Mechanism in homogeneous catalysis; NMR as a prime mover

An overview of the contribution of NMR to the development of our understanding of homogeneous catalysis is presented, with an emphasis on work from the author’s research group.     

General Aspects and Optimization of Enantioselective Biocatalysis in Organic Solvents: The Use of Lipases [New Synthetic Methods (76)]

Enantioselective biocatalysis in nonaqueous media is becoming increasingly important in preparative synthetic chemistry. This article discusses (1) the general catalytic properties of enzymes in nonaqueous environments, (2) the basic principles that govern lipase-catalyzed enantioselective esterification and transesterification reactions in organic media for the preparation of optically active acids and alcohols, (3) the determination of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, and (4) the quantitative analysis of published data.     

Stereoselective Michael Addition of Carbonyl Compounds to ( E )-β-Nitrostyrene Catalysed by N -Toluensulfonyl-l -proline Amide in Ionic Liquids

Summary. N-Toluensulfonyl-l-prolin amide was tested as catalyst in the enantioselective Michael addition of carbonyl compounds to (E)-β-nitrostyrene in nine ionic liquids under different reaction conditions. The reaction rates and enantioselectivities were strongly dependent on the ionic liquids. Change of enantioselectivity was observed too and it is attributed to both the cation and the anion of ionic liquid. The best yields (up to 98%) and enantioselectivity (70% ee) of product were obtained in a basic ionic liquid [bmim]BF₄ at room temperature.     

Reanalysis of Chiral Discrimination of Phenoxypropionic Acid Herbicides on a Teicoplanin Phase Using a Bi-Langmuir Approach

Summary The chiral discrimination of phenoxypropionic acid herbicides by reversed-phase chromatography on a teicoplanin phase has been re-examined using the perturbation method to calculate the solute distribution isotherms. The effects of both temperature and the methanol (organic modifier) content of the mobile phase on the chiral discrimination mechanism were well described by the bi-Langmuir model. The method confirmed a change in the mechanism of enantiomer retention at a critical temperature, T^*, and showed that the mechanism was independent of (i) herbicide molecular structure, i.e. the position of the chloro group on the phenol ring, and (ii) the absolute configuration of the carbon atom. Enantioselectivity was enhanced by increasing the mobile phase methanol content. Use of this approach also revealed that secondary sites on the teicoplanin surface were involved in the processes determining both retention and selectivity. It was clearly demonstrated that these secondary sites of low affinity were not affected by the temperature change and were not involved in the chiral recognition mechanism.     

Rhodium (II) compounds with functionalized metalated phosphines as bridging ligands

The reaction of Rh₂(O₂CCH₃)₄ · 2CH₃OH with the phosphine P(4-BrC₆H₄)₂(C₆H₅), 2, results in the formation of the monometalated compound Rh₂(O₂CCH₃)₃[PC] · 2CH₃CO₂H (PC representing a metalated P(4-BrC₆H₄)₂(C₆H₅)). The reaction involves selective metalation of the phosphine at one Br-substituted ring (12:1 isomer ratio). The reaction of Rh₂(O₂CCH₃)₃[(4-BrC₆H₃)P(4-BrC₆H₄)(C₆H₅)] · 2CH₃CO₂H, 4, with one additional mol of triphenylphosphine yields a mixture of two main stereoisomers Rh₂(O₂CCH₃)₂[(4-BrC₆H₃)P(4-BrC₆H₄)(C₆H₅)] [(C₆H₄)P(C₆H₅)₂] · 2CH₃CO₂H, 5a and 5b, that were isolated as pure compounds. These two compounds were resolved in the corresponding M and P enantiomers as trifluoroacetate derivatives that show good enantioselectivities in catalytic transformation of α-diazocarbonyl compounds.     

(2S,3S,4R)-2-正戊基-3,4-二叠氮基四氢噻吩的合成

以（＋）－4，10－二氧杂三环[5.2.1.O^2,6]－癸－8－烯－3－醇为原料。经8步反应，对映选择性地合成出去氧维生素H的重要中间体：（2S，3S，4R）－2－正戊基－3，4－二叠氮基四氢噻吩。为对映选择性合成手性四氢噻吩类化合物提供了新的方法。     

手性配体的空间结构与产物对映选择性的关系

首次采用4－烷氧羰基噻唑烷、E唑烷作为手性配体，诱导烷基锌对醛类的亲核加成反应，获得产物是烷基化的醛，最高达90％ee，产率98％的（S）－二级醇。系统地考察了该类手性配体三维空间结构变化与产物对映选择性的关系，当配体4－位烷氧羰基上的R、2－位R′基和环体上原子X发生变化时都会引起产物（S）－二 级醇的对映选择性发生规律性变化。对五种不同结构的底物醛在同一手性配体催化下，诱导烷基锌对醛类的亲核加成反应，底物结构变化也会引起（S）－二级醇对映选择性变化。     

Methods of Asymmetric Synthesis—Enantioselective Catalytic Hydrogenation

It is proposed that asymmetric syntheses be divided into enantioselective and diastereoselective syntheses. The enantioselective hydrogenations discussed in the present progress report were catalyzed by Raney nickel that had previously been treated with solutions of optically active compounds. Relationships exist between the enantioselectivity of the catalyst and the structure of the chiral compound used to modify it.     

Novel stereoselective molecularly imprinted polymers via ring-opening metathesis polymerisation

Stereoselective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been synthesised via ring-opening metathesis polymerisation, in essentially, quantitative yield. A covalent imprinting strategy was followed during the network formation of the chiral sorbent. Recognition of the substrate however involved non-covalent interactions; a combination of hydrogen bonding and the chiral environment presented by the imprinted cavities. The enantiomeric excess achievable with these new MIPs is solvent dependent and stereoselectivities of up to 20% e.e. (separation factor α=2.2) were found in batch equilibrations.     

新型手性氨基醇的合成及其用于不对称催化醛类烷基化反应

制备了一种由糖类化合物衍生的新型手性氨基醇（Ⅰ），并将其作为手性源用于醛类的不对称烷基化反应．考察了在手性氨基醇的存在下，各种醛和二乙基锌作用生成相应的手性仲醇的光学收率及化学收率．结果表明，该催化剂对于芳香醛的烷基化更为有效．并考察了几种反应条件对于苯甲醛的不对称催化烷基化反应的影响，其中最佳结果为１－苯基－１－丙醇的光学收率达８２．７％，而化学收率达５８．８％．