Design and Synthesis of Novel C2-Symmetric Chiral Piperazines and an Application to Asymmetric Acylation of σ-Symmetric 1,2-Diols

Enantioselective Access to Chiral 2,5-Diketopiperazines via Stereogenic-at-Cobalt(III)-Catalyzed Ugi-4CRs/Cyclization Sequences

An asymmetric synthesis of chiral 2,5-diketopiperazines by the Ugi-4CR/cyclization is exhibited. The employment of catalytic anionic chiral Co(III) complexes delivered α-propiolyl aminoamides in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (31 examples, up to 95% ee). The following treatment of Ugi-adducts with PPh3 leads to chiral 2,5-DKPs without significant loss of enantioselectivities (26 examples, up to 91% ee).

Reversal of Enantioselectivity for the Desymmetrization of meso-1,2-Diols Catalyzed by Pyridine-N-oxides

The desymmetrization of meso-vic-diols with a reversal of enantioselectivity catalyzed by chiral pyridine-N-oxides with l-proline as a single source of chirality is reported. With chiral 3-substituted ArPNO C2c and 2-substituted 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine-N-oxide C3b as catalysts, a wide range of monoesters were obtained with satisfactory results with a complete and controlled switch in stereoselectivity (up to 97:3 and 1:99 er). Chiral six-membered carbocyclic uracil nucleosides were generated with excellent enantioselectivities after derivatization. A series of control experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported that the reaction proceeded in a bifunctional activated manner, where the N-oxide groups and N-H proton of the amides were vital for catalytic reactivity and stereocontrol. The DFT calculation also supported the distance-directed switching of enantioselectivity, in which the l-prolinamide moiety moved from the C3 to C2 position on the pyridine ring, resulting in the H-bond interaction between the amide N-H and OH group of meso-vic-diol also shifted from one hydroxyl group to another.

Metabolites with antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities produced by the endophytic fungi Aspergillus niger from Pachysandra terminalis

One new compound and 13 known compounds were isolated from Aspergillus niger, a plant endophytic fungus of Pachysandra terminalis collected from Qinling Mountains, Xi'an, China. The structure of new compound 1 was classically determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 5, 6, 8, and 14 were firstly reported from Aspergillus, while compound 2 was isolated from A. niger for the first time. All isolated compounds were further evaluated for their antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited significant antioxidant activities with IC50 values of 31.64 μm and 24.32 μm, respectively, similar to the positive control ascorbic acid. Additionally, compound 1 displayed remarkable inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase with an IC50 value of 96.25 μm, which was 3.4-fold more potent than that of the positive control acarbose. Compound 1 has great potential for development as a new lead compound owing to its simple structure and remarkable biological activity.

Natural Product-Inspired Chiral Ligand Design: Aloperine and N-Substituted Aloperines-Induced Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydroarylation of Ketimines

A naturally occurring alkaloid aloperine was utilized as a chiral skeleton for the development of new ligands/catalysts in asymmetric synthesis. A number of N-substituted aloperines have been prepared, and a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric hydroarylation of ketimines using these chiral 1,3-diamine ligands was reported. A range of chiral sulfonyl amides were prepared in high yields and enantioselectivities. The stereoselectivity and structure relationships of aloperines have been studied. In addition, preliminary studies on the desymmetrization of meso-anhydride have also shown that these diamines have good potential in organocatalysis. These discoveries would provide a new future development for natural product-inspired chiral ligand design and developments.

Kinetic Resolution of dl-Hydrobenzoins Catalyzed by Copper(II) Complexes of C2-Symmetric Thiophene-Derived Ligands

C2 symmetrical chiral amino alcohol ligands with a central thiophene moiety have shown to be effective in combination with CuCl2 in the asymmetric acylation of dl-hydrobenzoins. In contrast to previously developed chiral ligands, readily available acetyl chloride and acetic anhydride can be used as reagents in addition to the benzoyl chloride giving rise to the corresponding monoacylated products in up to 99 %ee (S = 532).

Chiral 1,2,3-Triazolium Salt Catalyzed Asymmetric Mono- and Dialkylation of 2,5-Diketopiperazines with the Construction of Tetrasubstituted Carbon Centers

Novel asymmetric mono- and dialkylation reactions of α-substituted 2,5-diketopiperazines catalyzed by new chiral spirocyclic-amide-derived triazolium organocatalysts have been developed, resulting in a range of enantioenriched 2,5-diketopiperazine derivatives containing one or two tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters. The reactions feature high yields (up to 98%), and excellent cis-diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20:1 dr, >99 % ee), and they provide a new asymmetric synthetic approach to important functionalized 2,5-diketopiperazine skeletons. Furthermore, a possible reaction mechanism was proposed based on both control experiments and extensive DFT calculations.

Proline-promoted dehydroxylation of α-ketols

A new single-step proline-potassium acetate promoted reductive dehydroxylation of α-ketols is reported. We introduce the unexplored reactivity of proline and, for the first time, reveal its ability to function as a reducing agent. The developed metal-free and open-flask operation generally results in good yields. Our protocol allows the challenging selective dehydroxylation of hydroxyketones without affecting other functional groups.

