Enantiopure Materials Research Articles

Unlocking nature’s C[sbnd]H bonds

In an idealistic setting, it can be imagined that if every CH bond on an organic molecule could be selectively functionalized, the fields of chemical synthesis and drug discovery would be forever revolutionized. With the purpose of investigating the practicality of this idealistic scenario, our group has endeavored to unlock the potential of nature’s CH bonds by developing palladium-catalyzed, site selective CH insertions that can be incorporated into both known and new catalytic cycles. To this end, we have developed a number of catalytic transformations that not only provide rapid diversification of simple starting materials and natural products through CH functionalization, but streamline the synthesis of a variety of natural products with biological activity and expand upon methods to access highly valuable enantiopure materials.

Enantioselective Synthesis of cis-3-Fluoropiperidin-4-ol, a Building Block for Medicinal Chemistry

The first enantioselective route to both enantiomers of cis-1-Boc-3-fluoropiperidin-4-ol, a highly prized building block for medicinal chemistry, is reported. An enantioselective fluorination is employed, taking advantage of the methodology reported by MacMillan, which uses a modified cinchona alkaloid catalyst. In studying the fluorination reaction, we have shown that the catalyst can be replaced by commercially available primary amines, including α-methylbenzylamine, with similar levels of enantioselectivity. The piperidinols are readily crystallized to obtain enantiopure material.

A Computational Model for the Dimerization of Allene

Computations at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory support long-held beliefs that allene dimerization to 1,2-dimethylenecyclobutane proceeds through diradical intermediates rather than a concerted (π)2(s) + (π)2(a) mechanism. Two diastereomeric transition states with orthogonal and skew geometries have been located for C2-C2 dimerization of allene, with predicted barriers of 34.5 and 40.3 kcal/mol, respectively. In dimerization, the outward-facing ligands rotate in a sense opposite to the forming C-C bond. Both transition states lead to nearly orthogonal (D(2)) singlet bisallyl (or tetramethyleneethane) diradical. This diradical has a barrier to planarization of 3.2 kcal/mol through a planar D(2h) geometry and a barrier to methylene rotation of 14.3 kcal/mol. Bisallyl diradical closes through one of four degenerate paths by a conrotatory motion of the methylene groups with a predicted barrier of 15.7 kcal/mol. The low barrier to planarization of bisallyl, and similar barriers for methylene rotation and conrotatory closure are consistent with a stepwise dimerization process which can still maintain stereochemical elements of reactants. These computations support the observation that racemic 1,3-disubstituted allenes, with access to an orthogonal transition state which minimizes steric strain, will dimerize more readily than enantiopure materials and by a mechanism that preferentially bonds M and P enantiomers.

A new chiral primary–tertiary diamine-Brønsted acid salt organocatalyst for the highly enantioselective direct anti-aldol and syn-Mannich reactions

A new primary–tertiary diamine catalyst is easily prepared in a few steps from inexpensive, commercially available, enantiopure materials. This organocatalyst can be effective catalyzed the direct asymmetric aldol and Mannich reactions. The anti-aldol products can be obtained with up to a 99:1 anti/syn ratio and >98 % ee, while the syn-Mannich products could be obtained with up to a 99:1 syn/anti ratio and >99 % ee. Catalyst 1c can be used efficiently on a large scale with the enantioselectivities of the anti-aldol and syn-Mannich reactions being maintained at the same level, which offers a great possibility for application in industry.

Organization of the enantiomeric and racemic forms of an amphiphilic resorcinol derivative at the air–water and graphite–1‐phenyloctane interfaces

This article describes a study of the outcome of racemate condensation in different types of monolayers. The study was performed on a resorcinol surfactant bearing an octadecyl chain and a lactate group which formed a monolayer at the interface of graphite and 1-phenyloctane as well as a Langmuir film at the air-water interface. Control experiments with the enantiopure materials provided the characteristics of the chiral organizations. The results obtained on the racemate show that on graphite the molecule forms chiral domains, indicating that spontaneous resolution takes place at the surface, a phenomenon that has been rationalized using molecular modeling. The X-ray crystal structure of the DMSO solvate of one of the enantiomers shows a similar type of packing to this monolayer. On the other hand, in the Langmuir layer it appears that the formation of a racemic compound is favoured, as it is in the solid state in three dimensions. The work shows how the symmetry restrictions in different environments can have a critical influence on the outcome of racemate organization, and underline the tendency of graphite to favour symmetry breaking in monolayers formed at its surface.

Organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis of 2,3-dihydropyridazines

We have developed an efficient procedure for the easy and straightforward preparation of functionalized dihydropyridazines as highly enantiopure materials by reaction of pyruvaldehyde 2-tosyl hydrazone with a variety of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes using a chiral secondary amine as catalyst. The overall process consists of a cascade reaction involving an initial aza-Michael reaction, in which the stereocentre is installed, followed by an intramolecular aldol reaction/dehydration step.

Hierarchical Chiral Expression from the Nano- to Mesoscale in Synthetic Supramolecular Helical Fibers of a Nonamphiphilic C3-Symmetrical π-Functional Molecule

The controlled preparation of chiral structures is a contemporary challenge for supramolecular science because of the interesting properties that can arise from the resulting materials, and here we show that a synthetic nonamphiphilic C(3) compound containing π-functional tetrathiafulvalene units can form this kind of object. We describe the synthesis, characterization, and self-assembly properties in solution and in the solid state of the enantiopure materials. Circular dichroism (CD) measurements show optical activity resulting from the presence of twisted stacks of preferential helicity and also reveal the critical importance of fiber nucleation in their formation. Molecular mechanics (MM) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations combined with CD theoretical calculations demonstrate that the (S) enantiomer provides the (M) helix, which is more stable than the (P) helix for this enantiomer. This relationship is for the first time established in this family of C(3) symmetric compounds. In addition, we show that introduction of the "wrong" enantiomer in a stack decreases the helical reversal barrier in a nonlinear manner, which very probably accounts for the absence of a "majority rules" effect. Mesoscopic chiral fibers, which show inverted helicity, i.e. (P) for the (S) enantiomer and (M) for the (R) one, have been obtained upon reprecipitation from dioxane and analyzed by optical and electronic microscopy. The fibers obtained with the racemic mixture present, as a remarkable feature, opposite homochiral domains within the same fiber, separated by points of helical reversal. Their formation can be explained through an "oscillating" crystallization mechanism. Although C(3) symmetric disk-shaped molecules containing a central benzene core substituted in the 1,3,5 positions with 3,3'-diamido-2,2'-bipyridine based wedges have shown peculiar self-assembly properties for amphiphilic derivatives, the present result shows the benefits of reducing the nonfunctional part of the molecule, in our case with short chiral isopentyl chains. The research reported herein represents an important step toward the preparation of functional mesostructures with controlled helical architectures.

Asymmetric Organocatalytic Conjugate Addition of Diarylphosphane Oxides to Chalcones

AbstractThe first example of a convenient and enantioselective asymmetric conjugate addition of diarylphosphane oxides to chalcones is reported. By using commercially available dihydroquinine as the organocatalyst and diphenylphosphane oxide as the nucleophile, the adducts were isolated in high yield and up to 89 % ee. The final adducts can be easily recrystallized to enantiopure material.

ChemInform Abstract: The Discovery of Catalytic Enantioselective Polyvalent Iodine Mediated Reactions.

AbstractReview: 56 refs.

ChemInform Abstract: Asymmetric Synthesis for Process Research

During the past few years, asymmetric synthetic methods have become an indispensable tool in the process research arena for the production of enantiopure materials. The development of a truly efficient, reliable and economically viable asymmetric synthesis is still limited, and searches for such valuable technologies are rapidly growing. This review features an overview of several interesting articles which appeared in the literature from January 1998, through to August 1999, that can greatly impact the area of asymmetric synthesis in process research and development.

ChemInform Abstract: Diels-Alder Reaction of Heterocyclic Imine Dienophiles.

