Direct asymmetric aldol reactions in aqueous media catalyzed by a β-cyclodextrin–proline conjugate with a urea linker

Origin of Manipulating Selectivity in Prins Cyclization by [Ga4L6]12- Supramolecular Catalysis through Host-Guest Interactions

The host effect of the supramolecular [Ga4L6]12- tetrahedral metallocage on Prins cyclization reaction of the substrate by encapsulated citronellal has been investigated by means of molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics. The encapsulation process of the substrate into the [Ga4L6]12- cavity was simulated via attach-pull-release (APR) methods. Thermodynamic calculations and classical molecular dynamics simulations assessed the substrate's microenvironment inside the cavity, guiding DFT-level modeling of the reaction. DFT calculations show diol product predominance in acidic solution but high enol selectivity inside [Ga4L6]12-, consistent with experimental findings. [Ga4L6]12- alters the selectivity of the Prins cyclization reaction by inhibiting diol formation. The activation strain model-based decomposition analysis (ASM-DA) of the barrier difference among distortion and interaction terms indicates that the more positive interaction between a host and guest in the diol transition state than enol determines the product selectivity, particularly the fewer C-H···O and O-H···O hydrogen-bonding interactions. These theoretical insights could contribute to a deeper understanding of the nature of supramolecular catalysis and to further develop new supramolecular catalysts.

Ultrasonication-Assisted Synthesis of a d-Glucosamine-Based β-CD Inclusion Complex and Its Application as an Aqueous Heterogeneous Organocatalytic System

For the first time, an inclusion complex has been crafted between a carbohydrate-based molecule and a β-cyclodextrin (CD) hydrophobic cavity for asymmetric catalytic applications. This novel d-glucosamine-based inclusion compound has been synthesized in high yields using an innovative and proficient acoustic cavitation technology and well characterized using various techniques, such as infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and other spectroscopic techniques. It was observed that the inclusion of a d-glucosamine derivative into the hydrophobic cavity of β-CD increased its surface area and thermal stability. This catalytic system worked well in water for the direct aldol reaction to afford the products in excellent yields with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Functionalized Macrocycles in Supramolecular Organocatalysis

Supramolecular organocatalysis has emerged as a novel research field in the context of homogeneous catalysis. In particular, the use of functionalized macrocycles as supramolecular catalysts is highly promising, as these systems are oftentimes easily accessible and offer distinct advantages in catalysis. Macrocyclic catalysts can provide defined binding pockets, such as hydrophobic cavities, and can thus create a reaction microenvironment for catalysis. In addition, macrocycles can offer a preorganized arrangement of functional groups, such as binding sites or catalytically active groups, thus enabling a defined and possibly multivalent binding and activation of substrates. The aim of this Minireview is to provide an overview of recent advances in the area of supramolecular organocatalysis based on functionalized macrocycles (including cyclodextrins, calixarenes, and resorcinarenes), with a focus on those examples where certain catalytically active groups (such as hydrogen bond donors/acceptors, Brønsted acid or base groups, or nucleophilic units) are present in or have been installed on the macrocycles.

New α- and β-cyclodextrin derivatives with cinchona alkaloids used in asymmetric organocatalytic reactions

The preparation of new organocatalysts for asymmetric syntheses has become a key stage of enantioselective catalysis. In particular, the development of new cyclodextrin (CD)-based organocatalysts allowed to perform enantioselective reactions in water and to recycle catalysts. However, only a limited number of organocatalytic moieties and functional groups have been attached to CD scaffolds so far. Cinchona alkaloids are commonly used to catalyze a wide range of enantioselective reactions. Thus, in this study, we report the preparation of new α- and β-CD derivatives monosubstituted with cinchona alkaloids (cinchonine, cinchonidine, quinine and quinidine) on the primary rim through a CuAAC click reaction. Subsequently, permethylated analogs of these cinchona alkaloid-CD derivatives also were synthesized and the catalytic activity of all derivatives was evaluated in several enantioselective reactions, specifically in the asymmetric allylic amination (AAA), which showed a promising enantiomeric excess of up to 75% ee. Furthermore, a new disubstituted α-CD catalyst was prepared as a pure AD regioisomer and also tested in the AAA. Our results indicate that (i) the cinchona alkaloid moiety can be successfully attached to CD scaffolds through a CuAAC reaction, (ii) the permethylated cinchona alkaloid-CD catalysts showed better results than the non-methylated CDs analogues in the AAA reaction, (iii) promising enantiomeric excesses are achieved, and (iv) the disubstituted CD derivatives performed similarly to monosubstituted CDs. Therefore, these new CD derivatives with cinchona alkaloids effectively catalyze asymmetric allylic aminations and have the potential to be successfully applied in other enantioselective reactions.

