Chiral N-heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Research Articles

Nickel/NHC-Catalyzed Asymmetric C-H Alkylation of Fluoroarenes with Alkenes: Synthesis of Enantioenriched Fluorotetralins.

Chiral polyfluoroarene derivatives are an important scaffold in chemistry. An unprecedented enantioselective C-H alkylation of polyfluoroarenes with alkenes is described. The reaction employs bulky chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands for nickel catalysts to enable exclusive activation of C-H bonds over C-F bonds and complete endo-selective C-H annulation and excellent enantioselectivity. A wide variety of chiral fluorotetralins, compounds otherwise difficultly accessed but serve as important bioisosteric analogs of both tetralin and heterocycle units for drug design, are expediently synthesized from easily available substrates. To our knowledge, this is the first example of catalytic enantioselective C-H functionalization of polyfluoroarenes.

NHC–Au(I) catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular [4+3] cycloaddition of furan propargyl esters

Enantioselectivity up to 75% ee has been achieved for an intramolecular [4 + 3] cycloaddition reaction with a series of chiral gold(I) complexes. Nine new chiral NHC–Au(I) complexes featuring disilylbiphenyl derived chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligands were synthesized and identified by 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray single crystal structure analysis. The corresponding activated Au(I) catalysts with a phenyl nitrile dynamic ligand were prepared and used in the catalysis of intramolecular [4 + 3] cycloaddition reactions. Moderate to high chemical yields and enantioselectivity were achieved with 5% mol of the chiral NHC–Au(I) catalysts. The stereochemistry of the intramolecular [4 + 3] cycloaddition product was identified by X-ray single crystal structure analysis. The absolute configuration of the cycloaddition products was deduced by a combination of X-ray single crystal structure analysis, NMR and DFT study.

A Dialkyl Calcium Carbene Adduct: Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Cross‐Dehydrocoupling of Silanes with Amines

Eleven neutral ligands were investigated in promoting the calcium‐catalyzed cross‐dehydrocoupling reaction between phenylsilane and diisopropylamine. Among them, N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand IiPr2Me2 (1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) displayed superior activity and selectivity. The first neutral NHC‐supported alkyl calcium complex {(IiPr2Me2)2Ca[CH(SiMe3)2]2} (4) was subsequently synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. Complex 4 displayed high activity and excellent chemoselectivity in the catalytic cross‐dehydrocoupling reactions between bulky amines and silanes under mild conditions. The asymmetric version was also achieved by combining Ca[CH(SiMe3)2]2 with a chiral NHC ligand, which afforded an optically active silicon stereogenic silazane in 26 % ee.

Regio- and Enantioselective C-H Cyclization of Pyridines with Alkenes Enabled by a Nickel/N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis.

Annulated pyridines are ubiquitous scaffolds in many bioactive molecules. A highly regio- and enantioselective Ni(0)-catalyzed endo-selective C-H cyclization of pyridines with alkenes has been developed. An unprecedented enantioselective C-H activation at pyridyl 3- or 4-positions was enabled by bulky chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligands. This protocol provides expedient access to a series of optically active 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolines and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroisoquinolines, compounds otherwise accessed with difficulty, in moderate to high yields (up to 99% yield) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). To our knowledge, this is the first example of enantioselective C-H cyclization of pyridines to chiral annulated products.

Planar-Chiral Ferrocene-Based N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands.

In the last few decades, N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, characterized by attractive features, have increased their presence in transition-metal catalysis. However, chiral NHC ligands still require further design enhancement to realize far more exciting synthetic applications. This review documents advances in chiral NHC ligands, focusing on planar-chiral ferrocene-based NHCs. As the basic shape of most classes of NHC rings is planar, it seems rational to employ a planar-chiral element in the design of chiral NHC ligands.

Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Coupling between Allyl­boronates and Phosphates Using a Phenol–Carbene Chiral Ligand: Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Branched 1,5-Dienes

Details of the Cu-catalyzed enantioselective allyl–allyl coupling reaction between allylboronates and (Z)-allylic phosphates using a new chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand containing a phenolic hydroxy group are presented. The copper catalysis delivers enantio­enriched chiral 1,5-dienes with a tertiary stereogenic center. Compatibility with various functional groups and the use of earth-abundant and relatively low-toxicity copper as a metal are attractive features of this protocol. The utility of the chiral phenol–NHC ligand for enantioselective copper catalysis with organoboron compounds is demonstrated and enantiodiscrimination models are discussed.

Stable ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts bearing symmetrical NHC ligands with primary and secondary N-alkyl groups.

