Protective group tuning in the stereoselective conversion of α-amino aldehydes into aminoalkyl epoxides

Relative Stabilities of Transition States Determine Diastereocontrol in Sulfur Ylide Additions onto Chiral N-Sulfinyl Imines

Additions of methylphenylsulfonium methylide onto chiral non-racemic N-sulfinyl imines (R'-SO-N=CH-R, R'=t-butyl, R=protected diol), followed by ring closure, yield terminal aziridines with high diastereoselectivity. Control reactions have established that both N- and C- iminyl substituents impact product preference, and when properly matched, one addition product is selected almost exclusively. Using solution-phase density functional computational methods, minima and transition state searches have been performed to reveal the structural origins of the diastereoselectivity. Our computational findings indicate that ring closure is fast and irreversible, and consequently, the relative energies of the transition states for the competing Re/Si addition steps determine the product diastereomeric ratios. Analysis of addition transition state structures reveals the causes of selectivity as arising from the N- and C- iminyl substituents, and we identify the S (R) configuration of the N-sulfinyl sulfur atom as the dominant director of Si (Re) addition. The control attributed to the sulfur configuration is tied to an important favorable internal interaction between the sulfinyl oxygen and the iminyl hydrogen. The protected diol acts as a secondary director, owing to steric/electrostatic interactions with the approaching ylide.

Highly stereoselective methylene transfers onto butanediacetal-protected chiral non-racemic sulfinyl imines using S-ylide technology

Diastereomeric ratios of >95 : 5 were obtained when performing methylene transfers onto imines originating from d-mannitol and (S)-(-)-2-methyl-2-propane sulfinamide or ascorbic acid and (R)-(-)-2-methyl-2-propane sulfinamide.

Highly stereoselective synthesis of anti-N-protected-alpha-amino epoxides

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of anti-N-protected amino epoxides from carbamate-protected amino acids is described. The two key steps are the monobromination of a beta-ketoester and chelation-controlled reduction of a bromomethyl ketone intermediate. Good overall yields, high diastereoselectivity, and excellent functional group compatibility are characteristic.

Preparation of Aminoalkyl Chlorohydrin Hydrochlorides: Key Building Blocks for Hydroxyethylamine-Based HIV Protease Inhibitors

Enantiomerically pure N,N-dibenzyl-alpha-amino aldehydes reacted with (chloromethyl)lithium, generated in situ from bromochloromethane and lithium metal, to give predominantly erythro aminoalkyl epoxides. Treatment of the crude epoxides with aqueous hydrochloric acid gave crystalline (2S,3S)-N,N-dibenzylamino chlorohydrin hydrochlorides in 32-56% overall yield and high isomeric purity. These compounds are versatile synthetic intermediates for the preparation of hydroxyethylamine-based HIV protease inhibitors, either directly as such, or via conversion to the corresponding N-Boc-(2S,3S)-aminoalkyl epoxides. The processes described do not make use of hazardous reagents or intermediates, do not require chromatographic purifications, and are thus amenable to the preparation of large quantities of these versatile building blocks.