Chiral Calcium Catalysts with Neutral Coordinative Ligands: Enantioselective 1,4-Addition Reactions of 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds to Nitroalkenes

Enantioselective Flow Synthesis of Rolipram Enabled by a Telescoped Asymmetric Conjugate Addition-Oxidative Aldehyde Esterification Sequence Using in Situ-Generated Persulfuric Acid as Oxidant

A novel approach is reported for the enantioselective flow synthesis of rolipram comprising a telescoped asymmetric conjugate addition-oxidative aldehyde esterification sequence followed by trichlorosilane-mediated nitro group reduction and concomitant lactamization. The telescoped process takes advantage of a polystyrene-supported chiral organocatalyst along with in situ-generated persulfuric acid as a robust and scalable oxidant for direct aldehyde esterification. This approach demonstrates significantly improved productivity compared with earlier methodologies while ensuring environmentally benign metal-free conditions.

Continuous flow asymmetric synthesis of chiral active pharmaceutical ingredients and their advanced intermediates

Catalytic enantioselective transformations provide well-established and direct access to stereogenic synthons that are broadly distributed among active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). These reactions have been demonstrated to benefit considerably from the merits of continuous processing and microreactor technology. Over the past few years, continuous flow enantioselective catalysis has grown into a mature field and has found diverse applications in asymmetric synthesis of pharmaceutically active substances. The present review therefore surveys flow chemistry-based approaches for the synthesis of chiral APIs and their advanced stereogenic intermediates, covering the utilization of biocatalysis, organometallic catalysis and metal-free organocatalysis to introduce asymmetry in continuously operated systems. Single-step processes, interrupted multistep flow syntheses, combined batch/flow processes and uninterrupted one-flow syntheses are discussed herein.

Calcium catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular alkene hydroamination with chiral C2-symmetric bis-amide ligands

The chiral building block (R)-(+)-2,2'-diamino-1,1'-binaphthyl, (R)-BINAM, which is often used as backbone in privileged enantioselective catalysts, was converted to a series of N-substituted proligands R1-H2 (R = CH2tBu, C(H)Ph2, PPh2, dibenzosuberane, 8-quinoline). After double deprotonation with strong Mg or Ca bases, a series of alkaline earth (Ae) metal catalysts R1-Ae·(THF)n was obtained. Crystal structures of these C2-symmetric catalysts have been analyzed by quadrant models which show that the ligands with C(H)Ph2, dibenzosuberane and 8-quinoline substituents should give the best steric discrimination for the enantioselective intramolecular alkene hydroamination (IAH) of the aminoalkenes H2C[double bond, length as m-dash]CHCH2CR'2CH2NH2 (CR'2 = CPh2, CCy or CMe2). The dianionic R12- ligand in R1-Ae·(THF)n functions as reagent that deprotonates the aminoalkene substrate, while the monoanionic (R1-H)- ligand formed in this reaction functions as a chiral spectator ligand that controls the enantioselectivity of the ring closure reaction. Depending on the substituent R in the BINAM ligand, full cyclization of aminoalkenes to chiral pyrrolidine products as fast as 5 minutes was observed. Product analysis furnished enantioselectivities up to 57% ee, which marks the highest enantioselectivity reported for Ca catalyzed IAH. Higher selectivities are impeded by double protonation of the R12- ligand leading to complete loss of chiral information in the catalytically active species.

Chiral Calcium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Epoxidation Reactions Using Hydrogen Peroxide as the Terminal Oxidant

Asymmetric epoxidation reactions of chalcone derivatives catalyzed by chiral calcium complexes using hydrogen peroxide were developed. The epoxidation reactions proceeded smoothly to afford the desired products in good yields with good enantioselectivities. This is the first example of chiral calcium-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation reactions using hydrogen peroxide as the terminal oxidant.

Recent Advances in Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,4-Conjugate Addition (ACA) of Nonorganometallic Nucleophiles

The metal-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition (ACA) reaction has emerged as a general and powerful approach for the construction of optically active compounds and is among the most significant and useful reactions in synthetic organic chemistry. In recent years, great progress has been made in this area with the use of various chiral metal complexes based on different chiral ligands. This review provides comprehensive and critical information on the enantioselective 1,4-conjugate addition of nonorganometallic (soft) nucleophiles and their importance in synthetic applications. The literature is covered from the last 10 years, and a number of examples from before 2007 are included as background information. The review is divided into multiple parts according to the type of nucleophile involved in the reaction (such as C-, B-, O-, N-, S-, P-, and Si-centered nucleophiles) and metal catalyst systems used.

