General Asymmetric Synthesis Research Articles

Effective and Scalable General Method for the Preparation of Enantiomeric (α‐Aminoalkyl)dimethylphosphine Oxides

AbstractThe Ti(OPr‐i)4‐mediated three–component condensation of enantiomeric Ellman's amides, dimethylphosphine oxide, and aliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic aldehydes proceeds in high yields and diastereoselectivities enabling the rapid, scalable and general asymmetric synthesis of (α‐amino)dimethylphosphine oxide derived compounds bearing alkyl, cycloalkyl or hetaryl group at the chiral carbon atom. Asymmetric synthesis of α‐amino‐α‐polyfluoroalkyl dimethylphosphine oxides was accomplished through diastereoselective addition of dimethylphosphine oxide to enantiomeric Ellman's aldimines, RFCH=NS(O)tert‐Bu (RF=CF3, CHF2, PhCF2).

Data Science-Enabled Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Aryl-Carbonylation of Sulfonimidamides.

New methods for the general asymmetric synthesis of sulfonimidamides are of great interest due to their applications in medicinal chemistry, agrochemical discovery, and academic research. We report a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling method for the enantioselective aryl-carbonylation of sulfonimidamides. Using data science techniques, a virtual library of calculated bisphosphine ligand descriptors was used to guide reaction optimization by effectively sampling the catalyst chemical space. The optimized conditions identified using this approach provided the desired product in excellent yield and enantioselectivity. As the next step, a data science-driven strategy was also used to explore a diverse set of aryl and heteroaryl iodides, providing key information about the scope and limitations of the method. Furthermore, we tested a range of racemic sulfonimidamides for compatibility of this coupling partner. The developed method offers a general and efficient strategy for accessing enantioenriched sulfonimidamides, which should facilitate their application in industrial and academic settings.

Concise asymmetric total syntheses of (−)-nuciferol, (−)-nuciferal, and (−)-dihydrocurcumene via Rh(I)-catalyzed boronic acid addition

A general catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of aromatic bisabolane sesquiterpenes, (−)-nuciferol (ent-1c), (−)-nuciferal (ent-1d), and (−)-dihydrocurcumene (ent-1h) have been achieved in 5–6 steps in high chemical yields from commercially available (E)-ethylcrotonate. A key catalytic enantioselective boronic acid addition onto (E)-crotonate in the presence of Rh(I)-(S)-BINAP afforded enantioenriched product with benzylic stereogenic center in 93% yield with up to >99% ee.

A general asymmetric synthesis of artificial aliphatic and perfluoroalkylated α-amino acids by Luche's cross-electrophile coupling reaction.

Aliphatic artificial α-amino acids (α-AAs) have attracted great interest in biochemistry and pharmacy. In this context, we developed a promising practical protocol for the asymmetric synthesis of these α-AAs through the selective and efficient intermolecular cross-electrophile coupling of Belokon's chiral dehydroalanine Ni(ii) complex with different alkyl and perfluoroalkyl iodides mediated by a dual Zn/Cu system. The reaction afforded diastereomeric complexes with dr up to 21.3 : 1 in 24-95% yields (19 examples). Exemplarily, three enantiomerically pure aliphatic α-AAs were obtained through acidic decomposition of (S,S)-diastereomers of Ni(ii) complexes. Importantly, the chiral auxiliary ligand (S)-BPB ((S)-2-(N-benzylprolyl)aminobenzophenone) was easily recycled by simple filtration after acidic complex decomposition and reused for the synthesis of the initial dehydroalanine Ni(ii) complex.

General Asymmetric Synthesis of Densely Functionalized Pyrrolidines via Endo-Selective [3+2] Cycloaddition of β-Quaternary-Substituted Nitroalkenes and Azomethine Ylides.

A scalable endo-selective synthesis of 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted pyrrolidines via cycloaddition of nitroalkenes and azomethine ylides is reported using a P,N-type ferrocenyl ligand and [Cu(OTf)]2·C6H6. The robust method is tolerant of a wide range of functionalities, including rarely reported quaternary nitroalkene substitution and heteroaromatic and hindered ortho-substituted arenes on the azomethine ylide. Subsequent transformations highlight the utility of the method in the synthesis of densely functionalized small molecules suitable for fragment-based drug discovery and the cystic fibrosis C2-corrector clinical candidate ABBV-3221.

Development of Hamari Ligands for Practical Asymmetric Synthesis of Tailor-Made Amino Acids.

