Chiral ferrocenyl phosphine-phosphoramidite ligands for Cu-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate reduction of α,β-unsaturated esters

Catalytic Asymmetric Conjugate Reduction

Enantioselective reduction reactions are privileged transformations for the construction of trisubstituted stereogenic centers. While these include established synthetic strategies, such as asymmetric hydrogenation, methods based on the enantioselective addition of hydridic reagents to electrophilic prochiral substrates have also gained importance. In this context, the asymmetric conjugate reduction (ACR) of α,β-unsaturated compounds has become a convenient approach for the synthesis of chiral compounds with trisubstituted stereocenters in α-, β-, or γ-position to electron-withdrawing functional groups. Because such activating groups are diverse and amenable of further derivatizations, ACRs provide a general and powerful synthetic entry towards a variety of valuable chiral building blocks. This Review provides a comprehensive collection of catalytic ACR methods involving transition-metal, organic, and enzymatic catalysis since its first versions dating back to the late 1970s.

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate reduction of α,β-unsaturated esters with chiral phenol-carbene ligands

A chiral phenol–NHC ligand enabled the copper-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate reduction of α,β-unsaturated esters. The phenol moiety of the chiral NHC ligand played a critical role in producing the enantiomerically enriched products. The catalyst worked well for various (Z)-isomer substrates. Opposite enantiomers were obtained from (Z)- and (E)-isomers, with a higher enantiomeric excess from the (Z)-isomer.

Giving a Second Chance to Ir/Sulfoximine-Based Catalysts for the Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Olefins Containing Poorly Coordinative Groups

This work identifies a family of Ir/phosphite-sulfoximine catalysts that has been successfully used in the asymmetric hydrogenation of olefins with poorly coordinative or noncoordinative groups. In comparison with analogue Ir/phosphine-sulfoximine catalysts previously reported, the presence of a phosphite group extended the range of olefins than can be efficiently hydrogenated. High enantioselectivities, comparable to the best ones reported, have been achieved for a wide range of olefins containing relevant poorly coordinative groups such as α,β-unsaturated enones, esters, lactones, and lactams as well as alkenylboronic esters.

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of β-branched esters from allylic amines

β-Substituted chiral esters are synthesized in excellent yields and enantioselectivities from allylic amines using [(BINAP)Rh]BAr^F₄ as the chiral catalyst.

Chiral phosphine-phosphoramidite ligands for highly enantioselective hydrogenation of N-arylimines

The asymmetric hydrogenation of N-arylimines with the chiral phosphine-phosphoramidite ligand, (Sc,Sa)-PEAPhos 2b, has been developed, in which high turnover numbers and excellent enantioselectivity were achieved.

Copper-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis and comparative aldose reductase inhibition activity of (+)/(-)-1,2-benzothiazine-1,1-dioxide acetic acid derivatives

A copper catalyst system for the asymmetric 1,4-hydrosilylation of the α,β-unsaturated carboxylate class was developed by which synthesis of (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of 1,2-benzothiazine-1,1-dioxide acetates has been achieved with a good yield and an excellent level of enantioselectivity. A comparative structure-activity relationship study yielded the following order of aldose reductase inhibition activity: (-)-enantiomers > racemic > (+)-enantiomers. Further, a molecular docking study suggested that the (-)-enantiomer had significant binding affinity and thus increased inhibition activity.

Asymmetric decarboxylative 1,4-addition of malonic acid half thioesters to vinyl sulfones: highly enantioselective synthesis of 3-monofluoromethyl-3-arylpropanoic esters

An asymmetric decarboxylative 1,4-addition of malonic acid half thioesters (MAHTs) to 2-aryl-substituted vinyl sulfones has been developed, yielding adducts with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee). In view of tuning pKa values, a quinine-based benzyl-substituted thiourea was designed and demonstrated as the most efficient catalyst. The enantioselective synthesis of 3-monofluorinated analogues of 3-methyl indanone and (+)-turmerone has been accomplished from decarboxylative 1,4-addition adducts with satisfactory results.