Synthesis of new C2-symmetrical bis(hydroxycamphorsulfonamide) ligands and their application in the enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to aldehydes and ketones

Synthesis of W-Phos Ligand and Its Application in the Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Addition of Linear Grignard Reagents to Ketones

The asymmetric catalytic addition of linear Grignard reagents to ketones has been a long-standing challenge in organic synthesis. Herein, a novel family of PNP ligands (W-Phos) was designed and applied in copper-catalyzed asymmetric addition of linear Grignard reagents to aryl alkyl ketones, allowing facile access to versatile chiral tertiary alcohols in good to high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 94 % yield, 96 % ee). The process can also be used to synthesize chiral allylic tertiary alcohols from more challenging α,β-unsaturated ketones. Notably, the potential utility of this method is demonstrated in the gram-scale synthesis and modification of various densely functionalized medicinally relevant molecules.

Conjugated ynones in catalytic enantioselective reactions

Conjugated ynones are easily accessible feedstock and the existence of an alkyne bond endows ynones with different attractive reactivities, thus making them unique substrates for catalytic asymmetric reactions. Their compatibility under organocatalytic, metal-catalyzed as well as cooperative catalytic conditions has resulted in numerous enantioselective transformations. Importantly, conjugated ynones can act as nucleophiles or electrophiles, and serve as easily accessed synthons for different cyclization pathways. This review summarizes the recent literature examples of the catalytic reactions of conjugated ynones and related compounds such as alkyne conjugated α-ketoesters, and classifies these reaction types alongside mechanistic insights whenever possible. We aim to trigger more intensive research in the future to render the asymmetric transformation of ynones as a common and reliable tool for asymmetric synthesis.

Catalytic Enantioselective Addition of an Allyl Group to Ketones Containing a Tri-, a Di-, or a Monohalomethyl Moiety. Stereochemical Control Based on Distinctive Electronic and Steric Attributes of C-Cl, C-Br, and C-F Bonds

We disclose the results of an investigation designed to generate insight regarding the differences in the electronic and steric attributes of C-F, C-Cl, and C-Br bonds. Mechanistic insight has been gleaned by analysis of variations in enantioselectivity, regarding the ability of electrostatic contact between a halomethyl moiety and a catalyst's ammonium group as opposed to factors lowering steric repulsion and/or dipole minimization. In the process, catalytic and enantioselective methods have been developed for transforming a wide range of trihalomethyl (halogen = Cl or Br), dihalomethyl, or monohalomethyl (halogen = F, Cl, or Br) ketones to the corresponding tertiary homoallylic alcohols. By exploiting electrostatic attraction between a halomethyl moiety and the catalyst's ammonium moiety and steric factors, high enantioselectivity was attained in many instances. Reactions can be performed with 0.5-5.0 mol % of an in situ generated boryl-ammonium catalyst, affording products in 42-99% yield and up to >99:1 enantiomeric ratio. Not only are there no existing protocols for accessing the great majority of the resulting products enantioselectively but also in some cases there are hardly any instances of a catalytic enantioselective addition of a carbon-based nucleophile (e.g., one enzyme-catalyzed aldol addition involving trichloromethyl ketones, and none with dichloromethyl, tribromomethyl, or dibromomethyl ketones). The approach is scalable and offers an expeditious route to the enantioselective synthesis of versatile and otherwise difficult to access aldehydes that bear an α-halo-substituted quaternary carbon stereogenic center as well as an assortment of 2,2-disubstituted epoxides that contain an easily modifiable alkene. Tertiary homoallylic alcohols containing a triazole and a halomethyl moiety, structural units relevant to drug development, may also be accessed efficiently with exceptional enantioselectivity.

Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Binaphthyl Supported Dihydro[1,6]diazecines

A short approach to chiral diaza-olefines from protected 2,2'-diamino-1,1'-binaphthyl is presented. Cis- and trans-olefines can be selectively obtained by twofold N-allylation followed by RCM or by bridging a 2,2'-diamino-1,1'-binaphthyl precursor with trans-1,4-dibromo-2-butene. Deprotection afforded cis- and trans-dihydro[1,6]diazecines 1 in 58 and 64% overall yield. The reactivity of the but-2-ene-1,4-diyl fragment was investigated yielding corresponding epoxides, diols, and mono- and dibromo products. In several cases rearrangements and participation of the proximate N-Boc group was observed. In no case could allylic substitution be accomplished. From 13 compounds X-ray structure analyses could be obtained.

