Enantioselektive ?-Alkylierung von Asparagin- und Glutamins�ure �ber die Dilithium-enolatocarboxylate von 2-[3-Benzoyl-2-(tert-butyl)-1-methyl-5-oxoimidazolidin-4-yl]essigs�ure und 3-[3-Benzoyl-2-(tert-butyl)-1-methyl-5-oxoimidazolidin-4-yl]propions�ure

Sequential Ruthenium Catalysis for Olefin Isomerization and Oxidation: Application to the Synthesis of Unusual Amino Acids

How can you use a ruthenium isomerization catalyst twice? A ruthenium-catalyzed sequence for the formal two-carbon scission of allyl groups to carboxylic acids has been developed. The reaction includes an initial isomerization step using commercially available ruthenium catalysts followed by in situ transformation of the complex to a metal-oxo species, which is capable of catalyzing subsequent oxidation reactions. The method enables enantioselective syntheses of challenging α-tri- and tetrasubstituted α-amino acids including an expedient total synthesis of the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam.

Structure determination using the method of continuous variation: lithium phenolates solvated by protic and dipolar aprotic ligands

The method of continuous variation (MCV) was used in conjunction with (6)Li NMR spectroscopy to characterize four lithium phenolates solvated by a range of solvents, including N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, Et2O, pyridine, protic amines, alcohols, and highly dipolar aprotic solvents. Dimers, trimers, and tetramers were observed, depending on the precise lithium phenolate-solvent combinations. Competition experiments (solvent swaps) provide insights into the relative propensities toward mixed solvation.

Enantioselective synthesis of anti-beta-substituted gamma,delta-unsaturated amino acids: a highly selective asymmetric thio-Claisen rearrangement

A novel synthesis of optically active anti-beta-substituted gamma,delta-unsaturated amino acids via a thio-Claisen rearrangement has been achieved. A 2,5-diphenylpyrrolidine was used as a C2-symmetric chiral auxiliary to control the stereochemistry, giving good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities.

Lithium diisopropylamide-mediated reactions of imines, unsaturated esters, epoxides, and aryl carbamates: influence of hexamethylphosphoramide and ethereal cosolvents on reaction mechanisms

Several reactions mediated by lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) with added hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) are described. The N-isopropylimine of cyclohexanone lithiates via an ensemble of monomer-based pathways. Conjugate addition of LDA/HMPA to an unsaturated ester proceeds via di- and tetra-HMPA-solvated dimers. Deprotonation of norbornene epoxide by LDA/HMPA proceeds via an intermediate metalated epoxide as a mixed dimer with LDA. Ortholithiation of an aryl carbamate proceeds via a mono-HMPA-solvated monomer-based pathway. Dependencies on THF and other ethereal cosolvents suggest that secondary-shell solvation effects are important in some instances. The origins of the inordinate mechanistic complexity are discussed.

Reaction of Ketones with Lithium Hexamethyldisilazide: Competitive Enolizations and 1,2-Additions

Reaction of 2-methylcyclohexanone with lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDS, TMS(2)NLi) displays highly solvent-dependent chemoselectivity. LiHMDS in THF/toluene effect enolization. Rate studies using in situ IR spectroscopy are consistent with a THF concentration-dependent monomer-based pathway. LiHMDS in pyrrolidine/toluene affords exclusively 1,2-addition of the pyrrolidine fragment to form an alpha-amino alkoxide-LiHMDS mixed dimer shown to be a pair of conformers by using (6)Li, (15)N, and (13)C NMR spectroscopies. Rate studies are consistent with a monomer-based transition structure [(TMS(2)NLi)(ketone)(pyrrolidine)(3)](). The partitioning between enolization and 1,2-addition is kinetically controlled.

Preparation of 4'-substituted thymidines by substitution of the thymidine 5'-esters

tert-Butyl thymidylate 3 was prepared from thymidine 1 in six steps and 67% overall yield. When the lithium trianion of 3 (prepared by treatment of 3 with excess LDA and then excess tert-butyllithum) is reacted with electrophiles, trapping occurs stereoselectively from either the alpha- or beta-face depending on the electrophile (Scheme 1). Deuterioacetic acid in deuteriomethanol affords mainly the alpha-deuterated product (4a/4b = 2.4:1) while all other electrophiles, e.g., phenylselenenyl chloride, allyl bromide, and N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI), give predominately (or completely) the products of attack from the beta-face (5bcd/4bcd = 3.7:1 to 100:0). The structures of the products were determined by coupling constant analysis of both the initial compounds and the diols 6bcd prepared by ester reduction and by formation of the acetonides 7bc. The methyl ester of the 3'-epimer of thymidylic acid 9 was also prepared from thymidine 1 in nine steps and 74% overall yield. When the lithium trianion of 9 (prepared by treatment of 9 with excess LDA and then excess tert-butyllithum) is reacted with electrophiles, trapping also occurs stereoselectively with attack on either the alpha- or beta-face depending on the electrophile (Scheme 2). Again, deuterioacetic acid in deuteriomethanol affords mainly the beta-deuterated product (11a/10a = 1.6:1) while all other electrophiles, e.g., phenylselenenyl chloride, methyl iodide, allyl bromide, and NFSI, gave predominately (or completely) the product of attack from the alpha-face (8.7:1 to 100: 0). Again, the structures of the products were determined by coupling constant analysis of both the initial compounds, and the diols 12b-e were prepared by reduction of the ester and by formation of the acetonides 13bcd. A rationale has been developed using molecular mechanics calculations to explain the diastereoselectivity that involves staggered axial attack on the sp(2) carbon opposite to the pseudoaxial alkoxy group in the most stable half-chair conformation of the enolates, as shown in Schemes 3-5.

Self-regeneration of stereocenters: a practical enantiospecific synthesis of LFA-1 antagonist BIRT-377

[reaction: see text] An efficient enantiospecific synthesis of the LFA-1 antagonist BIRT-377 has been achieved in 43% overall yield in eight steps. The key transformations involve the stereospecific formation of the trans imidazolidinone 7, subsequent alkylation, and the efficient hydrolysis of disubstituted imidazolidinone 9. The process is practical, robust, and cost-effective; it has been successfully implemented in the pilot plant to produce multikilogram quantities of the drug BIRT-377.

How to build optically active alpha-amino acids

Various methodologies published in the literature dealing with alpha-amino carboxylic acid asymmetric synthesis are presented in a digest form. In each case, only some recent or most typical works are mentioned.