Applications of Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation in total synthesis

Investigating the Atmospheric Fate and Kinetics of OH Radical-Initiated Oxidation Reactions for Epoxybutane Isomers: Theoretical Insight

Epoxides, which belong to the category of oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs), are emitted into the atmosphere by an array of sources and can impact both human and environmental well-being significantly. This study involves comprehensive computational analyses aimed at investigating the mechanism, thermodynamic aspects, and reaction kinetics associated with hydrogen abstraction reactions of cis-2,3-epoxybutane, trans-2,3-epoxybutane, and 1,2-epoxybutane by OH radicals. The potential energy diagrams involving all of the species for each specific pathway were constructed at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//M06-2X/cc-pVTZ level of theory. The rate coefficients for all possible pathways were calculated using the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus master equation (RRKM-ME) corrected by Eckart tunneling within the 200-350 K temperature range and 1 atm pressure. The overall rate coefficients of the reaction of cis-2,3-epoxybutane, trans-2,3-epoxybutane, and 1,2-epoxybutane with OH radicals at 298.15 K were found to be 0.32 × 10-12, 0.33 × 10-12, and 0.66 × 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, respectively. We also studied the atmospheric lifetime and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) of all three compounds. In addition, we have provided extensive degradation pathways for the product radicals formed from the initial reaction with OH radicals in the presence of O2 and NO. The study showed that the product radicals can result in various harmful end products, including grade 1 and grade 2 carcinogens, as listed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Effective In Situ Alkoxide Trapping by TMSX in the Presence of TPP Catalyst in Glycidol Acetal Rearrangements

This study demonstrates a nucleophile-catalyzed, trimethylsilyl halide-promoted rearrangement reaction of glycidol acetals to form halogenated cyclic acetals. The acetal group has been activated selectively in the presence of trimethylsilyl cation, which is used as in situ-generated alkoxide trapping reagent. Nucleophilic chloride and bromide ions participate in addition reactions with epoxides predominantly via SN1-type epoxide opening, while non-nucleophilic iodide and triflate ions induce a positive charge at the epoxide carbon. A systematic investigation of acetal-initiated polyene cyclization of epoxy polyenes has been conducted using bicyclic epoxonium ions as transient intermediates. Unfavorable orbital orientation and other stereoelectronic factors hinder the much-anticipated polyene cyclizations. The potential of this method has been showcased through its application in the total synthesis of parvistone A, a chlorinated styryllactone.

Silver-catalyzed direct conversion of epoxides into cyclopropanes using N-triftosylhydrazones

Epoxides, as a prominent small ring O-heterocyclic and the privileged pharmacophores for medicinal chemistry, have recently represented an ideal substrate for the development of single-atom replacements. The previous O-to-C replacement strategy for epoxides to date typically requires high temperatures to achieve low yields and lacks substrate range and functional group tolerance, so achieving this oxygen-carbon exchange remains a formidable challenge. Here, we report a silver-catalyzed direct conversion of epoxides into trifluoromethylcyclopropanes in a single step using trifluoromethyl N-triftosylhydrazones as carbene precursors, thereby achieving oxygen-carbon exchange via a tandem deoxygenation/[2 + 1] cycloaddition. The reaction shows broad tolerance of functional groups, allowing routine cheletropic olefin synthesis in a strategy for the net oxygen-carbon exchange reaction. The utility of this method is further showcased with the late-stage diversification of epoxides derived from bioactive natural products and drugs. Mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations elucidate the reaction mechanism and the origin of the chemo- and stereoselectivity.

Metal-Catalyst-Controlled Divergent Synthesis of γ-Butyrolactones via Intramolecular Coupling of Epoxides with Alcohols

A metal-controlled divergent protocol for the synthesis of α- and β-substituted γ-butyrolactones was developed through intramolecular coupling of epoxides with alcohols. This method provides an efficient and practicable way to afford γ-butyrolactones with good efficiency, excellent regioselectivity, and broad substrate scope.

Sharpless Asymmetric Dihydroxylation: An Impressive Gadget for the Synthesis of Natural Products: A Review

Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation is an important reaction in the enantioselective synthesis of chiral vicinal diols that involves the treatment of alkene with osmium tetroxide along with optically active quinine ligand. Sharpless introduced this methodology after considering the importance of enantioselectivity in the total synthesis of medicinally important compounds. Vicinal diols, produced as a result of this reaction, act as intermediates in the synthesis of different naturally occurring compounds. Hence, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation plays an important role in synthetic organic chemistry due to its undeniable contribution to the synthesis of biologically active organic compounds. This review emphasizes the significance of Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation in the total synthesis of various natural products, published since 2020.

