aldol reaction of aldehydes with silyl enol ethers. The observed syn selectivities and re-face attack of silyl enol ethers on carbonyl carbon of aldehydes imply that the extended-transition state model is applicable.     

Highly stereoselective direct aldol reactions catalyzed by a bifunctional chiral diamine

The enantioselective organocatalytic direct aldol reactions of ketones with various aldehydes were developed by using chiral 1,2-cyclohexanediamine (DACH) based multifunctional ligands via a noncovalent catalysis mechanism. By using a catalyst, we also obtained functionalized 3-alkyl-3-hydroxyindolin-2-ones in high yields and with good to excellent enantioselectivities.     

Asymmetric synthesis of beta-hydroxy amino acids via aldol reactions catalyzed by chiral ammonium salts

The Cinchona alkaloid derived chiral ammonium salt developed by Park and Jew functions as an effective catalyst for the synthesis of beta-hydroxy alpha-amino acids via asymmetric aldol reactions under homogeneous conditions. The syn diastereomers are obtained in good ee, and aryl-substituted aliphatic aldehydes are the best substrates for the reaction. These results represent the highest ee's obtained to date in direct aldol reactions of glycine equivalents catalyzed by inexpensive, readily prepared chiral ammonium salts.     

New asymmetric halo aldol reaction provides a novel approach to biologically important chiral cyclothers and cycloamines

[reaction: see text] A new asymmetric halo aldol reaction has been developed by reacting cyclopropyl carbonyl derived enolates with aldehydes. The absolute structure was unambiguously confirmed by X-ray structural analysis. Eight examples were reported with good yields and up to complete control of diastereomeric excesses. These halo aldol products have been readily cyclized in the presence of weak bases to produce chiral 2,3-disubstituted tetrahydrofuran derivatives in good yield without any observed epimerization.     

Magnesium halide-catalyzed anti-aldol reactions of chiral N-acylthiazolidinethiones

[reaction: see text] Diastereoselective direct aldol reactions of chiral N-acylthiazolidinethiones occur in high yield with preference for the illustrated anti diastereomer. This reaction is catalyzed by 10% MgBr2.OEt2 in the presence of triethylamine and chlorotrimethylsilane. Yields range from 56 to 93% with diastereoselectivity up to 19:1 for a variety of N-acylthiazolidinethiones and unsaturated aldehydes.     

Novel chiral bifunctional l-thiazoline-amide derivatives: design and application in the direct enantioselective aldol reactions

Several novel chiral bifunctional l-thiazoline-amide derivatives were simply synthesized from commercially available l-cysteine and l-proline in high yield. These catalysts were subsequently applied to the direct enantioselective aldol reactions of various aldehydes, which are rarely reported in the literature. The products with anti configuration were obtained up to 97% ee and 99% dr when the l-thiazoline-amide derivatives were used. A plausible transition state model was proposed to explain the observed enantio and diastereoselectivities.     

Double diastereoselective acetate aldol reactions with chiral N-acetyl thiazolidinethione reagents

Double diastereoselective acetate aldol reactions using the N-acetyl thiazolidinethione-based chiral auxiliaries 1 and 2 and chiral aldehydes are described. Aldehydes that bear alpha-alkyl stereocenters exhibit moderate levels of double diastereoselection, while those that bear alpha- or beta-alkoxy substitution exhibit little to no double diastereoselection. In all cases studied, the stereoselectivity of the reaction is dictated by the reagent, not the substrate.     

Highly anti-selective asymmetric aldol reactions using chiral zirconium catalysts. Improvement of activities, structure of the novel zirconium complexes, and effect of a small amount of water for the preparation of the catalysts

Catalytic asymmetric aldol reactions of silyl enol ethers with aldehydes (Mukaiyama aldol reactions) have been performed using novel chiral zirconium catalysts. The reactions proceeded in high yields under mild conditions, and anti-adducts were obtained in high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The catalysts were first prepared from zirconium(IV) tert-butoxide (Zr(O(t)Bu)(4)), (R)-3,3'-diiodo-1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-diol ((R)-3,3'-I(2)BINOL), a primary alcohol, and a small amount of water. It was revealed that the primary alcohol played an important role in completing the catalytic cycle and that a small amount of water was essential for obtaining high selectivities. Moreover, activities of the chiral zirconium catalysts were enhanced by using new ligands, (R)-3,3'-I(2)-6,6'-X(2)BINOL (X = Br, I, C(2)F(5)), and it has been shown that even aldol reactions of less reactive substrates proceeded smoothly using the novel zirconium catalysts. Finally, NMR studies of these catalysts were performed, which suggested that the catalyst would form a dimeric structure and that the water affected the catalyst formation.     

