Formation of chiral tertiary homoallylic alcohols via Evans aldol reaction or enzymatic resolution and their influence on the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation

A chemoenzymatic synthesis of ceramide trafficking inhibitor HPA-12

A chemoenzymatic synthesis of the title compound has been developed using an efficient and highly enantioselective lipase-catalyzed acylation in a hydrophobic ionic liquid, [bmim][PF₆], followed by a diastereoselective asymmetric dihydroxylation as the key steps for incorporating the stereogenic centers. The further conversion to the appropriate intermediates and subsequent acylation with lauric acid furnished the target compound.

Lithium Amino Alkoxide-Evans Enolate Mixed Aggregates: Aldol Addition with Matched and Mismatched Stereocontrol

Building on structural and mechanistic studies of lithiated enolates derived from acylated oxazolidinones (Evans enolates) and chiral lithiated amino alkoxides, we found that amino alkoxides amplify the enantioselectivity of aldol additions. The pairing of enantiomeric series affords matched and mismatched stereoselectivities. The structures of mixed tetramers showing 2:2 and 3:1 (alkoxide-rich) stoichiometries are determined spectroscopically. Rate and computational studies provide a viable mechanistic and stereochemical model based on the direct reaction of the 3:1 mixed tetramers, but they raise unanswered questions for the 2:2 mixed aggregates.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Homocitric Acid Lactone

A short, diastereoselective synthesis of homocitric acid lactone is described. The key step is a bioinspired aldol addition to set the stereogenic center in an intermediate that requires only modest oxidation state manipulation to complete the synthesis. This approach enables rapid generation of isotopomers in which carbon and hydrogen can be replaced by heavier nuclei at nearly every position.

Structure-Reactivity Relationships in Lithiated Evans Enolates: Influence of Aggregation and Solvation on the Stereochemistry and Mechanism of Aldol Additions

Aldol additions to isobutyraldehyde and cyclohexanone with lithium enolates derived from acylated oxazolidinones (Evans enolates) are described. Previously characterized trisolvated dimeric enolates undergo rapid addition to isobutyraldehyde to give a 12:1 syn:syn selectivity in high yield along with small amounts of one anti isomer. The efficacy of the addition depends critically on aging effects and the reaction quench. Unsolvated tetrameric enolates that form on warming the solutions are unreactive toward isobutyraldehyde and undergo retroaldol reaction under forcing conditions. Additions to cyclohexanone are relatively slow but form a single isomeric adduct in >80% yield. The ketone-derived aldolates are robust. All attempts to control stereoselectivity by controlling aggregation failed. Rate studies of addition to cyclohexanone trace the lack of aggregation-dependent selectivities to a monomer-based mechanism. The synthetic implications and possible utility of lithium enolates in Evans aldol additions are discussed.

Evans Enolates: Solution Structures of Lithiated Oxazolidinone-Derived Enolates

The results of a combination of (6)Li and (13)C NMR spectroscopic and computational studies of oxazolidinone-based lithium enolates-Evans enolates-in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution revealed a mixture of dimers, tetramers, and oligomers (possibly ladders). The distribution depended on the structure of the oxazolidinone auxiliary, substituent on the enolate, and THF concentration (in THF/toluene mixtures). The unsolvated tetrameric form contained a D(2d)-symmetric core structure, whereas the dimers were determined experimentally and computationally to be trisolvates with several isomeric forms.

De novo synthesis of L-colitose and L-rhodinose building blocks

A divergent, practical, and efficient de novo synthesis of fully functionalized L-colitose (3,6-dideoxy-L-galactose), 2-epi-colitose (3,6-dideoxy-L-talose), and L-rhodinose (2,3,6-trideoxy-L-galactose) building blocks has been achieved using inexpensive, commercially available (S)-ethyl lactate as the starting material. The routes center around a diastereoselective Cram-chelated allylation that provides a common homoallylic alcohol intermediate. Oxidation of this common intermediate finally resulted in the synthesis of the three monosaccharide building blocks.