Selective Monoacylation of Diols and Asymmetric Desymmetrization of Dialkyl meso-Tartrates Using 2-Pyridyl Esters as Acylating Agents and Metal Carboxylates as Catalysts

With 2-pyridyl benzoates as acylating agents and Zn(OAc)₂ as a catalyst, 1,2-diols, 1,3-diols, and catechol were selectively monoacylated. Furthermore, the highly enantioselective desymmetrization of meso-tartrates was achieved for the first time, utilizing 2-pyridyl esters and NiBr₂/AgOPiv/Ph-BOX in CH₃CN or CuCl₂/AgOPiv/Ph-BOX in EtOAc catalyst systems (up to 96% ee). The latter catalyst system was also effective for the kinetic resolution of dibenzyl dl-tartrate.

Binuclear Double-Stranded Helicates and Their Catalytic Applications in Desymmetrization of Mesodiols

The ligand L₁ of 4-methyl-2,6-diformylphenol and L₂ of 4- tert-butyl-2,6-diformylphenol are synthesized through Schiff base condensation with rac-, ( R)-(+), or ( S)-(-)-1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diamine (BNDA). As a result, the racemic L₁^rac, L₂^rac, and enantiopure L₁^RR, L₁^SS, L₂^RR, and L₂^SS ligands are obtained incorporating Cu(II) and Zn(II) salts by a simple one-pot metal template method. The series of dinuclear complexes of [M₂LX₂] (here, M = Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺; X = acetate ion, chloride ion; L = L₁^RR, L₁^SS, L₁^rac, L₂^RR, L₂^SS, L₂^rac) formulas are obtained in common. Among them, the single crystal X-ray structures for [Zn₂L₁^rac(OAc)₂] and [Zn₂L₁^SSCl₂] complexes are obtained. The detailed crystal structure and the chiroptical studies performed on these complexes dictates a self-sorting behavior in their self-assembly process and illustrate a chirality transfer from the ligand to the metal center on the complexes. The enantiopure dinuclear complexes [M₂L^RRX₂] and [M₂L^SSX₂] generate enantiopure ΛΛ and ΔΔ isomers, respectively, but the racemic complexes produce only homochiral ΛΛ and ΔΔ assemblies. The detailed studies based on UFLC (Ultra Fast Liquid Chromatography), CD, and single crystal X-ray structure together show the absence of heterochiral ΛΔ mesocate. All these complexes are adapted as catalysts for desymmetrization of various mesodiols, and the enantiopure complexes are found to give efficient enantioselectivity in desymmetrization of mesodiols with benzoyl chloride to monobenzoylated ester providing 98% yield and 92% ee.

Concise Total Synthesis of Herqulines B and C

A simple total synthesis of herqulines B and C is reported, modeled on the reductive biosynthesis reported previously by other researchers. Commencing from tyrosine, these alkaloids were fashioned through a dimerization, macrocyclization, and four consecutive reductions. Emerging from these studies are strategic insights on the synthesis of these strained alkaloids, as well as mild conditions for the exhaustive reduction of diketopiperizines.

Attraction Pheromone of The Benthic Diatom Seminavis robusta: Studies on Structure-Activity Relationships

Recently the first pheromone of a marine diatom was identified to be the diketopiperazine (S,S)-diproline. This compound facilitates attraction between mating partners in the benthic diatom Seminavis robusta. Interestingly, sexualized S. robusta cells are attracted to both the natural pheromone (S,S)-diproline as well as to its enantiomer (R,R)-diproline. Usually stereospecificity is a prerequisite for successful substrate-receptor interactions, and especially pheromone perception is often highly enantioselective. Here we introduce a structure-activity relationship study, to learn more about the principles of pheromone reception in diatoms. We analyzed the activity of nine different diketopiperazines in attraction and interference assays. The pheromone diproline itself, as well as a pipecolic acid derived diketopiperazine with two expanded aliphatic ring systems, showed the highest attractivity. Hydroxylatoin of the aliphatic rings abolished any bioactivity. Diketopiperazines derived from acyclic amino acids were not attrative as well. All stereoisomers of both the diproline and the pipecolic acid derived diketopiperazine were purified by enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography, and application in bioactivity tests confirmed that attraction pheromone perception in this diatom is indeed not stereospecific. However, the lack of activity of diketopiperazines derived from acyclic amino acids suggests a specificity that prevents misguidance to sources of other naturally occurring diketopiperazines.

Efficient one-pot synthesis of enantiomerically pure N-protected-α-substituted piperazines from readily available α-amino acids

A new pathway towards enantiomerically pure 3-substituted piperazines, bearing a benzyl protecting group, has been developed in good overall yields (83–92%), starting from commercially available N-protected amino acids.

A mechanochemical approach to access the proline-proline diketopiperazine framework

Ball milling was exploited to prepare a substituted proline building block by mechanochemical nucleophilic substitution. Subsequently, the mechanocoupling of hindered proline amino acid derivatives was developed to provide proline-proline dipeptides under solvent-free conditions. A deprotection-cyclization sequence yielded the corresponding diketopiperazines that were obtained with a high stereoselectivity which could be explained by DFT calculations. Using this method, an enantiopure disubstituted Pro-Pro diketopiperazine was synthesized in 4 steps, making 5 new bonds using a ball mill.

