Reductive cross-coupling reactions (RCCR) between CN and CO for β-amino alcohol synthesis

Study on Pyridine-Boryl Radical-Promoted, Ketyl Radical-Mediated Carbon-Carbon Bond-Forming Reactions

Ketyl radicals are synthetically versatile reactive species, but their applications have been hampered by harsh generation conditions employing highly reducing metals. Recently, the pyridine-boryl radical received wide attention as a promising organic reductant because of its mildness as well as convenience in handling. While probing the utility of the pyridine-boryl radical, our group observed facile pinacol coupling reactivity that had not been known at that time. This serendipitous finding was successfully rendered into a practical synthesis of tetraaryl-1,2-diols in up to 99% yield within 1 h. Subsequently, upon examinations of various reaction manifolds, a diastereoselective ketyl-olefin cyclization was accomplished to produce cycloalkanols such as trans-2-alkyl-1-indanols. Compared to the previous methods, the stereocontrolling ability was considerably enhanced by taking advantage of the structurally modifiable boryl group that would be present near the bond-forming site. In this full account, our synthetic efforts with the O-boryl ketyl radicals are disclosed in detail, covering the discovery, optimization, scope expansion, and mechanistic analysis, including density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Asymmetric Cross-Coupling of Aldehydes with Diverse Carbonyl or Iminyl Compounds by Photoredox-Mediated Cobalt Catalysis

The asymmetric cross-coupling of unsaturated bonds, hampered by their comparable polarity and reactivity, as well as the scarcity of efficient catalytic systems capable of diastereo- and enantiocontrol, presents a significant hurdle in organic synthesis. In this study, we introduce a highly adaptable photochemical cobalt catalysis framework that facilitates chemo- and stereoselective reductive cross-couplings between common aldehydes with a broad array of carbonyl and iminyl compounds, including N-acylhydrazones, aryl ketones, aldehydes, and α-keto esters. Our methodology hinges on a synergistic mechanism driven by photoredox-induced single-electron reduction and subsequent radical-radical coupling, all precisely guided by a chiral cobalt catalyst. Various optically enriched β-amino alcohols and unsymmetrical 1,2-diol derivatives (80 examples) have been synthesized with good yields (up to 90% yield) and high stereoselectivities (up to >20:1 dr, 99% ee). Of particular note, this approach accomplishes unattainable photochemical asymmetric transformations of aldehydes with disparate carbonyl partners without reliance on any external photosensitizer, thereby further emphasizing its versatility and cost-efficiency.

Electroreductive Access to 1,2-Aminoalcohols via Cross Aza-Pinacol Coupling of N-Acyl Diarylketimines and Aldehydes

We present highly efficient and operationally simple synthetic methods for 1,2-aminoalcohols via electroreductive cross aza-pinacol coupling between N-acyl diarylketimines and aldehydes. Preliminary mechanistic studies including cyclic voltammetry and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the reaction is instigated by selective electrochemical single electron transfer (SET) of N-acylketimines. The developed electrochemical protocol is compatible to biorelevant functional groups, enabling late-stage functionalization of pharmacophores.

Brønsted-Acid-Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrization of 1,3-Diols: Access to Chiral β-Amino Alcohol Derivatives

Herein, we describe a Brønsted-acid-catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of 1,3-diols with alkynes through a hydroalkoxylation/hydrolysis process. The reaction leads to the atom-economical synthesis of valuable chiral β-amino alcohols under mild reaction conditions. Further synthetic transformations based on the β-amino alcohol moiety provide divergent approaches toward chiral N-containing heterocycles.

Parallel kinetic resolution of aziridines via chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed apparent hydrolytic ring-opening

We report a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed apparent hydrolytic ring-opening reaction of racemic aziridines in a regiodivergent parallel kinetic resolution manner. Harnessing the acyloxy-assisted strategy, the highly stereocontrolled nucleophilic ring-opening of aziridines with water is achieved. Different kinds of aziridines are applicable in the process, giving a variety of enantioenriched aromatic or aliphatic amino alcohols with up to 99% yields and up to >99.5 : 0.5 enantiomeric ratio. Preliminary mechanistic study as well as product elaborations were inducted as well.

