Origin Of Stereoselectivity Research Articles

Diastereodivergent Asymmetric 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides and β‐Fluoroalkyl Vinylsulfones: Low Copper(II) Catalyst Loading and Theoretical Studies

AbstractA CuII‐catalyzed asymmetric 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition using β‐fluoroalkyl alkenyl arylsulfones as dipolarophiles and glycine/alanine iminoesters as azomethine ylide precursors has been developed. Remarkably, a catalyst loading as low as 0.5 mol % is highly efficient. Accordingly, a wide range of enantioenriched 3‐fluoroalkyl pyrrolidines, as well as Δ2‐pyrroline and pyrrole derivatives, are generated in good to excellent yields with high asymmetric induction. This synthetic approach is diastereodivergent in that exo‐adducts could be converted into the corresponding exo′‐adducts by 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene mediated epimerization at C2 of the pyrrolidine core. The free‐energy profiles from DFT calculations suggest the Michael addition of the 1,3‐dipole to be the rate‐ and enantiodetermining step, and the origin of stereoselectivity is studied by means of the noncovalent interaction (NCI) analysis.

On the origins of stereoselectivity in the Wittig reaction

The degree of advance in the formation of the emerging CC bond at the transition state for the cycloaddition step of the mechanism of the Wittig reaction dictates the stereochemistry of the final alkenes. Our discovery appears to be of general validity as we tested multiple reactions for stabilized, non-stabilized, and semi-stabilized ylides, holding in every case regardless of the nature of the ylide, the geometry of the associated transition states and the nature of the interactions between substituents.

Unraveling the Mechanism of Tricyclic Bis-spiroketal Formation from Diyne Diol by DFT Study

The mechanism of addition of nucleophiles to the π-acid complexed alkynes has been studied successfully by the assessment of energy of intermediates and activation parameters. To elucidate the origin of stereoselectivity and predict the reaction pathways, the geometry optimizations of reactants, products, intermediates and transition states, were calculated by using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) method. The reaction mechanism of hydration of alkynes in the catalyzed synthesis of bis-spiroketal by DFT calculations is explored. The pyranyl enol ether was formed regioselectively by the first ring closure. Further, bis-enol ether was formed by second 6-exodig addition. Then, dehydration, followed by dehydrative ring closure finally gave bis-spiroketal product. It is concluded that one of the most feasible reaction pathways comprises pyranyl enol ether and bis-enol ether formation as intermediates. The final cyclization step of product formation is endothermic. In terms of stereochemistry, the trans-product is found to be energetically more stable than cisproduct and hence supports the electivity of the reaction.

On the origins of stereoselectivity in the aminocatalytic remote alkylation of 5-alkylfurfurals.

In the manuscript, computational studies on the remote alkylation of 5-alkylfurfurals proceeding via formation of the corresponding trienamine intermediate are presented. By the means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) method, interesting insights into the mechanism of the reaction have been provided explaining the influence and contribution of different molecular interactions on the observed reactivity as well as on the enantio- and diastereoselectivity of the process. The studies have been extended to the thiophene analogue of the starting furfural derivative and the results obtained verified experimentally.

Origins of stereoselectivity in uncatalyzed and ZnBr2-catalyzed Diels-Alder reactions of a chiral sulfinylquinone.

Density functional theory calculations are reported which explore how a chiral sulfinyl substituent controls the stereoselectivities of the Diels-Alder reactions of a 2-p-tolylsulfinylbenzoquinone. The π-facial stereoselectivities vary depending on the diene (cyclopentadiene or trans-piperylene) and on the presence or absence of a ZnBr2 catalyst. The stereoselectivities are shown to be controlled by steric effects and non-covalent (CH-π) interactions. The calculations reveal that the active dienophile in the ZnBr2-catalyzed reactions is likely to be a 1 : 2 complex of the dienophile and catalyst, not a 1 : 1 complex as commonly assumed.

Catalytic Asymmetric Ring-Opening/Cyclopropanation of Cyclic Sulfur Ylides: Construction of Sulfur-Containing Spirocyclopropyloxindoles with Three Vicinal Stereocenters.

A highly efficient asymmetric ring-opening/cyclopropanation reaction of ( E)-3-(oxyethylidene)-2-oxoindolines with 1-alkyl-3-oxotetrahydro-1 H-thiophen-1-ium salts as cyclic sulfur ylides was realized by using a chiral N, N'-dioxide/Mg(OTf)2 complex as catalyst. A range of sulfur-containing syn, anti spirocyclopropyloxindoles with three contiguous stereocenters were obtained in excellent yields with excellent dr and good ee values under mild reaction conditions. The origin of stereoselectivity was discussed.

