Asymmetric Synthesis of Spiropyrazolones by Sequential Organo‐ and Silver Catalysis

A stereoselective one‐pot synthesis of spiropyrazolones through an organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition and a formal Conia‐ene reaction has been developed. Depending on the nitroalkene, the 5‐exo‐dig‐cyclization could be achieved by silver‐catalyzed alkyne activation or by oxidation of the intermediate enolate. The mechanistic pathways have been investigated using computational chemistry and mechanistic experiments.     

Interfacial properties of water + alcohol mixtures

Mixtures of water with alcohol are important in numerous engineering applications. Caused by the polarity of water and alcohol self-association of water and alcohol as well cross-association between water and alcohol appear in such complex mixtures. These features show significant impact on physical and chemical properties, especially phase equilibrium behaviour and hence interfacial properties. The Cahn–Hilliard theory was combined with original statistical associated fluid theory equation of states (SAFT EOS) in order to describe both the phase behaviour and interfacial properties with respect of association. The paper focuses on theoretical investigations of surface tension, density profiles, surface thickness in vapour–liquid or vapour–liquid–liquid equilibrium of mixtures of water with ethanol or 1-butanol. Results of vapour–liquid equilibrium surface tension calculations were compared with experimental data taken from the literature.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (+)-altholactone: a styryllactone isolated from various Goniothalamus species

The asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-altholactone (1), a member of the styryllactone family of natural products displaying cytotoxic and antitumor activities, is described. Key steps include a RAMP-hydrazone alpha-alkylation (RAMP=(R)-1-amino-2-methoxymethylpyrrolidine) of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one, a boron-mediated aldol reaction, a six- to five-membered ring acetonide shuffling, an oxidative 1,5-diol to delta-lactone conversion and a stereoselective ring-closure to generate the annulated tetrahydrofuran moiety with inversion of configuration.     

Lessons from nature: biomimetic organocatalytic carbon-carbon bond formations

Nature utilizes simple C2 and C3 building blocks, such as dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), and the "active aldehyde" in various enzyme-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond formations to efficiently build up complex organic molecules. In this Perspective, we describe the transition from using enantiopure chemical synthetic equivalents of these building blocks, employing our SAMP/RAMP hydrazone methodology and metalated chiral alpha-amino nitriles, to the asymmetric organocatalytic versions developed in our laboratory. Following this biomimetic strategy, the DHAP equivalent 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one (dioxanone) has been used in the proline-catalyzed synthesis of carbohydrates, aminosugars, carbasugars, polyoxamic acid, and various sphingosines. Proline-catalyzed aldol reactions involving a PEP-like equivalent have also allowed for the asymmetric synthesis of ulosonic acid precursors. By mimicking the "active aldehyde" nucleophilic acylations in Nature catalyzed by the thiamine-dependent enzyme, transketolase, enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed benzoin and Stetter reactions have been developed. Finally, based on Nature's use of domino reactions to convert simple building blocks into complex and highly functionalized molecules, we report on our development of biomimetic asymmetric multicomponent domino reactions which couple enamine and iminium catalysis.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-pironetin employing the SAMP/RAMP hydrazone methodology

A convergent asymmetric total synthesis of pironetin (1), a polyketide with immunosuppressive, antitumor, and plant-growth regulating activities is described. The synthesis was realized by coupling between the C(8)-C(14) 2 and C(7)-C(2) 15 fragments, respectively, by using a Mukaiyama-aldol reaction. The stereogenic centers of each fragment were generated by employing the SAMP/RAMP hydrazone (SAMP=(S)-1-amino-2-methoxymethylpyrrolidine, RAMP=(R)-1-amino-2-methoxymethylpyrrolidine) methodology as a key step. An asymmetric alpha-alkylation of diethyl ketone permitted the introduction of the C(10) stereogenic center of 2, whereas the stereocenters C(4) and C(5) of 15 were installed by an asymmetric aldol reaction. Finally, the formation of the alpha,beta-unsaturated delta-lactone was achieved by ring-closing metathesis in the presence of catalytic amounts of titanium tetraisopropoxide.