Stereoselective Olefin Metathesis Research Articles

Continuous Flow Z‐Stereoselective Olefin Metathesis: Development and Applications in the Synthesis of Pheromones and Macrocyclic Odorant Molecules**

AbstractThe first continuous flow Z‐selective olefin metathesis process is reported. Key to realizing this process was the adequate choice of stereoselective catalysts combined with the design of an appropriate continuous reactor setup. The designed continuous process permits various self‐, cross‐ and macro‐ring‐closing‐metathesis reactions, delivering products in high selectivity and short residence times. This technique is exemplified by direct application to the preparation of a range of pheromones and macrocyclic odorant molecules and culminates in a telescoped Z‐selective cross‐metathesis/ Dieckmann cyclisation sequence to access (Z)‐Civetone, incorporating a serial array of continually stirred tank reactors.

Continuous Flow Z-Stereoselective Olefin Metathesis: Development and Applications in the Synthesis of Pheromones and Macrocyclic Odorant Molecules*.

The first continuous flow Z-selective olefin metathesis process is reported. Key to realizing this process was the adequate choice of stereoselective catalysts combined with the design of an appropriate continuous reactor setup. The designed continuous process permits various self-, cross- and macro-ring-closing-metathesis reactions, delivering products in high selectivity and short residence times. This technique is exemplified by direct application to the preparation of a range of pheromones and macrocyclic odorant molecules and culminates in a telescoped Z-selective cross-metathesis/ Dieckmann cyclisation sequence to access (Z)-Civetone, incorporating a serial array of continually stirred tank reactors.

Study and Applications of Stereoselective Olefin Metathesis Reactions

Study and Applications of Stereoselective Olefin Metathesis Reactions

In Situ Methylene Capping: A General Strategy for Efficient Stereoretentive Catalytic Olefin Metathesis. The Concept, Methodological Implications, and Applications to Synthesis of Biologically Active Compounds.

In situ methylene capping is introduced as a practical and broadly applicable strategy that can expand the scope of catalyst-controlled stereoselective olefin metathesis considerably. By incorporation of commercially available Z-butene together with robust and readily accessible Ru-based dithiolate catalysts developed in these laboratories, a large variety of transformations can be made to proceed with terminal alkenes, without the need for a priori synthesis of a stereochemically defined disubstituted olefin. Reactions thus proceed with significantly higher efficiency and Z selectivity as compared to when other Ru-, Mo-, or W-based complexes are utilized. Cross-metathesis with olefins that contain a carboxylic acid, an aldehyde, an allylic alcohol, an aryl olefin, an α substituent, or amino acid residues was carried out to generate the desired products in 47-88% yield and 90:10 to >98:2 Z:E selectivity. Transformations were equally efficient and stereoselective with a ∼70:30 Z-:E-butene mixture, which is a byproduct of crude oil cracking. The in situ methylene capping strategy was used with the same Ru catechothiolate complex (no catalyst modification necessary) to perform ring-closing metathesis reactions, generating 14- to 21-membered ring macrocyclic alkenes in 40-70% yield and 96:4-98:2 Z:E selectivity; here too, reactions were more efficient and Z-selective than when the other catalyst classes are employed. The utility of the approach is highlighted by applications to efficient and stereoselective syntheses of several biologically active molecules. This includes a platelet aggregate inhibitor and two members of the prostaglandin family of compounds by catalytic cross-metathesis reactions, and a strained 14-membered ring stapled peptide by means of macrocyclic ring-closing metathesis. The approach presented herein is likely to have a notable effect on broadening the scope of olefin metathesis, as the stability of methylidene complexes is a generally debilitating issue with all types of catalyst systems. Illustrative examples of kinetically controlled E-selective cross-metathesis and macrocyclic ring-closing reactions, where E-butene serves as the methylene capping agent, are provided.

Practical, Broadly Applicable, α-Selective, Z-Selective, Diastereoselective, and Enantioselective Addition of Allylboron Compounds to Mono-, Di-, Tri-, and Polyfluoroalkyl Ketones.