Cr-Catalyzed Asymmetric Cross Aza-Pinacol Couplings for β-Amino Alcohol Synthesis

Chiral β-amino alcohols are crucial structural motifs found in pharmaceuticals, natural products, and chiral ligands in asymmetric catalysis. Despite previous advances, the development of catalytic approaches to access β-amino alcohols bearing vicinal stereocenters from readily available chemicals remains a prominent challenge. Herein, we describe the Cr-catalyzed asymmetric cross aza-pinacol coupling of aldehydes and N-sulfonyl imines. This protocol proceeds in a radical-polar crossover manner from the intermediacy of an α-amino radical instead of a ketyl radical. Key to the success is using a chiral chromium catalyst, which plays a triple role in the chemoselective single-electron reduction of the imine, fast radical interception to inhibit radical addition to imines, and chemo- and stereoselective addition to aldehydes instead of imines. This method provides a modular and efficient approach to accessing diverse β-amino alcohols bearing vicinal stereocenters.

Studies Toward Improved Enantiocontrol in the Asymmetric Cu-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Ketones and Allenamides: 1,2-Aminoalcohol Synthesis

Herein, we report the development of an improved system for the Cu-catalyzed enantioselective reductive coupling of ketones and allenamides through the optimization of the allenamide to avoid an on-cycle rearrangement. High enantioselectivities could be obtained for a variety of ketones. Use of the acyclic allenamides described herein selectively generated anti-diastereomers in contrast to cyclic allenamides that were previously shown to favor the syn-form. A rationale for this change in diastereoselectivity is also presented.

Kukhtin-Ramirez-Reaction-Inspired Deprotection of Sulfamidates for the Synthesis of Amino Sugars

Herein, we present a mild strategy for deprotecting cyclic sulfamidates via the Kukhtin-Ramirez reaction to access amino sugars. The method features the removal of the sulfonic group of cyclic sulfamidates, which occurs through an N-H insertion reaction that implicates the Kukhtin-Ramirez adducts, followed by a base-promoted reductive N-S bond cleavage. The mild reaction conditions of the protocol enable the formation of amino alcohols including analogs that bear multiple functional groups.

Palladium-Catalyzed Access to Benzocyclobutenone-Derived Ketonitrones via C(sp2)-H Functionalization

The palladium-catalyzed C(sp2)-H functionalization of bromoaryl aldonitrones leading to benzocyclobutenone-derived ketonitrones is described. This method allows for the preparation of a wide range of strained, four-membered ketonitrones with broad functional group tolerance. Downstream transformations of the formed products were readily demonstrated, illustrating the synthetic utility of the obtained benzocyclobutenone-derived nitrones for the construction of polycyclic nitrogen-containing scaffolds.

A Diastereodivergent and Enantioselective Approach to syn- and anti-Diamines: Development of 2-Azatrienes for Cu-Catalyzed Reductive Couplings with Imines That Furnish Allylic Amines

We introduce a new reagent class, 2-azatrienes, as a platform for catalytic enantioselective synthesis of allylic amines. Herein, we demonstrate their promise by a diastereodivergent synthesis of syn- and anti-1,2-diamines through their Cu-bis(phosphine)-catalyzed reductive couplings with imines. With Ph-BPE as the supporting ligand, anti-diamines are obtained (up to 91% yield, >20:1 dr, and >99:1 er), and with the rarely utilized t-Bu-BDPP, syn-diamines are generated (up to 76% yield, 1:>20 dr, and 97:3 er).

Synthesis of 1,2-Aminoalcohols through Enantioselective Aminoallylation of Ketones by Cu-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling

Herein, we report the development of a catalytic enantioselective addition of N-substituted allyl equivalents to ketone electrophiles through use of Cu-catalyzed reductive coupling to access important chiral 1,2-aminoalcohol synthons in high levels of regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity. Factors affecting enantioinduction are discussed including the identification of a reversible ketone allylation step that has not been previously reported in Cu-catalyzed reductive coupling.