Probing the Synergistic Catalytic Model: A Rationally Designed Urea-Tagged Proline Catalyst for the Direct Asymmetric Aldol Reaction

A urea tag was incorporated at the C-4 position of proline, cis to its COOH group, in order to explore the prospect of a synergistic effect between the two functional groups in the transition state of the enamine route to the asymmetric aldol reaction. The catalyst proved to be an excellent performer, delivering aldols in high yields and with excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivities using just 2 mol % loading in the presence of water; it also exhibited good levels of recyclability under aqueous conditions. The favorable results reveal the interesting possibility of an intramolecular host-guest interaction between the urea and the amino acid moieties, exerting a beneficial effect on catalysis. The concept could certainly offer a new direction toward more efficient catalyst design.

Supramolecular Organocatalysis in Water Mediated by Macrocyclic Compounds

In the last decades many efforts have been devoted to design supramolecular organocatalysts able to work in water as the reaction medium. The use of water as solvent provides promising benefits with respect to environmental impact. In this context, macrocyclic compounds played a role of primary importance thanks to their ease of synthesis and their molecular recognition abilities toward the reactants. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the recent advances in the field of supramolecular organocatalysis in water, focusing the attention on calixarene and cyclodextrins derivatives. Calixarenes and cyclodextrins, thanks to their hydrophobic cavities, are able to host selectively the substrates isolating they from the reaction environment. In addition, the synthetic versatilities of these macrocycles permits to introduce useful functional groups in close proximity of the hydrophobic binding sites. Regarding the cyclodextrins (CDs), we have here reviewed the their most recent uses as organocatalysts for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, in multi-component reactions and in carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. Examples have been reported in which CD catalysts are able to drive the regiochemistry of common organic reactions. In addition, cyclodextrins bearing catalytically active chiral groups, have shown excellent enantioselectivity in the catalysis of organic reactions. Recently reported results have shown that calixarene derivatives are able to accelerate organic reaction under “on-water” conditions with a significant selectivity toward the reactants. Under “on-water conditions” the hydrophobic effect, induced by insoluble calixarene derivatives, forces the reactants and the catalyst to aggregate and thus accelerating the reaction between them thanks to an amplification of weak secondary interactions. Regarding the use of water-soluble calixarene organocatalysts, we have here reviewed their role in the acceleration of common organic reactions.

Cyclodextrin-Catalyzed Organic Synthesis: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Applications

Cyclodextrins are well-known macrocyclic oligosaccharides that consist of α-(1,4) linked glucose units and have been widely used as artificial enzymes, chiral separators, chemical sensors, and drug excipients, owing to their hydrophobic and chiral interiors. Due to their remarkable inclusion capabilities with small organic molecules, more recent interests focus on organic reactions catalyzed by cyclodextrins. This contribution outlines the current progress in cyclodextrin-catalyzed organic reactions. Particular emphases are given to the organic reaction mechanisms and their applications. In the end, the future directions of research in this field are proposed.

A self-assembled nanotube for the direct aldol reaction in water

Nanotubes formed by the aqueous assembly of a proline-lysine dipeptide (1) were used to create the hydrophobic microenvironments required to catalyze the aldol reaction in water. The self-assembly process occurred most efficiently in the presence of the substrates, producing an array of homogeneous nanotubes under the reaction conditions. The nanotubes formed by dipeptide 1 served as an efficient catalyst for the aldol reaction that functioned at low loading levels and provided good to excellent conversions. The catalytic activity of 1 was minimal under conditions that dissociated the nanotube into soluble monomers.

Computer-Assisted Synthetic Planning: The End of the Beginning

Exactly half a century has passed since the launch of the first documented research project (1965 Dendral) on computer-assisted organic synthesis. Many more programs were created in the 1970s and 1980s but the enthusiasm of these pioneering days had largely dissipated by the 2000s, and the challenge of teaching the computer how to plan organic syntheses earned itself the reputation of a "mission impossible". This is quite curious given that, in the meantime, computers have "learned" many other skills that had been considered exclusive domains of human intellect and creativity-for example, machines can nowadays play chess better than human world champions and they can compose classical music pleasant to the human ear. Although there have been no similar feats in organic synthesis, this Review argues that to concede defeat would be premature. Indeed, bringing together the combination of modern computational power and algorithms from graph/network theory, chemical rules (with full stereo- and regiochemistry) coded in appropriate formats, and the elements of quantum mechanics, the machine can finally be "taught" how to plan syntheses of non-trivial organic molecules in a matter of seconds to minutes. The Review begins with an overview of some basic theoretical concepts essential for the big-data analysis of chemical syntheses. It progresses to the problem of optimizing pathways involving known reactions. It culminates with discussion of algorithms that allow for a completely de novo and fully automated design of syntheses leading to relatively complex targets, including those that have not been made before. Of course, there are still things to be improved, but computers are finally becoming relevant and helpful to the practice of organic-synthetic planning. Paraphrasing Churchill's famous words after the Allies' first major victory over the Axis forces in Africa, it is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end, but it is the end of the beginning for the computer-assisted synthesis planning. The machine is here to stay.

Density functional theory study of the mechanism of a dipeptide-catalyzed intermolecular aldol reaction—the effects of steric repulsion interactions on stereoselectivity

The mechanism of a dipeptide-catalyzed intermolecular aldol reaction was investigated using different calculated methods of DFT that few researches were concerned with and the detailed variations in the entire path were studied.