Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation Research Articles

Ru-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of racemic β-keto γ-lactams via dynamic kinetic resolution

The enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of racemic β-keto γ-lactams via dynamic kinetic resolution using a chiral Ru(II) catalyst has been developed for the synthesis of optically active β-hydroxyl lactams with excellent conversion (up to 99 %), high diastereomeric ratio (dr 93:07) and enantiomeric selectivity (89 % ee). The reaction proceeded by using HCO2H/Et3N as hydrogen donor and features mild, additive free reaction conditions, fast crystallization, broad substrate scope, and an operationally simpler setup than that for molecular hydrogenation.

Asymmetric 1,4-Reduction of Pyrano[2,3-b]indoles with Hantzsch Ester by Chiral Phosphoric Acid.

A highly regioselective and enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of pyrano[2,3-b]indoles with Hantzsch ester has been successfully realized using spiro-chiral phosphoric acid, affording a series of optically active 1,4-reductive adducts, 4,9-dihydropyrano[2,3-b]indoles, in 34-99% yields with 61-99% ee.

Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of α-Methoxyimino-β-keto Esters.

α-Methoxyimino-β-keto esters are reported to undergo highly enantioselective catalytic transfer hydrogenation using the Noyori-Ikariya complex RuCl(p-cymene)[(S,S)-Ts-DPEN] in a mixture of formic acid-triethylamine and dimethylformamide at 25 °C. The experimental study performed on over 25 substrates combined with computational analysis revealed that a Z-configured methoxyimino group positioned alpha to a ketone carbonyl leads to higher reactivity and mostly excellent enantioselectivity within this substrate class. Density functional theory calculations of competing transition states were used in rationalizing the origins of enantioselectivity and the possible role of the methoxyimino group in the reaction outcome.

Enantioselective Flow Synthesis of a Tetrahydroquinoline SERM Enabled by Immobilized Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalysis and Diboronic Acid Mediated Selective Nitro Reduction

AbstractAn asymmetric enantioselective flow process is reported for the formal synthesis of a 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline selective estrogen receptor modulator. Starting from an easily available 2‐nitrochalcone, the first part of the process comprised a telescoped nitro reduction/intramolecular cyclocondensation sequence using diboronic acid as a simple reductant. Subsequent enantioselective transfer hydrogenation in the presence of an immobilized phosphoric acid organocatalyst followed by telescoped N‐alkylation furnished the targeted chiral intermediate. The approach ensures flexibility regarding the scale of the synthesis, whilst minimizing the need for intermediate purifications and ensuring environmentally benign metal‐free conditions.

Iridium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of 1,1-Dialkylethenes with Ethanol: Scope and Mechanism.

Despite half a century's advance in the field of transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric alkene hydrogenation, the enantioselective hydrogenation of purely alkyl-substituted 1,1-dialkylethenes has remained an unmet challenge. Herein, we describe a chiral PCNOx-pincer iridium complex for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of this alkene class with ethanol, furnishing all-alkyl-substituted tertiary stereocenters. High levels of enantioselectivity can be achieved in the reactions of substrates with secondary/primary and primary/primary alkyl combinations. The catalyst is further applied to the redox isomerization of disubstituted alkenols, producing a tertiary stereocenter remote to the resulting carbonyl group. Mechanistic studies reveal a dihydride species, (PCNOx)Ir(H)2, as the catalytically active intermediate, which can decay to a dimeric species (κ3-PCNOx)IrH(μ-H)2IrH(κ2-PCNOx) via a ligand-remetalation pathway. The catalyst deactivation under the hydrogenation conditions with H2 is much faster than that under the transfer hydrogenation conditions with EtOH, which explains why the (PCNOx)Ir catalyst is effective for the transfer hydrogenation but ineffective for the hydrogenation. The suppression of di-to-trisubstituted alkene isomerization by regioselective 1,2-insertion is partly responsible for the success of this system, underscoring the critical role played by the pincer ligand in enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of 1,1-dialkylethenes. Moreover, computational studies elucidate the significant influence of the London dispersion interaction between the ligand and the substrate on enantioselectivity control, as illustrated by the complete reversal of stereochemistry through cyclohexyl-to-cyclopropyl group substitution in the alkene substrates.

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of 2,3-diphenylpropenoic acids over heterogeneous palladium catalysts modified by cinchona alkaloids

Asymmetric catalytic methods are among the convenient syntheses procedures of optically pure organic compounds, many of which are valuable pharmaceutical intermediates. Applying heterogeneous catalysts may contribute to their economic and environmentally benign synthesis. Among the easiest and often used methods of introducing chiral centres in molecules are the reduction of prochiral unsaturated compounds. Although, several heterogeneous catalytic systems are known in which in situ chirally-modified metals are used, such catalysts have never been applied in asymmetric transfer hydrogenations. Here we report the enantioselective transfer hydrogenations of (E)-2,3-diphenylpropenoic acids over supported palladium catalysts modified by dihydrocinchonidine carried out in ordinary laboratory glassware using easily available, cheap hydrogen donor, i.e. potassium formate. High conversions and good enantioselectivities were obtained in transfer hydrogenations of various acids substituted on phenyl rings. Results obtained with various acid derivatives and with few cinchona alkaloid modifiers indicated that the transfer hydrogenations occur through a similar surface intermediate as the enantioselective hydrogenations with molecular hydrogen. A deuterium tracer study showed low deuterium incorporation in the product possibly due to dissociation of formate and exchange with the surface mobile hydrogens, however, these processes are strongly influenced by the donor cation. The asymmetric transfer hydrogenation may be carried out at over 2 g scale, thus may be used as an advantageous laboratory synthetic procedure without applying special precautions characteristic of gaseous reactants.