This thesis describes mechanistic studies, rational ligand design, and synthesis of asymmetric transition metal catalysts. The topics addressed concerned [Papers I-VII]:[I] The asymmetric addition of diethyl zinc to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)benzalimine catalyzed by bicyclic 2-azanorbornyl-3-methanols was studied. An efficient route to both diastereomers of new bicyclic 2-azanorbornyl-3-methanols with an additional chiral center was developed, in the best case 97% ee was obtained with these ligands. The experimental results were rationalized by a computational DFT-study.[II] An aza-Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene with chiral heterocyclic imines derived from (S)-1-phenylethylamine and different heteroaromatic aldehydes was developed. The cycloaddition proved to be highly diastereoselective and offers a very rapid access to possible biologically active compounds and interesting precursors for chiral (P,N)-ligands. [III] A convenient and high-yielding method for the preparation of (R)-tolterodine, utilizing a catalytic asymmetric Me-CBS reduction was developed. Highly enantio-enriched (R)-6-methyl-4-phenyl-3,4-dihydrochromen-2-one (94% ee) was recrystallized to yield practically enantiopure material (ee >99%) and converted to (R)-tolterodine in a four-step procedure. [IV] The reaction mechanism of the iridium-phosphanooxazoline-catalyzed hydrogenation of unfunctionalized olefins has been studied by means of DFT-calculations (B3LYP) and kinetic experiments. The calculations suggest that the reaction involves an unexpected IrIII-IrV catalytic cycle facilitated by coordination of a second equivalent of dihydrogen. On the basis of the proposed catalytic cycle, calculations were performed on a full system with 88 atoms. These calculations were also used to explain the enantioselectivity displayed by the catalyst.[V and VI] A new class of chiral (P,N)-ligands for the Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of aryl alkenes was developed. These new ligands proved to be highly efficient and tolerate a broad range of substrates. The enantiomeric excesses are, so far, the best reported and can be rationalized using the proposed selectivity model.[VII] The complex formed between the quincorine-amine, containing both a primary and a quinuclidine amino function, and [Cp*RuCl]4 catalyzes the hydrogenation of aromatic and aliphatic ketones in up to 90% ee approx. 24-times faster than previously reported Ru-diamine complexes. The reason for the lower but opposite stereoselectivity seen with the quincoridine-amine, as compared to the quincorine-amine, was rationalized by a kinetic and computational study of the mechanism. The theoretical calculations also revealed a significantly lower activation barrier for the alcohol mediated split of dihydrogen, as compared to the non-alchol mediated process. A finding of importance also for the diphosphine/diamine mediated enantioselective hydrogenation of ketones.

The Discovery of Catalytic Enantioselective Polyvalent Iodine Mediated Reactions

The use of polyvalent iodine mediated reactions for the synthesis of enantiopure materials has developed into an active field of research. Recently, new chiral aryl iodides, and conditions for their substoichiometric use, have allowed catalytic variants to be achieved. This highlight draws attention to recent discoveries in this emerging field.

Scalable Enantioseparation of Amino Acid Derivatives Using Continuous Liquid−Liquid Extraction in a Cascade of Centrifugal Contactor Separators

Using a cascade of six centrifugal contactor separators in a countercurrent liquid−liquid extraction mode allowed the separation of one of the enantiomers of 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl-leucine in 55% yield and 98% ee using a catalytic amount of a chiral host compound based on a cinchona alkaloid. This method allows the preparation of kilograms of enantiopure material in table-top-sized equipment that can be operated in a fume cupboard. The methodology can be easily scaled up to ton amounts as large-volume centrifugal contactor separators are commercially available as well.

Synthesis and axial chirality of an enantiopure aminodibenzazepinone

A route for the synthesis of ( S, S)-7-amino-5-methyl-5 H-dibenzo[ b, d]azepin-6(7 H)-one hydrochloride is disclosed. The synthesis includes a Friedel–Crafts alkylation to form the seven-membered ring and a highly efficient classical resolution. Additional studies on the enantiopure material showed the amine to be highly resistant to racemization, which led us to investigate the unexpected stability. We propose that the inherent axial chirality contained in the dibenzazepinone works to produce an interesting chirality transfer mechanism, which accounts for the observed robustness of the stereocenter. This previously unrecognized stereochemical element exists within this specific class of molecules, and they should be drawn in a manner which displays the axial chirality.

S,S-1,2-Dicyclohexylethane-1,2-diol and its racemic compound: a striking exception to Wallach's rule

The structures of enantiopure S,S-1,2-dicyclohexylethane-1,2-diol and its racemic compound (rac-S,S-1,2-dicyclohexylethane-1,2-diol) have been determined at 295 and 173 K. The crystals of the enantiopure material are more than 4% denser than the crystals of the racemic compound, but the melting points indicate that the crystals of the less dense racemic compound are considerably more stable than those of the racemic conglomerate. This apparent exception to the correlation of crystal density and melting point is explained. The enantiopure crystals have four molecules in the asymmetric unit (Z' = 4). Two of the molecules have the conformation observed for the one independent molecule of the racemic compound and two have a higher energy conformation; the overall P2(1) structure is a perturbed version of a P2(1)2(1)2(1) structure with Z' = 2. The enantiopure and racemic crystals have the same hydrogen-bonding motif, but the motif in the former appears to be significantly strained. A reason why crystals of enantiopure material might be systematically less dense than crystals of its racemic compound and to be more likely to have Z' > 1 is suggested.

