Chiral Proton Catalysis: Enantioselective Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Additions of Nitroacetic Acid Derivatives as Glycine Equivalents

Regio- and Enantioselective Synthesis of 1,2-Diamines by Formal Hydroamination of Enamines: Scope, Mechanism, and Asymmetric Synthesis of Orthogonally Protected Bis-Piperazines as a Privileged Scaffold

We have previously reported the first formal hydroamination of enamines for the synthesis of chiral 1,2-diamines. Here, we describe: (i) the discovery, optimization, and substrate expansion of this reaction; (ii) a novel and straightforward protocol for the "click-type" synthesis of enamines in quantitative yield utilizing sodium sulfate in a dual role as an ancillary and dehydrating agent without the need for workup or purification; (iii) the application of this methodology to the first enantioselective synthesis of orthogonally protected 1,1'-(1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethane-1,2-diyl) piperazines, a scaffold for rapid lead optimization in drug discovery; (iv) a computational investigation into the mechanism and rationalization of the enantioselectivities of the reaction.

Generality-Driven Catalyst Development: A Universal Catalyst for Enantioselective Nitroalkene Reduction

Cracking the selectivity-generality paradox is among the most pressing challenges in asymmetric catalysis. This obstacle prevents the immediate and successful translation of new methods to diverse small molecules. This is particularly rate-limiting for therapeutic development, where availability and structural diversity are often critical components of successful campaigns. Here we describe the union of generality-driven enantioselective catalysis and the preparation of diverse peptidomimetics. A single new organocatalyst provides high selectivity and substrate generality that is matched only by a combination of metal and organocatalysts. Within organocatalysis, this discovery breaks a 16-year monolithic paradigm, uncovering a powerful new scaffold for enantioselective reduction with behavior that suggests the recognition of a nitroethylene minimal catalaphile.

Fluorine-induced diastereodivergence discovered in an equally rare enantioselective syn-aza-Henry reaction

Attention to the aza-Henry reaction, particularly over the past two decades, has resulted in a wide range of effective catalysts for the enantio- and diastereoselective versions, driven by the versatility of the β-amino nitroalkane products as precursors to secondary amines and vic-diamines. Despite this broad effort, syn-diastereoselective variants are exceedingly rare. We have discovered a subset of α-fluoro nitroalkane additions that are characterized by an unusual crossover in diastereoselection, often delivering the products with high selectivities. We report here a rigorous comparative analysis of non-fluorinated and α-fluoro nitroalkanes in their additions to azomethines. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis were applied to probe the possibility that this phenomenon might be more widely operative in the enantioselective additions of fluorine-substituted carbon nucleophiles. A complete correlation within four categories is described that uncovered a clear trend, while revealing a dramatic and distinct reversal of diastereoselection that would normally go undetected.

DFT-Based Stereochemical Rationales for the Bifunctional Brønsted Acid/Base-Catalyzed Diastereodivergent and Enantioselective aza-Henry Reactions of α-Nitro Esters

A pair of chiral bis(amidine) [BAM] proton complexes provide reagent (catalyst)-controlled, highly diastereo- and enantioselective direct aza-Henry reactions leading to α-alkyl-substituted α,β-diamino esters. A C₂-symmetric ligand provides high anti-selectivity, while a nonsymmetric congener exhibits syn-selectivity in this example of diastereodivergent, enantioselective catalysis. A detailed computational analysis is reported for the first time, one that supports distinct models for selectivity resulting from the more hindered binding cavity of the C₁-symmetric ligand. Binding in this congested pocket accommodates four hydrogen bond contacts among ligands and substrates, ultimately favoring a pre-syn arrangement highlighted by pyridinium-azomethine activation and quinolinium-nitronate activation. The complementary transition states reveal a wide range of alternatives. Comparing the C₁- and C₂-symmetric catalysts highlights distinct electrophile binding orientations despite their common hydrogen bond donor-acceptor features. Among the factors driving unusual high syn-diastereoselection are favorable dispersion forces that leverage the anthracenyl substituent of the C₁-symmetric ligand.

Direct enantioseparation of axially chiral 1,1′-biaryl-2,2′-diols using amidine-based resolving agents

Amidine-based optically active resolving agents for enantiomer separation of axially chiral 1,1′-biaryl-2,2′-diols have been developed. A strongly basic amidine bearing no substituents on its nitrogen atoms enables the formation of their diastereomeric salts upon being mixed with weakly acidic phenol derivatives. Enantiopure 1,1′-biaryl-2,2′-diols can be obtained in high yields after only one crystallization of their salts with the chiral amidine derived from dehydroabietic acid. X-ray crystallography revealed that the amidine moiety forms a salt with the phenol group and additional intermolecular NH/π interactions contribute to the efficient chiral recognition process.