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of β-cyanocinnamic esters with the assistance of a single hydrogen bond in a precise position

The first asymmetric hydrogenation of β-cyanoacrylate esters has been developed to furnish chiral β-cyano esters with excellent yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Notably, the catalyst with a single H-bond donor in a precise position performed better than that with double H-bond donors.

With the assistance of hydrogen bonds, the first asymmetric hydrogenation of β-cyanocinnamic esters is developed, affording chiral β-cyano esters with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). This novel methodology provides an efficient and concise synthetic route to chiral GABA-derivatives such as (S)-Pregabalin, (R)-Phenibut, (R)-Baclofen. Interestingly, in this system, the catalyst with a single H-bond donor performs better than that with double H-bond donors, which is a novel discovery in the metalorganocatalysis area.

Mild, calcium catalysed Beckmann rearrangements

A mild calcium catalysed Beckmann rearrangement has been realised, which forgoes the more traditional harsh reactions conditions associated with the transformation.

A Cooperative Ternary Catalysis System for Asymmetric Lactonizations of α-Ketoesters

A general and enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed lactonization of simple enals and α-ketoesters has been discovered using a new ternary cooperative catalytic system. The highly selective annulation was achieved by using a combination of a chiral NHC, a hydrogen-bond donor, and a metal salt, facilitating self-assembly of the reactive partners. A proposed model for this new mode of NHC chiral relay catalysis is supported by experimental and computational mechanistic studies.

Mg(OMe)2 promoted allylic isomerization of γ-hydroxy-α,β-alkenoic esters to synthesize γ-ketone esters

This work concerns the Mg(OMe)₂ promoted allylic isomerization of γ-hydroxy-α,β-alkenoic esters with TMEDA as an additive. The isomerization proceeded under mild conditions and afforded γ-keto esters in high yield (up to 96%) within 2 h. Both (Z)- and (E)-γ-hydroxy-α,β-alkenoic esters were tolerated under the reaction conditions. This transformation involves the in situ formation of a dienolate intermediate from the easily accessible γ-hydroxy-α,β-alkenoic ester. The in situ generated dienolate can react with benzaldehyde and undergo a practical, useful tandem allylic isomerization-Aldol reaction to afford more functionalized compounds.

Flow "Fine" Synthesis: High Yielding and Selective Organic Synthesis by Flow Methods

The concept of flow "fine" synthesis, that is, high yielding and selective organic synthesis by flow methods, is described. Some examples of flow "fine" synthesis of natural products and APIs are discussed. Flow methods have several advantages over batch methods in terms of environmental compatibility, efficiency, and safety. However, synthesis by flow methods is more difficult than synthesis by batch methods. Indeed, it has been considered that synthesis by flow methods can be applicable for the production of simple gasses but that it is difficult to apply to the synthesis of complex molecules such as natural products and APIs. Therefore, organic synthesis of such complex molecules has been conducted by batch methods. On the other hand, syntheses and reactions that attain high yields and high selectivities by flow methods are increasingly reported. Flow methods are leading candidates for the next generation of manufacturing methods that can mitigate environmental concerns toward sustainable society.

Rawal's catalyst as an effective stimulant for the highly asymmetric Michael addition of β-keto esters to functionally rich nitro-olefins

A general approach to the asymmetric synthesis of highly substituted dihydroquinolines was achieved through neighboring ortho-amino group engaged sequential Michael/amination/dehydration reactions.

CaCl2, Bisoxazoline, and Malonate: A Protocol for an Asymmetric Michael Reaction

A mild protocol for the asymmetric Michael addition of dimethyl malonate to various α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds was developed. The salient feature of this methodology is that a cheap and environmentally friendly Lewis acid, CaCl2, was used as a catalyst. An aminoindanol- and pyridine-derived ligand provided in the presence of CaCl2 Michael adducts in moderate to high enantioselectivities. The scope of the reaction was demonstrated.

Chemoselective calcium-catalysed direct amidation of carboxylic esters

Cheap, non-toxic and environmentally benign CaI₂ catalyses direct amide bond formation between unactivated carboxylic esters and primary amines in excellent yields.

Chiral calcium iodide for asymmetric Mannich-type reactions of malonates with imines providing β-aminocarbonyl compounds

Out of the pybox: We have developed a novel chiral calcium iodide catalyst from CaI2 and a pybox that is stable under moisture and oxygen. This catalyst was applied to catalytic asymmetric Mannich-type reactions of malonates with both N-Boc-protected aromatic and aliphatic imines, and resulted in moderate to high yields with high enantioselectivities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of highly enantioselective metal-catalyzed asymmetric Mannich-type reactions of malonates with N-Boc-protected aliphatic imines. The Mannich adduct was successfully converted into the α-hydroxy β-amino acid derivative. We have also shown the unique structure of the chiral Ca complexes with malonates.

A ferrocenyl-DHIPOH/Cu(OAc)2 complex for diastereo- and enantioselective catalysis of the 1,4-addition of glycine derivatives to alkylidene malonates

A planar chiral ferrocene derivative Fc-DHIPOH served as an excellent N,O- chiral ligand for asymmetric copper catalyzed 1,4-addition of glycine derivatives to alkylidene malonates. The corresponding 1,4-adducts were obtained in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities up to 95% ee.

Alkaline earth metal catalysts for asymmetric reactions

The group 2 alkaline earth metals calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), and barium (Ba) are among the most common elements on Earth, abundant in both the sea and the Earth's crust. Although they are familiar in our daily lives, their application to organic synthesis has, so far, been limited. Some particularly useful properties of these elements include (i) low electronegativity, (ii) a stable oxidation state of +2, meaning that they can potentially form two covalent bonds with anions, and (iii) the ability to occupy a variety of coordination sites due to their large ionic radius. Furthermore, the alkaline earth metals, found between the group 1 and group 3 elements, show mild but significant Lewis acidity, which can be harnessed to control coordinative molecules via a Lewis acid-base interaction. Taken together, these characteristics make the metals Ca, Sr, and Ba very promising components of highly functionalized acid-base catalysts. In this Account, we describe the development of chiral alkaline earth metal catalysts for asymmetric carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. Recently prepared chiral alkaline earth metal complexes have shown high diastereo- and enantioselectivities in fundamental and important chemical transformations. We chose chiral bisoxazoline (Box) derivatives bearing a methylene tether as a ligand for chiral modification. These molecules are very useful because they can covalently coordinate to alkaline earth metals in a bidentate fashion through deprotonation of the tether portion. It was found that chiral calcium-Box complexes could successfully promote catalytic asymmetric 1,4-addition and [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. Both the calcium-Box complexes and chiral strontium-bis-sulfonamide and chiral barium-BINOLate complexes could catalyze asymmetric 1,4-addition reactions with high enantioselectivities. Furthermore, we designed a calcium-neutral coordinative ligand complex as a new type of chiral alkaline earth metal catalyst. We found that pyridinebisoxazolines (Pybox) worked well: they served as excellent ligands for calcium compounds in 1,4-addition reactions and Mannich reactions. Moreover, they were successful in 1,4-additions in concert with enantioselective protonation, affording the desired products in good to high enantioselectivities. Our results demonstrate that alkaline earth metals are very useful and attractive catalysts in organic synthesis. Moreover, their ubiquity in the environment is a distinct advantage over rare metals for large-scale processes, and their minimal toxicity is beneficial in both handling and disposal.

Catalytic asymmetric protonation of chiral calcium enolates via 1,4-addition of malonates

Catalytic asymmetric protonation of chiral calcium enolates was performed. Chiral calcium enolates, prepared in situ from imides and malonates via 1,4-addition in the presence of catalytic amounts of Ca(OEt)(2), Ph-PyBox, and achiral phenol, were smoothly protonated to afford adducts bearing tertiary asymmetric carbons in high yields with high enantioselectivities. The adducts were readily converted to optically active 2-substituted 1,5-dicarboxylic acid derivatives.