Chiral Sulfur Ylides Research Articles

Concise and Stereospecific Total Synthesis of Arenastatin A and Its Segment B Analogs.

A novel and concise synthetic method for arenastatin A, a cytotoxic cyclic depsipeptide of marine origin, was developed in this study. The convergent assembly of the four segments, including the cross-metathesis reaction, gave a cyclization precursor, and Fmoc deprotection caused simultaneous macrocyclization. The Corey-Chaykovsky reaction using a chiral sulfur ylide afforded arenastatin A with complete stereoselectivity in the longest linear sequence of seven reaction steps from the known compound. Using this synthetic method, some analogs of segment B were prepared through a late-stage diversification strategy. The simple SN2 reaction of the thiolate toward the tosylate precursor, prepared using almost the same synthetic method as described above, provided the desired sulfide analogs.

Conversion of anilines to chiral benzylic amines via formal one-carbon insertion into aromatic C\u2013N bonds

Insertion of atoms into aromatic carbon-nitrogen bonds is an appealing method for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing molecules and it has the advantage of the availability and abundance of anilines. However, the direct cleavage of aromatic carbon-nitrogen bonds is challenging due to the particularly inert and stable nature of these bonds. Here we report a formal, enantioselective one-carbon insertion into an aromatic carbon-nitrogen bond via an aromaticity dissembly-reconstruction process to directly convert anilines to chiral α-branched benzylic amines. The process involves oxidative dearomatization of para-substituted anilines, chiral sulfur ylide-mediated asymmetric aziridination, and subsequent rearrangement. Chiral sulfur ylides serve as one-carbon insertion units.

Asymmetric Sulfur-Ylide-Mediated Formal [4+1]-Annulation Reaction: Scope and Mechanism.

A formal [4+1]-annulation strategy between sulfur ylides and 1,3-dienes was developed to afford functionalized cyclopentanoids. The process consists of a stereoselective cyclopropanation reaction followed, in situ, by a stereospecific MgI2 -catalyzed vinylcyclopropane-cyclopentene rearrangement. The use of chiral sulfur ylides provided cyclopentanoids with excellent enantiocontrol. A combined experimental and computational mechanistic study showed that the stereospecificity of the rearrangement could be accounted for by a double SN 2 reaction mechanism involving iodide.

Enantioselective Synthesis of the Cyclopiazonic Acid Family Using Sulfur Ylides.

A convergent, nine‐step (LLS), enantioselective synthesis of α‐cyclopiazonic acid and related natural products is reported. The route features a) an enantioselective aziridination of an imine with a chiral sulfur ylide; b) a bioinspired (3+2)‐cycloaddition of the aziridine onto an alkene; and c) installation of the acetyltetramic acid by an unprecedented tandem carbonylative lactamization/N−O cleavage of a bromoisoxazole.

Enantioselective Synthesis of the Cyclopiazonic Acid Family Using Sulfur Ylides

AbstractA convergent, nine‐step (LLS), enantioselective synthesis of α‐cyclopiazonic acid and related natural products is reported. The route features a) an enantioselective aziridination of an imine with a chiral sulfur ylide; b) a bioinspired (3+2)‐cycloaddition of the aziridine onto an alkene; and c) installation of the acetyltetramic acid by an unprecedented tandem carbonylative lactamization/N−O cleavage of a bromoisoxazole.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Trisubstituted Epoxides Marks the Route to Chiral Building Blocks with Quaternary Centers

A facile access to enantiomerically pure derivatives of α‐hydroxy‐β‐amino acids bearing a quaternary center and trifluoromethylated tertiary alcohols, which represent highly important building blocks for therapeutically relevant small molecules, has been efficiently achieved by developing an asymmetric epoxidation of α‐activated ketones by employing chiral sulfur ylides.

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Spirocyclopropanes under Mild Conditions via Formal [2 + 1] Cycloadditions Using 2,3-Dioxo-4-benzylidene-pyrrolidines.

A highly diastereoselective cyclopropanation of cyclic enones with sulfur ylides was developed under catalyst-free conditions, producing multifunctional spirocyclopropanes in generally excellent yields (up to 99% yield and >99:1 d.r.). The asymmetric version of this method was realized by using an easily available chiral sulfur ylide, affording products with moderate to good stereoselectivity.

Formal Asymmetric (4+1) Annulation Reaction between Sulfur Ylides and 1,3-Dienes.

A highly enantioselective synthesis of functionalized cyclopentanoids by a formal asymmetric (4+1) annulation strategy was developed. The methodology consists of a stereoselective cyclopropanation reaction between chiral sulfur ylides and 1,3-dienes followed by a, in situ, stereospecific MgI2 -catalyzed rearrangement of vinylcyclopropanes. This method is distinguished by a remarkable compatibility with functional groups and a high stereocontrol.

