Racemic Products Research Articles

Modern Stereoselective Synthesis of Chiral Sulfinyl Compounds.

Chiral sulfinyl compounds, sulfoxides, sulfoximines, sulfinamides, and other derivatives, play an important role in asymmetric synthesis as versatile auxiliaries, ligands, and catalysts. They are also recognized as pharmacophores found in already marketed and well-sold drugs (e.g., esomeprazole) and used in drug design. This review is devoted to the modern methods of preparation of sulfinyl derivatives in enantiopure or enantiomerically enriched form. Selected new approaches leading to racemic products for which the asymmetric variant can be developed in the future are mentioned as well.

Introduction of a 7-aza-6-MeO-indoline auxiliary in Lewis-acid/photoredox cooperative catalysis: highly enantioselective aminomethylation of α,β-unsaturated amides.

An efficient cooperative chiral Lewis acid/photoredox catalytic system for engaging highly reactive radicals in highly enantioselective conjugate addition to α,β-unsaturated carbonyls is highly desirable. Direct photoexcitation of unbound substrates typically induces undesired background pathways for racemic products and remains a formidable challenge to be addressed in the area of enantioselective photocatalysis. Herein, we report a cooperative catalytic system comprising a chiral Cu(i) complex and an Ir(iii) photocatalyst fueled by visible-light irradiation that allows for seamless integration of the catalytic formation of α-amino alkyl radicals and subsequent enantioselective addition to α,β-unsaturated amides. A 7-aza-6-MeO-indoline attachment on the amide substrates plays a pivotal role in suppressing the undesired pathways, resulting in excellent enantioselectivity and enabling expedited access to valuable γ-aminobutyramides. The indoline amide was readily diversified with full recovery of the azaindoline attachment, highlighting the synthetic utility of this cooperative catalytic system.

(R)‐Tonkafuranone and related compounds: Improved synthesis, stereochemical purity in nature, and bioactivities of the pure enantiomers

AbstractDehydromenthofurolactone (tonkafuranone) and other bicyclic lactones are common flavour compounds and can be found in a variety of plants. Herein, we present an improved synthesis of the natural product and a series of close analogues, in combination with efficient purification methods for simple preparation from cheap and easily accessible chemicals. A two‐step, one‐pot, reaction procedure, consisting of an aldol condensation step with concomitant lactonization, yields simplified analogues of the natural parent compound (R)‐tonkafuranone and its likewise natural (S)‐enantiomer, lacking one or two of its methyl groups, respectively. In the case of regioisomeric products, these were resolved by preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography, which, in the case of chiral, yet racemic products, was followed by preparative enantio‐resolution on a chiral phase, permitting the isolation of all four pure isomers from one synthetic step. Using the stereo‐analytical method developed, the enantiomeric purity of natural tonkafuranone occurring in Bursera graveolens was analysed and found to be ‘100:0’ in favour of the S‐enantiomer. The chiral, enantiomerically pure products were configurationally assigned by co‐elution, semi‐synthesis, and/or chiroptical methods. With the pure isomers obtained, specific cytotoxicities were tested in two cell lines as a measure for their reactivities towards cellular nucleophiles. Although the synthesized compounds differed in their cytotoxic potential in V79 cells, they exhibited a much smaller cytotoxic potential than the mutagenic α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated lactone patulin. No toxicity towards murine hippocampal HT‐22 cells was observed at 50 μM. Thus, the molecular mechanism contributing to the high reactivity of patulin towards nucleophiles may not apply for tonkafuranone and structurally related compounds.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of (±)-hippolachnin and analogs

Due its unique structure and its reported potent antifungal activity, the marine polyketide hippolachnin A (1) has attracted much attention in the synthetic community. Herein, we describe the development of a concise, diversifiable and scalable synthesis of the racemic natural product, which serves as a platform for the generation of bioactive analogues. Biological testing of our synthetic material did not confirm the reported antifungal activity of hippolachnin A but unraveled moderate activity against nematodes and microbes.

Synthesis of Annulated Indolines by Reductive Fischer Indolization.

Cyclic β-oxoesters and arylhydrazine derivatives were converted at ambient temperature under modified Fischer indolization conditions to furnish annulated indolines with quaternary bridgehead carbon center. Reaction conditions were Brønsted acidic (with CF3 CO2 H), but also reductive (with Et3 SiH). The latter reduced intermediate iminium ions under formation of the 2,3-dihydroindole product constitutions. Racemic products (13 examples) were obtained as single diastereoisomers with relative cis-configuration, which was proved in two cases by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. Conversion of 4-bromo-1-indanone-2-carboxylate and 4-bromophenylhydrazine gave indeno[1,2-b]indolines with either 1-bromo, 8-bromo, or 1,8-dibromo substitution, which were further diversified by Suzuki coupling reactions with several arylboronic acids (nine examples).

