Rational Design of Sterically and Electronically Easily Tunable Chiral Bisimidazolines and Their Applications in Dual Lewis Acid/Brønsted Base Catalysis for Highly Enantioselective Nitroaldol (Henry) Reactions

Asymmetric synthesis of an antagonist of neurokinin receptors: SSR 241586

SSR 241586 is a 2,2-disubstituted morpholine, developed by Sanofi-Aventis, which is active in the treatment of schizophrenia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Different strategies have been studied to synthesize this molecule and among the strategies an organo-catalyzed Henry reaction, applied to an α-keto ester, has produced SSR 241586 in excellent enantiomeric excess.

Synthesis of C1-symmetric chiral secondary diamines and their applications in the asymmetric copper(II)-catalyzed Henry (nitroaldol) reactions

A small library of C(1)-symmetric chiral diamines (L1-L9) was constructed via condensing exo-(-)-bornylamine or (+)-(1S,2S,5R)-menthylamine with various Cbz-protected amino acids. Among them, ligand L1/CuCl(2)·2H(2)O complex (2.5 mol %) shows outstanding catalytic efficiency for Henry reaction between a variety of aldehydes and nitroalkanes to afford the expected products in high yields (up to 98%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99%) and moderate to good diastereoselectivities (up to 90:10). This process is air- and moisture tolerant and has been applied to the synthesis of (S)-2-amino-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanol (9), a key intermediate for (S)-epinephrine and (S)-norepinephrine. On the basis of HRMS and X-ray diffraction analysis of the L1/CuCl(2) complex, a transition-state model was proposed to explain the origin of asymmetric induction. The low catalyst loading, excellent yields and enantioselectivities, inexpensive copper salt, and mild reaction conditions make our catalytic system to be practically useful.

Improving catalytic activity by synergic effect between base and acid pairs in hierarchically porous chitosan@titania nanoreactors

The beneficial effect of the bifunctional character of the chitosan@titania hybrid in heterogeneous catalysis was elucidated: considering a prototypical Henry condensation, Michael addition, and Jasminaldehyde synthesis, the cohabitation of a basic site (NH(2)) and an acidic site (Ti) in the same reactor provided clear activity and selectivity enhancements, with respect to the monofunctional acidic titania and basic chitosan counterparts.

Brønsted base/Lewis acid cooperative catalysis in the enantioselective Conia-ene reaction

A mutually compatible and cooperative combination of copper(I) triflate and bifunctional 9-amino-9-deoxyepicinchona-derived urea compounds for the enantioselective Conia-ene cyclization of alkyne-tethered beta-ketoester substrates is reported. The reaction is efficient, broad in scope, and easy to perform and allows access to chiral methylenecyclopentane products with high enantiocontrol. The transformation illustrates the concept of combining inactive precatalysts with inactive transition-metal-ion complexes in situ to reversibly create a catalytically active combination of the two.