Design of Efficient Chiral Bifunctional Phase-Transfer Catalysts Possessing an Amino Functionality for Asymmetric Aminations

An efficient, chiral bifunctional phase-transfer catalyst with an intramolecular amino functionality has been designed and successfully applied to highly enantioselective amination of 3-aryloxindoles and 3-arylbenzofuran-2(3H)-ones with bis(adamantyl) azodicarboxylate. Optically active amination products were generally obtained in high yield with high enantioselectivity. The origin of stereoselectivity was explained by means of the DFT calculations.

Asymmetric phosphoric acid-catalyzed four-component Ugi reaction.

The Ugi reaction constructs α-acylaminoamide compounds by combining an aldehyde or ketone, an amine, a carboxylic acid, and an isocyanide in a single flask. Its appealing features include inherent atom and step economy together with the potential to generate products of broad structural diversity. However, control of the stereochemistry in this reaction has proven to be a formidable challenge. We describe an efficient enantioselective four-component Ugi reaction catalyzed by a chiral phosphoric acid derivative that delivers more than 80 α-acylaminoamides in good to excellent enantiomeric excess. Experimental and computational studies establish the reaction mechanism and origins of stereoselectivity.

Enantioselective, Noncovalent, Substrate-Directable Heck-Matsuda and Oxidative Heck Arylations of Unactivated Five-Membered Carbocyclic Olefins.

Highly diastereo- and enantioselective, noncovalent, substrate-directable Heck desymmetrizations of cyclopentenyl olefins containing hydroxymethyl and carboxylate functional groups are presented. These conformationally unbiased cyclic olefins underwent effective arylations in yields of up to 97 %, diastereoselectivity up to >20:1, and enantiomeric excesses of up to 99 %. Noncovalent directing effects were shown to be prevalent in both Heck-Matsuda and oxidative Heck reactions, allowing the preferential formation of cis-substituted aryl cyclopentenes containing two stereocenters, including quaternary stereocenters. These results further validate the internal out-of-coordination-sphere ion-dipole interaction concept directing the reaction diastereoselectivity to the cis-Heck product. This approach is complementary to existing methods using bis-phosphine monoxide ligands to give the opposite trans-diastereoisomer. The applicability of the method is showcased by the straightforward synthesis of a potent phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor in a diastereo- and enantioselective manner. The reaction is operationally simple and has broad scope with regard to the nature of the arenediazonium salt and boronic acid employed. The mechanism and origin of stereoselectivity were investigated with control experiments and DFT calculations that fully supported the stabilizing internal out-of-coordination-sphere ion-dipole interaction between the resident functional group and cationic palladium.

Mechanisms of phosphine‐catalyzed [4 + 3] annulation of allenoates with C, N‐cyclic azomethine imines: A DFT investigation

AbstractIn this article, mechanisms of phosphine‐catalyzed [4 + 3] annulation of allenoates with C, N‐cyclic azomethine imines have been investigated using density functional theory. The catalytic cycle for the title reaction consists of five steps. Namely, the first step is the nucleophilic addition of phosphine catalyst, the second one is the CC bond formation, the third one is the proton transfer process, and the next one is the ring‐closure process, the last one is dissociation of the catalyst and the product generation. The calculated results indicate that the nucleophilic addition of phosphine catalyst is rate‐determining. With the use of Cat as the chiral catalyst, optically active products were obtained in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities while the CC bond formation is stereoselectivity‐determining. Furthermore, the theoretically predicted the main product is SS configuration, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. The special role of the catalysts and origin of stereoselectivity was also identified by NBO, GRI, and FMO analyses. This work might be helpful for understanding the significant roles of phosphine catalyst and thus provide valuable insights on the rational design of potential catalysts for this kind of reactions.

Origins of Stereoselectivity in Mannich Reactions Catalyzed by Chiral Vicinal Diamines.

The origins of the enantio- and diastereoselectivities in the Mannich reactions between aldehydes and ketimines catalyzed by chiral vicinal diamines have been determined by density functional theory calculations and distortion-interaction analysis. Computational results indicate a strong energetic preference for hydrogen-bonded nine-membered cyclic transition states. The favored transition states involve eight heavy atoms in the crown (chair-chair) conformation using the nomenclature of the analogous cyclic hydrocarbons. Energetic discrimination in the chirality-imparting step arises from pseudogauche-butane-type interactions in the disfavored transition states, as well as steric clashes between the N-Boc protecting group and the ammonium N-substituents.