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic activity of diorganotin complexes with Schiff base derived from salicylaldehyde and l-tyrosine

Seven diorganotin complexes with the Schiff bases derived from salicylaldehyde and l-tyrosine, R2Sn[2-O-5-XC6H3CH = NCH(CH2C6 H4OH-4)COO] (X = H (1), Br (2); R = Me (a), Et (b), Bu (c), Cy (cyclohexyl) (d)), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectra, and the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In methanol, the racemization of chiral center of l-tyrosinate fragment occurred and the racemic products were obtained. X-ray analyses of 1c, 1d, and 2a–2c showed that the tin atoms of the complexes exhibit distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometries. In 1c, 1d, and 2c, the intermolecular O–H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds connected the molecules into 1-D supramolecular chain or a R22(20) macrocyclic dimer, and 2a and 2b formed the 2-D supramolecular network by the intermolecular Sn⋅⋅⋅O and O–H⋅⋅⋅O interactions. Bioassay results indicated that 1a, 1c, and 1d had moderate antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and 1c, 1d, and 2c belonged to the efficient cytostatic agents against two human tumor cell lines (A549 and HeLa) and the activity tends to follow the order Cy > Bu > Et > Me for the R group attached to tin.

Total Synthesis of (±)‐Englerin A and Its Tuncated Analogues

A convergent approach allowed total synthesis of (±)‐Englerin A, and its truncated analogues, employing a thermal 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of a highly substituted pyrylium ylide with vinyl acetate as the key step. The key intermediate, a 8‐oxabicyclo[3,2,1]octane oxygenated at the C6 position, was directly converted into a truncated Englerin A analogue. CuI catalyzed conjugate addition of vinyl Grignard to an enone, ozonolysis, and epimerisation of the resulting aldehyde allowed stereoselective introduction of the side‐chain leading to a total synthesis of the racemic natural product. The developed chemistry will allow synthesis of more complex analogues of the natural product based on the use of the key bicyclo[3,2,1]octane scaffold.

Insights into base-free OsO4-catalyzed aminohydroxylations employing chiral ligands

Attempts to perform the OsO4-catalyzed enantioselective base-free aminohydroxylation of β,β-disubstituted enoates are described. Low yields and racemic products were obtained in the presence of standard chiral ligands, suggesting the occurrence of a “Second Cycle” process due to slow hydrolysis of the amino alcohol product from the Os metal center. Support for this hypothesis was provided by the slightly improved enantioselectivity (60:40 er) obtained with an amino alcohol ligand. Based on density functional theory calculations, it is proposed that the lack of significant enantioselectivity is due to a low-energy (3 + 2) oxo/imido cycloaddition transition state without the chiral ligand in the Second Cycle that outcompetes protonolysis in the First Cycle.

Stereospecific 1,3-H Transfer of Indenols Proceeds via Persistent Ion-Pairs Anchored by NH···π Interactions.

The base-catalyzed rearrangement of arylindenols is a rare example of a suprafacial [1,3]-hydrogen atom transfer. The mechanism has been proposed to proceed via sequential [1,5]-sigmatropic shifts, which occur in a selective sense and avoid an achiral intermediate. A computational analysis using quantum chemistry casts serious doubt on these suggestions: These pathways have enormous activation barriers, and in constrast to what is observed experimentally, they overwhelmingly favor a racemic product. Instead we propose that a suprafacial [1,3]-prototopic shift occurs in a two-step deprotonation/reprotonation sequence. This mechanism is favored by 15 kcal mol-1 over that previously proposed. Most importantly, this is also consistent with stereospecificity since reprotonation occurs rapidly on the same π-face. We have used explicitly solvated molecular dynamics studies to study the persistence and condensed-phase dynamics of the intermediate ion-pair formed in this reaction. Chirality transfer is the result of a particularly resilient contact ion-pair, held together by electrostatic attraction and a critical NH···π interaction which ensures that this species has an appreciable lifetime even in polar solvents such as DMSO and MeOH.

Redox-switchable siderophore anchor enables reversible artificial metalloenzyme assembly

Artificial metalloenzymes that contain protein-anchored synthetic catalysts are attracting increasing interest. An exciting, but still unrealized advantage of non-covalent anchoring is its potential for reversibility and thus component recycling. Here we present a siderophore–protein combination that enables strong but redox-reversible catalyst anchoring, as exemplified by an artificial transfer hydrogenase (ATHase). By linking the iron(iii)-binding siderophore azotochelin to an iridium-containing imine-reduction catalyst that produces racemic product in the absence of the protein CeuE, but a reproducible enantiomeric excess if protein bound, the assembly and reductively triggered disassembly of the ATHase was achieved. The crystal structure of the ATHase identified the residues involved in high-affinity binding and enantioselectivity. While in the presence of iron(iii), the azotochelin-based anchor binds CeuE with high affinity, and the reduction of the coordinated iron(iii) to iron(ii) triggers its dissociation from the protein. Thus, the assembly of the artificial enzyme can be controlled via the iron oxidation state.

