Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrization of meso-Epoxides by Thiols

Thiol-free multicomponent synthesis of non-racemic β-acyloxy thioethers from biocatalytically obtained chiral halohydrins

A novel multicomponent chemoenzymatic strategy for the preparation of enantioenriched β-acyloxy thioethers has been developed. This robust methodology employs mild bases, air atmosphere, room temperature and avoids the use of foul-smelling thiols. Instead, potassium thioacetate is employed as a universal sulfur source. This chemoselective strategy tolerates aromatic and aliphatic components and diverse functional groups. The chirality is enzymatically defined by ADH-catalyzed bioreduction of α-haloketones delivering an enantioenriched halohydrin which is one of the three components, and the optical purity remains untouched in the final product. Semipreparative scale multicomponent reaction affords high yield of the products (up to 96%).

Synthesis of Functionalized Five-Membered Heterocycles from Epoxides: A Hydrogen-Bond Donor Catalytic Approach

The synthesis of highly functionalized five-membered oxa- and aza-heterocycles has been reported utilizing hydrogen-bond donor (HBD) catalysis. In this method, an epoxide was taken as a substrate and reacted with functionalized arylidene/alkylidene malononitrile derivatives in the presence of a newly designed HBD catalyst. In all the cases, the products 2,5-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans (2,5-THFs) were obtained in good to excellent yields (up to 86%) with high diastereoselectivity (dr up to 99:1) as a single regioisomer. The stereochemistry at the 2- and 5-positions of the five-membered ring has been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis, and cis is found to be the major product. The same strategy has been further utilized to obtain substituted oxazolidines whenever the epoxide has been reacted with isocyanate as an electrophile. In order to induce enantioselectivity, a chiral epoxide has been reacted with both the electrophiles in the presence of the same catalyst system to afford the single stereoisomer of the final products. This synthetic methodology involves a low catalyst loading and ambient reaction condition and has been generalized with various substituents present in the starting electrophiles to produce the resultant products in acceptable yields and stereoselectivity.

Pseudo-Diastereodivergent Synthesis of Chiral Fluorenes Bearing Bis-1,3-Nonadjacent Stereogenic Centers via Organocatalytic Desymmetrization of meso-Epoxides

We report an enantio- and diastereodivergent synthesis of enantioenriched fluorenes bearing bis-1,3-nonadjacent stereocenters with broad substrate scope and high enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) under low catalyst loading (0.1 mol %). The key to the success of this method is the pseudo-diastereodivergent desymmetrization of stereoisomers of meso-epoxides enabled by the same organocatalyst. Furthermore, some of the chiral fluorenes obtained exhibit high fluorescence quantum yields (up to 76.6%), as evidenced by photophysical properties studies.

Enantioselective Syntheses of 2-Azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes via Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Ring-Opening of meso-Epoxides

A chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed ring-opening of meso-epoxides was developed. A range of 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes were obtained in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities. In addition, the hydroxyl and amide groups in the products provided handles for further derivatization.

Epoxides: Small Rings to Play with under Asymmetric Organocatalysis

Optically pure epoxides are recognized as highly valuable products and key intermediates, useful in different areas from pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries to natural product synthesis and materials science. The predictable fate of the ring-opening process, in terms of stereoselectivity and often of regioselectivity, enables useful functional groups to be installed at vicinal carbon atoms in a desired manner. In this way, products of widespread utility either for synthetic applications or as final products can be obtained. The advent of asymmetric organocatalysis provided a new convenient tool, not only for their preparation but also for the elaboration of this class of heterocycles. In this review, we focus on recent developments of stereoselective organocatalytic ring-opening reactions of meso-epoxides, kinetic resolution of racemic epoxides, and Meinwald-type rearrangement. Examples of asymmetric organocatalytic processes toward specific synthetic targets, which include ring opening of an epoxide intermediate, are also illustrated.