A DFT study on N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed [4+2] annulation reaction with in situ generated heterocyclic ortho-quinodimethane: Mechanism, origin of enantioselectivity and role of catalyst

Activation of inert sp3 CH bonds has attracted widespread attention and been developed with significant progress in recent years, but understanding the mechanism of this kind of reaction continues to be one of the most challenging topics in organic chemistry. In this paper, detailed mechanism of N-heterocyclic carbine (NHC) catalyzed [4+2] annulation reaction with in Situ generated heterocyclic ortho-quinodimethane have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT). The computational results show that the additive DBU plays an important role in NHC-catalyzed CH activation. The title reaction proceeds the processes of the introduction of the NHC catalyst to the carboxylic ester, DBU-assisted sp3 CH deprotonation, Michael addition, [4+2] cycloaddition, the dissociation of the catalyst and the product generation. The calculated results indicate that Michael addition is rate-determining and stereoselectivity-determining. With the use of NHC as the chiral catalyst, optically active products were obtained in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. Furthermore, the theoretically predicted the main product is S configuration, which is in good agreement with the experimental result. The special role of NHC and origin of stereoselectivity were also identified by natural bond orbital (NBO), global reaction index (GRI) and frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analyses. This work might be helpful for understanding the significant roles of NHC catalyst and thus provide insights on the rational design of potential new catalysts for this kind of reactions and suggest enlightening clues on rational design of efficient organocatalysts for the C (sp3)-H activation.

Methodology Development in Directed Evolution: Exploring Options when Applying Triple-Code Saturation Mutagenesis.

Directed evolution of stereo- or regioselective enzymes as catalysts in asymmetric transformations is of particular interest in organic synthesis. Upon evolving these biocatalysts, screening is the bottleneck. To beat the numbers problem most effectively, methods and strategies for building "small but smart" mutant libraries have been developed. Herein, we compared two different strategies regarding the application of triple-code saturation mutagenesis (TCSM) at multiresidue sites of the Thermoanaerobacter brockii alcohol dehydrogenase by using distinct reduced amino-acid alphabets. By using the synthetically difficult-to-reduce prochiral ketone tetrahydrofuran-3-one as a substrate, highly R- and S-selective variants were obtained (92-99 % ee) with minimal screening. The origin of stereoselectivity was provided by molecular dynamics analyses, which is discussed in terms of the Bürgi-Dunitz trajectory.

Origin of stereoselectivity in the amination of alcohols using cooperative asymmetric dual catalysis involving chiral counter-ions.

Asymmetric catalysis using two chiral catalysts in combination using one-pot reaction conditions is in its initial stages of development and understanding. We employ density functional theory (SMD(toluene)/M06/6-31G**,SDD(Ir)) computations to shed light on the action of chiral phosphoric acid and a chiral Cp*Ir(diamine) in stereoinduction in an asymmetric amination reaction of an alcohol. First, the protonation of the Ir-diamine complex by the phosphoric acid forms an ion-pair of the active catalytic dyad. Both chiral catalysts are involved throughout the catalytic cycle, thus constituting an important example of true cooperative catalysis. A borrowing hydrogen mechanism operates, wherein the phosphate abstracts the hydroxyl proton of the alcohol while the electrophilic Ir(iii) simultaneously extracts the α-hydrogen to form a [Ir]-H species. The ketone thus derived from the alcohol through dehydrogenation condenses with aniline to form an imine. In the diastereocontrolling transition state, the hydride adds to the activated iminium, held in position in the chiral pocket of the catalytic dyad through a network of noncovalent interactions (C-H···π, N-H···O and C-H···O). The enantioselectivity in this DYKAT process is identified as taking place at an earlier stage of the catalytic cycle prior to the diastereo-determining transition state.

Insights into the NHC-catalyzed cascade Michael/aldol/lactamization reaction: mechanism and origin of stereoselectivity

A DFT study of the NHC-catalyzed cascade Michael/aldol/lactamization reaction has been performed for the first time.

Exploring the Mechanism and Stereoselectivity in Chiral Cinchona-Catalyzed Heterodimerization of Ketenes.

Catalytic heterodimerization of ketenes can lead to important four-membered β-lactones. A recent asymmetric organocatalytic [2 + 2] cycloaddition between methylketene (MK) and methylphenylketene (MPK) in the presence of pseudoenantiomeric cinchona catalysts (trimethylsilylquinine (TMSQ) or methylquinidine (MeQd)) provided β-lactones with high enantio- and diastereoselectivities. We employ DFT(M06-2X) computations to understand the mechanism and the origin of stereoselectivity in this ketene heterodimerization. The mechanism is found to involve the formation of an ammonium enolate first, by the action of the quinuclidine tertiary amine of the cinchona catalyst on MK. A stepwise pathway wherein the MK-cinchona enolate (enolate-A) adds to MPK in the selectivity-determining C-C bond formation step leading to the R-Z and S-Z product respectively with TMSQ and MeQd catalysts is predicted. The inclusion of LiClO4 is found to favor the C-C bond formation transition state to the S-E isomer in the case of MeQd and the R-E isomer with TMSQ catalysts. In the most preferred transition states, more effective C-H···π (between the phenyl ring of the EPK and the catalyst) and C-H···O interactions (between the catalyst and LiClO4) are noticed than that in the higher energy analogues, underscoring the importance of noncovalent interactions in enantio- and diastereocontrol.

