The Development of an Asymmetric Hydrogenation Process for the Preparation of Solifenacin

Benzo-fused Nitrogen Heterocycles by Asymmetric Ring Expansion and Stereochemically Retentive Re-contraction of Cyclic Ureas

Benzo-fused nitrogen heterocycles are common features of bioactive molecules, and the enantioselective synthesis of their substituted analogues is an important goal. In this paper we demonstrate a practical and mechanistically intriguing approach to the enantioselective synthesis of 1-arylbenzazepines and their analogues. The reaction sequence starts with an asymmetric migratory ring expansion of indoline, tetrahydroquinoline, or tetrahydrobenzazepine ureas on treatment with a chiral lithium amide base. Treatment of the ring-expanded ureas with acid triggers a two-atom ring contraction-an 'azatropic shift' in which one urea nitrogen displaces the other-with almost complete retention of stereochemistry. Aminolysis of the urea products provides enantioenriched 1-aryl-tetrahydrobenzazepine derivatives and their congeners, including an analogue of an intermediate in the synthesis of the drug solifenacin. Deuteration, in situ IR, and DFT studies provide evidence for the mechanisms of the reaction steps.

Enantioselective Transformations in the Synthesis of Therapeutic Agents

The proportion of approved chiral drugs and drug candidates under medical studies has surged dramatically over the past two decades. As a consequence, the efficient synthesis of enantiopure pharmaceuticals or their synthetic intermediates poses a profound challenge to medicinal and process chemists. The significant advancement in asymmetric catalysis has provided an effective and reliable solution to this challenge. The successful application of transition metal catalysis, organocatalysis, and biocatalysis to the medicinal and pharmaceutical industries has promoted drug discovery by efficient and precise preparation of enantio-enriched therapeutic agents, and facilitated the industrial production of active pharmaceutical ingredient in an economic and environmentally friendly fashion. The present review summarizes the most recent applications (2008-2022) of asymmetric catalysis in the pharmaceutical industry ranging from process scales to pilot and industrial levels. It also showcases the latest achievements and trends in the asymmetric synthesis of therapeutic agents with state of the art technologies of asymmetric catalysis.

Introduction of chirality at C1 position of 1-substituted-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline by its enantioselective reduction: synthesis of chiral 1-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline - a review

There is a wide range of biological activities associated with C1 chiral carbon containing 1-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (1-substituted-THIQs) which constitute the isoquinoline alkaloids, a large group of natural products. This work summarizes several novel catalytic stereoselective approaches to enantioselectively reduce the 1-substituted-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines (1-substituted-DHIQs) to produce the desired 1-substituted-THIQs. The 1-substituted-DHIQs were prepared by using the Bischler-Napieralski reaction. The enantioselective reduction of 1-substituted-DHIQs was accomplished by using chiral hydride reducing agents, by hydrogenation with a chiral catalyst, by enantioselective reduction of DHIQs possessing a chiral auxiliary at the imine nitrogen by achiral metallic hydride reducing agents, or by enzymatic catalysis. Among these methods, much more work was carried out on the hydrogenation of 1-substituted-DHIQs in the presence of a chiral catalyst. This review summarizes articles and advancements on this topic from 1972 to 2023.

Recent Advances in the Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Amines via Transition Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation

Chiral amines are key structural motifs present in a wide variety of natural products, drugs, and other biologically active compounds. During the past decade, significant advances have been made with respect to the enantioselective synthesis of chiral amines, many of them based on catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation (AH). The present review covers the use of AH in the synthesis of chiral amines bearing a stereogenic center either in the α, β, or γ position with respect to the nitrogen atom, reported from 2010 to 2020. Therefore, we provide an overview of the recent advances in the AH of imines, enamides, enamines, allyl amines, and N-heteroaromatic compounds.

Photochemical Probe Identification of a Small-Molecule Inhibitor Binding Site in Hedgehog Acyltransferase (HHAT)

The mammalian membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) superfamily is involved in biological processes including growth, development and appetite sensing. MBOATs are attractive drug targets in cancer and obesity; however, information on the binding site and molecular mechanisms underlying small-molecule inhibition is elusive. This study reports rational development of a photochemical probe to interrogate a novel small-molecule inhibitor binding site in the human MBOAT Hedgehog acyltransferase (HHAT). Structure-activity relationship investigation identified single enantiomer IMP-1575, the most potent HHAT inhibitor reported to-date, and guided design of photocrosslinking probes that maintained HHAT-inhibitory potency. Photocrosslinking and proteomic sequencing of HHAT delivered identification of the first small-molecule binding site in a mammalian MBOAT. Topology and homology data suggested a potential mechanism for HHAT inhibition which was confirmed by kinetic analysis. Our results provide an optimal HHAT tool inhibitor IMP-1575 (K i=38 nM) and a strategy for mapping small molecule interaction sites in MBOATs.