Ru(II)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of α-Ketophosphonates: Straightforward Access to Valuable Chiral α-Hydroxy Phosphonates.

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) is arguably one of the most powerful tools for the synthesis of chiral compounds. Despite tremendous advances in this field, the reduction of α-ketophosphonates remains largely unexplored. Herein, we report an efficient Ru-catalyzed ATH on a broad range of α-ketophosphonates. Compared with existing methods, our approach offers as advantages mild conditions, operational simplicity, limited waste generation, broad substrate scope (26 examples), good to excellent yields (75-93%), and excellent levels of stereoinduction (from 90% to >99% ee).

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Heterocyclic Diaryl Ketones: Facile Access to Key Intermediate of Baloxavir†

Comprehensive SummaryTransition metal‐catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation has been proven to be a powerful approach for the synthesis of chiral alcohols. Herein, a highly efficient and enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of dibenzoheptaheterocyclic ketones catalyzed by an arene‐tethered TsDPEN‐based Rh(III) catalyst has been successfully developed, and a variety of dibenzoheptaheterocyclic ketones were reduced by a 1/1 mixture of formic acid and DBU (1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene) with high yields and enantioselectivities. With this method, the asymmetric reduction of 7,8‐difluorodibenzo[b,e]thiepin‐11(6H)‐one has been realized, providing the key intermediate of baloxavir marboxil with >99% yield and >99% ee at a substrate/catalyst molar ratio of 1000.

Asymmetric Reduction of Quinolines: A Competition between Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation and Racemic Borane Catalysis.

A chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of quinolines with regenerable dihydrophenanthridine derived by a borane-catalyzed hydrogenation of phenanthridine under H2 has been successfully realized. Despite the competition of a racemic hydrogenation pathway, a variety of tetrahydroquinolines were furnished in high yields with up to 91% ee.

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones catalyzed by chiral macrocyclic cobalt(II) complexes

Using easily available CoBr2 and chiral cyclic PxNy-type ligands as starting materials, novel chiral cyclic cobalt(II) complexes could be conveniently prepared. Furthermore, we obtained the single crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction to confirm the structures of these cobalt(II) complexes. The asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of ketones catalyzed by these well-designed cobalt(II) complexes was investigated. Among them, cobalt(II) complex containing chiral macrocyclic iminophosphine ligand CyP2N4 exhibited high catalytic activity and enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that cobalt(II) complex (R,R,R',R')-CyP2N4-Co(II) (C1) is easier to form metal hydride, which is the key intermediate during the enantioselective transfer hydrogenation reaction. Study results also revealed that the unique macrocyclic structure of complex C1 could form a special microenvironment around cobalt ion. Therefrom the substrate coordinated with the central metal along this specific reaction channel during the asymmetric catalytic reaction, resulting high enantioselectivity.

Development of a Practical Process for the Large-Scale Preparation of the Chiral Pyridyl-Backbone for the Crabtree/Pfaltz-Type Iridium Complex Used in the Industrial Production of the Novel Fungicide Inpyrfluxam

Herein, we report the development activities leading to an efficient process for the large-scale production of the key intermediate to a crabtree/pfaltz-type iridium complex for industrial application. The process employs a highly efficient Suzuki coupling and a highly enantioselective transfer hydrogenation.

Manganese-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of hydrazones

The enantioselective reduction of CN bonds constitutes an effective strategy for the production of chiral amines. Herein, we report the first example of manganese-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of hydrazones by employing a readily available chiral aminobenzimidazole manganese(I) complex under mild conditions. The present protocol allows for the enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of a wide range of arylalkyl, dialkyl and diaryl hydrazones, providing the desired chiral hydrazines in excellent yields and enantioselectivities (65 examples, up to 99.9% ee). Of note, the current method is compatible with the challenging diaryl hydrazones without the requirement of an ortho-substitution on the phenyl ring. A preliminary study of the mechanism suggests that a manganese-hydride pathway is involved, and the high enantiocontrol of the reaction is attributed to a π-π stacking interaction between substrate and catalyst.

Regenerable Dihydrophenanthridine via Borane-Catalyzed Hydrogenation for the Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Benzoxazinones.

