Asymmetric Morita−Baylis−Hillman Reaction Catalyzed by Isophoronediamine-Derived Bis(thio)urea Organocatalysts

Multifunctional chiral phosphine organocatalysts in catalytic asymmetric Morita-Baylis-Hillman and related reactions

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis has received considerable attention over the past few decades, becoming a highly dynamic area of chemical research with significant contributions to the field of organic synthesis. In the development of new catalysts, the concept of multifunctional catalysis described by Shibasaki and co-workers, namely, the combination of more than one functional group within a single molecule to activate the transformation, has proved a powerful strategy in the design of efficient transition metal-containing catalysts. A variety of reactions have since been addressed with multifunctional organocatalysts. One example is the Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction, in which a carbon-carbon bond is created between the alpha-position of an activated double-bond compound and a carbon electrophile. The seminal report on this reaction in 1972 described the prototypical couplings of (i) ethyl acrylate with acetaldehyde and (ii) acrylonitrile with acetaldehyde; the reaction is promoted by the conjugate addition of a nucleophilic catalyst to the alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde. Many variations of the MBH reaction have been reported, such as the aza-MBH reaction, in which an N-tosyl imine stands in for acetaldehyde. Recent innovations include the development of chiral molecules that catalyze the production of asymmetric products. In this Account, we describe the refinement of catalysts for the MBH and related reactions, highlighting a series of multifunctional chiral phosphines that we have developed and synthesized over the past decade. We also review similar catalysts developed by other groups. These multifunctional chiral phosphines, which contain Lewis basic and Brønsted acidic sites within one molecule, provide good-to-excellent reactivities and stereoselectivities in the asymmetric aza-MBH reaction, the MBH reaction, and other related reactions. We demonstrate that the reactivities and enantioselectivies of these multifunctional chiral phosphines can be adjusted by enhancing the reactive center's nucleophilicity, which can be finely tuned by varying nearby hydrogen-bonding donors. Artificial catalysts now provide highly economic access to many desirable compounds, but the general adaptability and reactivity of these platforms remain problematic, particularly in comparison to nature's catalysts, enzymes. The multifunctional organocatalysts described in this Account represent another positive step in the synthetic chemist's efforts to profitably mimic nature's catalytic platform, helping develop small-molecule catalysts with enzyme-like reactivities and selectivities.

Computational investigation on the mechanism and the stereoselectivity of Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction and the effect of the bifunctional catalyst N-methylprolinol

The mechanism of the Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction between formaldehyde and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) catalyzed by N-methylprolinol was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) method. The overall reaction includes two steps: C-C bond formation and hydrogen migration. In the presence of water, the hydrogen migration occurs via a six-membered ring transition state and the corresponding energy barrier decreases dramatically, and therefore the RDS is the C-C bond formation step. The calculations indicate that the C-C bond formation step controls the stereochemistry of the reaction. In this step, the hydrogen bonding induces the direction of the attack of enamine to aldehyde from the -OH group side of N-methylprolinol. The energy-favored transition states are mainly stabilized by hydrogen bonding, while the chirality of the products is affected by the hydrogen bonding and the steric hindrance. The calculations correctly reproduce the major product in (R)-configuration, which is consistent with the experimental observation.

1-(4-Fluoro-phen-yl)thio-urea

In the title compound, C₇H₇FN₂S, the aromatic ring plane and the thio­urea unit are twisted with a torsion angle C—C—N—C7 of 44.6 (2)°. In the crystal, N—H⋯S and N—H⋯F inter­molecular hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into infinite sheets that are stacked along the c axis.

1-(2-Fluoro-phen-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzo-yl)thio-urea

The two m-meth­oxy groups of the title compound, C₁₇H₁₇FN₂O₄S, are almost coplanar with the aromatic ring [CH₃—O—C—C = 5.8 (1) and 5.9 (1)°], whereas the meth­oxy group in the para position is bent out of the ring plane [78.6 (1)°]. Mol­ecules are connected by inter­molecular N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds to form centrosymmetric dimers that are stacked along the a axis.

Exploring Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions of p-quinols

The Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of p-methylquinols with activated aromatic aldehydes has been studied. Depending on the reaction conditions (solvent and additives), three different products were formed. A mono or double Morita-Baylis-Hillman adduct and a fused 1,3-dioxolane could be obtained in good chemical yields. The use of non-nucleophilic bases to promote the reaction suggested an autocatalytic mechanism.