Computational Study on γ-C-H Functionalization of α,β-Unsaturated Ester Catalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbene: Mechanisms, Origin of Stereoselectivity, and Role of Catalyst.

The N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed γ-C-H deprotonation/functionalization of α,β-unsaturated esters with hydrazones leading to the δ-lactams has been theoretically investigated by using density functional theory. Three possible reaction mechanisms including Mechanism A, for which the NHC catalyst serves as a nucleophilic catalyst to attack on the carbonyl carbon atom to initiate the reaction, Mechanism B, in which NHC triggers the reaction through the hydrogen bond, and Mechanism C, which is the direct deprotonation/functionalization process without the presence of NHC, have been suggested and studied in detail. The most favorable Mechanism A was identified to proceed through the following processes: nucleophilic attack on the carbonyl carbon of the ester by NHC, γ-deprotonation, formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of dienolate with hydrazone, and regeneration of NHC. Multiple possible deprotonation pathways were explored, and the additive base such as K2CO3 would significantly lower the energy barrier. The formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition step is the stereoselectivity-determining step, and R-configured rather than S-configured product was preferentially generated. In addition, the C-H···O, C-H···N, LP···π, and C-H···π interactions have been identified in the most energetically favorable transition state involved in the stereoselectivity-determining step. The additional analysis indicates that NHC strengthens the acidity and electrophilicity to promote the deprotonation, indicating this is not a simple NHC-catalyzed umpolung carbonyl reaction. The mechanistic insights and the significant role of NHC obtained in this study should provide valuable insights for understanding the organocatalytic γ-C(sp3)-H bond functionalization reaction.

Origins of Stereoselectivity in Chiral Aminoalcohol Catalysis of Oxyallyl Cation-Indole Reactions.

The enantioselective coupling of indoles with racemic α-tosyloxy ketones mediated by a chiral amino alcohol catalyst is studied with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The addition of indole to an oxyallyl cation intrinsically favors the (S,S) and (R,R) stereoisomeric products through electrostatic interactions in the transition state. Our model shows that the enantioselectivity is controlled by the cyclohexane moiety of the catalyst; selectivity diminishes upon removal of the cyclohexane ring. Substitution to enhance the enantioselectivity of this reaction is proposed.

Activation Mode and Origin of Selectivity in Chiral Phosphoric Acid-Catalyzed Oxacycle Formation by Intramolecular Oxetane Desymmetrizations

Density functional theory methods were used to elucidate the activation mode and origin of stereoselectivity in chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed intramolecular oxetane desymmetrizations. Computed enantioselectivities are in excellent agreement with experiment. An unexpected, distortion-driven activation mode was observed, instead of the usual “bifunctional activation”. This mode is favored for only some intramolecular oxetane openings, highlighting an exception to known models. Stereoselectivity in these reactions can be explained by the balance of favorable noncovalent interactions of the substrates with both the aryl substituents and phosphoric acid functionality of the catalysts.

Isospecific, Chain Shuttling Polymerization of Propylene Oxide Using a Bimetallic Chromium Catalyst: A New Route to Semicrystalline Polyols.

Hydroxy-telechelic poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) is widely used industrially as a midsegment in polyurethane synthesis. These atactic polymers are produced from racemic propylene oxide using chain shuttling agents and double-metal cyanide catalysts. Unlike atactic PPO, isotactic PPO is semicrystalline with a melting temperature of approximately 67 °C. Currently there is no practical route to hydroxy-telechelic isotactic PPO using racemic propylene oxide as the monomer. In this paper, hydroxy-telechelic isotactic PPO is synthesized from racemic propylene oxide with control of molecular weight using enantioselective and isoselective bimetallic catalysts in conjunction with chain shuttling agents. The discovery of an easily accessible bimetallic chromium catalyst is reported for this transformation. Diol, triol, and polymeric chain shuttling agents are used to give hydroxy-telechelic isotactic PPO of varying functionality and structure. Detailed quantum chemical studies are used to reveal the polymerization mechanism and origin of stereoselectivity.