A practical method for enantioselective synthesis of fluoroalkyl-substituted Z-homoallylic tertiary alcohols has been developed. Reactions may be performed with ketones containing a polylfluoro-, trifluoro-, difluoro-, and monofluoroalkyl group along with an aryl, a heteroaryl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, or an alkyl substituent. Readily accessible unsaturated organoboron compounds serve as reagents. Transformations were performed with 0.5-2.5 mol % of a boron-based catalyst, generated in situ from a readily accessible valine-derived aminophenol and a Z- or an E-γ-substituted boronic acid pinacol ester. With a Z organoboron reagent, additions to trifluoromethyl and polyfluoroalkyl ketones proceeded in 80-98% yield, 97:3 to >98:2 α:γ selectivity, >95:5 Z:E selectivity, and 81:19 to >99:1 enantiomeric ratio. In notable contrast to reactions with unsubstituted allylboronic acid pinacol ester, additions to ketones with a mono- or a difluoromethyl group were highly enantioselective as well. Transformations were similarly efficient and α- and Z-selective when an E-allylboronate compound was used, but enantioselectivities were lower. In certain cases, the opposite enantiomer was favored (up to 4:96 er). With a racemic allylboronate reagent that contains an allylic stereogenic center, additions were exceptionally α-selective, affording products expected from γ-addition of a crotylboron compound, in up to 97% yield, 88:12 diastereomeric ratio, and 94:6 enantiomeric ratio. Utility is highlighted by gram-scale preparation of representative products through transformations that were performed without exclusion of air or moisture and through applications in stereoselective olefin metathesis where Z-alkene substrates are required. Mechanistic investigations aided by computational (DFT) studies and offer insight into different selectivity profiles.

Recent Advancements in Stereoselective Olefin Metathesis Using Ruthenium Catalysts

Olefin metathesis is a prevailing method for the construction of organic molecules. Recent advancements in olefin metathesis have focused on stereoselective transformations. Ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts have had a particularly pronounced impact in the area of stereoselective olefin metathesis. The development of three categories of Z-selective olefin metathesis catalysts has made Z-olefins easily accessible to both laboratory and industrial chemists. Further design enhancements to asymmetric olefin metathesis catalysts have streamlined the construction of complex molecules. The understanding gained in these areas has extended to the employment of ruthenium catalysts to stereoretentive olefin metathesis, the first example of a kinetically E-selective process. These advancements, as well as synthetic applications of the newly developed catalysts, are discussed.

Molybdenum chloride catalysts for Z-selective olefin metathesis reactions.

The development of catalyst-controlled stereoselective olefin metathesis processes has been a pivotal recent advance in chemistry. The incorporation of appropriate ligands within complexes based on molybdenum, tungsten and ruthenium has led to reactivity and selectivity levels that were previously inaccessible. Here we show that molybdenum monoaryloxide chloride complexes furnish higher-energy (Z) isomers of trifluoromethyl-substituted alkenes through cross-metathesis reactions with the commercially available, inexpensive and typically inert Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene. Furthermore, otherwise inefficient and non-stereoselective transformations with Z-1,2-dichloroethene and 1,2-dibromoethene can be effected with substantially improved efficiency and Z selectivity. The use of such molybdenum monoaryloxide chloride complexes enables the synthesis of representative biologically active molecules and trifluoromethyl analogues of medicinally relevant compounds. The origins of the activity and selectivity levels observed, which contradict previously proposed principles, are elucidated with the aid of density functional theory calculations.

ChemInform Abstract: Catalyst‐Controlled Stereoselective Olefin Metathesis as a Principal Strategy in Multistep Synthesis Design: A Concise Route to (+)‐Neopeltolide.

Molybdenum-, tungsten-, and ruthenium-based complexes that control the stereochemical outcome of olefin metathesis reactions have been recently introduced. However, the complementary nature of these systems through their combined use in multistep complex molecule synthesis has not been illustrated. A concise diastereo- and enantioselective route that furnishes the anti-proliferative natural product neopeltolide is now disclosed. Catalytic transformations are employed to address every stereochemical issue. Among the featured processes are an enantioselective ring-opening/cross-metathesis promoted by a Mo monoaryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) complex and a macrocyclic ring-closing metathesis that affords a trisubstituted alkene and is catalyzed by a Mo bis(aryloxide) species. Furthermore, Z-selective cross-metathesis reactions, facilitated by Mo and Ru complexes, have been employed in the stereoselective synthesis of the acyclic dienyl moiety of the target molecule.

Catalyst‐Controlled Stereoselective Olefin Metathesis as a Principal Strategy in Multistep Synthesis Design: A Concise Route to (+)‐Neopeltolide

AbstractMolybdenum‐, tungsten‐, and ruthenium‐based complexes that control the stereochemical outcome of olefin metathesis reactions have been recently introduced. However, the complementary nature of these systems through their combined use in multistep complex molecule synthesis has not been illustrated. A concise diastereo‐ and enantioselective route that furnishes the anti‐proliferative natural product neopeltolide is now disclosed. Catalytic transformations are employed to address every stereochemical issue. Among the featured processes are an enantioselective ring‐opening/cross‐metathesis promoted by a Mo monoaryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) complex and a macrocyclic ring‐closing metathesis that affords a trisubstituted alkene and is catalyzed by a Mo bis(aryloxide) species. Furthermore, Z‐selective cross‐metathesis reactions, facilitated by Mo and Ru complexes, have been employed in the stereoselective synthesis of the acyclic dienyl moiety of the target molecule.

