An Efficient Synthesis of Chiral Catalyst: Application in Enantioselective Michael Addition Reactions

Abstract

Asymmetric synthesis, also called stereoselective synthesis, chiral synthesis or enantioselective synthesis, is a form of organic synthesis which presentes one or more new elements of chirality. Use of catalysts is one of the most effective methods preferred by the researchers in recent years. It causes to the preferential formation of a stereoisomer rather than a constitutional isomer. In this study, tetraoxocalix[2]arene[2]triazine was synthesized firstly by using resorcinol and cyanuric chloride and then this starting material was derivatized with (R)-(-)-2-phenylglycinol to obtain tetraoxocalix[2]arene[2]triazine based chiral compound. Characterization of tetraoxocalix[2]arene[2]triazine was done by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy which is depicted in literature. Then, new organocatalyst, which possess an amino and a hydroxyl group, was designed and synthesized. The structure of the receptor characterized by FTIR, 1H spectroscopy, 13C NMR spectroscopy, optical rotation and elemental analysis measurement was also included. The newly prepared tetraoxocalix[2]arene[2]triazine derivative was employed as a chiral ligand in the enantioselective Michael addition of dimethylmalonate to conjugated nitroalkenes and good to excellent enantioselectivities were obtained. Various factors, (solvent, temperature, catalyst %) were examined and the reactions were optimized. The best condition for the Michael addition reaction was determined as room temperature, toluene as solvent and 10 mol% of heteroatom-bridged calixaromatic based chiral catalyst as organocatalyst loading. The catalytic efficiency of the chiral catalyst was analyzed by HPLC using chiral columns. The corresponding adducts were generally obtained in (S)-forms with great yields (up to 93%) and enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee).