Stereoselective Syntheses of Alcohols, XXI. Addition of γ-Methoxycrotylboronates to Aldehydes

γ-, Diastereo-, and Enantioselective Addition of MEMO-Substituted Allylboron Compounds to Aldimines Catalyzed by Organoboron-Ammonium Complexes

The first catalytic, broadly applicable, efficient, γ-, diastereo-, and enantioselective method for addition of O-substituted allyl-B(pin) compounds to phosphinoylimines (MEM=methoxyethoxymethyl, pin=pinacolato) is presented. The identity of the most effective catalyst and the optimal protecting group for the organoboron reagent were determined by consideration of the steric and electronic requirements at different stages of the catalytic cycle, namely, the generation of the chiral allylboronate, the subsequent 1,3-borotropic shift, and the addition step. Aryl-, heteroaryl-, alkenyl- and alkyl-substituted vicinal phosphinoylamido MEM-ethers were thus accessed in 57-92 % yield, 89:11 to >98:2 γ:α selectivity, 76:24-97:3 diastereomeric ratio, and 90:10-99:1 enantiomeric ratio. The method is scalable, and the phosphinoyl and MEM groups may be removed selectively or simultaneously. Utility is highlighted by enantioselective synthesis of an NK-1 receptor antagonist.

Stereocontrolled synthesis of highly functionalized quaternary carbon centers: a route to alpha-substituted serines

Three in a row! Highly functionalized quaternary amino polyols with three consecutive asymmetric carbon centers have been prepared through tandem hydroboration of allene 1 and addition to an aldehyde (see scheme; Cy = cyclohexyl, TBDPS = tert-butyldiphenylsilyl, Ts = 4-toluenesulfonyl). This one-pot process provides access to advanced intermediates for the enantioselective synthesis of alpha-substituted serines.

(E)-α-Substituted γ-Alkoxyallylboronic Esters as New Reagents: Synthesis and Reactivity toward Aldehydes

We have developed a synthesis of new allylboration reagents based on an allylic rearrangement. This approach led to the alpha-substituted gamma-alkoxyallylboronates 2 with a high stereoselectivity in favor of the E-isomer, independent of the organometallic used. We have also studied the reactivity of these reagents toward aldehydes, showing that the allylboration reaction occurs with an excellent diastereoselectivity to give the anti-diol derivatives 5. Moreover, the sequence can be carried out in a "one-pot" procedure avoiding the purification of allylboronates.

Regioselective Samarium Diiodide Induced Couplings of Carbonyl Compounds with 1,3-Diphenylallene and Alkoxyallenes: A New Route to 4-Hydroxy-1-enol Ethers

Since its introduction into synthetic organic chemistry, samarium diiodide has found broad application in a variety of synthetically important transformations. Herein, we describe the first successful intermolecular additions of samarium ketyls to typical allenes such as 1,3-diphenylallene (7), methoxyallene (12) and benzyloxyallene (25). Reaction of different samarium ketyls with 1,3-diphenylallene (7) occurred exclusively at the central carbon atom of the allene to afford products 9 in moderate to good yields. In contrast, reductive coupling of cyclic ketones to methoxyallene (12) regioselectively provided 4-hydroxy-1-enol ethers 13, which derive from addition to the terminal allene carbon atom of 12, in moderate to good yields. Whereas the E/Z selectivity with respect to the enol ether double bond is low, excellent diastereoselectivity has been observed in certain cases with regard to the ring configuration (e.g. compound 13 b). Studies with deuterated tetrahydrofuran and alcohol were performed to gain information about the reaction mechanism of this coupling process, which involves alkenyl radicals. The couplings of samarium ketyls derived from acyclic ketones and aldehydes gave lower yields, and in several cases cyclopentanols 20 are formed as byproducts. Branched acyclic ketones and conformationally more flexible cyclic ketones such as cycloheptanone led to a relatively high amount of cyclopentanol derivatives 20, whose formation involves an intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer through a geometrically favoured six-membered transition state followed by a cyclization step. The samarium diiodide mediated addition of 8 b to benzyloxyallene (25) afforded the expected enol ethers 26, albeit in only low yield. Additionally, spirocyclic compounds 27 and 28 were obtained, which are formed by a cascade reaction involving an addition/cyclization sequence. In the novel coupling process described here methoxyallene (12) serves as an equivalent of acrolein. The 1,4-dioxygenated products obtained contain a masked aldehyde functionality and are therefore valuable building blocks in organic synthesis.

The configurational stability of an enantioenriched alpha-thiobenzyllithium derivative and the stereochemical course of its electrophilic substitution reactions; synthesis of enantiomerically pure, tertiary benzylic thiols

The lithium compound (S)-7, formed by deprotonation of the (S)-S-1-phenylethyl thiocarbamate (S)-10, is configurationally stable at -70 degrees C. Even at elevated temperatures it racemizes only very slowly. It represents the first essentially enantiopure alpha-thiocarbanion derivative and can be utilized in asymmetric synthesis. Most electrophiles (except proton acids) add to (S)-7 with complete stereoinversion. Cleavage of the substitution products leads to practically enantiopure, tertiary 1-phenylalkanethiols.

Convenient Asymmetric Syntheses of anti-beta-Amino Alcohols

Condensation of allylborane reagents 9 and 12 with aldehydes gave anti-3-[(diphenylmethylene)amino]-1-alken-4-ols 10 and 13 with high relative and absolute stereocontrol. Subsequent deprotection gave the corresponding free anti-3-amino-1-alken-4-ols 11 and 14. Alternatively, reaction of imines 13a, 13f, and 13g with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride and acidic methanol gave, via rearrangement, double inversion, and hydrolysis, the isomeric anti-4-amino-1-alken-3-ols 22, 38a, and 38b in good yield. The stereochemistry of the rearrangement products has been established by a single crystal X-ray study of compound 37 and by chemical correlation.