Catalytic highly enantioselective alkylation of aldehydes with deactivated grignard reagents and synthesis of bioactive intermediate secondary arylpropanols

Ru(II)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Chalcones in Water: Application to the Enantioselective Synthesis of Flavans BW683C and Tephrowatsin E

The oxo-tethered-Ru(II) precatalyst promoted the one-pot C═C/C═O reduction of chalcones using sodium formate as the hydrogen source in water through asymmetric transfer hydrogenation. Twenty-seven 1,3-diarylpropan-1-ols were obtained in good to excellent yields (up to 96%) and enantiomeric purities (up to 98:2). Our data suggested that the enones are first reduced to the corresponding dihydrochalcones (1,4-selectivity) and then into 1,3-diarylpropan-1-ols (C═O reduction). The stereoelectronic effects of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups at the ortho, meta and para positions of both aromatic rings were evaluated. The 2-OH group at the B ring was well tolerated, allowing a straightforward enantioselective synthesis of two flavans through the Mitsunobu cyclization, the antiviral (S)-BW683C and the natural flavan (S)-tephrowatsin E.

Ru-Catalyzed Asymmetric Addition of Arylboronic Acids to Aliphatic Aldehydes via P-Chiral Monophosphorous Ligands

Chiral alcohols are among the most widely applied in fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Herein, the Ru-monophosphine catalyst formed in situ was found to promote an enantioselective addition of aliphatic aldehydes with arylboronic acids, delivering the chiral alcohols in excellent yields and enantioselectivities and exhibiting a broad scope of aliphatic aldehydes and arylboronic acids. The enantioselectivities are highly dependent on the monophosphorous ligands. The utility of this asymmetric synthetic method was showcased by a large-scale transformation.

Catalytic Enantioselective Addition of Alkylzirconium Reagents to Aliphatic Aldehydes

A catalytic methodology for the enantioselective addition of alkylzirconium reagents to aliphatic aldehydes is reported here. The versatile and readily accessible chiral Ph-BINMOL ligand, in the presence of Ti(OⁱPr)₄ and a zinc salt, facilitates the reaction, which proceeds under mild conditions and is compatible with functionalized nucleophiles. The alkylzirconium reagents are conveniently generated in situ by hydrozirconation of alkenes with the Schwartz reagent. This work is a continuation of our previous work on aromatic aldehydes.

Addition of Chloroprene Grignards to Aromatic Aldehydes: Synthesis of Homoallenyl Alcohols

A general procedure for the one-pot synthesis of racemic homoallenyl alcohols from the corresponding aldehyde and chloroprene-derived Grignards is described. Employing bis[2-dimethylaminoethyl]ether (BDMAEE) as an additive at low temperatures shifts the selectivity of the chloroprene Grignard addition to aldehydes such that it is almost exclusive toward allene formation. In a set of follow-up experiments, simple and more elaborate methods for further derivatization have been demonstrated, allowing quick access to more complex structures.

Method for Catalytic Enantioselective Alkylation of Aldehydes Using Grignard Reagents as Alkyl Sources

Alkyltitanium reagents, generated in situ from Grignard reagents and ClTi(O ⁱPr)₃, can be employed without further manipulation in the enantioselective alkylation of aldehyde by the catalysis of a chiral titanium complex derived from DTBP-H₈-BINOL. The reaction is performed with good stoichiometry [1.5 equiv each of Grignard reagents and ClTi(O ⁱPr)₃] at a low catalyst loading (2 mol %), affording a variety of chiral secondary alcohols in high enantioselectivity and yields and, hence, realizing an asymmetric version of the Grignard reaction in an indirect manner.

Catalytic Enantioselective Addition of Organozirconium Reagents to Aldehydes

A catalytic enantioselective addition reaction of alkylzirconium species to aromatic aldehydes is reported. The reaction, facilitated by a chiral nonracemic diol ligand complex with Ti(OⁱPr)₄, proceeds under mild and convenient conditions, and no premade organometallic reagents are required since the alkylzirconium nucleophiles are generated in situ by hydrozirconation of alkenes with the Schwartz reagent. The methodology is compatible with functionalized nucleophiles and a broad range of aromatic aldehydes.

Stereospecific Stille Cross-Couplings Using Mn(II)Cl2

Cross-coupling reactions are a staple in organic synthesis, especially for C-C bond formation with sp- and sp²-carbon electrophiles. In recent years, the range of accessible C-C bonds has been extended to stereogenic centers which expedites access to greater molecular complexity. However, these reactions predominantly depend upon late transition metal (LTM) catalysts whose cost, toxicity, and/or environmental impact have come under increasing scrutiny and governmental regulation. Here, we report Mn(II)Cl₂ complexes alone, or with assistance from copper, catalyze the stereospecific cross-coupling of α-alkoxyalkylstannanes with organic electrophiles with complete retention of configuration.

Paleo-soraphens: chemical total syntheses and biological studies

To provide a picture of the hypothetical evolutionary optimization of soraphen four additional paleo-soraphens and their biological profiles are described.

Enantioselective synthesis of α-phenyl- and α-(dimethylphenylsilyl)alkylboronic esters by ligand mediated stereoinductive reagent-controlled homologation using configurationally labile carbenoids

Enantioselective chain extension of boronic esters with configurationally labile racemic carbenoids is achieved in the presence of scalemic bisoxazoline ligands.

New advances in dual stereocontrol for asymmetric reactions

Achieving dual stereocontrol in asymmetric reactions using a single enantiomer for the building of the chiral catalyst or auxiliary is a very important goal in enantioselective synthesis as it eliminates the need for having available the two enantiomers of the auxiliary or catalyst designed. Recent strategies and advances towards this goal during the last four years will be discussed throughout this review.

TMEDA-assisted effective direct ortho arylation of electron-deficient N-heteroarenes with aromatic Grignard reagents

In the addition of TMEDA in toluene, aryl Grignards could effectively and site-specifically ortho-arylate electron-deficient heteroarenes under mild conditions. This endeavor successfully changed the old low-yielding reaction, aryl Grignard addition to N-heteroarenes, into an efficient procedure for heterobiaryls. The combination of the inexpensive aryl Grignards, TMEDA, the cost-free air, no use of any transition-metal catalyst, the mild reaction conditions, and the high-yielding gram-scale results enables this new procedure to be cost-effective and potentially utilizable in industry.