Ru-Tethered (R,R)-TsDPEN with DMAB as an efficient catalytic system for high enantioselective one-pot synthesis of chiral β-aminol via asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

This work reflects Ru-tethered-TsDPEN as an active chiral catalyst for one pot selective synthesis of optically active α-substituted alcohols and its derivatives from α-bromo ketones in the presence of dimethylamine borane (DMAB) as the hydrogen source.

One-pot method for the synthesis of 1-aryl-2-aminoalkanol derivatives from the corresponding amides or nitriles

We have identified a novel one-pot method for the synthesis of β-amino alcohols, which is based on C–H bond hydroxylation at the benzylic α-carbon atom with a subsequent nitrile or amide functional group reduction. This cascade process uses molecular oxygen as an oxidant and sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum hydride as a reductant. The substrate scope was examined on 30 entries and, although the respective products were provided in moderate yields only, the above simple protocol may serve as a direct and powerful entry to the sterically congested 1,2-amino alcohols that are difficult to prepare by other routes. The plausible mechanistic rationale for the observed results is given and the reaction was applied to a synthesis of a potentially bioactive target.

A one-pot method for β-amino alcohol synthesis based on α-hydroxylation and subsequent amide or nitrile functional group reduction has been identified and examined.

Stereodivergent Asymmetric Synthesis of α,β-Disubstituted β-Aminoalkylboronic Acid Derivatives via Group-Selective Protodeboronation Enabling Access to the Elusive Anti Isomer

Chiral β-aminoalkylboronates generate growing interest as versatile synthetic building blocks to access β-aminoalcohols and other useful compounds, and also as bioisosteres of β-amino acids in drug discovery. In this study, the lack of methodology to access both syn and anti diastereomers of optically enriched, acyclic α,β-disubstituted β-aminoalkylboronates is addressed with the development of a divergent, diastereoselective strategy for the monoprotodeboration of β-amino gem-bis(boronate) precursors. To this end, new reaction conditions were successfully optimized to provide the elusive anti diastereomer by inverting a sequence of desulfinylation and protodeboronation. The desired syn or anti isomers are isolated independently in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivity (up to >20:1 dr) for a wide scope of substituents. The diastereotopic group selectivity of the new conditions yielding the anti isomer is rationalized by invoking a reactive rotamer featuring two ammonium-boronate hydrogen bonds, which enables phosphate coordination to boron with a concomitant, stereoretentive protonation of the least sterically hindered C-B bond. The accessibility and utility of both diastereomers of these α,β-disubstituted β-aminoalkylboronates is exemplified with the functionalization of the amino group, stereospecific oxidation to β-amino alcohols and C-C bond transformations of the secondary alkylboronate, and the preparation of free boronic acids and hemiboronic heterocycles.

Amino Alcohol Acrylonitriles as Activators of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway: An Unexpected MTT Phenotypic Screening Outcome

Lead (Z)-N-(4-(2-cyano-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)vinyl)phenyl)acetamide, 1 showed MCF-7 GI₅₀ =30 nM and 400-fold selective c.f. MCF10A (normal breast tissue). Acetamide moiety modification (13 a-g) to introduce additional hydrophobicity was favoured with MCF-7 breast cancer cell activity enhanced at 1.3 nM. Other analogues were potent against the HT29 colon cancer cell line at 23 nM. Textbook SAR data was observed in the MCF-7 cell line, in an MTT assay, via the ortho (17 a), meta (17 b) and para (13 f). The amino alcohol -OH moiety was pivotal, but no stereochemical preference noted. But, these data did not fit our homology modelling expectations. Aberrant MTT ((3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) screening results and metabolic interference confirmed by sulforhodamine B (SRB) screening. Interfering analogues resulted in 120 and 80-fold CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 amplification, with no upregulation of SULT1A1. This is consistent with activation of the AhR pathway. Piperidine per-deuteration reduced metabolic inactivation. 3-OH / 4-OH piperidine analogues showed differential MTT and SRB activity supporting MTT assay metabolic inactivation. Data supports piperidine 3-OH, but not the 4-OH, as a CYP substrate. This family of β-amino alcohol substituted 3,4-dichlorophenylacetonitriles show broad activity modulated via the AhR pathway. By SRB analysis the most potent analogue was 23 b, (Z)-3-(4-(3-(4-phenylpiperidin-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-acrylonitrile.

Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Cross-Coupling of Aldehydes and Imines

A copper-catalyzed enantioselective reductive cross-coupling using aromatic aldehydes and imines, producing chiral β-amino alcohols, is described. The catalytic formation of enantioenriched chiral α-alkoxyalkylcopper(I) species from aromatic aldehydes and the subsequent reaction with imine electrophiles are attractive features of this protocol.

An entry to non-racemic β-tertiary-β-amino alcohols, building blocks for the synthesis of aziridine, piperazine, and morpholine scaffolds

The synthesis of α-dialkyl-substituted non-racemic allyl alcohols and their transformation into enantiomerically enriched 1,1-dialkylated 1,2-aminoalcohols, aziridines, morpholines and piperazines is reported.

Access to a Catalytically Generated Umpolung Reagent through the Use of Cu-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Ketones and Allenes for the Synthesis of Chiral Vicinal Aminoalcohol Synthons

We report the development of a stereoselective method for the allylation of ketones utilizing N-substituted allyl equivalents generated from a chiral allenamide. By employing N-heterocyclic carbenes as ligands for the Cu catalyst, good branched selectivity can be obtained with high diastereocontrol. This methodology allows access to a catalytically generated, polarity-reversed (umpolung) allyl nucleophile to enable the preparation of chiral 1,2-aminoalcohol synthons containing a dissonant functional group relationship.

Multi-Catalytic Route for the Synthesis of (S)-Tembamide

Enantiopure β-amino alcohols constitute one of the most significant building blocks for the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Despite the availability of a range of chiral β-amino alcohols from a chiral pool, there is a growing demand for new enantioselective synthetic routes to vicinal amino alcohols and their derivatives. In the present study, an asymmetric 2-step catalytic route that converts 4-anisaldehyde into a β-amino alcohol derivative, (S)-tembamide, with excellent enantiopurity (98% enantiomeric excess) has been developed. The recently published initial step consists in a concurrent biocatalytic cascade for the synthesis of (S)-4-methoxymandelonitrile benzoate. The O-benzoyl cyanohydrin is then converted to (S)-tembamide in a hydrogenation reaction catalyzed by Raney Ni. To achieve hydrogenation of the nitrile moiety with highest chemoselectivity and enantioretention, various parameters such as nature of the catalyst, reaction temperature and hydrogen pressure were studied. The reported strategy might be transferrable to the synthesis of other N-acyl-β-amino alcohols.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Deaminative Hydrogenation of Amino Nitriles: Direct Access to 1,2-Amino Alcohols

A new approach for the efficient and highly selective synthesis of 1,2-amino alcohols by direct reductive hydrolysis of N-formyl-protected α-amino nitriles is reported. The commercially available RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃ )₃ complex was found to be a suitable catalyst for this operationally simple protocol, in which no stoichiometric amounts of undesired metal waste are generated. The deaminative hydrogenation is performed at 55 bar of H₂ , using a 6:1 mixture of 1,4-dioxane/water as solvent. In addition, hydroxymethyl alcohols were prepared from cyanoketones under very similar conditions.

