Half-Sandwich Rhodium (and Iridium) Complexes as Enantioselective Catalysts for the 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of 3,4-Dihydroisoquinoline N-Oxide to Methacrylonitrile

Dynamic Configuration on a Chiral-at-Rhodium Catalyst Featuring a Flexible Tetradentate Ligand

The unique dynamic configuration of an enantioselective chiral-at-metal catalyst based on Rh(III) and a non-chiral tetradentate ligand is described and resolved. At room temperature, the catalyst undergoes a dynamic configuration process leading to the formation of two interconvertible metal-stereoisomers, remarkably without racemization. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that this metal-isomerization proceeds via a concerted transition state, which features a trigonal bipyramidal geometry stabilized by the tetradentate ligand. Furthermore, the resolved enantiopure complex shows high catalytic enantioinduction in the Friedel-Crafts reaction, achieving enantiomeric ratios as high as 99 : 1.

Asymmetric Synthesis of C1-Chiral THIQs with Imines in Isoquinoline Rings

Tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) scaffolds are important structural units that widely exist in a variety of natural alkaloids and synthetic analogues. Asymmetric synthesis of C1-chiral THIQ is of particular importance due to its significant pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and other biological activities, and the usually distinct bioactivities exhibited by the two enantiomers. In this review, we highlight the significant advances achieved in this field, present recent asymmetric synthesis with imines in isoquinoline rings ordered according to the sequence of various substrate types. New strategies could be inspired and more types of substrates need further development.

1 Introduction

2 Catalytic Asymmetric Reaction of Dihydroisoquinolines

2.1 Asymmetric Reactions of 3,4-Dihydroisoquinolines

2.2 Asymmetric Reactions of Dihydroisoquinolinium Salts

2.3 Asymmetric Reactions of C,N-Cyclic N′-Acyl Azomethine Imines

2.3.1 NED [3+2] Cycloaddition of C,N-Cyclic N′-Acyl Azomethine Imines

2.3.2 IED [3+2] Cycloaddition of C,N-Cyclic N′-Acyl Azomethine Imines

2.3.3 [3+3] Cycloaddition of C,N-Cyclic N′-Acyl Azomethine Imines

2.3.4 [4+3] Cycloaddition of C,N-Cyclic N′-Acyl Azomethine Imines

2.3.5 Asymmetric Addition Reactions to C,N-Cyclic N′-Acyl Azomethine Imines

2.4 Asymmetric Reactions of C,N-Cyclic Nitrones

3 Catalytic Asymmetric Mannich Reactions of Isoquinolines

4 Conclusions and Perspectives

Alkenylazaarenes as dipolarophiles in 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrones: regioselectivity-switchable and highly diastereoselective synthesis of multisubstituted isoxazolidines

Metal free 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between alkenylazaarenes and nitrones has been developed for the synthesis of 4-substituted isoxazolidines and 5-substituted isoxazolidines in good yields and selectivities.

Regio- and diastereoselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of α-aryl nitrone with methacrolein. A theoretical investigation

The mechanism, regio- and diastereoselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of N-iso-propyl,α-(4-trifluoromethyl)-phenyl nitrone with methacrolein yielding the isoxazolidine cycloadduct has been studied at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory.

Asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions between enals and nitrones catalysed by half-sandwich rhodium or iridium diphosphane complexes

The aqua complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(PP*)(H₂O)][SbF₆]₂(M = Rh, Ir; PP* = chiral diphosphane) catalyse the asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrones to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. Enantioselectivity up to 99% ee was achieved.

Half-sandwich arene ruthenium complexes: synthetic strategies and relevance in catalysis

Half-sandwich arene ruthenium complexes exhibit versatile chemistry, serve as excellent precursors and find potential applications in many organic transformations. This review mainly focuses on the chemistry of piano-stool ruthenium complexes with special emphasis on the achiral or chiral-at-ruthenium center. Also, it deals with the synthesis, nomenclature and stereochemistry of arene ruthenium complexes along with mechanistic insights into the epimerization reactions and their applications in catalytic organic transformations with some selected examples.

Chiral-at-metal complexes and their catalytic applications in organic synthesis

This tutorial review provides an introduction to the synthesis and characterization of chiral-at-metal complexes and their catalytic application in organic transformations. The synthetic access to these architectures either via chiral resolution or by employment of chiral ligands is described, characterization techniques for the complexes are referenced and the application of the R/S nomenclature is explained. Racemization and epimerization processes are often observed for the title compounds; the article gives mechanistic insights to these processes and describes how to recognize and document them. Finally, key catalytic applications in organic synthesis are presented and how the molecular architectures of the chiral-at-metal complexes lead to stereodifferentiation and, thus to enantiomeric excesses in the products.

Asymmetric Lewis acid-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions

Highly tuned, one-point binding chiral iron and ruthenium complexes selectively coordinate and activate α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones toward asymmetric catalytic Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions. Here we focus on the application of these transition-metal Lewis acids to asymmetric catalytic 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between enals and cyclic and acyclic nitrones as well as aryl nitrile oxides to give isoxazolidines and isoxazolines, respectively.