Developments of Asymmetric Synthesis Mediated by Chiral Sulfur Reagents

Abstract

Our work on the thio-Claisen rearrangement mediated by an adjacent sulfinyl group is reviewed. The substrates could easily be prepared on a large scale from diacetone-D-glucose. The rearrangement was effected with a diastereoselectivity of 95:5, in favor of the (S,S) or the (R,R) isomer. An approach to natural bis(lactones) was investigated, using a halolactonization reaction and a second [3,3] sigmatropic shift, again mediated by the sulfinyl group. The second part deals with the catalytic enantioselective benzylidenation of aldehydes, mediated by chiral sulfur ylides. We have introduced simple C ₂ symmetric thiolanes for that purpose. The procedure is very practical and enantiomeric excesses up to 96% have been reported for the model of stilbene oxide. A series of ferrocenyl sulfides with planar chirality has also been investigated, leading to unexpected diastereoselectivities and enantiomeric excesses up to 94%.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic investigation of calamitic liquid crystalline system ethyl-[4-(4′-decyloxy)benzoyloxy]-benzoate (4-EDBB): A temperature dependent micro-Raman study and DFT calculations

A new liquid crystalline material containing diester linking group ethyl-[4-(4′-decyloxy)benzoyloxy]-benzoate (4-EDBB) was synthesized. The phase transition temperatures were noted by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the texture pattern were observed by polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and temperature dependent Raman study was employed to observe the transitions as well as to understand the molecular rearrangement during phase transition. The transitions were observed with all the three techniques but the Raman signature of crystal → smectic A transition is many fold and more precise and accurate. The correlation between intermolecular interaction and phase behaviour has been discussed using temperature dependence Raman data of CH in-plane bending and CO stretching vibrations. With the help of DFT method the possible dimers of 4-EDBB were optimized and the rotational isomers were also investigated. There exists weak hydrogen bonds at room temperature, which breaks as the temperature is increased causing the CH in-plane bending to shift lower and CO stretching vibrations to shift higher. The discussion of the temperature dependent Raman data reveals that at crystal → smectic A transition as a result of intra-molecular rotation the molecules transform from trans- to cis- conformer.     

Phenyliodine(III) Diacetate/I2-Mediated Domino Approach for Pyrrolo[1,4]Thiazines and 1,4-Thiazines by a One-Pot Morin Rearrangement of N,S-Acetals

An efficient domino transformation using a phenyliodine(III) diacetate (PIDA)/I₂ combination towards Morin 1,4-thiazine compounds has been developed starting from N,S-acetals. The latter leads to “one-step” regioselective methylene insertion without the need for traditional sulfoxide intermediates in good yields. The reaction involves easily accessible N,S-acetals obtained from cost-effective basic ketones and cysteamine as starting materials. This process ultimately leads to 1,4-thiazines related to natural product and fused derivatives necessary for further QSAR study.     

Vinyl Cation Stabilization by Silicon Enables a Formal Metal‐Free α‐Arylation of Alkyl Ketones

The ability of silicon to stabilize vinyl cationic species leads to a redox arylation of alkynes whereby the stringent limitations of reactivity and regioselectivity of alkyl‐substituted alkynes are lifted. This allows the synthesis of a range of α‐silyl‐α′‐arylketones under mild conditions in good to excellent yields and with high functional group tolerance, whereby the silicon moiety in the final products can either be removed for a formal acetone monoarylation transform, or capitalized upon for subsequent electrophilic substitutions at either side of the carbonyl group.     

Polystyrene-supported phosphine oxide-catalysed Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol

A polystyrene-supported phosphine oxide-catalysed Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) has been developed. Good substrate compatibility, mild reaction conditions, good yields as well as the reusability of the catalyst/solvent made this procedure more environmentally benign.     

Mild conversion of propargylic alcohols to α,β-unsaturated enones in ionic liquids (ILs); a new ‘metal free’ life for the Rupe rearrangement

A mild and selective transition metal free protocol for the conversion of propargylic alcohols to cyclic and acyclic α,β-unsaturated enones via the Rupe rearrangement is reported. The method utilizes the Brønsted acidic ionic liquid [BMIM-SO₃H][OTf] as catalyst and [BMIM][PF₆] as solvent and offers the potential for recycling and reuse of the IL solvent. The feasibility to synthesize bicyclic fused cyclopentenone derivatives via a Rupe → Aldol → Nazarov sequence utilizing this protocol has also been demonstrated.     

Microwave‐Enhanced Ferrier Reaction: A Facile Synthesis of 2,3‐Unsaturated‐O‐Glycosides Under Solvent‐Free Conditions

A variety of 2,3‐unsaturated‐O‐glycosides have been prepared by the Ferrier rearrangement of acetyl protected glycals under microwave irradiation using silica gel as an acid catalyst. Environmental friendliness, high yields, and short reaction times are the key features of this method. Furthermore, the method was applicable not only to the Ferrier reaction of 3,4,6‐tri‐O‐acetyl glucal and 3,4,6‐tri‐O‐acetyl galactal but also to the Ferrier reaction of 3,4‐di‐O‐acetyl arabinal.     

Regioselective Synthesis of Thiopyrano[3,2‐c][1]benzothiopyran‐5(2H)‐one and Thieno[3,2‐c][1]benzothiopyran‐4(2H)‐one

4‐Mercaptothiocoumarin was alkylated with different propargylic and allylic halides under phase‐transfer‐catalyzed conditions in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) or benzyl triethylammonium chloride (BTEAC) catalyst in dichloromethane–aqueous NaOH solution (1%) at room temperature. These 4‐thiopropynyl and thioallyl thiocoumarins were then refluxed in chlorobenzene and quinoline to give thiopyrano[3,2‐c][1]benzothiopyran‐5(2H)‐one and thiopyrano[3,2‐c][1]benzothiopyran‐4‐one respectively.     

Microwave‐Promoted Acid‐Catalyzed Rearrangement of Morphinans—A High‐Yield Synthesis of R(−)‐Apomorphine

The microwave‐promoted acid‐catalyzed rearrangement of morphine (1), codeine (2), and thebaine (3) was investigated. In all cases, a significant improvement in the yields were achieved compared to the traditional techniques. R(‐)‐Apomorphine (4), which is a clinically important dopamine agonist, was synthesized from morphine (1) in 75% yield.