The highly enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of benzoxazinones with chiral phosphoric acids under H2 was successfully achieved, where boranes promoted the hydrogenation of phenanthridine for the regeneration of dihydrophenanthridine as the hydrogen donor. A variety of dihydrobenzoxazinones were obtained in high yields with up to 99% ee. The current work provides a promising solution to unreactive substrates for frustrated Lewis pair-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation.

Synthesis of axially chiral N-aryl benzimidazoles via chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed enantioselective oxidative aromatization

N-aryl benzimidazoline produced in situ was used as a H2 donor, which was converted to C–N axially chiral N-aryl benzimidazole by CPA-catalyzed enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of the in situ produced imine.

Mechanochemical, Water‐Assisted Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones Using Ruthenium Catalyst

AbstractAsymmetric catalytic reactions are among the most convenient and environmentally benign methods to obtain optically pure compounds. The aim of this study was to develop a green system for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones, applying chiral Ru catalyst in aqueous media and mechanochemical energy transmission. Using a ball mill we have optimized the milling parameters in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone followed by reduction of various substituted derivatives. The scope of the method was extended to carbo‐ and heterocyclic ketones. The scale‐up of the developed system was successful, the optically enriched alcohols could be obtained in high yields. The developed mechanochemical system provides TOFs up to 168 h−1. Our present study is the first in which mechanochemically activated enantioselective transfer hydrogenations were carried out, thus, may be a useful guide for the practical synthesis of optically pure chiral secondary alcohols.

Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrocarboxylation and Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of Alkynes

Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrocarboxylation and Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of Alkynes

Does the Configuration at the Metal Matter in Noyori-Ikariya Type Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation Catalysts?

Noyori–Ikariya type [(arene)RuCl(TsDPEN)] (TsDPEN, sulfonated diphenyl ethylenediamine) complexes are widely used C=O and C=N reduction catalysts that produce chiral alcohols and amines via a key ruthenium–hydride intermediate that determines the stereochemistry of the product. Whereas many details about the interactions of the pro-chiral substrate with the hydride complex and the nature of the hydrogen transfer from the latter to the former have been investigated over the past 25 years, the role of the stereochemical configuration at the stereogenic ruthenium center in the catalysis has not been elucidated so far. Using operando FlowNMR spectroscopy and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy, we show the existence of two diastereomeric hydride complexes under reaction conditions, assign their absolute configurations in solution, and monitor their interconversion during transfer hydrogenation catalysis. Configurational analysis and multifunctional density functional theory (DFT) calculations show the λ-(R,R)SRu configured [(mesitylene)RuH(TsDPEN)] complex to be both thermodynamically and kinetically favored over its λ-(R,R)RRu isomer with the opposite configuration at the metal. Computational analysis of both diastereomeric catalytic manifolds show the major λ-(R,R)SRu configured [(mesitylene)RuH(TsDPEN)] complex to dominate asymmetric ketone reduction catalysis with the minor λ-(R,R)RRu [(mesitylene)RuH(TsDPEN)] stereoisomer being both less active and less enantioselective. These findings also hold true for a tethered catalyst derivative with a propyl linker between the arene and TsDPEN ligands and thus show enantioselective transfer hydrogenation catalysis with Noyori–Ikariya complexes to proceed via a lock-and-key mechanism.

Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of Oxocarbenium Ions Enables Asymmetric Access to α-Substituted 1,3-Dihydroisobenzofurans

AbstractReported here is an efficient enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of cyclic oxocarbenium ions generated in situ through collapse of the corresponding acetal substrates. The asymmetric approach provides straightforward access to a variety of chiral α-aryl substituted 1,3-dihydroisobenzofurans in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities. α-Alkynyl substituted 1,3-dihydroisobenzofurans were also proved to be suitable substrates. In addition, when the reaction was performed at gram scale, the desired product was obtained in good yields with excellent enantioselectivity.

Asymmetric Pnictogen-Bonding Catalysis: Transfer Hydrogenation by a Chiral Antimony(V) Cation/Anion Pair.

Pnictogen-bonding catalysis based on σ-hole interactions has recently attracted the attention of synthetic chemists. As a proof-of-concept for asymmetric pnictogen-bonding catalysis, we report herein an enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of benzoxazines catalyzed by a novel chiral antimony cation/anion pair. The chiral pnictogen catalyst library could be rapidly accessed from triarylstibine with readily available mandelic acid analogues, and the catalyst displays remarkable efficiency and enantiocontrol potency even at 0.05 mol % loading. Moreover, the properties of the catalyst and the mechanistic insights have been investigated by nonlinear effect studies, 1H NMR, LC-MS, and control experiments.

Iridium Complex-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of N-Heteroarenes and Tentative Asymmetric Synthesis.

An iridium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of N-heteroarenes to access a series of substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives in excellent yields is disclosed. This transformation is distinguished with water-soluble and air-stable iridium complexes as the catalyst, formic acid as the hydrogen source, mild reaction conditions, and broad functional group compatibility. Most importantly, a tentative chiral N,N-chelated Cp*Ir(III) complex-catalyzed enantioselective transfer hydrogenation is also presented, affording chiral products in excellent yields and good enantioselectivities.