Effective Chiral Catalyst Research Articles

Additive‐Free Transfer Hydrogenative Direct Asymmetric Reductive Amination Using a Chiral Pyridine‐Derived Half‐Sandwich Catalyst

AbstractChiral amines are broadly used compounds in pharmaceutical industry and organic synthesis, and reductive amination reactions have been the most appreciated methods for their syntheses. However, one‐step transfer hydrogenative direct asymmetric reductive amination (THDARA) that could expand the scope, simplify the operation and eliminate the use of additives has been challenging. In this work, based on the Xiao's racemic transfer hydrogenative reductive amination in 2010 and our recent work in novel chiral pyridine ligands, chiral half‐sandwich iridium catalysts were rationally designed and synthesized. Using the optimized catalyst and azeotropic mixture of formic acid and triethylamine as the hydrogen source, a broad range of α‐chiral (hetero)aryl amines, including various polar functional groups and heterocycles, were prepared in generally high yield and enantioselectivity under mild and operationally simple conditions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation of the catalytically active Ir−H species and the key hydride transfer step supported the chiral pyridine‐induced stereospecific generation of the iridium center, and the enantioselection by taming the highly flexible key transition structure with multiple attractive non‐covalent interactions. This work introduced a type of effective chiral catalysts for simplified approach to medicinally important chiral amines, as well as a rare example of robust enantioselective transition‐metal catalysis.

Additive-Free Transfer Hydrogenative Direct Asymmetric Reductive Amination Using a Chiral Pyridine-Derived Half-Sandwich Catalyst.

Chiral amines are broadly used compounds in pharmaceutical industry and organic synthesis, and reductive amination reactions have been the most appreciated methods for their syntheses. However, one-step transfer hydrogenative direct asymmetric reductive amination (THDARA) that could expand the scope, simplify the operation and eliminate the use of additives has been challenging. In this work, based on the Xiao's racemic transfer hydrogenative reductive amination in 2010 and our recent work in novel chiral pyridine ligands, chiral half-sandwich iridium catalysts were rationally designed and synthesized. Using the optimized catalyst and azeotropic mixture of formic acid and triethylamine as the hydrogen source, a broad range of α-chiral (hetero)aryl amines, including various polar functional groups and heterocycles, were prepared in generally high yield and enantioselectivity under mild and operationally simple conditions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation of the catalytically active Ir-H species and the key hydride transfer step supported the chiral pyridine-induced stereospecific generation of the iridium center, and the enantioselection by taming the highly flexible key transition structure with multiple attractive non-covalent interactions. This work introduced a type of effective chiral catalysts for simplified approach to medicinally important chiral amines, as well as a rare example of robust enantioselective transition-metal catalysis.

Novel 4H-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzothiazoles derivatives: Camphorsulphonic acid catalyzed enantioselective synthesis, optimization, and biological study

An efficient, highly convergent route for the synthesis of novel fourteen single isomer derivatives of ethyl-2-methyl-4-(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylate have been developed by one-pot, three-component reaction between pyridine 2-aldehyde, β-ketoester and various derivatives of 2-amino benzothiazole in the presence of D-(+)-10-camphorsulphonic acid (D-(+)-10-CSA) as an effective chiral acid catalyst. Under the optimized conditions with 20 mol% catalyst loading, a wide range of optically active 4H-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzothiazole derivatives were obtained in good yields (up to 82%) with good to excellent enantioselectivities (84-99%ee). Their structures were elucidated by various spectroscopic methods such as 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Chiral HPLC, mass and elemental analysis. The attractive feature of this approach is one-pot synthesis, good yield, environment benign, mild reaction condition, simple, efficient, excellent stereoselectivity, water soluble catalyst and easy workup. All the final scaffolds have been screened for antibacterial activity. Among them, 4a’, 4c’, 4d’, 4e’, 4f’, 4g’, 4j’,4m’ and 4n’ were proven to possess enhanced antibacterial properties as compared to the standard drug.

