Novel heterobimetallic catalysts for asymmetric Michael reactions

Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Hydrindanes via Sequential Organocatalytic Michael/Mukaiyama Aldol Addition and Telescoped Hydrozirconation/Cross-Coupling as Key Steps: En Route to the AB System of Clifednamides

The AB ring systems of the clifednamide family, polycyclic tetramate macrolactames (PoTeMs), were prepared by a new, convergent approach employing an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction. Key steps comprise an organocatalytic Michael addition (>90% enantiomeric excess (ee)), a Mukaiyama aldol reaction for the convergent installation of a diene moiety, and a telescoped hydrozirconation/cross-coupling grafting an enone. The following IMDA furnished a highly functionalized hydrindane (diastereomeric ratio (dr) = 91:1) with the same configuration as the clifednamide scaffold. Advantages of this route are only one required protecting group, 13% overall yield over 9 steps (reduced from previously 17 steps/1.3% overall), and the potential access to the key intermediates in the clifednamide biosynthesis.

Dinuclear chiral vanadium catalysts for oxidative coupling of 2-naphthols via a dual activation mechanism

This review describes our recent efforts in the development of chiral dinuclear vanadium complexes that work as dual activation catalysts for the oxidative coupling of 2-naphthols. The dinuclear vanadium(iv) complex (R(a),S,S)- was prepared by complexation of VOSO(4) with the Schiff base derived from (R)-3,3'-diformyl-2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl () and (S)-tert-leucine. Since the dinuclear vanadium(iv) complex was found to be readily oxidized to afford a corresponding vanadium(v) species during preparation in air, a new synthetic procedure using VOCl(3) has been applied towards dinuclear vanadium(v) complexes (R(a),S,S)- and (R(a),S,S)-. To the best of our knowledge, (R(a),S,S)-, and show considerably higher catalytic activity than previously reported vanadium complexes for the oxidative coupling of 2-naphthols.