Enantioselective nitroaldol reaction of alpha-ketoesters catalyzed by cinchona alkaloids

Multicomponent Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine: Access to Abnormal Mannich and Mannich-Type Reaction

This study showcases successfully switchable approaches to accomplish the C3-aryl methylation and C3- amino methylation of privileged nitrogen-containing pharmaceutical compounds "imidazopyridines" with distinct amines, which surmounts the long-standing requirement for a superfluous directing group. These two transformations manifest pronounced regio- and chemo-divergent behavior, successfully demonstrating unprecedented multicomponent "abnormal Mannich and Mannich-type" reactions. The remarkable environmentally benign protocol has been efficiently extended to concise the synthesis and late-stage derivatization.

The Role of Aromatic Alcohol Additives on Asymmetric Organocatalysis Reactions: Insights from Theory

The presence of an aromatic additive has been seen to enhance, often significantly, the enantioselectivity and yield in asymmetric organocatalysis. Considering their success across a dizzying range of organocatalysts and organic transformations, it would seem unlikely that a common principle exists for their functioning. However, the current investigations with DFT suggest a general principle: the phenolic additive sandwiches itself, through hydrogen bonding and π⋅⋅⋅π stacking, between the organocatalyst coordinated electrophile and nucleophile. This is seen for a wide range of experimentally reported systems. That such complex formation leads to enhanced stereoselectivity is then demonstrated for two cases: the cinchona alkaloid complex (BzCPD), catalysing thiocyanation (2-naphthol additive employed), as well as for L-pipecolicacid catalysing the asymmetric nitroaldol reaction with a range of nitro-substituted phenol additives. These findings, indicating that dual catalysis takes place when phenolic additives are employed, are likely to have a significant impact on the field of asymmetric organocatalysis.

α-Methylbenzylamine Functionalized Crown-Ether-Appended Calix[4]arene Phase Transfer Catalyst for Enantioselective Henry Reaction

In this letter, we designed a highly selective α-methylbenzylamine functionalized crown-ether-appended calix[4]arene derived phase transfer catalyst for asymmetric nitroaldol reaction to provide the desired nitroaldol adducts in high yields (up to 99 % yield) with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99.8 % ee).

Crystallization-Enabled Henry Reactions: Stereoconvergent Construction of Fully Substituted [N]-Asymmetric Centers

Tetrasubstituted stereogenic carbon centers bearing a nitrogen substituent represent important motifs in medicinal chemistry and natural products; therefore, the development of efficient methods for the stereoselective synthesis of this class of compounds continues to be an important problem. This article describes stereoconvergent Henry reactions of γ,γ-disubstituted nitroalkanes to deliver highly functionalized building blocks containing up to five contiguous stereogenic centers including a fully substituted [N]-asymmetric center. Henry reactions of higher order nitroalkanes are often characterized by their reversibility and minimal accompanying thermodynamic stereocontrol. In contrast, mechanistic studies for the present case suggest a scenario in which reversibility is productively leveraged through crystallization-based stereocontrol, thereby enabling the efficient sequential π-additions of readily accessible starting materials to assemble complex acyclic stereoarrays.

Asymmetric Henry Reaction of Nitromethane with Substituted Aldehydes Catalyzed by Novel In Situ Generated Chiral Bis(β-Amino Alcohol-Cu(OAc)2·H2O Complex

Novel chiral thiophene-2,5-bis(β-amino alcohol) ligands (L1–L5) were designed and synthesized from thiophene-2,5-dicarbaldehyde (3) with chiral β-amino alcohols (4a–e) in 4 steps with overall 23% yields. An in situ generated L-Cu(OAc)2·H2O catalyst system was found to be highly capable catalyst for the asymmetric Henry reaction of nitromethane (7) with various substituted aromatic aldehydes (6a–m) producing chiral nitroaldols product (8a–m) with excellent enantiomeric purity (up to 94.6% ee) and up to >99% chemical yields. 20 mol% of L4-Cu(OAc)2 catalyst complex in EtOH was effective for the asymmetric Henry transformation in 24 h, at ambient temperature. Ease of ligand synthesis, use of green solvent, base free reaction, mild reaction conditions, high yields and excellent enantioselectivity are all key factors that make this catalytic system robust and highly desirable for the access of versatile building block β-nitro alcohol in practical catalytic usage via asymmetric Henry reaction.

Enantioselective Henry Reaction Catalyzed by Copper(II) Complex of Bis(trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine)-Based Ligand

Copper(II) complex of the ligand possessing two enantiomerically pure trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine units proved to be an efficient catalyst for the enantioselective Henry reaction of aromatic aldehydes with nitromethane. The effect of various reaction conditions on yield and enantioselectivity of the Henry reaction was studied. The results suggest that only one cyclohexane-1,2-diamine unit is involved in catalysis of the Henry reaction.

