Enantioselective synthesis of β-amino alcohols and α-amino acids via a copper catalyzed addition of diorganozinc reagents to N-phosphinoylimines

Stereoselective formation of amines by nucleophilic addition to azomethine derivatives

This chapter describes state-of-the-art methods to prepare α-chiral amines by the addition of nonstabilized nucleophiles to imine derivatives. The first part of the chapter illustrates the most effective diastereoselective addition reaction (substrate controlled and chiral auxiliary based methods) whereas the second part focuses on catalytic asymmetric methods.

Bismuth-catalyzed addition of silyl nucleophiles to carbonyl compounds and imines

Bismuth triflate was found to be an efficient catalyst both in the Mannich-type reaction of silyl enolates and in the Sakurai reaction of allyltrimethylsilane with N-alkoxycarbonylamino sulfones. The reactions proceeded smoothly with a low catalyst loading of Bi(OTf)(3)·4H(2)O (0.5-5.0 mol%) to afford the corresponding protected β-amino carbonyl compounds and homoallylic amines in very good yields (up to 96%). The latter compounds could also be obtained via a bismuth-mediated three-component reaction. We have also developed an efficient vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction of 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)furan with various aromatic aldehydes mediated by bismuth triflate in a low catalyst loading (1 mol%). The reaction proceeds rapidly and affords the corresponding 5-[hydroxy(aryl)methyl]furan-2(5H)-ones in high yields with good to very good diastereoselectivities (diastereoisomeric ratios>98:2). Such selectivities, although previously reported with other Lewis acids, could be achieved with a much lower catalyst loading. 5-[Hydroxy(alkyl)methyl]furan-2(5H)-ones derived from ketones could also be obtained with good diastereoselectivities. The vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction has also been extended to 2,2-dimethyl-6-methylene-4-(trimethyl-silyloxy)-1,3-diox-4-ene using 1 mol% of Bi(OTf)(3)·4H(2)O.

Formation of C-C Bonds via Iridium-Catalyzed Hydrogenation and Transfer Hydrogenation

The formation of C-C bonds via catalytic hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation enables carbonyl and imine addition in the absence of stoichiometric organometallic reagents. In this review, iridium-catalyzed C-C bond-forming hydrogenations and transfer hydrogenations are surveyed. These processes encompass selective, atom-economic methods for the vinylation and allylation of carbonyl compounds and imines. Notably, under transfer hydrogenation conditions, alcohol dehydrogenation drives reductive generation of organoiridium nucleophiles, enabling carbonyl addition from the aldehyde or alcohol oxidation level. In the latter case, hydrogen exchange between alcohols and π-unsaturated reactants generates electrophile-nucleophile pairs en route to products of hydro-hydroxyalkylation, representing a direct method for the functionalization of carbinol C-H bonds.

Probing the importance of the hemilabile site of bis(phosphine) monoxide ligands in the copper-catalyzed addition of diethylzinc to N-phosphinoylimines: discovery of new effective chiral ligands

The hemilabile ligand Me-DuPHOS(O) 2 has proven to be a successful ligand for the copper-catalyzed addition of diethylzinc to N-phosphinoylimines. The corresponding alpha-chiral amines were obtained in high yields (80-98%) and enantiomeric ratios (19.0:1 to 99.0:1 er). Furthermore, this Cu* 2 catalytic system has been shown to be effective in the addition of diethylzinc to nitroalkenes and in the reduction of beta,beta-disubstituted vinyl phenyl sulfones. This paper describes a general structure/selectivity study in which the three ligand subunits (chiral phospholane-linker-labile coordinating group (Z)) are systematically modified and tested in the copper-catalyzed addition of diethylzinc to the N-phosphinoylimine 1 derived from benzaldehyde. This study led to the discovery of a new class of effective chiral ligands that combine a chiral phospholane unit and an achiral phosphine oxide.

Catalytic enantioselective addition of diorganozinc reagents to vinyl sulfones

An efficient method for the catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of diorganozinc reagents to vinyl sulfones is reported. Using a Binap*Cu complex, enantioselectivities up to 98% ee and high yields can be attained for a variety of substrates. Several dialkylzinc reagents are also compatible with this procedure.

Redox-Neutral Synthesis of β-Amino Aldehydes from Imines by an Alkynylation/Hydration Sequence

N-Protected beta-amino aldehydes have been prepared starting from imines through a sequence involving a Zn-mediated direct alkynylation followed by a Ru-catalyzed anti-Markovnikov alkyne hydration. The rate and the efficiency of the latter reaction are enhanced by the use of microwave irradiation. The possibility to carry out a one-pot Ru-catalyzed hydration/oxidation process from a terminal alkyne to a carboxylic acid was demonstrated, which provided direct access to a N-protected beta-amino acid from the corresponding terminal alkyne.

Asymmetric Addition of Dimethylzinc to N-Tosylarylimines Catalyzed by a Rhodium−Diene Complex toward the Synthesis of Chiral 1-Arylethylamines

A rhodium complex coordinated with a chiral diene, (R,R)-2,5-diphenylbicyclo[2.2.2]octa-2,5-diene (Ph-bod), catalyzed the asymmetric addition of dimethylzinc to N-tosylarylimines to give high yields of chiral 1-aryl-1-ethylamines with high enantioselectivity (94-98% ee).