Enantiomerically pure tailor-made amino acids are in extremely high demand in nearly every sector of the health-related industries. In particular, the rapidly growing number of amino-acid-based pharmaceuticals calls for the development of advanced synthetic approaches featuring practicality and commercial viability. Here we provide a brief summary of the development of axially chiral tridentate Hamari ligands and their application for general asymmetric synthesis of various structural types of amino acids. The methodological diversity includes: dynamic kinetic resolution and (S)-/(R)-interconversion of unprotected amino acids and homologation of nucleophilic glycine equivalents via alkyl halide alkylation reactions as well as multiple-step transformations allowing preparation of polyfunctional and cyclic derivatives. The practicality of these methods is critically discussed.

Regio‐ and Enantioselective Preparation of Chiral Allylic Sulfones Featuring Elusive Quaternary Stereocenters

AbstractWe describe here the first general asymmetric synthesis of sterically encumbered α,α‐disubstituted allylic sulfones via Pd‐catalyzed allylic substitution. The design and application of a new and highly efficient phosphoramidite ligand (L10) proved to be crucial, and a wide variety of challenging allylic sulfones featuring quaternary stereocenters could be obtained in good yields and with good to excellent levels of regio‐ and enantioselectivities under attractive process conditions. The developed methodology employs easily accessible chemical feedstock including racemic allylic precursors and sodium sulfinates. The utility of the method is further demonstrated by the synthesis of the sesquiterpene (−)‐Agelasidine A.

Regio- and Enantioselective Preparation of Chiral Allylic Sulfones Featuring Elusive Quaternary Stereocenters.

We describe here the first general asymmetric synthesis of sterically encumbered α,α-disubstituted allylic sulfones via Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution. The design and application of a new and highly efficient phosphoramidite ligand (L10) proved to be crucial, and a wide variety of challenging allylic sulfones featuring quaternary stereocenters could be obtained in good yields and with good to excellent levels of regio- and enantioselectivities under attractive process conditions. The developed methodology employs easily accessible chemical feedstock including racemic allylic precursors and sodium sulfinates. The utility of the method is further demonstrated by the synthesis of the sesquiterpene (-)-Agelasidine A.

Effect of substituents on the configurational stability of the stereogenic nitrogen in metal(II) complexes of α-amino acid Schiff bases.

Herein, we report a general method for quantitative measurement of the configurational stability of the stereogenic nitrogen coordinated to M (II) in the corresponding square planar complexes. This stereochemical approach is quite sensitive to steric and electronic effects of the substituents and shown to work well for Ni(II), Pd(II), and Cu(II) complexes. Structural simplicity of the compounds used, coupled with high sensitivity and reliability of experimental procedures, bodes well for application of this approach in evaluation of chemical stability and stereochemical properties of newly designed chiral ligands for general asymmetric synthesis of tailor-made amino acids.

Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Construction of Tertiary Propargylic Sulfones.

Tertiary propargylic sulfones are of significant importance in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry, but to date no general asymmetric synthesis approach has been developed. We disclose a versatile copper-catalyzed sulfonylation of propargylic cyclic carbonates using sodium sulfinates that allows the construction of propargylic sulfones featuring elusive quaternary stereocenters. This method provides the first successful example of such an enantioselective propargylic sulfonylation, features high asymmetric induction, wide functional group tolerance, and scalability, and enables attractive product diversification.

Copper‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Construction of Tertiary Propargylic Sulfones

AbstractTertiary propargylic sulfones are of significant importance in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry, but to date no general asymmetric synthesis approach has been developed. We disclose a versatile copper‐catalyzed sulfonylation of propargylic cyclic carbonates using sodium sulfinates that allows the construction of propargylic sulfones featuring elusive quaternary stereocenters. This method provides the first successful example of such an enantioselective propargylic sulfonylation, features high asymmetric induction, wide functional group tolerance, and scalability, and enables attractive product diversification.

Axially chiral Ni(II) complexes of α-amino acids: Separation of enantiomers and kinetics of racemization.

Herein we present design, synthesis, chiral HPLC resolution, and kinetics of racemization of axially chiral Ni(II) complexes of glycine and di-(benzyl)glycine Schiff bases. We found that while the ortho-fluoro derivatives are configurationally unstable, the pure enantiomers of corresponding axially chiral ortho-chloro-containing complexes can be isolated by preparative HPLC and show exceptional configurational stability (t1/2 from 4 to 216 centuries) at ambient conditions. Synthetic implications of this discovery for the development of new generation of axially chiral auxiliaries, useful for general asymmetric synthesis of α-amino acids, are discussed.