Heterogeneous Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Ketones by 2-Amino-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-Modified CeO2-Supported Ir Nanoclusters

Modification of supported noble metals with chiral modifiers is a promising strategy for the design of effective heterogeneous chiral catalysts. The chiral compounds are generally introduced on the surface of noble metals, often leading to low enantioselectivity and to low activity. Herein, a unique heterogeneous chiral catalyst where a chiral modifier is introduced at the interface between the metal cluster and the support is presented. Modification of CeO2-supported Ir nanoclusters with 2-amino-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (NOBIN) as a chiral modifier provided a heterogeneous chiral catalyst where NOBIN is introduced at the interface between Ir nanoclusters and the CeO2 support. The heterogeneous chiral catalyst enabled the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone to provide 1-phenylethanol with moderate enantiomeric excess (ee) (up to 53%). The catalyst characterizations showed that about 1 nm Ir metal nanoclusters are formed on CeO2, and density functional theory calculations presented that NOBIN is adsorbed onto Ir nanoclusters and CeO2 at the NH2 and OH groups, respectively, constructing the asymmetric reaction field among NOBIN, Ir nanoclusters, and CeO2.

Asymmetric Catalysis of Chiral Bifunctional Selenides and Selenonium Salts Bearing a Urea Group

AbstractCatalytic asymmetric reactions with chiral organoselenium catalysts have become one of the most important research topics in the field of organocatalysis. Despite the presence of several effective chiral selenium catalysts, further developments of new chiral organoseleniums are still desired due to their remarkable potential as asymmetric organocatalysts. Herein, we report the synthesis and asymmetric catalysis of chiral bifunctional selenides and selenonium salts bearing a urea group. The new chiral bifunctional selenide organocatalysts promote asymmetric halocyclizations with good to high levels of enantioselectivity. Furthermore, we report a reaction involving a precious example of a chiral tertiary selenonium salt‐catalyzed asymmetric phase‐transfer conjugate addition.

Brucine Diol-Catalyzed Enantioselective Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction in the Presence of Brucine N-Oxide

Brucine diol (BD) catalyzed asymmetric Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reaction is observed for the first time. Brucine N-oxide (BNO) was found to not have an effective chiral catalyst. Faster reaction rate was obtained using unsaturated ester or aromatic aldehydes in the presence of BNO. 4-Nitrobenzaldehyde and α,β-unsaturated ketone/ester were converted to the MBH adduct in moderate yields (up to 74%) with 70% ee value by this catalytic system. The mechanism of BD catalysis is probably initiated by conjugating the vicinal diol of BD to the carbonyl group of the aromatic aldehyde through hydrogen bonding. The tertiary amine of BD acts as a nucleophile to activate vinyl ketone for coupling with the carbonyl of aldehyde through an intramolecular carbonylated reaction. Finally, the breakdown of the complex caused the formation of the MBH adduct (a benzyl-allyl alcohol). The chirality of the benzyl-allyl alcohol is likely affected by the interaction of the bulky asymmetric plane of BD.

Chiral Bifunctional Sulfide‐Catalyzed Highly Enantioselective Bromolactonizations of 4‐Pentenoic Acids

AbstractDespite extensive studies into the design of effective chiral catalysts for asymmetric halolactonizations, the development of highly enantioselective catalytic bromolactonization of 4‐aryl‐4‐pentenoic acids, which is one of the benchmark reactions, has not been completely satisfactory. Herein, we report the use of BINOL‐derived chiral bifunctional sulfide catalysts to achieve highly enantioselective bromolactonizations of 4‐aryl‐4‐pentenoic acids. The importance of the bifunctional design of chiral sulfide catalysts was clearly demonstrated in the present study. Furthermore, the present catalytic asymmetric reaction system could be applied to highly stereoselective desymmetrizing bromolactonizations.

From Pd(OAc)2 to Chiral Catalysts: The Discovery and Development of Bifunctional Mono-N-Protected Amino Acid Ligands for Diverse C-H Functionalization Reactions.