Chemoenzymatic Cascades for the Enantioselective Synthesis of β-Hydroxysulfides Bearing a Stereocentre at the C-O or C-S Bond by Ketoreductases

Chiral β-hydroxysulfides are an important class of organic compounds which find broad application in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry. Herein we describe the development of novel biocatalytic and chemoenzymatic methods for the enantioselective synthesis of β-hydroxysulfides by exploiting ketoreductase (KRED) enzymes. Four KREDs were discovered from a pool of 384 enzymes identified and isolated through a metagenomic approach. KRED311 and KRED349 catalysed the synthesis of β-hydroxysulfides bearing a stereocentre at the C-O bond with opposite absolute configurations and excellent ee values by novel chemoenzymatic and biocatalytic-chemical-biocatalytic (bio-chem-bio) cascades starting from commercially available thiophenols/thiols and α-haloketones/alcohols. KRED253 and KRED384 catalysed the enantioselective synthesis of β-hydroxysulfides bearing a stereocentre at the C-S bond with opposite enantioselectivities by dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of racemic α-thioaldehydes.

Identifying the true origins of selectivity in chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed N-acyl-azetidine desymmetrizations

The first catalytic intermolecular desymmetrization of azetidines was reported by Sun and coworkers in 2015 using a BINOL-derived phosphoric acid catalyst (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 5895-5898). To uncover the mechanism of the reaction and the origins of the high enantioselectivity, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed at the B97D3/6-311+G(2d,2p)/SMD(toluene)//B97D3/6-31G(d,p)/CPCM(toluene) level of theory. Comparison of four possible activation modes confirms that this reaction proceeds through the bifunctional activation of the azetidine nitrogen and the thione tautomer of the 2-mercaptobenzothiazole nucleophile. Upon thorough conformational sampling of the enantiodetermining transition structures (TSs), a free energy difference of 2.0 kcal mol-1 is obtained, accurately reproducing the experimentally measured 88% e.e. at 80 °C. This energy difference is due to both decreased distortion and increased non-covalent interactions in the pro-(S) TS. To uncover the true origins of selectivity, the TSs optimized with the full catalyst were compared to those optimized with a model catalyst through steric maps. It is found that the arrangements displayed by the substrates are controlled by strict primary orbital interaction requirements at the transition complex, and their ability to fit into the catalyst pocket drives the selectivity. A general model of selectivity for phosphoric acid-catalyzed azetidine desymmetrizations is proposed, which is based on the preference of the nucleophile and benzoyl group to occupy empty quadrants of the chiral catalyst pocket.

An Organocatalytic Kinetic Resolution of Aziridines by Thiol Nucleophiles

We report the first organocatalytic kinetic resolution of unactivated aziridines by sulfur nucleophiles with excellent enantioselectivity. A suitable chiral phosphoric acid was found to catalyze the intermolecular ring opening under mild conditions, furnishing a range of highly enantioenriched β-amino thioethers and aziridines, both of which are useful synthetic building blocks.

Experimental and Computational Studies on Regiodivergent Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Mupirocin Methyl Ester

This article presents a new strategy for achieving regiocontrol over the endo versus exo modes of cycloisomerizations of epoxide-containing alcohols, which leads to the formation of five- or six-membered cyclic ethers. Unlike traditional methods relying on achiral reagents or enzymes, this approach utilizes chiral phosphoric acids to catalyze the regiodivergent selective formations of either tetrahydrofuran- or tetrahydropyran-containing products. By using methyl ester of epoxide-containing antibiotic mupirocin as the substrate, it is demonstrated that catalytic chiral phosphoric acids (R)-TCYP and (S)-TIPSY could be used to achieve the selective formation of either the six-membered endo product (95:5 r.r.) or the five-membered exo product (77:23 r.r.), correspondingly. This cyclization was found to be unselective under the standard conditions involving various achiral acids, bases, or buffers. The subsequent mechanistic studies using state-of-the-art quantum chemical solutions provided the description of the potential energy surface, which is fully consistent with the experimental observations. Based on these results, highly detailed reaction paths are obtained and a concerted and highly synchronous mechanism is proposed for the formation of both exo and endo products.

Boronic acid-catalysed C-3 selective ring opening of 3,4-epoxy alcohols with thiophenols and thiols

In this protocol we described a boronic acid-catalysed C-3 selective ring opening of 3,4-epoxy alcohols with thiophenols and thiols as nucleophiles. This diastereo- and enantiospecific reaction provides an efficient entry to prepare a variety of hydroxyl sulfides. Through the directing effect of the hydroxyl group, nucleophilic attack on the C-3 position of the epoxide moiety is favoured. It can be rationalized in a proposed transition state, in which the boronic acid catalyst tethers both epoxides and S-nucleophiles.