Enantioseparation of atropisomeric biphenols using a chiral amidine derived from dehydroabietic acid was reported. Only one crystallization of their mixture gave pure diastereomeric salts of biphenols from racemate.

3-Nitro-3,4-dihydrocoumarins: valuable precursors for the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched masked quaternary α-amino acid derivatives with a 3,4-dihydrocoumarin scaffold

A bifunctional squaramide catalyzed enantioselective formal [2 + 4] annulation reaction with 3-nitro-3,4-dihydrocoumarins and ortho-quinone methide has been developed. Novel chiral masked quaternary α-amino acid derivatives with a 3,4-dihydrocoumarin scaffold are obtained in a highly stereocontrolled manner. Representative transformation of the annulation product to a biologically important quaternary α-amino acid derivative is achieved without any appreciable loss in the diastereo- and enantioselectivity.

Regio- and Enantioselective Synthesis of 1,2-Diamine Derivatives by Copper-Catalyzed Hydroamination

A highly regio- and enantioselective synthesis of 1,2-diamine derivatives from γ-substituted allylic pivalamides using copper-catalyzed hydroamination is reported. The N-pivaloyl group is essential, in both facilitating the hydrocupration step and suppressing an unproductive β-elimination from the alkylcopper intermediate. This approach enables an efficient construction of chiral differentially protected vicinal diamines under mild conditions with broad functional group tolerance.

The inverted ketene synthon: a double umpolung approach to enantioselective β2,3-amino amide synthesis

A stereocontrolled synthesis of β2,3-amino amides is reported. Innovation is encapsulated by the first use of nitroalkenes to achieve double umpolung in enantioselective β-amino amide synthesis. Step economy is also fulfilled by the use of Umpolung Amide Synthesis (UmAS) in the second step, delivering the amide product without intermediacy of a carboxylic acid or activated derivative. Molybdenum oxide-mediated hydride reduction provides the anti-β2,3-amino amide with high selectivity.

Cyclopropenium Enhanced Thiourea Catalysis

An integral part of modern organocatalysis is the development and application of thiourea catalysts. Here, as part of our program aimed at developing cyclopropenium catalysts, the synthesis of a thiourea-cyclopropenium organocatalyst with both cationic hydrogen-bond donor and electrostatic character is reported. The utility of the this thiourea organocatalyst is showcased in pyranylation reactions employing phenols, primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols under operationally simple and mild reaction conditions for a broad substrate scope. The addition of benzoic acid as a co-catalyst facilitating cooperative Brønsted acid catalysis was found to be valuable for reactions involving phenols and higher substituted alcohols. Mechanistic investigations, including kinetic and ¹H NMR binding studies in conjunction with density function theory calculations, are described that collectively support a Brønsted acid mode of catalysis.

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of α-nitroacetate to α,β-unsaturated pyrazolamide catalyzed by a bifunctional squaramide

A highly enantioselective (91- > 99% ee) Michael addition of α-nitroacetate to α,β-unsaturated pyrazolamide was developed in the presence of a bifunctional squaramide. Satisfactory isolated yields (42%-99%) have been achieved with a wide range of α,β-unsaturated pyrazolamides, albeit acceptor of this type displayed poor reactivity in the precedent reports. The adducts resulting from this protocol are useful synthetic intermediates for further synthetic modification.

Enantioselective Synthesis of anti-1,2-Diamines by Cu-Catalyzed Reductive Couplings of Azadienes with Aldimines and Ketimines

Here we report highly efficient and chemoselective azadiene-imine reductive couplings catalyzed by (Ph-BPE)Cu-H that afford anti-1,2-diamines. In all cases, reactions take place with either aldimine or ketimine electrophiles to deliver a single diastereomer of product in >95:5 er. The products' diamines are easily differentiable, facilitating downstream synthesis.

Stereodivergent Catalysis

This review covers diastereo- and enantiodivergent catalyzed reactions in acyclic and cyclic systems using metal complexes or organocatalysts. Among them, nucleophilic addition to carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen double bonds, α-functionalization of carbonyl compounds, allylic substitutions, and ring opening of oxiranes and aziridines are considered. The diastereodivergent synthesis of alkenes from alkynes is also included. Finally, stereodivergent intramolecular and intermolecular cycloadditions and other cyclizations are also reported.

Site-selective Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of heteroaryl halides - understanding the trends for pharmaceutically important classes

Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of heteroaryl polyhalides with aryl boronates are surveyed. Drawing on data from literature sources as well as bespoke searches of Pfizer's global chemistry RKB and CAS Scifinder® databases, the factors that determine the site-selectivity of these reactions are discussed with a view to rationalising the trends found.

