Enantiomerization dynamics and a catalytic dynamic resolution of N-trimethylallyl-2-lithiopyrrolidine

Current applications of kinetic resolution in the asymmetric synthesis of substituted pyrrolidines

Chiral substituted pyrrolidines are key elements in various biologically active molecules and are therefore valuable synthetic targets. One traditional method towards enantiomerically pure compounds is the application of kinetic resolution. In this review, current KR methodology used in the synthesis of substituted pyrrolidines is surveyed, including enzymatic methods, cycloadditions and reduction of ketones.

Regiocontrolled synthesis of (hetero)aryl and alkenyl dehydropyrrolidines, dehydropiperidines and azepenes by Ru-catalyzed, heteroatom-directed α-C–H activation/cross-coupling of cyclic enamides with boronic acids

The synthesis of α-aryl and alkenyl pyrrolidine-, piperidine-, and azepane derivatives by ruthenium-catalyzed, carbonyl-assisted, site-selective sp² C–H activation of cyclic enamides and concomitant cross-coupling with boronic acids is described.

Direct access to functionalized benzotropones, azepanes, and piperidines by reductive cross-coupling of α-bromo enones with α-bromo enamides

High-yielding syntheses of functionalized azepenes and piperidines, bearing an α-benzotropone derivative, have been achieved through cobalt-catalysed reductive cross-coupling of α-bromo enamides with α-bromo enones.

Dynamics of catalytic resolution of 2-lithio-N-Boc-piperidine by ligand exchange

The dynamics of the racemization and catalytic and stoichiometric dynamic resolution of 2-lithio-N-Boc-piperidine (7) have been investigated. The kinetic order in tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) for both racemization and resolution of the title compound and the kinetic orders in two resolving ligands have been determined. The catalytic dynamic resolution is second order in TMEDA and 0.5 and 0.265 order in chiral ligands 8 and 10, respectively. The X-ray crystal structure of ligand 10 shows it to be an octamer. Dynamic NMR studies of the resolution process were carried out. Some of the requirements for a successful catalytic dynamic resolution by ligand exchange have been identified.

Synthetic applications and inversion dynamics of configurationally stable 2-lithio-2-arylpyrrolidines and -piperidines

In diethyl ether, N-Boc-2-lithio-2-arylpiperidines have been found to be configurationally stable at -80 °C, whereas N-Boc-2-lithio-2-arylpyrrolidines are configurationally stable at -60 °C. Several tertiary benzylic carbanions derived from enantioenriched 2-aryl heterocycles have been successfully alkylated or acylated with little to no loss of enantiopurity. The scope of the reactions has been explored. The enantiomerization dynamics of N-Boc-2-lithio-2-phenylpyrrolidine and N-Boc-2-lithio-2-phenylpiperidine have been studied in the presence of different solvents and achiral ligands.

Highly enantioselective catalytic dynamic resolution of N-Boc-2-lithiopiperidine: synthesis of (R)-(+)-N-Boc-pipecolic acid, (S)-(-)-coniine, (S)-(+)-pelletierine, (+)-beta-conhydrine, and (S)-(-)-ropivacaine and formal synthesis of (-)-lasubine II and (+)-cermizine C

The catalytic dynamic resolution (CDR) of rac-2-lithio-N-Boc-piperidine using chiral ligand 8 or its diastereomer 9 in the presence of TMEDA has led to the highly enantioselective syntheses of both enantiomers of 2-substituted piperidines using a wide range of electrophiles. The CDR has been applied to the synthesis of (R)- and (S)-pipecolic acid derivatives, (+)-beta-conhydrine, (S)-(+)-pelletierine, and (S)-(-)-ropivacaine and the formal synthesis of (-)-lasubine II and (+)-cermizine C.

Fully substituted carbon centers by diastereoselective spirocyclization: stereoselective synthesis of (+)-lepadiformine C

Reductive lithiation of N-Boc alpha-amino nitriles generated alpha-amino alkyllithium reagents with unexpected selectivity. The intermediate radical prefers to align with the nitrogen lone pair, and this interaction leads to an A(1,3)-strain effect that biases the conformation of the radical. In cyclohexane rings with alpha-substituents the net effect is an inversion of configuration on reductive lithiation. In the presence of a tethered electrophile the alkyllithium cyclizes to produce a spiro compound, again with inversion of configuration. The overall result is retention of configuration in the cyclization reaction. The same overall selectivity is found with alpha-oxygen alkyllithium cyclizations, but in this case both steps proceed with retention. The difference can be explained by careful consideration of the intermediate geometries. The alpha-amino spirocyclization was utilized in a concise and stereoselective synthesis of lepadiformine C.

Asymmetric substitutions of 2-lithiated N-boc-piperidine and N-Boc-azepine by dynamic resolution

Proton abstraction of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-piperidine (N-Boc-piperidine) with sBuLi and TMEDA provides a racemic organolithium that can be resolved using a chiral ligand. The enantiomeric organolithiums can interconvert so that a dynamic resolution occurs. Two mechanisms for promoting enantioselectivity in the products are possible. Slow addition of an electrophile such as trimethylsilyl chloride allows dynamic resolution under kinetic control (DKR). This process occurs with high enantioselectivity and is successful by catalysis with substoichiometric chiral ligand (catalytic dynamic kinetic resolution). Alternatively, the two enantiomers of this organolithium can be resolved under thermodynamic control with good enantioselectivity (dynamic thermodynamic resolution, DTR). The best ligands found are based on chiral diamino-alkoxides. Using DTR, a variety of electrophiles can be used to provide an asymmetric synthesis of enantiomerically enriched 2-substituted piperidines, including (after Boc deprotection) the alkaloid (+)-beta-conhydrine. The chemistry was extended, albeit with lower yields, to the corresponding 2-substituted seven-membered azepine ring derivatives.

The barrier to enantiomerization and dynamic resolution of N-Boc-2-lithiopiperidine and the effect of TMEDA

The kinetics of enantiomerization and dynamic thermodynamic resolution (DTR) of N-Boc-2-lithiopiperidine have been measured, revealing significant differences in enthalpy and entropy for these processes and a role for the achiral ligand TMEDA; the racemization and the DTR are catalytic and first order in [TMEDA], and this has implications for asymmetric synthesis with chiral organolithiums.