Epoxides: Small Rings to Play with under Asymmetric Organocatalysis

Optically pure epoxides are recognized as highly valuable products and key intermediates, useful in different areas from pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries to natural product synthesis and materials science. The predictable fate of the ring-opening process, in terms of stereoselectivity and often of regioselectivity, enables useful functional groups to be installed at vicinal carbon atoms in a desired manner. In this way, products of widespread utility either for synthetic applications or as final products can be obtained. The advent of asymmetric organocatalysis provided a new convenient tool, not only for their preparation but also for the elaboration of this class of heterocycles. In this review, we focus on recent developments of stereoselective organocatalytic ring-opening reactions of meso-epoxides, kinetic resolution of racemic epoxides, and Meinwald-type rearrangement. Examples of asymmetric organocatalytic processes toward specific synthetic targets, which include ring opening of an epoxide intermediate, are also illustrated.

Mechanistic Details of the Sharpless Epoxidation of Allylic Alcohols—A Combined URVA and Local Mode Study

In this work, we investigated the catalytic effects of a Sharpless dimeric titanium (IV)–tartrate–diester catalyst on the epoxidation of allylalcohol with methyl–hydroperoxide considering four different orientations of the reacting species coordinated at the titanium atom (reactions R1–R4) as well as a model for the non-catalyzed reaction (reaction R0). As major analysis tools, we applied the URVA (Unified Reaction Valley Approach) and LMA (Local Mode Analysis), both being based on vibrational spectroscopy and complemented by a QTAIM analysis of the electron density calculated at the DFT level of theory. The energetics of each reaction were recalculated at the DLPNO-CCSD(T) level of theory. The URVA curvature profiles identified the important chemical events of all five reactions as peroxide OO bond cleavage taking place before the TS (i.e., accounting for the energy barrier) and epoxide CO bond formation together with rehybridization of the carbon atoms of the targeted CC double bond after the TS. The energy decomposition into reaction phase contribution phases showed that the major effect of the catalyst is the weakening of the OO bond to be broken and replacement of OH bond breakage in the non-catalyzed reaction by an energetically more favorable TiO bond breakage. LMA performed at all stationary points rounded up the investigation (i) quantifying OO bond weakening of the oxidizing peroxide upon coordination at the metal atom, (ii) showing that a more synchronous formation of the new CO epoxide bonds correlates with smaller bond strength differences between these bonds, and (iii) elucidating the different roles of the three TiO bonds formed between catalyst and reactants and their interplay as orchestrated by the Sharpless catalyst. We hope that this article will inspire the computational community to use URVA complemented with LMA in the future as an efficient mechanistic tool for the optimization and fine-tuning of current Sharpless catalysts and for the design new of catalysts for epoxidation reactions.

Copper-catalyzed regio- and stereo-selective hydrosilylation of terminal allenes to access (E)-allylsilanes

Regioselectivity and stereoselectivity control in hydrosilylation of terminal allenes is challeging. Although the selective synthesis of vinylsilanes, branched allylsilanes or linear (Z)-allylsilanes have been achieved, transition-metal catalyzed hydrosilylation of terminal allenes to access (E)-allylsilane is difficult. Herein, we report a copper-catalyzed selective hydrosilylation reaction of terminal allenes to access (E)-allylsilanes under mild reaction conditions. The reaction shows broad substrate scope, representing an efficient method to prepare trisubstituted (E)-allylsilanes through hydrosilylation reaction of allenes and can also be applied in the synthesis of disubstituted (E)-allylsilanes. The mechanism study reveals that the E-selectivity is kinetically controlled by the catalyst but not by the thermodynamically isomerization of the (Z)-isomer.

Regio- and stereoselective transition-metal catalysed hydrosilylation of terminal allenes to access (E)-allylsilanes are challenging organic transformations. Herein, the authors synthesize (E)-allylsilanes via copper-catalyzed hydrosilylation of terminal allenes.

