Enantioselective oxidation of olefins catalyzed by chiral copper bis(oxazolinyl)pyridine complexes: a reassessment

Copper complexes of chiral tridentate pybox ligands synthesized using a modified procedure have been studied as catalysts for the enantioselective allylic oxidation of olefins. A variety of olefins have been used in this reaction. Using 5 mol% of a Cu(II) complex of the tridentate pybox ligand, phenylhydrazine, and tert-butyl perbenzoate as oxidant in acetone, optically active allylic benzoates were obtained up to 94% ee in few hours. It was also observed that the use of molecular sieves in the reaction did not alter the enantioselectivity. Temperature was found to be very crucial in rate of the enantioselective allylic oxidation of olefins. Using EPR spectra, it has been shown that the Cu(II) species is reduced to Cu(I) by phenylhydrazine and phenylhydrazone, but the reduction with the former is faster in comparison to the latter. It was concluded that the rate enhancement was not specific to the presence of phenylhydrazine or phenylhydrazone, but both were equally responsible provided acetone was used as a solvent.     

Efficient oxidizing methods for the synthesis of oxandrolone intermediates

Mild, efficient and eco-friendly oxidation of 17alpha-methylandrostan-3beta-17beta-diol (1) has been studied with three different reagents viz. pentavalent iodine reagent 2-iodoxy benzoic acid (IBX) in DMSO at 65 degrees C, sodium hypochlorite and H2O2/Na2WO4 under phase transfer conditions to give 17beta-hydroxy-17alpha-methylandrostan-3-one (mestanolone 2), a drug intermediate as oxidized product. The H2O2/Na2WO4/PTC gave mestanolone in high yield and purity whereas sodium hypochlorite/PTC system yielded some chlorinated material along with the mestanolone. However, 1 with 2.5 equivalent of IBX gave 17beta-hydroxy-17alpha-methyl-Delta1-androsten-3-one (3) under the similar reaction conditions in good yield and single step reaction.     

Mass Spectral Studies Reveal the Structure of Aβ1-16-Cu(2+) Complex Resembling ATCUN Motif

In Alzheimer's disease, copper binds to amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide and generates oxidative stress. The coordination of histidine (His) residues to Cu(2+) is still uncertain. We studied Cu(2+) binding to Aβ1-16 peptide using the diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) assay and mass spectrometry. Our results show that only one His is involved in Cu(2+) coordination, which is identified as His6 using mass spectral studies. Novel nickel displacement studies have further supported the proposal that the Cu(2+) binding site of Aβ1-16 peptide resembles the ATCUN motif of human serum albumin.     

Highly enantioselective direct aldol reaction catalyzed by organic molecules

We have demonstrated that a new class of l-proline-based organic compounds catalyzed the direct aldol reaction between aldehydes and acetone to provide beta-hydroxy ketones in good yields. The reaction is efficient, and 5-10 mol % of the catalyst and excellent enantioselectivities (97-99% ee) were obtained in both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. The presence of a gem-diphenyl group at the beta-carbon is necessary for high enantioselectivity.     

Enantioselective Henry reaction catalyzed by a C2-symmetric bis(oxazoline)-Cu(OAc)2.H2O complex

A C(2)-symmetric diethyl (i)Pr-bis(oxazoline)-Cu(OAc)(2).H(2)O was found to be an efficient catalyst for catalyzing an enantioselective Henry reaction between nitromethane and various aldehydes to provide beta-hydroxy nitroalkanes with high chemical yields (up to 95%) and enantiomeric excesses (up to 97%).     

Halocarbocyclization entry into the oxabicyclo[4.3.1]decyl exomethylene-δ-lactone cores of linearifolin and zaluzanin A: exploiting combinatorial catalysis

A streamlined entry into the sesquiterpene lactone (SQL) cores of linearifolin and zaluzanin A is described. Stereochemistry is controlled through transformations uncovered by ISES (In Situ Enzymatic Screening). Absolute stereochemistry derives from kinetic resolution of 5-benzyloxypentene-1,2-oxide, utilizing a β-pinene-derived-Co(III)-salen. Relative stereochemistry (1,3-cis-fusion) is set via formal halometalation/carbocyclization, mediated by [Rh(O(2)CC(3)F(7))(2)](2)/LiBr. Subsequent ring-closing metathesis (RCM-Grubbs II) yields the title exomethylene-δ-lactone SQL cores. In complementary fashion, RCM with Grubbs-I catalyst provides the oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl core of xerophilusin R and zinagrandinolide.     

Studies on enantioselective allylic oxidation of olefins using peresters catalyzed by Cu(I)-complexes of chiral pybox ligands

Enantioselective allylic oxidation of olefins with various peresters, using a catalytic amount of Cu(I)-pybox complex, can be tuned to achieve high asymmetric induction (up to 98% ee) by choosing a unique combination of a ligand and a perester at room temperature. The asymmetric induction in the reaction strongly depends on the nature of the substituents attached to the aryl ring of peresters. The presence of a gem-diphenyl group at C-5 and secondary or tertiary alkyl substituents at the chiral center (C-4) of the oxazoline rings is crucial for high enantioselectivity. A pi-pi stacking model has been proposed and discussed to explain the stereochemical outcome of the reaction.