Four novel stable Hoveyda-Grubbs-type catalysts containing N,N'-dineopentyl- and N,N'-dicyclohexyl-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands with syn and anti phenyl groups on the ring backbone were synthesized and fully characterized. The catalytic potential of these complexes was investigated in metathesis reactions of both standard and renewable substrates. Compared to the Hoveyda-Grubbs second generation catalyst (HGII), all of the new catalysts showed high performances in most of the examined metathesis transformations. In particular, N,N'-dicyclohexyl catalysts gave improved results in the challenging ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction to form tetrasubstituted olefins, while catalysts with neopentyl N-groups were found to be more active and Z-selective in cross-metathesis (CM) reactions. Modest enantioselectivities in the asymmetric ring-closing metathesis (ARCM) of achiral trienes with different steric hindrance were observed in the presence of catalysts bearing chiral C2-symmetric NHC ligands.

Importance of the Reducing Agent in Direct Reductive Heck Reactions

AbstractThe role of the reductant in the palladium N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed reductive Heck reaction and its effect on the mechanism of the reaction is reported. For the first time in this type of transformation, the palladium‐NHC‐catalyzed reductive Heck reaction was shown to proceed in the presence of LiOMe and iPrOH even at 10 °C to give the products very efficiently in excellent yields and with exceptional chemoselectivities. This study shows that the reaction proceeds through two distinct mechanisms that depend on the nature of the reducing agent. In the presence of a protic solvent or acidic medium the reaction undergoes protonation to yield the reduced product, whereas in the absence of proton source, it proceeds through the insertion of the reductant followed by reductive elimination. The kinetic data reveal that the oxidative addition is the rate‐determining step in the reaction. The reaction profiles show first‐order kinetics in aryl iodide and Pd and zero‐order kinetics in LiOMe, benzylideneacetone, and the excess amount of NHC ligand. In addition, the reaction progress kinetic analysis shows that neither catalyst decomposition nor product inhibition occurs during the reaction. DFT calculations of the key steps confirm that the oxidative addition step is the rate‐determining step in the reaction. Deuterium‐labeling experiments indicate that the product is formed by the protonation of the Pd−Calkyl bond of the intermediate formed after enone insertion into the Pd−CAr bond. Application of chiral NHC ligands in the asymmetric reductive Heck reaction only results in poor enantioselectivities (enantiomeric excess up to 20 %) and is also substrate specific. DFT calculations suggest that the migration of the aryl group to the alkene of the substrate is the enantioselectivity‐determining step of the reaction. It is further shown that if the steric bulk at the enone is small (a methyl group), the two transition state barriers from [PdII(L2)(ArI)(enone)] species Cre and Csi, which have the re and si face of the enone substrate coordinated to Pd, are very similar, in line with the experimental results. With a slightly larger group (an isopropyl substituent) a significant difference in energy barriers is calculated (2.6 kcal mol−1), and in the experiment this product is formed with a modest enantiomeric excess (up to 20 %).

Potent Anticancer Activity with High Selectivity of a Chiral Palladium N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complex.

Five enantiomeric pairs of palladium complexes of 1,2,4-triazole-derived chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligands were investigated to probe the influence of chirality on the compound’s anticancer activity. Although no chirality-related influence was observed for any of the enantiomeric pair, strong anticancer activity was seen for a particular pair, (1S,2S,5R)-1c and (1R,2R,5S)-1c, which was significantly more active than the benchmark drug cisplatin for human breast cancer cells, MCF-7 (ca. 24–27-fold), and human cervical cancer cells, HeLa (ca. three- to fourfold). Broadening its scope of application, (1R,2R,5S)-1c also exhibited antiproliferative activity against lung cancer (A549), skin cancer (B16F10), and multidrug-resistant mammary tumor (EMT6/AR1) cell lines. Interestingly, (1R,2R,5S)-1c displayed 8- and 16-fold stronger antiproliferative activity toward B16F10 and MCF-7 relative to their respective noncancerous counterparts, L929 (fibroblast skin cells) and MCF10A (epithelial breast cells), thereby upholding the potential of these complexes for further development as anticancer agents. (1R,2R,5S)-1c inhibited tumor-cell proliferation by blocking the cells at the G2 phase. (1R,2R,5S)-1c caused DNA damage in MCF-7 cells, leading to mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and subsequently cell death. We also present evidence indicating that (1R,2R,5S)-1c induced p53-dependent programmed cell death in MCF-7 cells.

Readily Accessible Unsymmetrical Unsaturated 2,6-Diisopropylphenyl N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands. Applications in Enantioselective Catalysis.

A new multicomponent procedure was applied to the synthesis of (a)chiral bulky unsymmetrical unsaturated 2,6-diisopropylphenyl N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors with excellent selectivity (up to 95%) and good yields. This approach offers access to new chiral NHC ligands, which have found successful applications in both copper-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation and copper-catalyzed asymmetric borylation.

Privileged chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligands for asymmetric transition-metal catalysis.