Total Synthesis of Spiromamakone A and Structure Revision of Spiropreussione A.

Spiromamakone A is a racemic natural product having a naphthyl acetal group on a spiro[4,4]nonadiene skeleton. Its total synthesis was achieved by double oxa-Michael addition of 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene to 2-(1-bromoalkylidene)-4-isopropoxy-4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione, which was prepared by palladium(II)-catalyzed ring expansion of 4-(1-alkynyl)-4-hydroxy-3-isopropoxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one, and a subsequent intramolecular aldol reaction. The synthesis using optically active intermediates enabled identification of the racemization step of spiromamakone A and revealed that spiromamakone A and spiropreussione A are identical; the latter had been reported as a constitutional isomer of the other.

The Effect of a Holding Chamber on Albuterol Metered-Dose Inhaler Product Differences

JL Johnson, D Guthrie, J Hyde, T Hanson, K Karlage, PB Myrdal. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;117(3):246–250 To investigate the differences in 3 albuterol sulfate metered-dose inhaler (MDI) products and their particle size. The study also evaluated if use of a valved holding chamber (VHC) would impact drug delivery and/or diminish systemic adverse effects. The study did not use human subjects, but rather examined Ventolin hydrofluoroalkane (HFA), Proventil HFA, and ProAir HFA, the 3 racemic albuterol sulfate pressurized MDI products available in the United States. The experimental design involved a nonviable 8-stage Anderson Cascade Impactor (ACI) with a US Pharmacopeia (USP) throat model with a mean (SD) airflow rate of 28.3 (0.5) mL/min. Each of the 3 albuterol MDI products …

Role of Regioisomeric Bicyclo[3.3.0]octa-2,5-diene Ligands in Rh Catalysis: Synthesis, Structural Analysis, Theoretical Study, and Application in Asymmetric 1,2- and 1,4-Additions.

In order to study the impact of regioisomeric diene ligands on the formation and catalytic activity of Rh complexes, a series of C2- and CS-symmetric 2,5-disubstituted bicyclo[3.3.0]octa-2,5-dienes C2-L and CS-L, respectively, were synthesized from Weiss diketone by simultaneous deprotonation/electrophilic trapping of both oxo functions, and the catalytic behavior was studied in the presence of [RhCl(C2H4)2]2. Complexes [RhCl(C2-L)]2 bearing C2-symmetric ligands catalyzed effectively the asymmetric arylation of N-tosylaldimines to (S)-diarylamines with yields and ee values up to 99%. In Hayashi-Miyaura reactions, however, the complexes showed poor catalytic activity. When complexes [RhCl(CS-L)]2 with CS-symmetric ligand or mixtures of [RhCl(C2-L)]2 and [RhCl(CS-L)]2 were employed in 1,2-additions, racemic addition products were observed, suggesting a C═C isomerization of the diene ligands. X-ray crystal structure analysis of both Rh complexes formed from the [RhCl(C2H4)2]2 precursor and ligands C2-L and CS-L revealed that only the C2-symmetric ligand C2-L coordinated to the Rh, whereas CS-L underwent a Rh-catalyzed C═C isomerization to rac-C2-L, which then gave the racemic [RhCl(rac-C2-L)]2 complex. DFT calculations of the relative stabilities of the Rh complexes and the proposed intermediates provided a mechanistic rationale via Rh-mediated hydride transfer.

Ni-Catalyzed Enantioselective Conjunctive Coupling with C(sp3) Electrophiles: A Radical-Ionic Mechanistic Dichotomy.

The catalytic enantioselective conjunctive coupling of C(sp3) electrophiles can be accomplished with Ni catalysis. The enantioselectivity of the reaction is dependent on reaction mechanism with many substrates able to engage in an asymmetric process with Pybox-Ni complexes, whereas other substrates provide racemic product mixtures. The link between substrate structure and selectivity is addressed.

Biomimetic syntheses of racemic natural products.

Racemic natural products are rarely produced in plants and microorganisms and are thought to be the result of nonenzymatic, spontaneous reactions. These compounds are often highly complex with multiple contiguous chiral centers that present a challenge to organic synthesis. Formation of these racemates often occurs by cyclization reactions that can generate multiple stereocenters from achiral precursors. Biomimetic synthesis of these racemic natural products provides support for their proposed nonenzymatic spontaneous biosynthesis. These elegant syntheses also provide scalable and efficient routes to these complex natural products. Although the number of reported racemic natural products is relatively low, an isolated natural product that has a very small optical rotation has been shown to be a true racemate. Thus, the occurrence of racemic natural products could be more common than thought.