Umpolung Strategy for the Synthesis of Chiral Dispiro[2-amino-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carbonitrile]bisoxindoles

Based on a novel umpolung strategy, an efficient and highly enantioselective cascade aldol/cyclization/tautomerization of the 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-yl)malononitrile to active carbonyl compounds with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity has been developed. Also, various enantio-enriched multifunctional dispiro[2-amino-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carbonitrile]bisoxindoles with adjacent spiro-stereocenters were conveniently obtained by this novel methodology. Also, the dispiro[2-amino-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carbonitrile]bisoxindoles were easily transformed into structurally complex molecules without any effect on the diastereo- and enantioselectivity.

Advances in Henry Reaction: A Versatile Method in Organic Synthesis

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Henry reaction is an important reaction employing carbonyls which furnishes β-nitro alcohol, nitroalkene, α-nitro ketones, β-amino alcohol as products and byproducts that may be transfigured as building blocks for other synthetic reactions. This paper focuses on various synthetic routes for Henry reaction, a versatile reaction of high significance in organic synthesis. The paper discusses the chemistry and plausible products of the reaction, along with the various available synthetic routes for the same, ranging from classical conventional methods to modern methods of green chemistry trends. Use of various catalysts as rate enhancer as well as use of various catalysts as enantioselective frontman for stereoselective reactions, have been described in this work.

Henry Reaction Revisited. Crucial Role of Water in an Asymmetric Henry Reaction Catalyzed by Chiral NNO-Type Copper(II) Complexes

Chiral copper(II) and cobalt(III) complexes (1-5 and 6, respectively) derived from Schiff bases of (S)-2-(aminomethyl)pyrrolidine and salicylaldehyde derivatives were employed in a mechanistic study of the Henry reaction-type condensation of nitromethane and o-nitrobenzaldehyde in CH₂Cl₂ (CD₂Cl₂), containing different amounts of water. The reaction kinetics was monitored by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The addition of water had a different influence on the activity of the two types of complexes, ranging from a crucial positive effect in the case of the copper(II) complex 2 to insignificant in the case of the stereochemically inert cobalt(III) complex 6. No experimental support was found by ¹H NMR studies for the classical Lewis acid complexation of the carbonyl group of the aldehyde by the central copper(II) ion, and, moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculations support the absence of such coordination. On the other hand, a very significant complexation was found for water, and it was supported by DFT calculations. In fact, we suggest that it is the Brønsted acidity of the water molecule coordinated to the metal ion that triggers the aldehyde activation. The rate-limiting step of the reaction was the removal of an α-proton from the nitromethane molecule, as supported by the observed kinetic isotope effect equaling 6.3 in the case of the copper complex 2. It was found by high-resolution mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization that the copper(II) complex 2 existed in CH₂Cl₂ in a dimeric form. The reaction had a second-order dependence on the catalyst concentration, which implicated two dimeric forms of the copper(II) complex 2 in the rate-limiting step. Furthermore, DFT calculations help to generate a plausible structure of the stereodetermining transition step of the condensation.

Asymmetric Henry Reaction of 2-Acylpyridine N-Oxides Catalyzed by a Ni-Aminophenol Sulfonamide Complex: An Unexpected Mononuclear Catalyst

The asymmetric Henry reaction of 2-acylpyridine N-oxide remains a challenge as N-oxides generally act as competitive catalyst inhibitors or displace activating ligands. A novel variable yield (up to 99%) asymmetric Henry reaction of 2-acypyridine N-oxides catalyzed by a Ni-aminophenol sulfonamide complex with good to excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99%) has been developed. Mechanistic studies suggest that the unique properties of the electron-pairs of N-oxides for complexation with Ni makes the unexpected mononuclear complex, rather than the previously reported dinuclear complex, the active species.

