Synthesis of Cyclic β-Amino Acid Derivatives by Desymmetrization and Lossen Rearrangement of N-Sulfoxy Meso-Succinimides

Bifunctional thiourea-based organocatalysts facilitate an enantioselective desymmetrization and Lossen rearrangement cascade reaction of N-sulfoxy meso-succinimides, resulting in the synthesis of cyclic β-amino acid derivatives. This catalytic system was optimized for bicyclic and tricyclic succinimide substrates affording yields from 61-91% and up to 96:4 er. This reaction proceeds via the group selective addition of the primary alcohol nucleophile to an enantiotopic carbonyl group with sequential rearrangement of the intermediate O-sulfonyl hydroxamate ester.

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α-stereogenic carboxylic acids: recent advances

Chiral carboxylic acids bearing an α-stereogenic center constitute the backbone of many natural products and therapeutic reagents as well as privileged chiral ligands and catalysts. Hence, it is not surprising that a large number of elegant catalytic asymmetric strategies have been developed toward the efficient synthesis of α-chiral carboxylic acids, such as α-hydroxy acids and α-amino acids. In this review, the recent advances in asymmetric synthesis of α-stereogenic free carboxylic acids via organocatalysis and transition metal catalysis are summarized (mainly from 2010 to 2020). The content is organized by the reaction type of the carboxyl source involved, including asymmetric functionalization of substituted carboxylic acids, cyclic anhydrides, α-keto acids, substituted α,β-unsaturated acids and so on. We hope that this review will motivate further interest in catalytic asymmetric synthesis of chiral α-substituted carboxylic acids.

Chiral Thioureas-Preparation and Significance in Asymmetric Synthesis and Medicinal Chemistry

For almost 20 years, thioureas have been experiencing a renaissance of interest with the emerged development of asymmetric organocatalysts. Due to their relatively high acidity and strong hydrogen bond donor capability, they differ significantly from ureas and offer, appropriately modified, great potential as organocatalysts, chelators, drug candidates, etc. The review focuses on the family of chiral thioureas, presenting an overview of the current state of knowledge on their synthesis and selected applications in stereoselective synthesis and drug development.

Access to Anti or Syn 2-Amino-1,3-diol Scaffolds from a Common Decarboxylative Aldol Adduct

A straightforward synthetic pathway allowing the access to anti or syn 2-amino-1,3-diol scaffolds is presented. The strategy relies on a diastereoselective organocatalyzed decarboxylative aldol reaction of a N-Boc-hemimalonate that is easily formed from commercial N-Boc-diethyl malonate. Although this method has been optimized previously with the N-Bz-hemimalonate analogue, this key step was reinvestigated with the N-Boc derivative to improve the required reaction time, the yield, and the diastereoselectivity. The new conditions enhance this transformation, and quantitative yields and anti/syn ratios up to 96:4 can be obtained. The anti aldol product was easily isolated in pure form and then taken forward as the key precursor in the preparation of both a set of ten N-/O-alkylated anti 2-amino-1,3-diol derivatives and the syn congeners.

Novel amide-functionalized chloramphenicol base bifunctional organocatalysts for enantioselective alcoholysis of meso-cyclic anhydrides

A family of novel chloramphenicol base-amide organocatalysts possessing a NH functionality at C-1 position as monodentate hydrogen bond donor were developed and evaluated for enantioselective organocatalytic alcoholysis of meso-cyclic anhydrides. These structural diversified organocatalysts were found to induce high enantioselectivity in alcoholysis of anhydrides and was successfully applied to the asymmetric synthesis of (S)-GABOB.