Photochemical Probe Identification of a Small-Molecule Inhibitor Binding Site in Hedgehog Acyltransferase (HHAT)*

The mammalian membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) superfamily is involved in biological processes including growth, development and appetite sensing. MBOATs are attractive drug targets in cancer and obesity; however, information on the binding site and molecular mechanisms underlying small-molecule inhibition is elusive. This study reports rational development of a photochemical probe to interrogate a novel small-molecule inhibitor binding site in the human MBOAT Hedgehog acyltransferase (HHAT). Structure-activity relationship investigation identified single enantiomer IMP-1575, the most potent HHAT inhibitor reported to-date, and guided design of photocrosslinking probes that maintained HHAT-inhibitory potency. Photocrosslinking and proteomic sequencing of HHAT delivered identification of the first small-molecule binding site in a mammalian MBOAT. Topology and homology data suggested a potential mechanism for HHAT inhibition which was confirmed by kinetic analysis. Our results provide an optimal HHAT tool inhibitor IMP-1575 (Ki =38 nM) and a strategy for mapping small molecule interaction sites in MBOATs.

Enantioselective Synthesis of 1-Aryl Tetrahydroisoquinolines by the Rhodium-Catalyzed Reaction of 3,4-Dihydroisoquinolinium Tetraarylborates

The 1-aryl tetrahydroisoquinolines (1-aryl THIQs) are omnipresent in biologically active molecules. Here we report on the direct asymmetric synthesis of these valuable compounds via the reaction of 3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium tetraarylborates. The dual roles of anionic tetraarylborates, which function as both prenucleophiles and stabilizers of 3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium cations, enable this rhodium(I)-catalyzed protocol to convergently provide enantioenriched 1-aryl THIQs in good yields (≤95%) with ≤97% ee, as demonstrated by the formal synthesis of (-)-solifenacin and the facile synthesis of (-)-Cryptostyline I.

Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Sterically Hindered Cyclic Imines for Enantioselective Synthesis of Tetrahydroisoquinolines

An efficient enantioselective hydrogenation of sterically hindered cyclic imines catalyzed by the Ir-^tBu-ax-Josiphos complex has been described, producing a series of useful chiral bulky tetrahydroisoquinoline analogs in high isolated yields (85-96%) with good to excellent enantioselectivities (74-99% ee). This transformation provided highly straightforward access to the useful derivatives of tetrahydroisoquinolines, which are of great potential value in drug molecule and natural product research.

Single step syntheses of (1S)-aryl-tetrahydroisoquinolines by norcoclaurine synthases

The 1-aryl-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1-aryl-THIQ) moiety is found in many biologically active molecules. Single enantiomer chemical syntheses are challenging and although some biocatalytic routes have been reported, the substrate scope is limited to certain structural motifs. The enzyme norcoclaurine synthase (NCS), involved in plant alkaloid biosynthesis, has been shown to perform stereoselective Pictet-Spengler reactions between dopamine and several carbonyl substrates. Here, benzaldehydes are explored as substrates and found to be accepted by both wild-type and mutant constructs of NCS. In particular, the variant M97V gives a range of (1 S)-aryl-THIQs in high yields (48-99%) and e.e.s (79-95%). A co-crystallised structure of the M97V variant with an active site reaction intermediate analogue is also obtained with the ligand in a pre-cyclisation conformation, consistent with (1 S)-THIQs formation. Selected THIQs are then used with catechol O-methyltransferases with exceptional regioselectivity. This work demonstrates valuable biocatalytic approaches to a range of (1 S)-THIQs.

Asymmetric Synthesis of a 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-1,6-naphthyridine Scaffold Leading to Potent Retinoid-Related Orphan Receptor γt Inverse Agonist TAK-828F

An asymmetric synthesis of the tetrahydronaphthyridine scaffold of TAK-828F as a RORγt inverse agonist has been developed. The synthesis features a newly discovered atom-economical protocol for Heck-type vinylation of chloropyridine using ethylene gas, an unprecedented formation of dihydronaphthyridine directly from 2-vinyl-3-acylpyridine mediated by ammonia, and a ruthenium-catalyzed enantioselective transfer hydrogenation as key steps. This represents the first example of the enantioselective synthesis of a 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,6-naphthyridine compound. The new synthesis is also free of chromatography or distillation purification processes and therefore qualifies for extension to large-scale manufacture.