Synthesis of Chiral Piperazines via Hydrogenation of Pyrazines Activated by Alkyl Halides

A facile method has been developed for the synthesis of chiral piperazines through Ir-catalyzed hydrogenation of pyrazines activated by alkyl halides, giving a wide range of chiral piperazines including 3-substituted as well as 2,3- and 3,5-disubstituted ones with up to 96% ee. The high enantioselectivity, easy scalability, and concise drug synthesis demonstrate the practical utility.

Revisiting the sparteine surrogate: development of a resolution route to the (-)-sparteine surrogate

The improved performance of the sparteine surrogate compared to sparteine in a range of applications has highlighted the need to develop an approach to the (-)-sparteine surrogate, previously inaccessible in gram-quantities. A multi-gram scale, chromatography-free synthesis of the racemic sparteine surrogate and its resolution via diastereomeric salt formation with (-)-O,O'-di-p-toluoyl-l-tartaric acid is reported. Resolution on a 10.0 mmol scale gave the diastereomeric salts in 33% yield from which (-)-sparteine surrogate of 93 : 7 er was generated. This work solves a key limitation: either enantiomer of the sparteine surrogate can now be readily accessed.

Desymmetrisation of meso-diols mediated by non-enzymatic acyl transfer catalysts

Complementary to enzymatic methods, catalytic enantioselective desymmetrisation of meso-diols (EDMD) by small molecule catalysts has emerged as a powerful tool that provides highly enantioenriched materials of considerable value in organic synthesis. This review traces the evolution of easily accessible catalysts used in the EDMD and compares their performance with the existing enzymatic methods.

Organocatalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of diols in the preparation of chiral building blocks

Desymmetrization of diols is a powerful tool to the synthesis of chiral building blocks. Among the different approaches to perform discrimination between both enantiotopic hydroxyl groups, the organocatalytic approach has gained importance in the last years. A diverse range of organocatalysts has been used to efficiently promote this enantioselective transformation and this Minireview examines the different contributions in this field.

C-H activation: a complementary tool in the total synthesis of complex natural products

The recent advent of transition-metal mediated C-H activation is revolutionizing the synthetic field and gradually infusing a "C-H activation mind-set" in both students and practitioners of organic synthesis. As a powerful testament of this emerging synthetic tool, applications of C-H activation in the context of total synthesis of complex natural products are beginning to blossom. Herein, recently completed total syntheses showcasing creative and ingenious incorporation of C-H activation as a strategic manoeuver are compared with their "non-C-H activation" counterparts, illuminating a new paradigm in strategic synthetic design.

Amine, alcohol and phosphine catalysts for acyl transfer reactions

An overview of the area of organocatalytic asymmetric acyl transfer processes is presented including O- and N-acylation. The material has been ordered according to the structural class of catalyst employed rather than reaction type with the intention to draw mechanistic parallels between the manner in which the various reactions are accelerated by the catalysts and the concepts employed to control transfer of chiral information from the catalyst to the substrates.

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Kmn04-Oxidative Catalysed Condensation Reaction of L-Proline to a Diketopiperazine: Evidence for Delayed Autocatalytic Behaviour

The kinetics and mechanism of the KMn04-oxidative catalysed condensation reaction of L-proline, as a cyclic secondary amino acid, has been investigated spectrophotometrically. Product analysis has revealed, that in contrast to the usual reaction of α-amino acids, which results in an aldehyde species, a valuable diketopiperazine, namely cyclo(L-pro-L-pro), is obtained as the main product, providing a cheap, simple, efficient, and novel method. Conclusive evidence has demonstrated delayed autocatalytic activity involving Mn2+in this reaction, analogous to that shown by chain primary a-amino acids. It has been revealed that such activity can emerge when a certain concentration of Mn2 +is built up in the medium, to which we refer as the “critical concentration”. Moreover, the “critical concentration” for the appearance of “autocatalytic behaviour” in this oxidative process is affected by the nature of the amino acid used, as reported in previous studies, while the magnitude of the critical concentration depends on the sulfuric acid concentration. In considering “delayed autocatalytic behaviour” of Mn2+ions, rate equations satisfying experimental data for both catalytic and non- catalytic routes have been presented. The reaction shows a first-order dependence on permanganate ion concentration, both in the catalytic and non-catalytic pathways, and an apparent first-order dependence on Mn2 +ions in the catalytic pathway. The correspondence of the pseudo-order rate constants of the catalytic and non-catalytic pathways to the Arrhenius and Eyring laws verified both the “critical concentration” and “delayed autocatalytic behaviour” concepts. The activation parameters associated with the reaction pseudo-rate constants k, and k2are computed and discussed. Proposed mechanisms for both catalytic and non- catalytic routes include a diacyclperoxide intermediate, which leads to a C-2-symmetric chiral product having a diketopiperazine skeleton.