The control effects of different scaffolds in chiral phosphoric acids: a case study of enantioselective asymmetric arylation

DFT calculations disclosed that the sign of enantioselectivity in chiral-phosphoric-acid catalyzed reactions can be tuned by BINOL- or SPINOL-derived backbones.

β-Hydroxy sulfides and their syntheses

Sulfur-containing natural products are ubiquitous in nature, their most abundant source being marine organisms since sulfur, in the form of the sulfate ion, is the second most abundant anion in sea water after chloride. As part of natural products, sulfur can appear in a multitude of combinations and oxidation states: thiol, sulfide (acyclic or heterocyclic), disulfide, sulfoxide, sulfonate, thioaminal, hemithioacetal, various thioesters, thiocarbamate and isothiocyanate. This review article focuses on β-hydroxy sulfides and analogs; their presence in natural products, general protocols for their synthesis, and examples of their application in target oriented synthesis.

Chiral Pentacarboxycyclopentadiene-Based Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrization of Meso-Epoxides by 2-Mercaptobenzothiazoles

Enantioselective desymmetrization of meso-epoxides by 2-mercaptobenzothiazoles was realized by using the pentacarboxycyclopentadiene-based chiral Brønsted acid in combination of N-isopropylaniline as amine additive to give up to 90.5:9.5 er of the ring opening products.

Synthesis and Desymmetrization of meso Tricyclic Systems Derived from Benzene Oxide

Ozonolysis of the Diels-Alder adducts derived from benzene oxides and N-alkylmaleimides resulted in fully substituted, meso bicyclic systems bearing six contiguous stereocenters, isolated as diols upon reductive workup with NaBH₄. Variation in the workup allowed for isolation of two different diastereoisomers, through double epimerization of the imide stereocenters. Desymmetrization of the resulting meso diols via asymmetric nucleophilic epoxide opening and acylation reactions provided access to highly substituted, enantioenriched fused rings.

Synthesis of substituted piperidines by enantioselective desymmetrizing intramolecular aza-Michael reactions

An organocatalytic enantioselective intramolecular aza-Michael reaction has been described for the first time in a desymmetrization process employing substrates different from cyclohexadienones.

Origins of Selectivity and General Model for Chiral Phosphoric Acid-Catalyzed Oxetane Desymmetrizations

The origins of the high enantioselectivity of chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed oxetane desymmetrizations were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Distortion of the catalyst structure, caused by steric crowding in the catalyst pocket of one enantiomeric transition state, is the main cause for stereochemical preference. A general model was developed to assist in the rational design of new catalysts for related transformations.

Noncovalent Interactions in Organocatalysis and the Prospect of Computational Catalyst Design

Noncovalent interactions are ubiquitous in organic systems, and can play decisive roles in the outcome of asymmetric organocatalytic reactions. Their prevalence, combined with the often subtle line separating favorable dispersion interactions from unfavorable steric interactions, often complicates the identification of the particular noncovalent interactions responsible for stereoselectivity. Ultimately, the stereoselectivity of most organocatalytic reactions hinges on the balance of both favorable and unfavorable noncovalent interactions in the stereocontrolling transition state (TS). In this Account, we provide an overview of our attempts to understand the role of noncovalent interactions in organocatalyzed reactions and to develop new computational tools for organocatalyst design. Following a brief discussion of noncovalent interactions involving aromatic rings and the associated challenges capturing these effects computationally, we summarize two examples of chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed reactions in which noncovalent interactions play pivotal, although somewhat unexpected, roles. In the first, List's catalytic asymmetric Fischer indole reaction, we show that both π-stacking and CH/π interactions of the substrate with the 3,3'-aryl groups of the catalyst impact the stability of the stereocontrolling TS. However, these noncovalent interactions oppose each other, with π-stacking interactions stabilizing the TS leading to one enantiomer and CH/π interactions preferentially stabilizing the competing TS. Ultimately, the CH/π interactions dominate and, when combined with hydrogen bonding interactions, lead to preferential formation of the observed product. In the second example, a series of phosphoric acid catalyzed asymmetric ring openings of meso-epoxides, we show that noncovalent interactions of the substrates with the 3,3'-aryl groups of the catalyst play only an indirect role in stereoselectivity. Instead, the stereoselectivity of these reactions are driven by the electrostatic stabilization of a fleeting partial positive charge in the SN2-like transition state by the chiral electrostatic environment of the phosphoric acid catalyst. Next, we describe our studies of bipyridine N-oxide and N,N'-dioxide catalyzed alkylation reactions. Based on several examples, we demonstrate that there are many potential arrangements of ligands around a hexacoordinate silicon in the stereocontrolling TS, and one must consider all of these in order to identify the lowest-lying TS structures. We also present a model in which electrostatic interactions between a formyl CH group and a chlorine in these TSs underlie the enantioselectivity of these reactions. Finally, we discuss our efforts to develop computational tools for the screening of potential organocatalyst designs, starting in the context of bipyridine N,N'-dioxide catalyzed alkylation reactions. Our new computational tool kit (AARON) has been used to design highly effective catalysts for the asymmetric propargylation of benzaldehyde, and is currently being used to screen catalysts for other reactions. We conclude with our views on the potential roles of computational chemistry in the future of organocatalyst design.

