Asymmetric hydrogenation of trisubstituted N-acetyl enamides derived from 2-tetralones using ruthenium-SYNPHOS catalysts: a practical synthetic approach to the preparation of β3-adrenergic agonist SR58611A

The asymmetric hydrogenation of various trisubstituted enamides derived from 2-tetralones under mild reaction conditions using Ru-SYNPHOS catalysts is reported. This practical and clean method gives access to several chiral 2-aminotetralins derivatives in high isolated yields and enantiomeric excesses up to 95% depending on the substitution pattern of the aromatic ring and the nature of the amide moiety. In addition, the usefulness of the current method is demonstrated via a practical synthetic approach to the enantiomerically pure SR58611A compound, a potent and selective β₃-adrenergic receptor agonist.     

Iridium-catalyzed hydroiodination of functionalized alkynes

The efficiency of an Ir(I)/HI system has been studied. The association of hydroiodic acid with iridium has been tested in the catalytic hydroiodination of alkynes. The use of [Ir(cod)Cl]₂ dimer led to clean hydroiodination reactions and afforded the corresponding vinyliodides as a mixture of derivatives, where the Markovnikov type adduct was found to be the major product (80/20 to 93/7 ratio), in good yields. The mechanism was investigated and two main pathways seemed to be involved, one based on an initial oxidative addition of HI to the Ir(I) complex and the other one based on a π-activation of the alkyne moiety. The corresponding vinyliodides were engaged in Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling (Sonogashira and Suzuki-Miyaura) reactions under organoaqueuous conditions.     

Asymmetric Pauson-Khand-type reaction mediated by Rh(I) catalyst at ambient temperature

An efficient asymmetric PKR mediated by Rh(I) catalyst at ambient temperature was developed. The reaction utilizing a Rh(I) catalyst bearing a (R)-3,5-diMeC4H4-BINAP ligand at 18-20 degrees C under a reduced partial pressure of CO (0.1 atm) provided PKR products in high chemical yield as well as high enantioselectivity.     

Enantioselective metallo-organocatalyzed preparation of cyclopentanes bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter

Enantioselective metallo-organocatalyzed carbocyclizations of formyl-alkynes have been developed. The cooperation between aminocatalysis and a chiral copper(I) complex granted access to enantio-enriched cyclopentanes through the challenging formation of all-carbon quaternary stereocenters.     

Synthesis of Biologically Active 1-Arylethylphosphonates

A convenient and inexpensive general preparation method for 1-arylethylphosphonic acids and their esters was developed involving in reduction of the corresponding 1-ethenylphosphonates by ammonium formate in the presence of palladium on carbon. A homogeneous enantioselective hydrogenation of 1-arylethenylphosphonic acids in the presence of chiral ruthenium catalysts provided optically active 1-arylethylphosphonic acids of enantiomeric purity up to 86%. The preliminary data on biological activity testing of the 1-arylethylphosphoic acids synthesized evidence that some among the compounds obtained are low-toxic substances with the properties of immunosuppressors of the central type of action.     

Dynamic kinetic resolution of α-chloro β-keto esters and phosphonates: hemisynthesis of Taxotere® through Ru-DIFLUORPHOS asymmetric hydrogenation

The dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of racemic α-chloro β-ketoesters and α-chloro β-ketophosphonates through ruthenium-mediated asymmetric hydrogenation is reported. The corresponding α-chloro β-hydroxyesters and α-chloro β-hydroxyphosphonates were obtained in good to high enantio- and diastereomeric excesses using, in particular, the atropisomeric ligand DIFLUORPHOS. This methodology allowed an efficient preparation of the anti phenylisoserine side chain of Taxotere® which has been used for the hemisynthesis of the cancer therapeutic agent itself. In addition, ¹³C NMR in chiral oriented solvents was used to investigate the DKR effect.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a broad range of new chiral phosphine–carbene ligands for asymmetric hydrogenation

A straightforward and gram scale synthesis (six-step synthesis from enantioenriched β-hydroxy esters) of new structurally simple phosphine-carbene ligands bearing a single stereogenic centre has been achieved. Enantioselectivities of up to 60-63% could be achieved in the hydrogenation of methylstilbene and dehydroaminoacids when the reactions were performed under 20-50 bar hydrogen pressure.     

Efficient enantioselective synthesis of 3-aminochroman derivatives through ruthenium-Synphos catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation

A highly enantioselective asymmetric hydrogenation of various trisubstituted enamides derived from chroman-3-ones promoted by cationic Ru-Synphos catalysts is reported. This atom-economical and clean method provides an efficient route to optically active 3-aminochroman derivatives, which are important pharmacophores found in numerous drug candidates, in high chemical yields and enantiomeric excesses up to 96%.     

General asymmetric hydrogenation of 2-alkyl- and 2-aryl-substituted quinoxaline derivatives catalyzed by iridium-difluorphos: unusual halide effect and synthetic application

A general asymmetric hydrogenation of a wide range of 2-alkyl- and 2-aryl-substituted quinoxaline derivatives catalyzed by an iridium-difluorphos complex has been developed. Under mild reaction conditions, the corresponding biologically relevant 2-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline units were obtained in high yields and good to excellent enantioselectivities up to 95%. With a catalyst ratio of S/C = 1000 and on a gram scale, the catalytic activity of the Ir-difluorphos complex was maintained showing its potential value. Finally, we demonstrated the application of our process in the synthesis of compound (S)-9, which is an inhibitor of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP).     

Enantioselective Rhodium-Catalyzed Synthesis of α-Chloromethylene-γ-Butyrolactams from N-Allylic Alkynamides

The first enantioselective cycloisomerization with intramolecular halogen migration of various 1,6-enynes promoted by a cationic Rh-Synphos catalyst is reported. This method provides an efficient route to enantiomerically enriched γ-butyrolactam derivatives, which are important core scaffolds found in numerous natural products and biologically active molecules. Good yields and enantiomeric excesses up to 96% are achieved.