A General Asymmetric Formal Synthesis of Aza‐Baylis–Hillman Type Products under Bifunctional Catalysis

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue is the group of José Alemán at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. The image depicts a crane as the bifunctional catalyst, as it is able to selectively pick up the right container instead of the left one. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201705218.

A General Asymmetric Formal Synthesis of Aza-Baylis-Hillman Type Products under Bifunctional Catalysis.

A new organocatalytic strategy for the synthesis of enantioenriched aza-Baylis-Hillman type products via a frustrated vinylogous reaction is presented. This process proceeds under mild conditions with good yields, completed Z/E selectivity and excellent enantioselectivities. Moreover, easy derivatizations of the final products led to important building blocks of organic synthesis such as 1,3-aminoalcohols and Lewis base catalysts.

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of γ-Amino Acids Featuring Quaternary Stereocenters.

The first general asymmetric synthesis of γ,γ-disubstituted γ-amino acids by copper-catalyzed ring opening of nonstrained lactones with amines is reported. This approach features ample scope, operational simplicity, and wide functional-group diversity. The catalytic process allows access to a series of highly functionalized enantioenriched γ-amino acids featuring quaternary stereocenters with excellent enantiomeric ratios of up to 98:2 and excellent yields of up to 98 %.

Copper‐Catalyzed Synthesis of γ‐Amino Acids Featuring Quaternary Stereocenters

AbstractThe first general asymmetric synthesis of γ,γ‐disubstituted γ‐amino acids by copper‐catalyzed ring opening of nonstrained lactones with amines is reported. This approach features ample scope, operational simplicity, and wide functional‐group diversity. The catalytic process allows access to a series of highly functionalized enantioenriched γ‐amino acids featuring quaternary stereocenters with excellent enantiomeric ratios of up to 98:2 and excellent yields of up to 98 %.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of N‐(tert‐Butyl)‐Alanine‐Derived Chiral Ligands – Aspects of Reactivity and Diastereoselectivity in the Reactions with α‐Amino Acids

N‐(2‐Benzoylphenyl)‐2‐(tert‐butylamino)propanamide has been designed as an advanced chiral auxiliary for the general asymmetric synthesis of α‐amino acids by in situ formation of the corresponding Schiff bases with amino acids followed by complexation with NiII ions and base‐catalyzed thermodynamic equilibrium. The first discovery stage described in this work has been focused on the exploration of stereocontrolling properties of the compound as a function of the reaction conditions and structural facets of various α‐amino acids. By using reactions with unprotected α‐amino acids as a model process, it was found that the corresponding Schiff base–NiII complexes were formed in a straightforward manner with both good to excellent chemical yields (73–99 %) and diastereoselectivity (74–26 to >98–2). The observed stereochemical outcome bodes well with the wide synthetic applications of this new type of 2‐(tert‐butylamino)propanamide‐derived chiral auxiliary.

A General Asymmetric Synthesis of (R)-Matsutakeol and Flavored Analogs.

An efficient and practical synthetic route toward chiral matsutakeol and analogs was developed by asymmetric addition of terminal alkyne to aldehydes. (R)-matsutakeol and other flavored substances were feasibly synthesized from various alkylaldehydes in high yield (up to 49.5%, in three steps) and excellent enantiomeric excess (up to >99%). The protocols may serve as an alternative asymmetric synthetic method for active small-molecule library of natural fatty acid metabolites and analogs. These chiral allyl alcohols are prepared for food analysis and screening insect attractants.

Expression of concern: A general and concise asymmetric synthesis of sphingosine, safingol and phytosphingosines via tethered aminohydroxylation.

Expression of concern for 'A general and concise asymmetric synthesis of sphingosine, safingol and phytosphingosines via tethered aminohydroxylation' by Pradeep Kumar et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2010, 8, 5074-5086.

Analysis of crystallographic structures of Ni(ii) complexes of α-amino acid Schiff bases: elucidation of the substituent effect on stereochemical preferences.

In this study, we performed critical analysis of 13 crystallographic structures of various Ni(ii) complexes of amino acid Schiff bases. The major finding of this work is the significance of a parallel displaced type of aromatic interactions between o-amino-benzophenone and Pro N-benzyl rings. The quality of these aromatic interactions was shown to control the steric environment around the amino acid side-chain, rendering variously substituted Ni(ii) complexes of different thermodynamic stabilities. The discovered structural trend holds true for aliphatic, aromatic and sterically bulky amino acids and can be used for the rational design of new and more efficient chiral ligands for general asymmetric synthesis of tailor-made α-amino acids.