The Reformatsky reaction in organic synthesis. Recent advances

SmI2-promoted Reformatsky-type coupling reactions in exceptionally hindered contexts

Highly substituted, very hindered enones were synthesized using a two-step procedure that utilizes a diiodosamarium-promoted Reformatsky-type coupling and dehydration using Martin sulfurane. Both alpha-chloro- and alpha-bromoketones were coupled with a variety of carbonyl nucleophiles to form the intermediate beta-hydroxyketones, occurring with excellent diastereoselectivity, favoring the syn isomer (R1=Me). This technique complements other methods and enables the preparation of enones outside of the scope of current olefination methodology.

Catalytic enantioselective Reformatsky reactions

The Reformatsky reaction is a venerable named reaction that was introduced more than 120 years ago. Diastereoselective variants based on the use of chiral auxiliary and enantioselective protocols, based on the employment of stoichiometric amount of chiral ligands, have been successfully applied in organic synthesis during the years. However, a facile and general catalytic enantioselective variant was still a difficult task. Recently, we have established a new general and straightforward methodology for catalytic enantioselective Reformatsky reaction based on different concepts. In this paper, we present our general finding in catalytic enantioselective Reformatsky reaction of ketones, imines, and aldehydes. Our simple methodologies could become benchmark reactions for testing new synthesized chiral ligands for asymmetric transformations.

A Stereoselective Entry into Functionalized 1,2-Diamines by Zinc-Mediated Homologation of α-Aminoacids

A general, stereoselective synthesis of 4,5-disubstituted imidazolidines-2-ones from alpha-aminoacids has been developed: the key steps are a Blaise reaction of bromoacetate on alpha-aminonitriles and further reduction. Although reduction with sodium cyanoborohydride afforded a mixture of cis and trans isomers 6a-e with moderate to good stereoselectivity, reduction with sodium in liquid ammonia gave the trans isomers 8a-e with complete stereoselectivity. Acidic hydrolysis of the urea gave 4-amino-pyrrolidinones, which can be precursors to beta,gamma-diaminoacids or 3-aminopyrrolidines.

Simplified Synthesis of 3-(1-Arylsulfonylalkyl) Indoles and Their Reaction with Reformatsky Reagents

A simple procedure for the preparation of 3-(1-arylsulfonyl-alkyl) indoles by three-component condensation of indoles, carbonyls, and arenesulfinic acids is presented. The obtained products undergo a Reformatsky reaction leading to alkyl 3-(3-indolyl) alkanoates and (3-indolyl) ketones.

Dramatic Enhancement of Enantioselectivity of Biotransformations of β-Hydroxy Nitriles Using a Simple O-Benzyl Protection/Docking Group

[Structure: see text] Catalyzed by the Rhodococcus erythropolis AJ270 whole cell catalyst, the O-benzylated beta-hydroxy alkanenitriles underwent remarkably high enantioselective biotransformations, whereas the biotransformations of free beta-hydroxy alkanenitriles gave very low enantioselectivity. The easy manipulations of O-protection and O-deprotection, excellent chemical and enantiomeric yields of biotransformations, along with the scalability render this enzymatic transformation attractive and practical for the synthesis of highly enantiopure beta-hydroxy alkanoic acids and their amide derivatives.