The functionalization of unactivated carbon-hydrogen bonds is a transformative strategy for the rapid construction of molecular complexity given the ubiquitous presence of C-H bonds in organic molecules. It represents a powerful tool for accelerating the synthesis of natural products and bioactive compounds while reducing the environmental and economic costs of synthesis. At the same time, the ubiquity and strength of C-H bonds also present major challenges toward the realization of transformations that are both highly selective and efficient. The development of practical C-H functionalization reactions has thus remained a compelling yet elusive goal in organic chemistry for over a century.Specifically, the capability to form useful new C-C, C-N, C-O, and C-X bonds via direct C-H functionalization would have wide-ranging impacts in organic synthesis. Palladium is especially attractive as a catalyst for such C-H functionalizations because of the diverse reactivity of intermediate palladium-carbon bonds. Early efforts using cyclopalladation with Pd(OAc)2 and related salts led to the development of many Pd-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions. However, Pd(OAc)2 and other simple Pd salts perform only racemic transformations, which prompted a long search for effective chiral catalysts dating back to the 1970s. Pd salts also have low reactivity with synthetically useful substrates. To address these issues, effective and reliable ligands capable of accelerating and improving the selectivity of Pd-catalyzed C-H functionalizations are needed.In this Account, we highlight the discovery and development of bifunctional mono-N-protected amino acid (MPAA) ligands, which make great strides toward addressing these two challenges. MPAAs enable numerous Pd(II)-catalyzed C(sp2)-H and C(sp3)-H functionalization reactions of synthetically relevant substrates under operationally practical conditions with excellent stereoselectivity when applicable. Mechanistic studies indicate that MPAAs operate as unique bifunctional ligands for C-H activation in which both the carboxylate and amide are coordinated to Pd. The N-acyl group plays an active role in the C-H cleavage step, greatly accelerating C-H activation. The rigid MPAA chelation also results in a predictable transfer of chiral information from a single chiral center on the ligand to the substrate and permits the development of a rational stereomodel to predict the stereochemical outcome of enantioselective reactions.We also describe the application of MPAA-enabled C-H functionalization in total synthesis and provide an outlook for future development in this area. We anticipate that MPAAs and related next-generation ligands will continue to stimulate development in the field of Pd-catalyzed C-H functionalization.

Distal Allylic/Benzylic C−H Functionalization of Silyl Ethers Using Donor/Acceptor Rhodium(II) Carbenes

Regio- and stereoselective distal allylic/benzylic C-H functionalization of allyl and benzyl silyl ethers was achieved using rhodium(II) carbenes derived from N-sulfonyltriazoles and aryldiazoacetates as carbene precursors. The bulky rhodium carbenes led to highly site-selective functionalization of less activated allylic and benzylic C-H bonds even in the presence of electronically preferred C-H bonds located α to oxygen. The dirhodium catalyst Rh2 (S-NTTL)4 is the most effective chiral catalyst for triazole-derived carbene transformations, whereas Rh2 (S-TPPTTL)4 works best for carbenes derived from aryldiazoacetates. The reactions afford a variety of δ-functionalized allyl silyl ethers with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity. The utility of the present method was demonstrated by its application to the synthesis of a 3,4-disubstituted l-proline scaffold.

Distal Allylic/Benzylic C−H Functionalization of Silyl Ethers Using Donor/Acceptor Rhodium(II) Carbenes

AbstractRegio‐ and stereoselective distal allylic/benzylic C−H functionalization of allyl and benzyl silyl ethers was achieved using rhodium(II) carbenes derived from N‐sulfonyltriazoles and aryldiazoacetates as carbene precursors. The bulky rhodium carbenes led to highly site‐selective functionalization of less activated allylic and benzylic C−H bonds even in the presence of electronically preferred C−H bonds located α to oxygen. The dirhodium catalyst Rh2(S‐NTTL)4 is the most effective chiral catalyst for triazole‐derived carbene transformations, whereas Rh2(S‐TPPTTL)4 works best for carbenes derived from aryldiazoacetates. The reactions afford a variety of δ‐functionalized allyl silyl ethers with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity. The utility of the present method was demonstrated by its application to the synthesis of a 3,4‐disubstituted l‐proline scaffold.