Cinchona Alkaloids-Derivatives and Applications

Major Cinchona alkaloids quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine are available chiral natural compounds (chiral pool). Unlike many other natural products, these alkaloids are available in multiple diastereomeric forms which are separated on an industrial scale. The introduction discusses in short conformational equilibria, traditional separation scheme, biosynthesis, and de novo chemical syntheses. The second section concerns useful chemical applications of the alkaloids as chiral recognition agents and effective chiral catalysts. Besides the Sharpless ethers and quaternary ammonium salts (chiral PTC), the most successful bifunctional organocatalysts are based on 9-amino derivatives: thioureas and squaramides. The third section reports the main transformations of Cinchona alkaloids. This covers reactions of the 9-hydroxyl group with the retention or inversion of configuration. Specific Cinchona rearrangements enlarging [2.2.2]bicycle of quinuclidine to [3.2.2] products are connected to the 9-OH substitution. The syntheses of numerous esterification and etherification products are described, including many examples of bi-Cinchona alkaloid ethers. Further derivatives comprise 9-N-substituted compounds. The amino group is introduced via an azido function with the inversion of configuration at the stereogenic center C9. The 9-epi-amino-alkaloids provide imines, amides, imides, thioureas, and squaramides. The syntheses of 9-carbon-, 9-sulfur-, and 9-selenium-substituted derivatives are discussed. Oxidation of the hydroxyl group of any alkaloid gives ketones, which can be selectively reduced, reacted with Grignard reagents, or subjected to the Corey-Chaykovsky reaction. The alkaloids were also partially degraded by splitting C4'-C9 or N1-C8 bonds. In order to immobilize Cinchona alkaloids the transformations of the 3-vinyl group were often exploited. Finally, miscellaneous functionalizations of quinuclidine, quinoline, and examples of various metal complexes of the alkaloids are considered.

Palladium-catalyzed formal insertion of carbenoids into N,O-aminals: direct access to α-alkoxy-β-amino acid esters

A new and efficient reaction has been developed to synthesize α-alkoxy-β-amino acid esters via palladium-catalyzed formal insertion of carbenoids into N,O-aminals.

Synthesis of chiral salalen ligands and their in-situ generated Cu-complexes for asymmetric Henry reaction

Chiral salalen ligands derived from (S)-proline and derivatives of salicyaldehydes were synthesized, and their in-situ generated Cu (II) complexes were evaluated in the asymmetric Henry reaction. Salalen ligand of different substituents on the phenyl moiety showed remarkable effect on the enantioselectivity of nitro-aldol product of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and nitromethane. Cu (II) complex generated in situ with (S)-2-(tert-butyl)-6-((2-(((2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylidene)amino)methyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)methyl) phenol (10 mol%) and Cu (OAc)₂ .H₂ O (10 mol%), found to be better catalyst for nitro-aldol reaction between 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and nitromethane, gave corresponding product in 85% yield and 88% enantiomeric excess (ee) in isopropanol at 35°C after 40 hours. The catalyst also used for the Henry reaction with different substituted benzaldehydes and corresponding products were obtained in 22% to 99% yields with 66% to 92% ee. Henry reaction of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and prochiral nitroethane gave anti-selective product (dr = 79/21; anti/syn) in a 91% yield with 80% ee.

Spectroscopic Study of a Cinchona Alkaloid-Catalyzed Henry Reaction

A spectroscopic study of an organocatalytic Henry reaction between nitroalkanes and aldehydes catalyzed by a quinidine-derived Cinchona alkaloid is described. The binding modes of the reaction substrates are investigated using electronic absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and further corroborated by nuclear magnetic resonance measurements. Aldehydes are shown to associate with both the 6'-OH group and the basic quinuclidine nitrogen of the catalyst, whereas nitroalkanes do not exhibit a clear binding mode. Reaction progress kinetic analysis reveals that the reaction is first-order in both of the substrates and the catalyst. Second, the reaction proceeds approximately five times faster in the excess of the nitroalkanes than in the excess of the aldehydes, suggesting that binding of the aldehydes results in the inhibition of the catalyst. Aldehydes deactivate the basic quinuclidine site, thus suppressing the deprotonation of the nitroalkanes which is the proposed initial step in the reaction cycle.

Asymmetric organocatalytic synthesis of tertiary azomethyl alcohols: key intermediates towards azoxy compounds and α-hydroxy-β-amino esters

A series of peracylated glycosamine-derived thioureas have been synthesized and their behavior as bifunctional organocatalysts has been tested in the enantioselective nucleophilic addition of formaldehyde tert-butyl hydrazone to aliphatic α-keto esters for the synthesis of tertiary azomethyl alcohols. Using the 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-glucosamine derived 3,5-bis-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl thiourea the reaction could be accomplished with high yields (75-98%) and moderate enantioselectivities (50-64% ee). Subsequent high-yielding and racemization-free tranformations of both aromatic- and aliphatic-substituted diazene products in a one pot fashion provide a direct entry to valuable azoxy compounds and α-hydroxy-β-amino esters.

C6′ steric bulk of cinchona alkaloid enables an enantioselective Michael addition/annulation sequence toward pyranopyrazoles

A C6′ silyloxyl quinine catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition/annulation cascade between pyrazolones and enynones was developed.