Studies on the synthesis of bafilomycin A(1): stereochemical aspects of the fragment assembly aldol reaction for construction of the C(13)-C25) segment

Highly stereoselective syntheses of aldols 8a-c corresponding to the C(13)-C(25) segment of bafilomycin A(1) were developed by routes involving fragment assembly aldol reactions of chiral aldehyde 6a and the chiral methyl ketones 7. A remote chelation effect plays a critical role in determining the stereoselectivity of the key aldol coupling of 6a and the lithium enolate of 7b. The protecting group for C(23)-OH of the chiral aldehyde fragment also influences the selectivity of the lithium enolate aldol reaction. In contrast, the aldol reaction of 6a and the chlorotitanium enolates of 7a,c were much less sensitive to the nature of the C(15)-hydroxyl protecting group. Studies of the reactions of chiral aldehydes with Takai's (gamma-methoxyallyl)chromium reagent 40 are also described. The stereoselectivity of these reactions is also highly dependent on the protecting groups and stereochemistry of the chiral aldehyde substrates.     

Development of highly diastereo- and enantioselective direct asymmetric aldol reaction of a glycinate Schiff base with aldehydes catalyzed by chiral quaternary ammonium salts

A highly efficient direct asymmetric aldol reaction of a glycinate Schiff base with aldehydes has been achieved under mild organic/aqueous biphasic conditions with excellent stereochemical control, using chiral quaternary ammonium salt 1b as a phase-transfer catalyst. The initially developed reaction conditions, using 2 equiv of aqueous base (1% NaOH (aq)), exhibited inexplicably limited general applicability in terms of aldehyde acceptors. The mechanistic investigation revealed the intervention of an unfavorable yet inevitable retro aldol process involving the chiral catalyst. On the basis of this information, a reliable procedure has been established by use of a catalytic amount of 1% NaOH (aq) and ammonium chloride, which tolerates a wide range of aldehydes to afford the corresponding anti-beta-hydroxy-alpha-amino esters almost exclusively in an essentially optically pure form.     

Current progress in the asymmetric aldol addition reaction

Control of stereochemistry during aldol addition reactions has attracted considerable interest over the years as the aldol reaction is one of the most fundamental tools for the construction of new carbon-carbon bonds. Several strategies have been implemented whereby eventually any single possible stereoisomeric aldol product can be accessed by choosing the appropriate procedure. With earlier methods, stoichiometric quantities of chiral reagents were required for efficient asymmetric induction, with the auxiliary most often attached covalently to the substrate carbonyl. Lewis acid catalyzed addition reactions of silyl enolates to aldehydes (Mukaiyama reaction) later opened the way for catalytic asymmetric induction. In the last few years, both chiral metal complexes and small chiral organic molecules have been found to catalyse the direct aldol addition of unmodified ketones to aldehydes with relatively high chemical and stereochemical efficiency. These techniques along with the more recent developments in the area are discussed in this tutorial review.     

Lewis base activation of Lewis acids: catalytic, enantioselective addition of silyl ketene acetals to aldehydes

The concept of Lewis base activation of Lewis acids has been reduced to practice for catalysis of the aldol reaction of silyl ketene acetals and silyl dienol ethers with aldehydes. The weakly acidic species, silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4), can be activated by binding of a strongly Lewis basic chiral phosphoramide, leading to in situ formation of a chiral Lewis acid. This species has proven to be a competent catalyst for the aldol addition of acetate-, propanoate-, and isobutyrate-derived silyl ketene acetals to conjugated and nonconjugated aldehydes. Furthermore, vinylogous aldol reactions of silyl dienol ethers are also demonstrated. The high levels of regio-, anti diastereo-, and enantioselectivity observed in these reactions can be rationalized through consideration of an open transition structure where steric interactions between the silyl cation complex and the approaching nucleophile are dominant.     

An air-stable,storable chiral zirconium catalyst for asymmetric aldol reactions

Asymmetric aldol reactions of ketene silyl acetals with aldehydes using an air-stable, storable chiral zirconium catalyst, which could be stored for at least 13 weeks at room temperature, proceeded smoothly to afford the desired adducts in high yields with high selectivity.     

Direct asymmetric aldol reaction of aryl ketones with aryl aldehydes catalyzed by chiral BINOL-derived zincate catalyst

Direct asymmetric aldol reaction of aryl ketones with aryl aldehydes catalyzed by chiral metal complex is reported for the first time herein. Two novel semicrown chiral ligands 1a and 1b were synthesized from (S)- and (R)-BINOL, respectively, and then employed to catalyze the direct asymmetric aldol addition of aryl ketones to aryl aldehydes. Introduced with 2.0 equiv of diethylzinc, 1b had higher enantioselectivity than 1a. Up to 97% yield and up to 80% enantioselectivity were achieved.