Catalytic Enantioselective Conversion of Epoxides to Thiiranes

A highly efficient and enantioselective Brønsted acid catalyzed conversion of epoxides to thiiranes has been developed. The reaction proceeds in a kinetic resolution, furnishing both epoxide and thiirane in high yields and enantiomeric purity. Heterodimer formation between the catalyst and sulfur donor affords an effective way to prevent catalyst decomposition and enables catalyst loadings as low as 0.01 mol %.

Kinetic resolution of 2,3-epoxy 3-aryl ketones via catalytic asymmetric ring-opening with pyrazole derivatives

A highly efficient catalytic kinetic resolution of 2,3-epoxy 3-aryl ketones via asymmetric ring-opening with pyrazole derivatives has been achieved by using a chiral N,N′-dioxide–Sc(iii) complex as the catalyst.

Role of keto–enol tautomerization in a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed asymmetric thiocarboxylysis of meso-epoxide: a DFT study

The mechanism of a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed thiocarboxylysis of meso-epoxide was investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations (M06-2X).

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of α-nitroepoxides via aminolytic kinetic resolution

The first enantioselective synthesis of β-aryl-substituted α-nitroepoxides, exploiting an organocatalyzed aminolytic kinetic resolution (AKR), has been developed.

Tungsten-catalyzed regio- and enantioselective aminolysis of trans-2,3-epoxy alcohols: an entry to virtually enantiopure amino alcohols

The first catalytic enantioselective aminolysis of trans-2,3-epoxy alcohols has been accomplished. This stereospecific ring-opening process was efficiently promoted by a tungsten/bis(hydroxamic acid) catalytic system, furnishing various anti-3-amino-1,2-diols with excellent regiocontrol and high enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). Moreover, virtually enantiopure 3-amino-1,2-diols could be obtained by the sequential combination of two reactions that both involve the use of a chiral catalyst.

Lithium BINOL phosphate catalyzed desymmetrization of meso-epoxides with aromatic thiols

A highly enantioselective method for desymmetrization of meso-epoxides using thiols is reported. This is the first example of epoxide activation achieved using metal BINOL phosphates. The reaction has a broad scope in terms of epoxide substrates and aromatic thiol nucleophiles. The resulting β-hydroxyl sulfides are obtained in excellent yield and enantioselectivity.

Brønsted Acid/Lewis Acid Cooperatively Catalyzed Addition of Diazoester to 2H-chromene Acetals

A novel Brønsted acid/Lewis acid dual catalyst system has been developed to promote an efficient C-C bond formation between a range of oxocarbenium precursors derived from chromene acetals and ethyl diazoacetate. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and is tolerant of common functionalized 2H-chromene and isochromene acetals. In addition, an asymmetric variant of diazoacetate addition towards 2H-chromene acetal is described. Continued investigations include the further optimization of asymmetric induction towards the formation of diazo ester substituted 2H-chromene.