ChemInform Abstract: Enantio‐ and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Spiro‐Epoxyoxindoles.

AbstractHighly enantioenriched spiro‐epoxyoxindoles are obtained from isatins and chiral sulfur ylides generated in situ from camphor‐derived sulfonium salts.

Enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of spiro-epoxyoxindoles.

An asymmetric synthesis of epoxyoxindoles from isatins has been developed by employing chiral sulfur ylides generated in situ from camphor-derived sulfonium salts. This reaction allows an efficient access to enantioenriched spiro-epoxyoxindoles under mild reaction conditions, featuring high yields and excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivities.

ChemInform Abstract: Oxazolidine Sulfur Ylides Derived from Phenylglycinol for the Specific and Highly Diastereoselective Synthesis of Aryl and Alkyl trans‐Epoxyamides.

AbstractCoupling of chiral sulfur ylides of type (VII) with aldehydes provides an efficient and highly diastereoselective approach to aryl and alkyl trans‐epoxyamides.

ChemInform Abstract: Construction of Optically Active Indolines by Formal [4 + 1] Annulation of Sulfur Ylides and N‐(ortho‐Chloromethyl)aryl Amides.

AbstractAsymmetric [4 + 1] annulation of axial chiral sulfur ylides (I) and N‐(ortho‐chloromethyl)aryl amides represents a direct procedure to access chiral 2‐substituted indolines.

Construction of Optically Active Indolines by Formal [4+1] Annulation of Sulfur Ylides and N‐(ortho‐Chloromethyl)aryl Amides

Get asymmetric! Asymmetric [4+1] annulation of sulfur ylides and N-(ortho-chloromethyl)aryl amides allowed the formation of the desired cycloadduct with moderate to high yields and enantioselectivities (see scheme). The described strategy, taking advantage of chiral sulfur ylides, represents a direct procedure to access chiral 2-substituted indolines.

Palladium‐Mediated Annulation of Vinyl Aziridines with Michael Acceptors: Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Substituted Pyrrolidines and Its Application in a Formal Synthesis of (−)‐α‐Kainic Acid

route to vinyl epoxides and vinyl aziridines via chiral sulfur ylides, we were keen to develop their potential in synthesis further. It had been reported that palladium-catalyzed reactions of vinyl epoxides and aziridines with doubly activated Michael acceptors gave tetrahydrofurans and pyrrolidines in good yield but usually with poor stereocontrol. However, related reactions with singly activated Michael acceptors were not effective. Nevertheless, we recognized that if we could find a way of coercing vinyl aziridines to react with singly activated enones/acrylates, and we were able to control stereochemistry in the annulation process, then we could potentially utilize this methodology in synthesis. Herein, we describe our success in simultaneously meeting these two significant challenges and also describe its application in a formal synthesis of ( )-a-kainic acid 1. Our initial efforts at promoting reaction between vinyl aziridine 2a and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK, A) using [Pd2(dba)3·CHCl3], (p-FC6H5)3P in THF (conditions employed by Yamamoto), however, were fruitless—we only observed decomposition. Using trimethylsilyl-substituted trans vinyl aziridine 2e, we now observed isomerization to a mixture of trans/cis aziridines (1:20). With this substrate, clearly the Pd was performing its role in generating the p-allyl palladium complex as this resulted in isomerization of the vinyl aziridine. However, the amide anion that was generated did not react with the enone. This result reinforced the observations by Yamamoto and Knight that doubly activated Michael acceptors were required to capture the relatively unreactive amide anion. We reasoned that ion pairing of the amide anion with the cationic Pd complex might compromise its reactivity, and that increased nucleophilicity should therefore be possible with an anionic Pd complex instead (Scheme 2).

Chiral Sulfur Ylides for the Synthesis of Bengamide E and Analogues

A new synthetic methodology of asymmetric epoxidation developed in our laboratories has been employed for the stereoselective synthesis of bengamide E (16) and analogues at the terminal olefinic position. In the event, the chiral sulfonium salt 30 was transformed into its corresponding sulfur ylide and reacted with aldehydes 21 and 44 to efficiently provide epoxy amides 31 and 45, respectively. To access the bengamides from these epoxy amides, we combined a synthetic strategy previously reported by us, using an olefin cross metathesis reaction to introduce various alkyl substituents at the terminal olefinic position of amide 33, with reactions mediated by palladium (Negishi or Suzuki couplings) from amide 49. This latter route of introduction of alkyl groups proved to be more efficient than the metathesis approach and allowed access to the generation of a wide array of new bengamide analogues.

Synthesis of quinine and quinidine using sulfur ylide-mediated asymmetric epoxidation as a key step

The epoxidation of meroquinene aldehyde with a chiral sulfur ylide as the key step in the synthesis of quinine and quinidine is described. The epoxidation reactions proceed under reagent control with high selectivity and good yield. The effect of sulfide and ylide substituents on the stereochemical outcome of the reaction is discussed.

