Temperature Dual Enantioselective Control in a Rhodium-Catalyzed Michael-Type Friedel-Crafts Reaction: A Mechanistic Explanation

Origin of enantioselectivity reversal in Lewis acid-catalysed Michael additions relying on the same chiral source

Enantiodivergence is an important concept in asymmetric catalysis that enables access to both enantiomers of a product relying on the same chiral source as reagent. This strategy is particularly appealing as an alternate approach when only one enantiomer of the required chiral ligand is readily accessible but both enantiomers of the product are desired. Despite the potential significance, general catalytic methods to effectively reverse enantioselectivity by changing an achiral reaction parameter remain underdeveloped. Herein we report our studies focused on elucidating the origin of metal-controlled enantioselectivity reversal in Lewis acid-catalysed Michael additions. Rigorous experimental and computational investigations reveal that specific Lewis and Brønsted acid interactions between the substrate and ligand change depending on the ionic radius of the metal catalyst, and are key factors responsible for the observed enantiodivergence. This holds potential to further our understanding of and facilitate the design of future enantiodivergent transformations.

Enantiodivergence is an important concept in asymmetric catalysis that enables access to both enantiomers of a product relying on the same chiral source as reagent.

A robust heterogeneous Co-MOF catalyst in azide–alkyne cycloaddition and Friedel–Crafts reactions as well as hydrosilylation of alkynes

A robust Co(ii) MOF with high stability was prepared to promote the azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction, Friedel–Crafts reactions of indoles and hydrosilylation reactions of alkynes.

Catalytic Enantioselective Alkylation of Indoles with trans-4-Methylthio-β-Nitrostyrene

The reaction of the rhodium aqua-complex (S _Rh,R _C)-[Cp*Rh{(R)-Prophos} (OH₂)][SbF₆]₂ [Cp* = C₅Me₅, Prophos = propane-1,2-diyl-bis(diphenylphosphane)] (1) with trans-4-methylthio-β-nitrostyrene (MTNS) gives two linkage isomers (S _Rh,R _C)-[Cp*Rh{(R)-Prophos}(κ¹ O-MTNS)]²⁺ (3-O) and (S _Rh,R _C)-[Cp*Rh{(R)-Prophos}(κ¹ S-MTNS)]²⁺ (3-S) in which the nitrostyrene binds the metal through one of the oxygen atoms of the nitro group or through the sulfur atom, respectively. Both isomers are in equilibrium in dichloromethane solution, the equilibrium constant being affected by the temperature in such a way that when the temperature increases, the relative concentration of the oxygen-bonded isomer 3-O increases. The homologue aqua-complex of iridium, (S _Ir,R _C)-[Cp*Ir{(R)-Prophos}(OH₂)][SbF₆]₂ (2), also reacts with MTNS; but only the sulfur-coordinated isomer (S _Ir,R _C)-[Cp*Ir{(R)-Prophos}(κ¹ S-MTNS)]²⁺ (4-S) is detected in the solution by NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of 3-S and 4-S have been elucidated by X-ray diffractometric methods. Complexes 1 and 2 catalyze the Friedel-Crafts reaction of indole, N-methylindole, 2-methylindole, or N-methyl-2-methylindole with MTNS. Up to 93% ee has been achieved for N-methyl-2-methylindole. With this indole, the ee increases as conversion increases, ee at 263 K is lower than that obtained at 298 K, and the sign of the chirality of the major enantiomer changes at temperatures below 263 K. Detection and characterization of the catalytic intermediates metal-aci-nitro and the free aci-nitro compound as well as detection of the Friedel-Crafts (FC)-adduct complex involved in the catalysis allowed us to propose a plausible double cycle that accounts for the catalytic observations.

Reversal of enantioselectivity in chiral metal complex-catalyzed asymmetric reactions

Asymmetric catalysis represents an efficient approach to prepare optically active compounds. Commonly, both enantiomers of a chiral catalyst are used to synthesize two enantiomers of a chiral compound, however, it is quite difficult to obtain the catalysts with opposite configurations in most cases. Thus, chemists pay much attention to look for new strategies. Enantiodivergent synthesis demonstrates cost effectiveness and practicability to solve this issue by tuning the reaction parameters with the use of ligands derived from a single chiral source. In 2003 and 2008, two reviews have commendably summarized the enantiodivergent reactions, and some representative examples were illustrated. In this review, reversal of enantioselectivity in metal complex-mediated asymmetric catalysis from 2008 to present was updated. Several factors of delivering enantiodivergence are introduced, including metal salts, ligands, additives, solvents, temperature and so on.

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.

Access to C5-Alkylated Indolines/Indoles via Michael-Type Friedel-Crafts Alkylation Using Aryl-Nitroolefins

A straightforward synthetic route toward C5-alkylated indolines/indoles has been developed. The strategy is composed of Zn(OTf)₂-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation of N-benzylindolines with nitroolefins, and a series of diverse indolines was first obtained in up to 99% yield. This reaction provides a direct and practical route to a variety of the C5-alkylated indolines which were also utilized for accessing corresponding indoles. Indoline derivatives with free NH groups could be obtained through an N-deprotection reaction. Moreover, the primary alkyl nitro groups in both indolines and indoles are amenable to further synthetic elaborations, thereby broadening the diversity of the products.

Enantioselectivity in CPA-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reaction of indole and N-tosylimines: a challenge for guiding models

Reaction models derived from theoretical investigations for predicting the enantioselectivity of organocatalytic reactions are very useful, but difficult to formulate for the Friedel–Crafts reaction of indole and N-tosylimines.

Discovery of temperature-dependent, autoinductive reversal of enantioselectivity: palladium-mediated [3+3]-annulation of 4-hydroxycoumarins

An unusual temperature-dependent autoinductive reversal of enantioselectivity (TARE) was discovered in an asymmetric palladium-mediated [3+3]-annulation of 4-hydroxycoumarin with Morita–Baylis–Hillman acetate.

Unusual reversal of enantioselectivity in the asymmetric autocatalysis of pyrimidyl alkanol triggered by chiral aromatic alkanols and amines

Temperature dependent inversion of enantioselectivity was observed in the asymmetric autocatalysis reaction when triggered by a wide scope of chiral alcohols and amines.