Rapid Optical Determination of Enantiomeric Excess, Diastereomeric Excess, and Total Concentration Using Dynamic-Covalent Assemblies: A Demonstration Using 2-Aminocyclohexanol and Chemometrics

Optical analysis of reaction parameters such as enantiomeric excess (ee), diastereomeric excess (de), and yield are becoming increasingly useful as assays for differing functional groups become available. These assays typically exploit reversible covalent or noncovalent assemblies that impart optical signals, commonly circular dichroism (CD), that are indicative of the stereochemistry and ee at a stereocenter proximal to the functional group of interest. Very few assays have been reported that determine ee and de when two stereocenters are present, and none have targeted two different functional groups that are vicinal and lack chromophores entirely. Using a CD assay that targets chiral secondary alcohols, a separate CD assay for chiral primary amines, a UV-vis assay for de, and a fluorescence assay for concentration, we demonstrate a work-flow for speciation of the enantiomers and diastereomers of 2-aminocyclohexanol as a test-bed analyte. Because of the fact the functional groups are vicinal, we found that the ee determination at the two stereocenters is influenced by the adjacent center, and this led us to implement a chemometric patterning approach, resulting in a 4% absolute error in full speciation of the four stereoisomers. The procedure presented herein would allow for the total speciation of around 96 reactions in 27 min using a high-throughput experimentation routine. While 2-aminocyclohexanol is used to demonstrate the methods, the general workflow should be amenable to analysis of other stereoisomers when two stereocenters are present.

Intramolecular Umpolung Synthesis of Exocyclic β-Amino Alcohols through Decarboxylative Amination

An intramolecular aminative Umpolung cyclization strategy has been developed by using α,α-diphenylglycine (2) as the amination and Umpolung reagent. Aldehydes (1) bearing an additional carbonyl group underwent condensation with α,α-diphenylglycine to form an imine, decarboxylation to generate a delocalized 2-azaallylanion, and subsequent intramolecular Umpolung cyclization to produce a variety of exocyclic β-amino alcohols (6) in 60-93% yields with up to >20:1 trans/cis selectivity under mild conditions.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral 1,2-Amino Alcohols and Morpholin-2-ones from Arylglyoxals

Chiral 1,2-amino alcohols are privileged scaffolds with important applications as drug candidates and chiral ligands. Although various methods for the preparation of this structural motif have been reported, these methods are limited because of the use of precious metals and ligands. Here, we report a practical and high yielding synthesis of chiral 1,2-amino alcohols using arylglyoxals and pseudoephedrine auxiliary. This reaction is catalyzed by a Brønsted acid and provides morpholinone products in high yields and selectivities. The morpholine ring was converted into 1,2-amino alcohols in a two-step protocol.

In situ epoxide generation by dimethyldioxirane oxidation and the use of epichlorohydrin in the flow synthesis of a library of β-amino alcohols

The flow coupling of epichlorohydrin with substituted phenols, while efficient, limits the nature of the epoxide available for the development of focused libraries of β-amino alcohols. This limitation was encountered in the production of analogues of 1-(4-nitrophenoxy)-3-((2-((4-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin-2-yl)amino)ethyl)amino)propan-2-ol 1, a potential antibiotic lead. The in situ (flow) generation of dimethyldoxirane (DMDO) and subsequent flow olefin epoxidation abrogates this limitation and afforded facile access to structurally diverse β-amino alcohols. Analogues of 1 were readily accessed either via (i) a flow/microwave hybrid approach, or (ii) a sequential flow approach. Key steps were the in situ generation of DMDO, with olefin epoxidation in typically good yields and a flow-mediated ring opening aminolysis to form an expanded library of β-amino alcohols 1 and 10a-18g, resulting in modest (11a, 21%) to excellent (12g, 80%) yields. Alternatively flow coupling of epichlorohydrin with phenols 4a-4m (22%-89%) and a Bi(OTf)₃ catalysed microwave ring opening with amines afforded a select range of β-amino alcohols, but with lower levels of aminolysis regiocontrol than the sequential flow approach.