Stereoselection in the Betti reaction of valine methyl esters

The multi-component Betti reaction of 2-naphthol, benzaldehyde and (S)-amines, that usually provides highly valuable aminobenzylnaphthol bearing two stereogenic centers, yielded a completely racemic product, when (S)-valine methyl ester was employed as the amine in the usual reaction protocol. The cause of this drawback, that appears to be overlooked in the literature, was investigated. As a result, new reaction conditions were set up, that were able to yield the expected useful product, having two fully resolved stereogenic centers. Furthermore, when the effect of substituents on the phenyl ring was preliminarily studied, we found that 4-fluoro- and 4-chlorobenzaldeyde gave stereoisomerically pure compounds also in the original reaction protocol.

Enantioseparation with liquid membranes

AbstractChiral resolution of racemic products is a challenging and important task in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, flavor, polymer and fragrances industries. One of the options for these challenging separations is to use liquid membranes. Although liquid membranes have been known for almost four decades and have been used for optical resolutions, no comprehensive review has been published about the use of this technology for enantioseparations. In this review, the various liquid membrane‐related technologies are described and compared, including bulk liquid membranes, emulsion liquid membranes, micelle‐extraction and micellar enhanced ultrafiltration, as well as supported liquid membranes. Next to technological advances, an overview of recent developments in chiral recognition chemistry in liquid–liquid equilibria is presented. The following extractant classes have recently been reported in conjunction with chiral separation: cyclodextrines, BINOL's, calixarenes, crown ethers, BINAP's, tartaric acids and ionic liquids. The use of two supported (non‐liquid) membranes with an inner loop of extract phase appears to be the most stable liquid membrane configuration, allowing for a large degree of freedom in operational conditions such as solvent to feed ratio. The library of solvents still needs broadening to make the technology more versatile and based on the variety of successes with catalytically active organometallic complexes, development of new chiral selector systems based on asymmetric catalysis literature is suggested for future selector screening studies. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry

Waterlogging events during stem elongation or flowering affect yield of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) but not seed quality

AbstractOilseed rape suffers from serious waterlogging in many regions of the world limiting the cultivation area for rapeseed. Due to the man‐induced climate change, the risk of severe waterlogging events and associated therewith the damage of rapeseed plants will increase, even in Europe and North America. To investigate the effects of waterlogging on growth, yield and seed quality, rapeseed was cultivated throughout its vegetation period and waterlogged for 14 days at two different growth stages: at stem elongation (BBCH 31) or at floral bud appearance (BBCH 55). The experiments revealed that waterlogging at BBCH 31 affected plant growth and nutrient accumulation and finally resulted in lower yields. Waterlogging at BBCH 55 seriously impaired main racemes, but due to an increased production of secondary racemes, yield losses were lower than after waterlogging at BBCH 31. Oil quality was not affected by any waterlogging treatment under the chosen experimental conditions.

Absolute configuration assignment of (+)-fluralaner using vibrational circular dichroism.

The absolute configurations of the separated enantiomers of fluralaner, a racemic animal health product used to prevent fleas and ticks, have been assigned using vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). The crystallographic structure of the active enantiomer (+)-fluralaner has previously been shown to have the (S) configuration using small molecule crystallography. We sought a faster analytical method to determine the absolute configuration of the separated enantiomers. When comparing the measured IR (infrared) and VCD spectra, it is apparent that the amide carbonyl groups appear in the IR but are nearly absent in the VCD. Computational work to calculate the VCD and IR using in vacuo models, implicit solvation, and explicitly solvated complexes has implicated conformational averaging of the carbonyl VCD intensities.

Synthesis and characterizations of hemiditactic homopolymers derived of poly(3‐allyl‐3‐methylmalic acid): An example of a new class of polymer's ditacticity

ABSTRACTA number of works have been focused on the study of polymers microtacticity and the probability of iso‐, syndio‐, and atactic arrangement of monomers such as polypropylene and poly(methacrylic esters) before the 1980s. This type of study was fewer in the last four decades despite the importance of stereochemical knowledge of macromolecules in the biomedical field. NMR analysis was the invaluable tool for the study of stereochemistry. This work detailed the synthesis and the physicochemical and microtacticity characterizations of new semicrystalline and amorphous polyesters, poly(3‐allyl‐3‐methylmalic acid) (PAlMMLA) derivatives which are part of the poly(malic acid) family. This polymer is biodegradable and biocompatible. It can also be chemically modified for a possible combination with bioactive molecules. It can be synthesized from chiral product leading a stereoregular and semicrystalline structure. In the case of a racemic starting product, the obtained macromolecular structure is amorphous. Semi‐crystalline polyester presented a highly diisotactic structure. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 2408–2418