On the Mechanism of Ylide-Mediated Cyclopropanations: Evidence for a Proton-Transfer Step and Its Effect on Stereoselectivity

In this paper, we describe studies on the cyclopropanation of Michael acceptors with chiral sulfur ylides. It had previously been found that semi-stabilized sulfonium ylides (e.g., Ph-stabilized) reacted with cyclic and acyclic enones and substituted acrylates with high ee and that stabilized sulfonium ylides (e.g., ester-stabilized) reacted with cyclic enones again with high ee. The current study has focused on the reactions of stabilized sulfonium ylides with acyclic enones which unexpectedly gave low ee. Furthermore, a clear correlation of ee with ylide stability was observed in reactions with methyl vinyl ketone (MVK): ketone-stabilized ylide gave 25% ee, ester-stabilized ylide gave 46% ee, and amide-stabilized ylide gave 89% ee. It is believed that following betaine formation an unusual proton transfer step intervenes which compromises the enantioselectivity of the process. Thus, following addition of a stabilized ylide to the Michael acceptor, rapid and reversible intramolecular proton transfer within the betaine intermediate, prior to ring closure, results in an erosion of ee. Proton transfer occurred to the greatest extent with the most stabilized ylide (ketone). When the same reactions were carried out with deuterium-labeled sulfonium ylides, higher ee's were observed in all cases since proton/deuteron transfer was slowed down. The competing proton transfer or direct ring-closure pathways that are open to the betaine intermediate apply not only to all sulfur ylides but potentially to all ylides. By applying this model to S-, N-, and P-ylides we have been able to rationalize the outcome of different ylide reactions bearing a variety of substituents in terms of chemo- and enantioselectivity.

A highly efficient methodology of asymmetric epoxidation based on a novel chiral sulfur ylide

A new type of chiral sulfur ylides has been synthesized and their reactivities against carbonyl compounds tested, showing a high degree of stereoselectivity in the formation of trans epoxy amides under very mild reaction conditions.

Enantio- and Diastereoselectivities in Chiral Sulfur Ylide Promoted Asymmetric Aziridination Reactions

Density functional theory investigation on the factors controlling enantio- and diastereoselection in asymmetric aziridination reaction by the addition of chiral bicyclic sulfur ylides to substituted aldimines is presented. High levels of enantioselection are predicted toward the formation of (2S,3S)-cis and (2R,3S)-trans aziridines by the addition of stabilized ylide (R = COMe) respectively to SO2Me and CO2Me protected aldimines. Similarly, high %ee is predicted for the formation of (2S,3R)-cis aziridines from semistabilized (R = Ph) ylide. Moderate to high levels of diastereoselectivity is noticed as well. The present study highlights that a correct prediction on extent of enantioselection requires the knowledge of the activation barriers for elementary steps beyond the initial addition step. In the case of stabilized ylides the ring-closure (or elimination of sulfur compound) is found to be crucial in controlling enantio- and diastereoselection. A cumulative effect of electronic as well as other weak interactions is identified as factors contributing to the relative energies of transition states leading to enantio- and diastereomeric products for the stabilized ylide addition to aldimines. On the contrary, steric control appears quite dominant with semistabilized ylide addition. With the smallest substituent on ylide (R = Me), high enantioselectivity is predicted for the formation of (2R,3R)-trans aziridines although the %de in this case is found to be very low.

Asymmetric Sulfur Ylide Reactions with Boranes: Scope and Limitations, Mechanism and Understanding

The reactions of aryl-stabilized sulfur ylides with organoboranes has been studied under a variety of conditions. At 5 or -78 degrees C, the reaction with Et3B gave a mixture of the first and second homologation products, but at -100 degrees C, only the first homologation product was obtained even with just 1.1 equiv of Et3B. Under these optimized conditions, the chiral sulfur ylides (derived from camphor sulfonic acid) with different aryl groups were reacted with Et3B to give the corresponding alcohols (95-98% yield, 96-98% ee) and amines (74-77% yield, >98% ee). The origin of the high enantioselectivity is discussed. The use of nonsymmetrical 9-BBN derivatives was also explored. It was found that whereas primary alkyl substituents gave mixtures of products derived from competing migration of the boron substituent and the boracycle, all other groups resulted in either exclusive migration of the boron substituent (Ph, hexenyl, i-Pr) or exclusive migration of the boracycle (hexynyl, cyclopropyl). The factors responsible for the outcome of the reactions involving a hindered (i-Pr) and an unhindered (propynyl) substituent were studied by DFT calculations. This revealed that, in the case of an unhindered substituent, the conformation of the ate complex is the dominant factor whereas, in the case of a hindered substituent, the barriers to interconversion between the conformers of the ate complex and subsequent migration control the outcome of the reaction.