Samarium(ii) iodide-mediated reactions applied to natural product total synthesis

Natural product synthesis remains a field in which new synthetic methods and reagents are continually being evaluated. Due to the demanding structures and complex functionality of many natural products, only powerful and selective methods and reagents will be highlighted in this proceeding. Since its introduction by Henri Kagan, samarium(ii) iodide (SmI₂, Kagan's reagent) has found increasing use in chemical synthesis. Over the years, many reviews have been published on the application of SmI₂ in numerous reductive coupling procedures as well as in natural product total synthesis. This review highlights recent advances in SmI₂-mediated synthetic strategies, as applied in the total synthesis of natural products since 2004.

Natural product synthesis remains a field in which new synthetic methods and reagents are continually being evaluated.

Composite Corelated Molecular Orbital Theory Calculations of Ring Strain for Use in Predicting Polymerization Reactions

Strained ring systems play an important role in synthesis and can be characterized by the ring strain energy (RSE). The RSE of 3, 4, 5, and 6 membered saturated and unsaturated ring systems containing N, O, P, and S heteroatoms and H, F, Si(CH 3 ) 3 , and SO 2 (CH 3 ) substituents were calculated at the G3(MP2) composite correlated molecular orbital theory level using up to 5 models to predict the RSE. Generally, the RSE decreased as ring size increased with a substantial decrease from 4 to 5 membered rings. Replacement of a ring CH 2 with P or S reduced the RSE, consistent with less angle strain. The RSE for unsaturated systems were generally greater than for saturated systems due to increased angle strain. No general trends were found with respect to substituent effects. The RSE values suggest that 3-pyrroline and 2-pyrroline may be able to support ring opening metathesis polymerization and warrant further study.

Developments in the Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Agrochemicals and Their Synthetic Importance

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis has become an essential tool for the enantioselective synthesis of pharmaceuticals, natural products, and agrochemicals (mainly fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and pheromones). With continuous growing interest in both modern agricultural chemistry and catalytic asymmetric synthesis chemistry, this review provides a comprehensive overview of some earlier reports as well as the recent successful applications of various catalytic asymmetric syntheses methodologies, such as enantioselective hydroformylation, enantioselective hydrogenation, asymmetric Sharpless epoxidation and dihydroxylation, asymmetric cyclopropanation or isomerization, organocatalyzed asymmetric synthesis, and so forth, which have been used as key steps in the preparation of chiral agrochemicals (on R&D, piloting, and commercial scales). Chiral agrochemicals can also lead the new generation of such chemicals having specific and novel modes of action for achieving sustainable crop protection and production. Some perspectives and challenges for these catalytic asymmetric methodologies in the synthesis of chiral agrochemicals are also briefly discussed in the final section of the manuscript. This review will provide the insight regarding understanding, development, and evaluation of catalytic asymmetric systems for the synthesis of chiral agrochemicals among the agrochemists.

Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation for Kinetic Resolution of [2.2]Paracyclophane-Derived Cyclic N-Sulfonylimines

Nickel-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation for kinetic resolution of [2.2]paracyclophane-derived cyclic N-sulfonylimines was successfully developed. High selectivity factors were observed in most cases (s up to 89), providing the recovered materials and hydrogenation products in good yields with high levels of enantiopurity. The recovered materials and hydrogenation products are useful synthetic intermediates for the synthesis of planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophane-based compounds.

Tartrate-stabilized titanium–oxo clusters containing sulfonate chromophore ligands: synthesis, crystal structures and photochemical properties

In tartrate-stabilized TOCs, aniline-sulfonate ligands can extend the absorption edge to the visible light region.

Prescribed drugs containing nitrogen heterocycles: an overview

Heteroatoms as well as heterocyclic scaffolds are frequently present as the common cores in a plethora of active pharmaceuticals natural products. Statistically, more than 85% of all biologically active compounds are heterocycles or comprise a heterocycle and most frequently, nitrogen heterocycles as a backbone in their complex structures. These facts disclose and emphasize the vital role of heterocycles in modern drug design and drug discovery. In this review, we try to present a comprehensive overview of top prescribed drugs containing nitrogen heterocycles, describing their pharmacological properties, medical applications and their selected synthetic pathways. It is worth mentioning that the reported examples are actually limited to current top selling drugs, being or containing N-heterocycles and their synthetic information has been extracted from both scientific journals and the wider patent literature.