Review on Asymmetric Transformations with Chiral Phase-Transfer Catalysts

This review focuses onasymmetric transformations with Chiral Phase-Transfer Catalysts and its application. Phase-transfer catalysis is practical methodology for organic synthesis. It is possible to achieve highly enantio selective transformations under phase-transfer conditions for a variety of ─C─C─ ─C─O─ and ─C─N─ bond-forming reactions. The asymmetric transformations using modified cinchona alkaloids, chiral spiro ammonium salts and crown ether are among the primary source of effective chiral phase-transfer catalyst, which allows access to enantiomerically pure unnatural amino acids and synthetically useful adducts containing quaternary stereogenic centers. The advantage of this method is its simple experimental procedure, large chiral pool, mild reaction condition, inexpensive, environmentally benign reagent and use of simple and inexpensive reactants. Nowadays, it appears to be the most important synthetic method used in various fields of organic chemistry, and also found widespread industrial applications. This review summarizes the synthesis application, enantio selective transformation of some selected reaction, biological activities and catalytic activities of Phase-transfer catalysis and especial emphasis is given for organo catalysis. In asymmetric organo catalyst, it is possible to obtain chiral organic products in high enantio enriched form by steric hindrance approach method. The advantage of organic molecules as chiral catalysts complements the traditional organo-metallic and biological approaches to asymmetric catalysis.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Functionalization of Unactivated Indole C(sp3)−H Bonds

AbstractDescribed here is a direct catalytic asymmetric functionalization of unactivated alkyl indoles using organocatalysis. In the presence of an effective chiral urea catalyst and a phosphoric acid additive, the intermolecular C−C bond formation between alkyl indoles and trifluoropyruvates proceeded with high efficiency and enantiocontrol. Unlike previous asymmetric C(sp3−H) functionalizations of α‐azaarenes, this process does not require the use of either a strong base or an electron‐deficient substrate. The excellent enantiocontrol is particularly noteworthy in view of the severe background reaction as well as the complete inability of other types of catalysts evaluated. Control experiments, kinetic studies, and DFT calculations provided important insights into the mechanism.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Functionalization of Unactivated Indole C(sp3)−H Bonds

Described here is a direct catalytic asymmetric functionalization of unactivated alkyl indoles using organocatalysis. In the presence of an effective chiral urea catalyst and a phosphoric acid additive, the intermolecular C-C bond formation between alkyl indoles and trifluoropyruvates proceeded with high efficiency and enantiocontrol. Unlike previous asymmetric C(sp3 -H) functionalizations of α-azaarenes, this process does not require the use of either a strong base or an electron-deficient substrate. The excellent enantiocontrol is particularly noteworthy in view of the severe background reaction as well as the complete inability of other types of catalysts evaluated. Control experiments, kinetic studies, and DFT calculations provided important insights into the mechanism.

Cinchona Alkaloids-Derivatives and Applications.

Major Cinchona alkaloids quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine are available chiral natural compounds (chiral pool). Unlike many other natural products, these alkaloids are available in multiple diastereomeric forms which are separated on an industrial scale. The introduction discusses in short conformational equilibria, traditional separation scheme, biosynthesis, and de novo chemical syntheses. The second section concerns useful chemical applications of the alkaloids as chiral recognition agents and effective chiral catalysts. Besides the Sharpless ethers and quaternary ammonium salts (chiral PTC), the most successful bifunctional organocatalysts are based on 9-amino derivatives: thioureas and squaramides. The third section reports the main transformations of Cinchona alkaloids. This covers reactions of the 9-hydroxyl group with the retention or inversion of configuration. Specific Cinchona rearrangements enlarging [2.2.2]bicycle of quinuclidine to [3.2.2] products are connected to the 9-OH substitution. The syntheses of numerous esterification and etherification products are described, including many examples of bi-Cinchona alkaloid ethers. Further derivatives comprise 9-N-substituted compounds. The amino group is introduced via an azido function with the inversion of configuration at the stereogenic center C9. The 9-epi-amino-alkaloids provide imines, amides, imides, thioureas, and squaramides. The syntheses of 9-carbon-, 9-sulfur-, and 9-selenium-substituted derivatives are discussed. Oxidation of the hydroxyl group of any alkaloid gives ketones, which can be selectively reduced, reacted with Grignard reagents, or subjected to the Corey-Chaykovsky reaction. The alkaloids were also partially degraded by splitting C4'-C9 or N1-C8 bonds. In order to immobilize Cinchona alkaloids the transformations of the 3-vinyl group were often exploited. Finally, miscellaneous functionalizations of quinuclidine, quinoline, and examples of various metal complexes of the alkaloids are considered.