Catalytic enantioselective Henry reaction of α-keto esters, 2-acylpyridines and 2-acylpyridine N-oxides

Asymmetric Henry reaction of ketones catalyzed by a pre-prepared Ni complex with low catalyst loading.

A metalloligand appended with benzimidazole rings: tetranuclear [CoZn3] and [CoCd3] complexes and their catalytic applications

A novel Co³⁺-based metalloligand, offering appended benzimidazole rings, has been utilized for the synthesis of catalytically active tetranuclear [CoZn₃] and [CoCd₃] heterometallic coordination complexes.

Recent Advances in Organocatalyzed Domino C-C Bond-Forming Reactions

Reactions that form a C-C bond make up a foundational pillar of synthetic organic chemistry. In addition, organocatalysis has emerged as an easy, environmentally-friendly way to promote this type of bond formation. Since around 2000, organocatalysts have been used in a variety of C-C bond-forming reactions including Michael and aldol additions, Mannich-type reactions, and Diels-Alder reactions, to name a few. Many of these methodologies have been refined and further developed to include cascade and domino processes. This review will focus on recent advances in this area with an emphasis on methodologies having applications in the synthesis of biologically-significant compounds.

Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Henry Reaction of β,γ-Unsaturated α-Ketoesters with Nitromethane in Water

A highly enantioselective Henry reaction of β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters with nitromethane in water by virtue of chiral copper complexes has been developed. A series of unsaturated β-nitro-α-hydroxy esters bearing tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters were obtained exclusively with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. This method could avoid tedious anaerobic anhydrous manipulation and reduce the environmental pollution caused by organic solvents.

Simple and Effective Catalyst Separation by New CO2 -Induced Switchable Organocatalysts

CO₂ -induced switchable tertiary amine-based organocatalysts were investigated for an efficient catalyst and product separation by its different partitioning between an organic and carbonated water phase. In this case study, the switching ability of eight tertiary amine-based catalysts between the organic and water phase by addition or removal of CO₂ was investigated. Here, the catalyst switched both nearly completely (99.9 %) into the aqueous phase by addition of CO₂ and effectively back into the organic phase (99.3 %) by expelling CO₂ . With this technique, the organocatalyst was successfully recovered and reused twelve times without significant loss of activity (up to 90 % enantiomeric excess) for the asymmetric nitroaldol (Henry) reaction. After the first catalyst switch, evaporation of the solvent affords the product in 98 % purity without any further purification steps.

β2, 2 -Amino Acid N-Carboxyanhydrides Relying on Sequential Enantioselective C(4)-Functionalization of Pyrrolidin-2,3-diones and Regioselective Baeyer-Villiger Oxidation

A catalytic enantioselective entry to β^2, 2 -amino acids enabling their direct coupling with nucleophiles is described. The approach is based upon an effective bifunctional Brønsted base catalyzed construction of a quaternary carbon stereocenter at C₄ position of pyrrolidin-2,3-diones. Subsequent regioselective Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the resultant adducts gives β^2, 2 -amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides as the reactive species, which can further react with nucleophiles. Following this strategy both, β^2, 2 -amino acid derivatives with different functionalities at the newly created stereocenter, and spirocyclic structures can be efficiently prepared.

Dynamic control over catalytic function using responsive bisthiourea catalysts

Responsive molecular motor-based bisthiourea organocatalysts were used in the enantioselective Henry reaction to achieve efficient dual stereocontrol in the presence of an external base.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Quaternary α-Amino Acids Enabled by the Versatility of the Phenylselenonyl Group

A novel Cinchona alkaloid-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of α-alkyl substituted α-nitroacetates to phenyl vinyl selenone was developed. The resulting enantio-enriched α,α-dialkyl substituted α-nitroacetates were subsequently converted to various cyclic and acyclic quaternary α-amino acids, taking advantage of the rich functionalities of the resulting Michael adducts. Novel protocols allowing chemoselective reduction of phenyl selenone to phenyl selenide and reduction of alkyl phenyl selenones to alkanes are also reported.

Enantioselective Organocatalyzed Transformations of β-Ketoesters

The β-ketoester structural motif continues to intrigue chemists with its electrophilic and nucleophilic sites. Proven to be a valuable tool within organic synthesis, natural product, and medicinal chemistry, reports on chiral β-ketoester molecular skeletons display a steady increase. With the reignition of organocatalysis in the past decade, asymmetric methods available for the synthesis of this structural unit has significantly expanded, making it one of the most exploited substrates for organocatalytic transformations. This review provides comprehensive information on the plethora of organocatalysts used in stereoselective organocatalyzed construction of β-ketoester-containing compounds.