Kinetic resolution of racemic allylic alcohols via iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation: scope, synthetic applications and insight into the origin of selectivity

Asymmetric hydrogenation is one of the most commonly used tools in organic synthesis, whereas, kinetic resolution via asymmetric hydrogenation is less developed. Herein, we describe the first iridium catalyzed kinetic resolution of a wide range of trisubstituted secondary and tertiary allylic alcohols. Large selectivity factors were observed in most cases (s up to 211), providing the unreacted starting materials in good yield with high levels of enantiopurity (ee up to >99%). The utility of this method is highlighted in the enantioselective formal synthesis of some bioactive natural products including pumiliotoxin A, inthomycin A and B. DFT studies and a selectivity model concerning the origin of selectivity are presented.

Asymmetric hydrogenation is one of the most commonly used tools in organic synthesis, whereas, kinetic resolution via asymmetric hydrogenation was less developed.

Application of The Dess-Martin Oxidation in Total Synthesis of Natural Products

Dess-Martin periodinane (DMP), a commercially available chemical, is frequently utilized as a mild oxidative agent for the selective oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones, respectively. DMP shows several merits over other common oxidative agents such as chromiumand DMSO-based oxidants; thus, it is habitually employed in the total synthesis of natural products. In this review, we try to underscore the applications of DMP as an effective oxidant in an appropriate step (steps) in the multi-step total synthesis of natural products.

Recent applications of the Wittig reaction in alkaloid synthesis

The Wittig reaction is the chemical reaction of an aldehyde or ketone with a triphenyl phosphonium ylide (the Wittig reagent) to afford an alkene and triphenylphosphine oxide. Noteworthy, this reaction results in the synthesis of alkenes in a selective and predictable fashion. Thus, it became as one of the keystone of synthetic organic chemistry, especially in the total synthesis of natural products, where the selectivity of a reaction is paramount of importance. A literature survey disclosed the existence of vast numbers of related reports and comprehensive reviews on the applications of this important name reaction in the total synthesis of natural products. However, the aim of this chapter is to underscore, the applications of the Wittig reaction in the total synthesis of one the most important and prevalent classes of natural products, the alkaloids, especially those showing important and diverse biological activities.

Formal enantioselective synthesis of nhatrangin A

A new and straightforward synthesis of the C1-C7 core fragment of nhatrangin A was achieved in 14 steps from achiral 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde, without the need of chiral reagents or enzymatic resolution to introduce the chiral centers. The key asymmetric steps include in particular a highly enantioselective organocatalyzed Michael addition on an aryl vinyl ketone, a Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation and a subsequent regioselective ring opening of the resulting chiral epoxide. This work represents the first formal enantioselective synthesis of nhatrangin A.

Alkynes as Privileged Synthons in Selected Organic Name Reactions

BACKGROUND

Alkynes are actually basic chemicals, serving as privileged synthons for planning new organic reactions for assemblage of a reactive motif, which easily undergoes a further desirable transformation. Name reactions, in organic chemistry are referred to those reactions which are well-recognized and reached to such status for being called as their explorers, discoverers or developers. Alkynes have been used in various name reactions. In this review, we try to underscore the applications of alkynes as privileged synthons in prevalent name reactions such as Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddtion via Click reaction, Sonogashira reaction, and Hetero Diels-Alder reaction.

OBJECTIVE

In this review, we try to underscore the applications of alkynes as privileged synthons in the formation of heterocycles, focused on the selected reactions of alkynes as a synthon or impending utilization in synthetic organic chemistry, which have reached such high status for being included in the list of name reactions in organic chemistry.

CONCLUSION

Alkynes (including acetylene) are an unsaturated hydrocarbon bearing one or more triple C-C bond. Remarkably, alkynes and their derivatives are frequently being used as molecular scaffolds for planning new organic reactions and installing reactive functional group for further reaction. It is worth mentioning that in general, the terminal alkynes are more useful and more frequently being used in the art of organic synthesis. Remarkably, alkynes have found different applications in pharmacology, nanotechnology, as well as being known as appropriate starting precursors for the total synthesis of natural products and biologically active complex compounds. They are predominantly applied in various name reactions such as Sonogashira, Glaser reaction, Friedel-crafts reaction, Castro-Stephens coupling, Huisgen 1.3-dipolar cycloaddtion reaction via Click reaction, Sonogashira reaction, hetero-Diels-Alder reaction. In this review, we tried to impress the readers by presenting selected name reactions, which use the alkynes as either stating materials or precursors. We disclosed the applications of alkynes as a privileged synthons in several popular reactions, which reached to such high status being classified as name reactions. They are thriving and well known and established name reactions in organic chemistry such as Regioselective, 1,3-dipolar Huisgen cycloaddtion reaction via Click reaction, Sonogashira reaction and Diels-Alder reaction.