Enantioselective Total Syntheses of (-)-20-epi-Vincamine and (-)-20-epi-Eburnamonine by Ir-Catalyzed Asymmetric Imine Hydrogenation/Lactamization Cascade

The Eburnamine-Vincamine alkaloids have been studied intensively over the past six decades for their outstandingly potent vasorelaxation activity. Stereocontrolled assembly of the C20/C21 adjacent chiral centers has been a formidable challenge in the synthesis of this family. Herein, we report a concise stereoselective total synthesis of two trans-ring-fused non-natural analogues, (-)-20-epi-Vincamine and (-)-20-epi-Eburnamonine, that features the following key steps: a) a continuous-flow oxidation/lactam alcoholysis cascade producing the symmetrical dihydro-β-carboline diester precursors, and b) a highly stereoselective Ir/f-Binaphane-catalyzed hydrogenation/lactamization cascade leading to the privileged trans-(20R, 21S) lactam ester scaffold with high-level enantio- and diastereocontrol.

Asymmetric Hydrogenation of 1-aryl substituted-3,4-Dihydroisoquinolines with Iridium Catalysts Bearing Different Phosphorus-Based Ligands

Starting from the chiral 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolin-8-ol core, a series of amino-phosphorus-based ligands was realized. The so-obtained amino-phosphine ligand (L1), amino-phosphinite (L2) and amino-phosphite (L3) were evaluated in iridium complexes together with the heterobiaryl diphosphines tetraMe-BITIOP (L4), Diophep (L5) and L6 and L7 ligands, characterized by mixed chirality. Their catalytic performance in the asymmetric hydrogenation (AH) of the model substrate 6,7-dimethoxy-1-phenyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline 1a led us to identify Ir-L4 and Ir-L5 catalysts as the most effective. The application of these catalytic systems to a library of differently substituted 1-aryl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines afforded the corresponding products with variable enantioselective levels. The 4-nitrophenyl derivative 3b was obtained in a complete conversion and with an excellent 94% e.e. using Ir-L4, and a good 76% e.e. was achieved in the reduction of 2-nitrophenyl derivative 6a using Ir-L5.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Isoquinoline Alkaloids: 2004-2015

In the past decade, the asymmetric synthesis of chiral nonracemic isoquinoline alkaloids, a family of natural products showing a wide range of structural diversity and biological and pharmaceutical activity, has been based either on continuation or improvement of known traditional methods or on new, recently developed, strategies. Both diastereoselective and enantioselective catalytic methods have been applied. This review describes the stereochemically modified traditional syntheses (the Pictet-Spengler, the Bischler-Napieralski, and the Pomeranz-Fritsch-Bobbitt) along with strategies based on closing of the nitrogen-containing ring B of the isoquinoline core by the formation of bonds between C₁-N₂, N₂-C₃, C₁-N₂/N₂-C₃, and C₁-N₂/C₄-C_4a atoms. Methods involving introduction of substituents at the C1 carbon of isoquinoline core along with syntheses applying various biocatalytic techniques have also been reviewed.

Synthesis of substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines by lithiation then electrophilic quench

Lithiation then electrophilic quench of tetrahydroisoquinolines provides access to 1-substituted products. Removal of the N-Boc group allows rapid access to natural products such as (±)-crispine A.

Concise Redox Deracemization of Secondary and Tertiary Amines with a Tetrahydroisoquinoline Core via a Nonenzymatic Process

A concise deracemization of racemic secondary and tertiary amines with a tetrahydroisoquinoline core has been successfully realized by orchestrating a redox process consisted of N-bromosuccinimide oxidation and iridum-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation. This compatible redox combination enables one-pot, single-operation deracemization to generate chiral 1-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines with up to 98% ee in 93% yield, offering a simple and scalable synthetic technique for chiral amines directly from racemic starting materials.

Chemoselective Reductive Amination of Carbonyl Compounds for the Synthesis of Tertiary Amines Using SnCl2·2H2O/PMHS/MeOH

Stannous chloride catalyzed chemoselective reductive amination of a variety of carbonyl compounds with aromatic amines has been developed for the synthesis of a diverse range of tertiary amines using inexpensive polymethylhydrosiloxane as reducing agent in methanol. The present method is also applicable for the synthesis of secondary amines including heterocyclic ones.

Base-promoted coupling of carbon dioxide, amines, and N-tosylhydrazones: a novel and versatile approach to carbamates

A base-promoted three-component coupling of carbon dioxide, amines, and N-tosylhydrazones has been developed. The reaction is suggested to proceed via a carbocation intermediate and constitutes an efficient and versatile approach for the synthesis of a wide range of organic carbamates. The advantages of this method include the use of readily available substrates, excellent functional group tolerance, wide substrate scope, and a facile work-up procedure.

P-Trifluoromethyl ligands derived from Josiphos in the Ir-catalysed hydrogenation of 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline hydrochlorides

Ferrocenyl phosphines containing a stereogenic P-CF₃ group show improved selectivities in the Ir-catalysed hydrogenation of dihydroisoquinolinium derivatives.