2,2′-Disubstituted F12binaphthyl derivatives: stannanes, boranes, and (R)-F12BINOL

2,2'-Distannyl derivatives of dodecafluorobinaphthalene are converted to a novel D2 symmetric borane dimer, which can be oxidized to (+)-F12BINOL; resolution using (S)-acetoxypropanoyl chloride affords enantiopure material.

Catalytic Asymmetric Total Synthesis of the Muscarinic Receptor Antagonist (R)-Tolterodine

This thesis describes mechanistic studies, rational ligand design, and synthesis of asymmetric transition metal catalysts. The topics addressed concerned [Papers I-VII]:[I] The asymmetric addition of diethyl zinc to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)benzalimine catalyzed by bicyclic 2-azanorbornyl-3-methanols was studied. An efficient route to both diastereomers of new bicyclic 2-azanorbornyl-3-methanols with an additional chiral center was developed, in the best case 97% ee was obtained with these ligands. The experimental results were rationalized by a computational DFT-study.[II] An aza-Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene with chiral heterocyclic imines derived from (S)-1-phenylethylamine and different heteroaromatic aldehydes was developed. The cycloaddition proved to be highly diastereoselective and offers a very rapid access to possible biologically active compounds and interesting precursors for chiral (P,N)-ligands. [III] A convenient and high-yielding method for the preparation of (R)-tolterodine, utilizing a catalytic asymmetric Me-CBS reduction was developed. Highly enantio-enriched (R)-6-methyl-4-phenyl-3,4-dihydrochromen-2-one (94% ee) was recrystallized to yield practically enantiopure material (ee >99%) and converted to (R)-tolterodine in a four-step procedure. [IV] The reaction mechanism of the iridium-phosphanooxazoline-catalyzed hydrogenation of unfunctionalized olefins has been studied by means of DFT-calculations (B3LYP) and kinetic experiments. The calculations suggest that the reaction involves an unexpected IrIII-IrV catalytic cycle facilitated by coordination of a second equivalent of dihydrogen. On the basis of the proposed catalytic cycle, calculations were performed on a full system with 88 atoms. These calculations were also used to explain the enantioselectivity displayed by the catalyst.[V and VI] A new class of chiral (P,N)-ligands for the Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of aryl alkenes was developed. These new ligands proved to be highly efficient and tolerate a broad range of substrates. The enantiomeric excesses are, so far, the best reported and can be rationalized using the proposed selectivity model.[VII] The complex formed between the quincorine-amine, containing both a primary and a quinuclidine amino function, and [Cp*RuCl]4 catalyzes the hydrogenation of aromatic and aliphatic ketones in up to 90% ee approx. 24-times faster than previously reported Ru-diamine complexes. The reason for the lower but opposite stereoselectivity seen with the quincoridine-amine, as compared to the quincorine-amine, was rationalized by a kinetic and computational study of the mechanism. The theoretical calculations also revealed a significantly lower activation barrier for the alcohol mediated split of dihydrogen, as compared to the non-alchol mediated process. A finding of importance also for the diphosphine/diamine mediated enantioselective hydrogenation of ketones.

Recent Advances in Cinchona Alkaloid Chemistry

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Enantiospecific access to 10- N-substituted camphors

A general and straightforward enantiospecific access to synthetically valuable 10- N-substituted camphors (amines and secondary amides) has been developed. The synthetic method uses camphor as the starting enantiopure material and takes place in five individual steps with a high overall yield. The process involves a stereocontrolled double-Wagner–Meerwein-rearrangement strategy to generate key-intermediate 10-(triflyloxy)camphor, a peculiar and highly-reactive primary triflate, which is able to alkylate soft N-nucleophiles, such as amines and nitriles, easily and without producing Grob-like fragmentation of the β-(triflyloxy)ketone-based norbornane system.

Recent Advances inCinchonaAlkaloid Chemistry

AbstractQuinine has been among the best known alkaloids for over 300 years, thanks to its antimalarial activity. In the last two decades,Cinchonaalkaloids have emerged as powerful chiral auxiliaries, resulting in some well known landmark developments in asymmetric synthesis, but more recently these alkaloidsthemselveshave been shown to undergo some remarkable transformations and skeletal shifts that are rapidly widening perspectives in the chemistry ofCinchonabases, embracing both basic and applied science. The alkaloids enter into a series of fundamental transformations that have given rise to the industrial manufacture of a host of new enantiopure materials showing promise for asymmetric syntheses and combinatorial chemistry. Stereochemical diversity, well developed conformational minima not encountered in conventional organic substrates, hydrophilic pockets and stereoelectronics contribute subtle mechanistic features and structural complexity. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)