Heterocycle-based bifunctional organocatalysts in asymmetric synthesis

Different chiral bifunctional organocatalysts derived from trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine bearing different types of guanidine units able to form-hydrogen bonding activation have been designed. Conformational rigid 2-aminobenzimidazoles bearing a tertiary amino group have been used in enantioselective Michael type reactions of activated methylene compounds to nitroalkenes. The C2 symmetric bis(2-aminobenzimidazole) derivatives the appropriate organocatalyst for the conjugate addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to maleimides as well as for the SN1 reaction of benzylic alcohols with carbon nucleophiles. 2-Aminobenzimidazoles bearing a primary amino group have shown excellent catalytic activity in the Michael reaction of aldehydes to maleimides and nitroalkenes. Diastereomeric 2-aminopyrimidines bearing a prolinamide unit have been incorporated in the trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine scaffold and have been used for the inter- and intra-molecular direct aldol reaction under solvent-free conditions. For the Michael reaction of aldehydes with maleimides the primary amine 2-aminopyrimidine has shown excellent efficiency as organocatalyst. The bifunctional character of these organocatalysts has been demonstrated by means of DFT calculations.

Development of an Intermittent-Flow Enantioselective Aza-Henry Reaction Using an Arylnitromethane and Homogeneous Brønsted Acid-Base Catalyst with Recycle

A stereoselective aza-Henry reaction between an arylnitromethane and Boc-protected aryl aldimine using a homogeneous Brønsted acid-base catalyst was translated from batch format to an automated intermittent-flow process. This work demonstrates the advantages of a novel intermittent-flow setup with product crystallization and slow reagent addition which is not amenable to the standard continuous equipment: plug flow tube reactor (PFR) or continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). A significant benefit of this strategy was the integration of an organocatalytic enantioselective reaction with straightforward product separation, including recycle of the catalyst, resulting in increased intensity of the process by maintaining high catalyst concentration in the reactor. A continuous campaign confirmed that these conditions could effectively provide high throughput of material using an automated system while maintaining high selectivity, thereby addressing nitroalkane safety and minimizing catalyst usage.

Asymmetric Michael addition of α-fluoro-α-nitro esters to nitroolefins: towards synthesis of α-fluoro-α-substituted amino acids

α-Fluoro-α-nitro esters were used as reaction partners in Michael addition to nitroalkenes, and the products were obtained in excellent chemical yields and with high enantioselectivities. Moreover, α-fluoro-α-amino ester with a quaternary α-carbon was prepared for the first time.

Chiral bifunctional guanidine-catalyzed enantioselective Aza-Henry reaction of isatin-derived ketimines

An efficient asymmetric aza-Henry reaction of isatin-derived ketimines has been achieved by using a chiral guanidine-amide organocatalyst. A series of 3-substituted 3-amino-2-oxindoles was obtained with excellent results (up to 99% yield, 94% ee). Other functionalized derivatives were also conveniently transformed. This metal-free system was convenient, practical, and insensitive to air and moisture. On the basis of the crystal structure of the catalyst and NMR spectra analysis, a bifunctional catalytic model was suggested to explain the origin of the asymmetric process.

Synthesis of a flower-like Zr-based metal–organic framework and study of its catalytic performance in the Mannich reaction

UiO-66-(COOH)₂ with flower-like morphology was synthesized for the first time and its heterogeneous Brønsted acidic catalytic activities have been studied.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized Tetrasubstituted α-Aminophosphonates through Enantioselective Aza-Henry Reaction of Phosphorylated Ketimines

Bifunctional Cinchona alkaloid thioureas efficiently catalyze asymmetric nucleophilic addition of nitromethane to ketimines derived from α-aminophosphonic acids to afford tetrasubstituted α-amino-β-nitro-phosphonates. Catalytic hydrogenation of (S)-α-amino-β-nitro-phosphonate 2d gives enantiopure (S)-α,β-diaminophosphonate 3.

Diastereo- and enantioselective nitro-Mannich reaction of α-substituted nitroacetates to N-phosphoryl imines catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid thiourea organocatalysts

The asymmetric nitro-Mannich reaction of N-phosphoryl imines with α-substituted nitroacetates was performed by using cinchona alkaloid thioureas as organocatalysts in toluene at -20 °C. The present method was highly tolerable to functionalized N-phosphoryl imines and provided a reliable synthetic route to obtain the corresponding β-nitro ethylphosphoramidates with adjacent quaternary and tertiary chiral centers in high yield (up to 86%) and high enantiostereoselectivity (up to 99% ee) and diastereoselectivity (up to 99 : 1, anti-selectivity).