Chiral ligands play a central role in enantioselective transition-metal catalysis. The success of achiral N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) as stable electron-rich neutral ligands in homogeneous catalysis led to the development of a manifold of chiral NHCs as stereodirecting ancillary ligands for various enantioselective transformations. Due to the modular design of NHCs and the ease of access to their azolium salt precursors, tailor-made NHCs are readily available. Many chiral NHC scaffolds have been synthesised and tested in catalysis. Herein, we highlight only those NHC structures which have enabled high degrees of enantioselectivity in transition-metal catalysis. Following a brief introduction to the field of chiral NHCs, this tutorial review introduces different categories of chiral NHCs and provides a guide to the structural fine-tuning of ligand requirements and stereochemical models.

Copper(i)-catalysed asymmetric allylic reductions with hydrosilanes.

A copper(i)-catalysed asymmetric allylic reduction enables a regio- and stereoselective transfer of a hydride nucleophile in an SN2'-fashion onto allylic bromides. This transformation represents a conceptually orthogonal approach to allylic substitution reactions with carbon nucleophiles. A copper(i) complex based upon a chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand allows for stereoselectivity reaching 99% ee. The catalyst enables a stereoconvergent reaction irrespective of the double bond configuration of the starting materials.

Correction: Privileged chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligands for asymmetric transition-metal catalysis.

Correction for 'Privileged chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligands for asymmetric transition-metal catalysis' by Daniel Janssen-Müller et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017, DOI: .

Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Allyl-Allyl Coupling between Allylic Boronates and Phosphates with a Phenol/N-Heterocyclic Carbene Chiral Ligand.

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective allyl-allyl coupling between allylboronates and either Z-acyclic or cyclic allylic phosphates using a new chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, bearing a phenolic hydroxy, is reported. This reaction occurs with exceptional SN 2'-type regioselectivities and high enantioselectivities to deliver chiral 1,5-diene derivatives with a tertiary stereogenic center at the allylic/homoallylic position.

ChemInform Abstract: Chiral NHC Ligands Bearing a Pyridine Moiety in Copper‐Catalyzed 1,2‐Addition of Dialkylzinc Reagents to β‐Aryl‐α,β‐unsaturated N‐Tosylaldimines.

Asymmetric 1,2-addition of dialkylzinc reagents to α,β-unsaturated N-tosylaldimines was catalyzed by copper salt in the presence of chiral imidazolium salts having a pyridine ring, which were derived from amino acid, to afford the corresponding chiral allylic amines with up to 91% ee in reasonably high yields. The chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand played an important role in controlling chemoselectivity.

Chiral N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand Enabled Nickel(0)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Three-Component Couplings as Direct Access to Silylated Indanols.

An enantioselective nickel(0)-catalyzed reductive three-component coupling between aromatic aldehydes, norbornenes, and silanes affords directly silyl-protected indanol derivatives. A new bulky chiral C2-symmetric NHC (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) ligand basing on the 1,2-di(napthalen-1-yl)ethylene diamine backbone allows accessing the annulated products as single diastereoisomers in high enantioselectivity.

ChemInform Abstract: Copper‐Catalyzed SN2′‐Selective Allylic Substitution Reaction of gem‐Diborylalkanes.

A Cu/(NHC)-catalyzed SN2′-selective substitution reaction of allylic electrophiles with gem-diborylalkanes is reported. Different substituted gem-diborylalkanes and allylic electrophiles can be employed in this reaction, and various synthetic valuable functional groups can be tolerated. The asymmetric version of this reaction was initially researched with chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands.

Chiral NHC Ligands Bearing a Pyridine Moiety in Copper-Catalyzed 1,2-Addition of Dialkylzinc Reagents to β-Aryl-α,β-unsaturated N-Tosylaldimines.

Asymmetric 1,2-addition of dialkylzinc reagents to α,β-unsaturated N-tosylaldimines was catalyzed by copper salt in the presence of chiral imidazolium salts having a pyridine ring, which were derived from amino acid, to afford the corresponding chiral allylic amines with up to 91% ee in reasonably high yields. The chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand played an important role in controlling chemoselectivity.

Construction of Quaternary Stereogenic Carbon Centers through Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation of Azoles.

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation of azoles with γ,γ-disubstituted primary allylic phosphates was achieved using a new chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligand bearing a naphtholic hydroxy group. This reaction occurred with excellent branch regioselectivity and high enantioselectivity, thus forming a controlled all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center at the position α to the heteroaromatic ring.

Copper-Catalyzed SN2′-Selective Allylic Substitution Reaction of gem-Diborylalkanes

A Cu/(NHC)-catalyzed SN2'-selective substitution reaction of allylic electrophiles with gem-diborylalkanes is reported. Different substituted gem-diborylalkanes and allylic electrophiles can be employed in this reaction, and various synthetic valuable functional groups can be tolerated. The asymmetric version of this reaction was initially researched with chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands.