Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Quinoxalines with Diphosphinite Ligands: A Practical Synthesis of Enantioenriched, Substituted Tetrahydroquinoxalines

Highly enantioselective synthesis of both enantiomers of tetrahydroquinoxaline derivatives via Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation

A novel Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation protocol for the synthesis of chiral tetrahydroquinoxaline (THQ) derivatives has been developed. By simply adjusting the reaction solvent, both enantiomers of mono-substituted chiral THQs could be selectively obtained in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (toluene/dioxane: up to 93% yield and 98% ee (R); EtOH: up to 83% yield and 93% ee (S)). For 2,3-disubstituted chiral THQs, the cis-hydrogenation products were obtained with up to 95% yield, 20 : 1 dr, and 94% ee. Remarkably, this methodology was also applicable under continuous flow conditions, yielding gram-scale products with comparable yields and enantioselectivities (dioxane: 91% yield and 93% ee (R); EtOH: 90% yield and 87% ee (S)). Unlike previously reported Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation protocols, this system exhibited a significant improvement as it required no additional additives. Furthermore, comprehensive mechanistic studies including deuterium-labeling experiments, control experiments, kinetic studies, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted to reveal the underlying mechanism of enantioselectivities for both enantiomers.

Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Heteroaromatics with Multiple N Atoms via Substrate Activation: An Entry to 4,5,6,7-Tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile Core of a Potent BTK Inhibitor

The chiral 4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine is the key core skeleton of potent Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor Zanubrutinib, and the catalyst-controlled asymmetric hydrogenation of planar multinuclear pyrimidine heteroarenes with multiple N atoms could provide an efficient route toward its synthesis. Owing to the strong aromaticity and poisoning effect toward chiral transition metal catalyst, asymmetric hydrogenation of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines with multiple nitrogen atoms is still a challenge for synthesizing the chiral 4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]-pyrimidine. Herein, an efficient iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines has been developed using substrate activation strategy, with up to 99% ee. The decagram scale synthesis further demonstrated the potential and promise of this procedure in the synthesis of Zanubrutinib. In addition, a mechanistic study indicated that the hydrogenation starts with 1,2-hydrogenation.

Spiro-Josiphos Ligands for the Ir-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Amines under Hydrogenation Conditions

Transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation possesses unparalleled advantages to prepare chiral amines. Here we reported a novel ligand that combined Josiphos and a spirobiindane scaffold and simultaneously investigated its application in Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation for the synthesis of chiral amines. Excellent catalytic activity (5000 TON), high enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee), and broad substrate scope (different C═N substrates) make it highly promising for both academic research and industrial applications.

Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of 2-Substituted Quinoxalines with Regenerable Dihydrophenanthridine

The asymmetric hydrogenation of quinoxalines represents one of the most efficient approaches for the synthesis of optically active tetrahyroquinoxalines. In this paper, we demonstrate a metal-free asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of 2-substituted quinoxalines with regenerable dihydrophenanthridine under H2 using a combination of chiral phosphoric acid and achiral borane as catalysts. A wide range of optically active 2-substituted tetrahydroquinoxalines were produced in high yields with ≤98% ee.

Well-Defined Mn(II)-complex Catalyzed Switchable De(hydrogenative) Csp3 -H Functionalization of Methyl Heteroarenes: A Sustainable Approach for Diversification of Heterocyclic Motifs

Catalytic activities of Mn(I) complexes derived from expensive MnBr(CO)5 salt have been explored in various dehydrogenative transformations. However, the reactivity and selectivity of inexpensive high spin Mn(II) complexes are uncommon. Herein, we have synthesized four new Mn(II) complexes and explored switchable alkenylation and alkylation of methyl heteroarenes employing a single Mn(II)catalyst. The developed protocol selectively furnishes a series of functionalized E-heteroarenes and C-alkylated heteroarenes with good to excellent yields. Various medicinally and synthetically useful compounds are successfully synthesized using our developed protocol. Various controls and kinetics experiments were executed to shed light on the mechaism,which reveals that α-C-H bond breaking of alcohol is the slowest step.

Protocol for stereodivergent asymmetric hydrogenation of quinoxalines

Chiral 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalines are ubiquitous in natural products and bioactive molecules. Herein, we disclose a protocol for stereodivergent asymmetric hydrogenation of disubstituted quinoxalines for the preparation of both cis- and trans-enantioenriched disubstituted tetrahydroquinoxalines (up to >20:1 d.r. and 99% ee). We describe steps for synthesis of ligands and substrate, setup of hydrogenation of disubstituted quinoxalines, and purification of products. Additionally, we provide detailed diagrams of the hydrogenation installation. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Liu et al.1.

Highly enantioselective synthesis of both tetrahydroquinoxalines and dihydroquinoxalinones via Rh-thiourea catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation

Chiral tetrahydroquinoxalines and dihydroquinoxalinones represent the core structure of many bioactive molecules. Herein, a simple and efficient Rh-thiourea-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation for enantiopure tetrahydroquinoxalines and dihydroquinoxalinones was developed under 1 MPa H2 pressure at room temperature. The reaction was magnified to the gram scale furnishing the desired products with undamaged yield and enantioselectivity. Application of this methodology was also conducted successfully under continuous flow conditions. In addition, 1H NMR experiments revealed that the introduction of a strong Brønsted acid, HCl, not only activated the substrate but also established anion binding between the substrate and the ligand. More importantly, the chloride ion facilitated heterolytic cleavage of dihydrogen to regenerate the active dihydride species and HCl, which was computed to be the rate-determining step. Further deuterium labeling experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that this reaction underwent a plausible outer-sphere mechanism in this new catalytic transformation.

Multifunctional Catalysis by a One-Dimensional Copper(II) Metal Organic Framework Containing Pre-existing Coordinatively Unsaturated Sites: Intermolecular C-N, C-O, and C-S Cross-Coupling; Stereoselective Intramolecular C-N Coupling; and Aziridination Reactions

The coordinatively unsaturated sites (CUS) are vital in metal-centered catalysis. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) provide a unique opportunity to generate and stabilize CUS due to their robust structure. Generally, the generation of CUS in MOFs needs prior activation under heat and high vacuum to remove labile molecules occupying the catalytic sites. Herein, we report a solvothermal synthesis of a ready-to-use copper MOF containing accessible pre-existing CUS that does not need activation. The single crystal X-ray diffraction structure reveals a square planar Cu(II) center with two N-methylimidazoles (Mim) and one benzenedicarboxylic acid (BDC) with the formula unit [Cu^II(BDC)(Mim)₂]_n (Cu-1D) forming an infinite one-dimensional (1D) chain along the c axis. The 1D chains are stabilized by noncovalent π-π, CH···π, and H-bonding interaction to give 2D (sheet-like) and 3D networks in the solid state. The quantification of non-covalent interaction is studied by Hirshfeld surface analysis, and the formation of a higher architecture in the solid state is confirmed by SEM analysis. The reported Cu-1D MOF acts as a solid heterogeneous catalyst and exhibits efficient catalytic activity in intermolecular and intramolecular cross-coupling reactions. Intermolecular C-heteroatom cross-coupling of a variety of N-heterocycles, aliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic amines and amides (C-N), phenols (C-O), and thiols (C-S) with aryl halides (halide = I, Br) was achieved with 70 to 95% yield, better than the state-of-the-art Cu-based homogenous system. The C-N coupling catalytic cycle is initiated by the in situ reduction of Cu(II) by KOH/DMSO to Cu(I) species. Subsequently, Cu(I) undergoes oxidative addition followed by reductive elimination to form a cross-coupled product. High stereoselectivity was found for the intramolecular C-N coupling reaction to give tetrahydroquinoxalines with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of more than 99%. For a broader application, Cu-1D was applied as the catalyst for the synthesis of a library of aziridines that gives yields of up to 99% with more than 93% recyclability for each cycle.

Intramolecular Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Propargylic [4 + 2]- Cycloaddition toward Optically Active Tetrahydroisoindolo[2,1-a]quinoxalines

An intramolecular Cu-catalyzed asymmetric propargylic [4 + 2] cycloaddition of bis-N-nucleophile-functionalized propargylic esters has been realized in the support of a chiral tridentate N-ligand, (S,S)-Pybox-diOAc, leading to chiral tetrahydroisoindolo[2,1-a]quinoxalines in high yields and with good to excellent enantioselectivities. The reaction features high efficiency, simplicity, and broad substrate scope, thus providing a powerful and concise strategy for stereoselective access to optically active polycyclic heterocycle frameworks that are otherwise difficult to synthesize.

Recent Advances in the Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Amines via Transition Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation

Chiral amines are key structural motifs present in a wide variety of natural products, drugs, and other biologically active compounds. During the past decade, significant advances have been made with respect to the enantioselective synthesis of chiral amines, many of them based on catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation (AH). The present review covers the use of AH in the synthesis of chiral amines bearing a stereogenic center either in the α, β, or γ position with respect to the nitrogen atom, reported from 2010 to 2020. Therefore, we provide an overview of the recent advances in the AH of imines, enamides, enamines, allyl amines, and N-heteroaromatic compounds.

Synthetic route towards 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline/piperidine combined tricyclic ring system

The synthetic route toward novel tricyclic, nitrogen-containing system is disclosed. Three novel compounds possessing structural features of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline and decahydropyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine are synthesized starting from readily available precursors in six or seven steps, of which the last three or four steps respectively are diastereoselective. Key reaction steps include N-acylation, Hofmann rearrangement and ring-closing Buchwald? Hartwig reaction. Compounds trans-8, cis-12 and trans-12 are synthesized in order to prove that this novel, tricyclic system can be functionalized with various groups. Synthetic significance of this heterocyclic system lies in the possibility for the orthogonal functionalization of three different amino groups, allowing fine structural tuning.

Tetrabutylammonium Bromide-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of Quinoxaline with HBpin as a Hydrogen Source

A metal-free environmentally benign, simple, and efficient transfer hydrogenation process of quinoxaline has been developed using the HBpin reagent as a hydrogen source. This reaction is compatible with a variety of quinoxalines offering the desired tetrahydroquinoxalines in moderate-to-excellent yields with Bu₄NBr as a noncorrosive and low-cost catalyst.

Asymmetric hydrogenation of O-/N-functional group substituted arenes

Asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic compounds represents one of the most straightforward synthetic methods to construct important chiral cyclic skeletons that are often found in biologically active agents and natural products. So far, the most successful examples in this field are largely limited to aromatics containing alkyl and aryl substituted groups due to the poor functional-group tolerance of hydrogenation. Direct asymmetric hydrogenation of functionalized aromatics provides enormous potential for expanding the structural diversity of reductive products of planar aromatic compounds, which is highly desirable and has not been well studied. This feature article focuses on the progress in catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation of O/N substituted arenes.

Catalytic Enantioselective Access to Dihydroquinoxalinones via Formal α-Halo Acyl Halide Synthon in One Pot

An enantioselective one-pot catalytic strategy to dihydroquinoxalinones, featuring novel 1-phenylsulfonyl-1-cyano enantioenriched epoxides as masked α-halo acyl halide synthons, followed by a domino ring-opening cyclization (DROC), is documented. A popular quinine-derived urea served as the catalyst in two out of the three steps performed in the same solvent using commercially available aldehydes, (phenylsulfonyl)acetonitrile, cumyl hydroperoxide and 1,2-phenylendiamines. Medicinally relevant 3-aryl/alkyl-substituted heterocycles are isolated in generally good to high overall yield and high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). A rare example of excellent reusability of an organocatalyst at higher scale, subjected to oxidative conditions, is demonstrated. Mechanistically, labile α-ketosulfone has been detected as the intermediate involved in the DROC process. Theoretical calculations on the key epoxidation step rationalize the observed stereocontrol, highlighting the important role played by the sulfone group.

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of N-substituted tetrahydroquinoxalines via regioselective Heyns rearrangement and stereoselective transfer hydrogenation in one pot

N-Substituted tetrahydroquinoxalines (37 examples) were step-economically obtained in good yield (<97%) and ee (<99%) with readily available substrates. The reaction proceeds through an interesting regioselective Heyns rearrangement/enantioselective transfer hydrogenation in one pot. The substrate scope and the reaction mechanism were systematically investigated.

N-Substituted tetrahydroquinoxalines were step-economically obtained in good yield and ee with readily available substrates.

Exploration of chiral diastereomeric spiroketal (SPIROL)-based phosphinite ligands in asymmetric hydrogenation of heterocycles

New and readily available chiral SPIROL-based diphosphinite ligands (SPIRAPO) have been prepared and employed for iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenations of quinolines, quinoxalines and 2H-1,4-bezoxazin-2-ones. While the structurally similar (R,R,R)-SPIRAPO and (R)-SPINOL-based phosphinites were not the best ligands for these transformations, the (S,R,R)-diastereomer of SPIRAPO was found to be highly effective ligand for the reduction of 20 different heterocyclic systems with loadings as low as S/C = 10 000. This dearomatizative hydrogenation provided direct access to optically active tetrahydroquinolines in high enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee) and excellent yields (up to 99%), and was used to generate 1.75 g of natural alkaloid (-)-(R)-angustureine. This protocol was subsequently extended to achieve asymmetric hydrogenation of quinoxalines and 2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-ones in good to excellent enantioselectivities.

Catalysis, kinetics and mechanisms of organo-iridium enantioselective hydrogenation-reduction

The synthesis of chiral molecules is of great importance to the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, flavour and fragrance industries.

Stereoconvergent, Redox-Neutral Access to Tetrahydroquinoxalines through Relay Epoxide Opening/Amination of Alcohols

We present an economical catalytic procedure to convert readily available 1,2-diaminobenzenes and terminal epoxides into valuable 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalines in a highly enantioselective fashion. This procedure operates through relay zinc and iridium catalysis, and achieves redox-neutral and stereoconvergent production of valuable chiral heterocycles from racemic starting materials with water as the only side product. The use of commercially available reagents and catalysts and a convenient procedure also make this catalytic method attractive for practical application.

Nickel-catalyzed borrowing hydrogen annulations: access to diversified N-heterocycles

An efficient nickel-catalyzed synthesis of diversified N-heterocycles via atom-economic borrowing hydrogen annulations of easily available alcohols and amines.

Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of 4,6-Disubstituted 2-Hydroxypyrimidines

An efficient iridium-catalyzed hydrogenation of 4,6-disubstituted 2-hydroxypyrimidines has been achieved, giving chiral cyclic ureas with excellent diastereoselectivities and up to 96% ee of enantioselectivities. In the presence of the in situ generated hydrogen halide, the equilibrium of the lactame-lactime tautomerism of 2-hydroxypyrimidine is more toward the oxo form with lower aromaticity, which effectively improves the reactivity to facilitate hydrogenation. Moreover, the cyclic ureas could be readily converted into chiral 1,3-diamine derivatives without loss of optical purity.

Synthesis of Chiral Piperazines via Hydrogenation of Pyrazines Activated by Alkyl Halides

A facile method has been developed for the synthesis of chiral piperazines through Ir-catalyzed hydrogenation of pyrazines activated by alkyl halides, giving a wide range of chiral piperazines including 3-substituted as well as 2,3- and 3,5-disubstituted ones with up to 96% ee. The high enantioselectivity, easy scalability, and concise drug synthesis demonstrate the practical utility.