Chiral pool based synthesis of pyrrolidinium ionic liquids

Chiral ionic liquids show promising applications in various different fields. A series of pyrrolidinium-based chiral ionic liquids bearing a chiral cation, a chiral anion or both was prepared in good yields using an efficient, economic and simple pathway. The chirality was introduced using (l)-lactate and (l)-menthol derivatives. The resultant chiral compounds were characterized by both spectroscopy and polarimetry. We envision that these new chiral compounds can serve as effective reaction media and chiral catalysts for asymmetric reactions, which are presently being investigated in our lab.

ChemInform Abstract: A New Generation of Chiral Phase‐Transfer Catalysts

AbstractReview: 44 refs.

ChemInform Abstract: Chiral Dirhodium Catalysts Derived from L‐Serine, L‐Threonine and L‐Cysteine: Design, Synthesis and Application.

A series of dirhodium tetrakis((4S)-3-(arylsulfonyl)oxazolidine-4-carboxylate), dirhodium tetrakis((4S,5R)-5-methyl-3-(arylsulfonyl)oxazolidine-4-carboxylate) and dirhodium tetrakis((4R)-3-(arylsulfonyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylate 1,1-dioxide) complexes with different para-substituted arylsulfonyl groups (e.g. –NO2, –F, –CF3, –Me, –tBu, –OMe and –nC12H25) derived from L-serine, L-threonine and L-cysteine, respectively, were prepared with yields in the range of 40–87% through refluxing ligands in water with Na4Rh2(CO3)4. These chiral Rh(II) complexes have been fully characterized by EA, IR, UV-vis, NMR and specific rotation measurements. They are found to be effective chiral catalysts for asymmetric aziridination and cyclopropanation reactions in terms of reactivity and enantioselectivity. They are extremely stable and can be stored for a long period (at least 18 months) on the bench without adversely affecting their reactivity and selectivity. The heterocyclic rings as well as the substituents on the arylsulfonyl groups have critical effects on the degree of asymmetric induction. In general, a higher enantioselectivity was observed in the reactions catalyzed by the oxazolidine-4-carboxylate-derived catalysts than the thiazolidine-4-carboxylate 1,1-dioxide-based catalysts. Among these 21 new Rh(II) catalysts, the uses of dirhodium tetrakis((4S)-3-((4-dodecylphenyl)sulfonyl)oxazolidine-4-carboxylate) (Rh2(4S-DOSO)4) and dirhodium tetrakis((4S,5R)-5-methyl-3-((4-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl)oxazolidine-4-carboxylate) (Rh2(4S,5R-MNOSO)4) resulted in the highest levels of enantioselectivity in aziridination (94% ee) and cyclopropanation (98% ee) of styrene, respectively. The successful design and syntheses of these novel Rh(II) complexes enlarged the scope of accessible chiral dirhodium(II) catalysts.

ChemInform Abstract: Construction of a Chiral Silicon Center by Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Intramolecular Hydrosilylation

Abstract10 examples

Enantioselective Addition of Diethylzinc to Aldehydes Catalyzed by Chiral O,N,O-tridentate Phenol Ligands Derived From Camphor.

Chiral O,N,O-tridentate phenol ligands bearing a camphor backbone were found to be effective chiral catalysts for the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes, resulting in high enantioselectivities (80-95% ee) at room temperature.

Construction of a Chiral Silicon Center by Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Intramolecular Hydrosilylation.

Rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrizing intramolecular hydrosilylation of symmetrically disubstituted hydrosilanes is described. The original axially chiral phenanthroline ligand (S)-BinThro (Binol-derived phenanthroline) was found to work as an effective chiral catalyst for this transformation. A chiral silicon stereogenic center is one of the chiral motifs gaining much attention in asymmetric syntheses and the present protocol provides cyclic five-membered organosilanes incorporating chiral silicon centers with high enantioselectivities (up to 91 % ee). The putative active Rh(I) catalyst takes the form of an N,N,O-tridentate coordination complex, as determined by several complementary experiments.