Catalyst-controlled stereoselective olefin metathesis as a principal strategy in multistep synthesis design: a concise route to (+)-neopeltolide.

Molybdenum-, tungsten-, and ruthenium-based complexes that control the stereochemical outcome of olefin metathesis reactions have been recently introduced. However, the complementary nature of these systems through their combined use in multistep complex molecule synthesis has not been illustrated. A concise diastereo- and enantioselective route that furnishes the anti-proliferative natural product neopeltolide is now disclosed. Catalytic transformations are employed to address every stereochemical issue. Among the featured processes are an enantioselective ring-opening/cross-metathesis promoted by a Mo monoaryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) complex and a macrocyclic ring-closing metathesis that affords a trisubstituted alkene and is catalyzed by a Mo bis(aryloxide) species. Furthermore, Z-selective cross-metathesis reactions, facilitated by Mo and Ru complexes, have been employed in the stereoselective synthesis of the acyclic dienyl moiety of the target molecule.

Reactivity and selectivity differences between catecholate and catechothiolate Ru complexes. Implications regarding design of stereoselective olefin metathesis catalysts.

The origins of the unexpected finding that Ru catechothiolate complexes, in contrast to catecholate derivatives, promote exceptional Z-selective olefin metathesis reactions are elucidated. We show that species containing a catechothiolate ligand, unlike catecholates, preserve their structural integrity under commonly used reaction conditions. DFT calculations indicate that, whereas alkene coordination is the stereochemistry-determining step with catecholate complexes, it is through the metallacyclobutane formation that the identity of the major isomer is determined with catechothiolate systems. The present findings suggest that previous models for Z selectivity, largely based on steric differences, should be altered to incorporate electronic factors as well.

Z-Selective olefin metathesis on peptides: investigation of side-chain influence, preorganization, and guidelines in substrate selection.

Olefin metathesis has emerged as a promising strategy for modulating the stability and activity of biologically relevant compounds; however, the ability to control olefin geometry in the product remains a challenge. Recent advances in the design of cyclometalated ruthenium catalysts has led to new strategies for achieving such control with high fidelity and Z selectivity, but the scope and limitations of these catalysts on substrates bearing multiple functionalities, including peptides, remained unexplored. Herein, we report an assessment of various factors that contribute to both productive and nonproductive Z-selective metathesis on peptides. The influence of sterics, side-chain identity, and preorganization through peptide secondary structure are explored by homodimerization, cross metathesis, and ring-closing metathesis. Our results indicate that the amino acid side chain and identity of the olefin profoundly influence the activity of cyclometalated ruthenium catalysts in Z-selective metathesis. The criteria set forth for achieving high conversion and Z selectivity are highlighted by cross metathesis and ring-closing metathesis on diverse peptide substrates. The principles outlined in this report are important not only for expanding the scope of Z-selective olefin metathesis to peptides but also for applying stereoselective olefin metathesis in general synthetic endeavors.

Evolution of catalytic stereoselective olefin metathesis: from ancillary transformation to purveyor of stereochemical identity.

There have been numerous significant advances in catalytic olefin metathesis (OM) during the past two decades. Such progress has transformed this important set of reactions to strategically pivotal processes that generate stereochemical identity while delivering molecules that cannot be easily prepared by alternative routes. In this Perspective, an analysis of the origin of the inception of bidentate benzylidene ligands for Ru-based OM catalysts is first presented. This is followed by an overview of the intellectual basis that culminated in the development of Mo-based diolates and stereogenic-at-Ru complexes for enantioselective OM. The principles accrued from the study of the latter Ru carbenes and Mo alkylidenes and utilized in the design of stereogenic-at-Mo, -W, and -Ru species applicable to enantioselective and Z-selective OM are then discussed. The influence of the recently introduced catalytic OM protocols on the design of synthesis routes leading to complex organic molecules is probed. The impact of a better understanding of the mechanistic nuances of OM toward the discovery of stereoselective catalysts is reviewed as well.

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties of a highly stereoselective olefin metathesis catalyst

Abstract The X-ray determination of a tungsten based complex allowed to definitively assign its structure and chemical formula to W(OC 6 H 3 PhC 6 H 4 )(OAr)(=CHC(CH 3 ) 3 )Cl with Ar = 2,6-Ph 2 C 6 H 3 . This complex is a catalytic system which displays high metathesis activity and high stereoselectivity even for bulky functional olefins.