A new monooxygenase from Herbaspirillum huttiense catalyzed highly enantioselective epoxidation of allylbenzenes and allylic alcohols

An efficient, asymmetric synthesis of allyloxiranes and glycidols with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity was established through HhMo-catalyzed epoxidation.

An Overview of Saturated Cyclic Ethers: Biological Profiles and Synthetic Strategies

Saturated oxygen heterocycles are widely found in a broad array of natural products and other biologically active molecules. In medicinal chemistry, small and medium rings are also important synthetic intermediates since they can undergo ring-opening and -expansion reactions. These applications have driven numerous studies on the synthesis of oxygen-containing heterocycles and considerable effort has been devoted toward the development of methods for the construction of saturated oxygen heterocycles. This paper provides an overview of the biological roles and synthetic strategies of saturated cyclic ethers, covering some of the most studied and newly discovered related natural products in recent years. This paper also reports several promising and newly developed synthetic methods, emphasizing 3-7 membered rings.

Electrochemically Induced Diels-Alder Reaction: An Overview

One of the most important name reactions in organic chemistry, is the Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction. It is a chemical reaction between a conjugated diene and a substituted alkene, commonly termed the dienophile to construct a substituted cyclohexene derivative. It is the stereotypical example of a pericyclic reaction with a concerted mechanism. In synthesis, the use of electricity instead of stoichiometric amounts of oxidant or reducing agents is definitely appealing for economic, ecological and selective, reasons. In this review, we try to underscore the combination of the electrosynthesis with Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction to establish of a powerful synthetic tool which may encourage synthetic organic chemists to use it in the future.

Applications of Friedel-Crafts reactions in total synthesis of natural products

Over the years, Friedel-Crafts (FC) reactions have been acknowledged as the most useful and powerful synthetic tools for the construction of a special kind of carbon-carbon bond involving an aromatic moiety. Its stoichiometric and, more recently, its catalytic procedures have extensively been studied. This reaction in recent years has frequently been used as a key step (steps) in the total synthesis of natural products and targeted complex bioactive molecules. In this review, we try to underscore the applications of intermolecular and intramolecular FC reactions in the total syntheses of natural products and complex molecules, exhibiting diverse biological properties.

One-pot synthesis of epoxides from benzyl alcohols and aldehydes

A one-pot synthesis of epoxides from commercially available benzyl alcohols and aldehydes is described. The reaction proceeds through in situ generation of sulfonium salts from benzyl alcohols and their subsequent deprotonation for use in Corey–Chaykovsky epoxidation of aldehydes. The generality of the method is exemplified by the synthesis of 34 epoxides that were made from an array of electronically and sterically varied alcohols and aldehydes.

Chiral Pentacarboxycyclopentadiene-Based Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrization of Meso-Epoxides by 2-Mercaptobenzothiazoles

Enantioselective desymmetrization of meso-epoxides by 2-mercaptobenzothiazoles was realized by using the pentacarboxycyclopentadiene-based chiral Brønsted acid in combination of N-isopropylaniline as amine additive to give up to 90.5:9.5 er of the ring opening products.

Application of asymmetric Sharpless aminohydroxylation in total synthesis of natural products and some synthetic complex bio-active molecules

This report illustrates the applications of Asymmetric Sharpless Aminohydroxylation (ASAH) in the stereoselective synthesis of vicinal amino alcohols as important intermediates in the total synthesis of complex molecules and natural products with significant biological activities. The ASHA allows the regio- syn-selective synthesis of 1,2-amino alcohols via reaction of alkenes with salts of N-halosulfonamides, -amides and -carbamates employing osmium tetroxide (OsO4) as an efficient catalyst. In this reaction, chirality is induced via the addition of dihydroquinine- and dihydroquinidine as derived chiral ligands.