Readily Available Highly Active [Ti]-Adamantyl-BINOL Catalysts for the Enantioselective Alkylation of Aldehydes

A series of enantiopure (R)-adamantyl 1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-diols were successfully synthesized in a straightforward one-step reaction from commercial products with excellent overall yields. The activity of chiral titanium catalyst derived from (R)-3,6,6'-tri(adamantan-1-yl)-[1,1'-binaphthalene]-2,2'-diol ligand, (R)-(2)-Ti, in the enantioselective asymmetric alkylation of aldehydes is significantly enhanced (up to 98% yield and 99% ee).

Asymmetric synthesis of 1-heteroaryl-1-arylalkyl tertiary alcohols and 1-pyridyl-1-arylethanes by lithiation-borylation methodology

The synthesis of highly enantioenriched α-heterocyclic tertiary alcohols has been achieved via lithiation-borylation of a configurationally stable lithiated carbamate and heterocyclic pinacol boronic esters followed by oxidation. Protodeboronation of the α-heterocyclic tertiary boronic esters using TBAF·3H2O or CsF gave highly enantioenriched 1-pyridyl-1-arylethanes in high er.

Catalytic asymmetric alkylation of ketones using organometallic reagents

The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of tertiary alcohols by the addition of organometallic reagents to ketones is of central importance in organic chemistry. The resulting quaternary stereocentres are difficult to prepare selectively by other means despite their widespread occurrence in natural products and pharmaceuticals. Over the past few years, several seminal reports on the formation of chiral tertiary alcohols with excellent selectivities have appeared in the literature. This review records the major strategies and current status of the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of chiral tertiary alcohols using alkylation/ arylation reactions with highly reactive organometallic reagents derived from Zn, Al, Mg and Li.

Asymmetric catalysis for the construction of quaternary carbon centres: nucleophilic addition on ketones and ketimines

There is a growing need in organic synthesis for efficient methodologies for the asymmetric synthesis of quaternary carbon centres. One of the most attractive and straightforward methods focuses on the use of asymmetric catalysis for the addition of various types of nucleophiles on prochiral ketones and ketimines. A view of the literature from this growing area of research will be presented in this review, with an emphasis on the pioneer works and milestones brought by the main players in this field.

trans-1-Sulfonylamino-2-isoborneolsulfonylaminocyclohexane Derivatives: Excellent Chiral Ligands for the Catalytic Enantioselective Addition of Organozinc Reagents to Ketones

The catalytic enantioselective addition of different organozinc reagents (such as alkyl and aryl derivatives or in situ generated aryl, allyl alkenyl, and alkynyl derivatives obtained through different transmetallation processes) to simple ketones has been accomplished by using titanium tetraisopropoxide and chiral ligands derived from substituted trans-1-sulfonylamino-2-isoborneolsulfonylaminocyclohexane, producing the corresponding tertiary alcohols with enantiomeric excesses (ee) up to >99 %. A simple and efficient procedure for the synthesis of the chiral ligands used in these reactions is described.

Catalytic and Asymmetric Vinylogous Mukaiyama Reactions on Aliphatic Ketones: Formal Asymmetric Synthesis of Taurospongin A

Catalytic asymmetric vinylogous Mukaiyama reactions on ketones, leading to the formation of alpha,beta-unsaturated lactones with tertiary alcohols, have been described (11 examples, up to 93% ee). This methodology has been applied in a formal enantioselective synthesis of taurospongin A (12 steps, 6% overall yield).

Catalytic asymmetric addition of diphenylzinc to cyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

We have examined the use of our bis(sulfonamide) diol ligand (1) in the asymmetric addition of phenyl groups to cyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones. Good to excellent enantioselectivities have been obtained with cyclic enones bearing alkyl substituents in the 2 position (71-97% enantiomeric excess). Furthermore, excellent enantioselectivities have been observed in the asymmetric phenylation of cyclic enones with 2-iodo and 2-bromo substituents. The results of this study broaden the scope of the asymmetric additions to ketones promoted by the titanium catalyst derived from ligand 1.