A Novel Bis-Thiourea Organocatalyst for the Asymmetric Aza-Henry Reaction

A novel bis-thiourea BINAM-based catalyst for the asymmetric aza-Henry reaction has been developed. This catalyst promotes the reaction of N-Boc imines with nitroalkanes to afford β-nitroamines with good yields and high enantioselectivities. This catalyst has the advantage that it can be prepared in a single step from commercially available materials. A model is proposed for the catalyst action where the both components of the reaction are activated simultaneously by hydrogen bonding. Regardless of the mechanism, the success of the present catalyst demonstrates the potential of bis-thioureas as an interesting class of relatively unexplored catalysts.

Theory-Guided Design of Brønsted Acid-Assisted Phosphine Catalysis: Synthesis of Dihydropyrones from Aldehydes and Allenoates

The phosphine-catalyzed addition of 2,3-butadienoates to aldehydes has been extended to the formation of disubstituted dihydro-2-pyrones. The requisite shift in equilibrium of the intermediate zwitterionic beta-phosphonium dienolates toward the s-cis intermediate was accomplished through the use of a Brønsted acid additive, which disrupts the favorable Coulombic interaction present in the s-trans intermediate. The detailed nature of the synergistic interactions involving the Brønsted acid additives and phosphine involved in the formation of s-cis beta-phosphonium dienolates was analyzed through a series of DFT calculations. Unlike previously reported annulations of aldehydes with allenoates, where trialkylphosphines are optimal catalysts, in this study triphenylphosphine was also found for the first time to be a suitable catalyst for the synthesis of dihydropyrones. This method provides a one-step route toward functionalized dihydropyrones from simple, stable starting materials. In addition, new reaction pathways of phosphine-catalyzed allene annulations are unveiled, with the formation of dihydropyrones being the first example of dual activation in this sphere.

The enantioselective Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction and its aza counterpart

The development of asymmetric Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reactions has evolved dramatically over the past few years, parallel to the emerging concept of bifunctional organocatalysis. Whereas organocatalysis is starting to compete with metal-based catalysis in several important organic transformations, the MBH reaction belongs to a group of prototypical reactions in which organocatalysts already display superiority over their metal-based counterparts. This Minireview summarizes recent mechanistic insights and advances in the design and synthesis of small organic molecules for enantioselective MBH and aza-MBH reactions.

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Nitroaldol Reaction: Cooperative Effects of Guanidine and Thiourea Functional Groups

Catalytic enantio- and diastereoselective nitroaldol reactions were explored by using designed guanidine-thiourea bifunctional organocatalysts under mild and operationally simple biphasic conditions. These catalytic asymmetric reactions have a broad substrate generality with respect to the variety of aldehydes and nitroalkanes. Based on this catalytic nitroaldol process, straightforward syntheses of cytoxazone and 4-epi-cytoxazone were achieved. These catalytic nitroaldol reactions require KI as an additive for highly asymmetric induction; it operates by inhibiting the retro mode of the reaction. On the basis of studies of structure and catalytic-activity relationships, a plausible guanidine-thiourea cooperative mechanism and a transition state of the catalytic reactions are proposed. Drastic substituent effects on the catalytic properties of this catalyst may lead to the development of new chiral surfactants.

Nonenzymatic Acylative Kinetic Resolution of Baylis−Hillman Adducts

The first efficient nonenzymatic acylative kinetic resolution of Baylis-Hillman adducts is reported. Chiral pyridine catalyst 1a and an optimized analogue 1e are capable of promoting the synthetically useful enantioselective acylation (the efficiency of which is outstanding for sp(2)-sp(2) carbinol substrates, s = 3.5-13.1, ee up to 97%) of Baylis-Hillman adducts derived from recalcitrant precursors which are currently difficult to synthesize utilizing benchmark asymmetric Baylis-Hillman reaction catalyst technology. A novel one-pot synthesis-kinetic resolution process involving a DBU-catalyzed Baylis-Hillman reaction and subsequent 1e/DBU-mediated enantioselective acylation has also been developed.

Stereospecific cross-coupling of alpha-(thiocarbamoyl)organostannanes with alkenyl, aryl, and heteroaryl iodides

Racemic and scalemic PTC-protected alpha-hydroxystannanes cross-couple with alkenyl/aryl/heteroaryl iodides in moderate to good yields using copper(I) thiophene-2-carboxylate (CuTC) in THF at or below room temperature. Simple aryl iodides and 1-iodocyclohexene, two classes of electrophiles that typically react sluggishly, are also good substrates. Cross-couplings proceed with retention of configuration at the alkenyl- and stannyl-substituted stereocenters.