Dual catalysis for enantioselective convergent synthesis of enantiopure vicinal amino alcohols

Enantiopure vicinal amino alcohols and derivatives are essential structural motifs in natural products and pharmaceutically active molecules, and serve as main chiral sources in asymmetric synthesis. Currently known asymmetric catalytic protocols for this class of compounds are still rare and often suffer from limited scope of substrates, relatively low regio- or stereoselectivities, thus prompting the development of more effective methodologies. Herein we report a dual catalytic strategy for the convergent enantioselective synthesis of vicinal amino alcohols. The method features a radical-type Zimmerman–Traxler transition state formed from a rare earth metal with a nitrone and an aromatic ketyl radical in the presence of chiral N,N′-dioxide ligands. In addition to high level of enantio- and diastereoselectivities, our synthetic protocol affords advantages of simple operation, mild conditions, high-yielding, and a broad scope of substrates. Furthermore, this protocol has been successfully applied to the concise synthesis of pharmaceutically valuable compounds (e.g., ephedrine and selegiline).

Chiral vicinal amino alcohols are found in many bioactive compounds and may serve as chiral ligands. Here, the authors report a photocatalytic enantioselective cross-coupling of nitrones with aromatic aldehydes with a chiral ligand-coordinated rare earth ion synergistically producing enantiopure vicinal amino alcohols.

2-Azadienes as Reagents for Preparing Chiral Amines: Synthesis of 1,2-Amino Tertiary Alcohols by Cu-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Couplings with Ketones

We introduce a new strategy for synthesis of chiral amines: couplings of α-aminoalkyl nucleophiles generated by enantioselective migratory insertion of 2-azadienes to a Cu-H. In this report, we demonstrate its application in catalytic reductive coupling of 2-azadienes and ketones to furnish 1,2-amino tertiary alcohols with vicinal stereogenic centers.

Synthesis of Nitrogen Heterocycles Using Samarium(II) Iodide

Nitrogen heterocycles represent vital structural motifs in biologically-active natural products and pharmaceuticals. As a result, the development of new, convenient and more efficient processes to N-heterocycles is of great interest to synthetic chemists. Samarium(II) iodide (SmI₂, Kagan’s reagent) has been widely used to forge challenging C–C bonds through reductive coupling reactions. Historically, the use of SmI₂ in organic synthesis has been focused on the construction of carbocycles and oxygen-containing motifs. Recently, significant advances have taken place in the use of SmI₂ for the synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles, enabled in large part by the unique combination of high reducing power of this reagent (E_1/2 of up to −2.8 V) with excellent chemoselectivity of the reductive umpolung cyclizations mediated by SmI₂. In particular, radical cross-coupling reactions exploiting SmI₂-induced selective generation of aminoketyl radicals have emerged as concise and efficient methods for constructing 2-azabicycles, pyrrolidines and complex polycyclic barbiturates. Moreover, a broad range of novel processes involving SmI₂-promoted formation of aminyl radicals have been leveraged for the synthesis of complex nitrogen-containing molecular architectures by direct and tethered pathways. Applications to the synthesis of natural products have highlighted the generality of processes and the intermediates accessible with SmI₂. In this review, recent advances involving the synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles using SmI₂ are summarized, with a major focus on reductive coupling reactions that enable one-step construction of nitrogen-containing motifs in a highly efficient manner, while taking advantage of the spectacular selectivity of the venerable Kagan’s reagent.

Direct reductive coupling of secondary amides: chemoselective formation of vicinal diamines and vicinal amino alcohols

We report the first direct and chemoselective reductive homocoupling reaction of secondary amides and cross-coupling reaction of secondary amides with ketones. This method relies on the direct generation of α-amino carbon radicals from amides.

Reductive umpolung reactions with low-valent titanium catalysts

The coupling of similarly polarized carbon fragments can be achieved by a reductive umpolung strategy. This gives access to compounds with functional groups in even bond distances, which are difficult to synthesize by other means. Low-valent titanium catalysts enable such couplings under mild conditions. This account covers the recent progress on this topic with a focus on the development of cross-selective coupling reactions and stereoselective examples.

Convergent, asymmetric synthesis of vicinal amino alcohols via Rh-catalyzed addition of α-amido trifluoroborates to carbonyls

The convergent, asymmetric synthesis of vicinal amino alcohols is achieved by the Rh-catalyzed addition of α-amido trifluoroborates to carbonyl compounds.