A diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of alpha-substituted anti-alpha,beta-diaminophosphonic acid derivatives

Fluorine-induced diastereodivergence discovered in an equally rare enantioselective syn-aza-Henry reaction

Attention to the aza-Henry reaction, particularly over the past two decades, has resulted in a wide range of effective catalysts for the enantio- and diastereoselective versions, driven by the versatility of the β-amino nitroalkane products as precursors to secondary amines and vic-diamines. Despite this broad effort, syn-diastereoselective variants are exceedingly rare. We have discovered a subset of α-fluoro nitroalkane additions that are characterized by an unusual crossover in diastereoselection, often delivering the products with high selectivities. We report here a rigorous comparative analysis of non-fluorinated and α-fluoro nitroalkanes in their additions to azomethines. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis were applied to probe the possibility that this phenomenon might be more widely operative in the enantioselective additions of fluorine-substituted carbon nucleophiles. A complete correlation within four categories is described that uncovered a clear trend, while revealing a dramatic and distinct reversal of diastereoselection that would normally go undetected.

Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α- and β-enamido phosphonates: highly enantioselective access to amino phosphonic acids

Broad substrate scope; high isloated yield and enantioselectivity; novel hybrid bisphosphine ligands; gram-scale reaction with lower catalyst usage.

DFT-Based Stereochemical Rationales for the Bifunctional Brønsted Acid/Base-Catalyzed Diastereodivergent and Enantioselective aza-Henry Reactions of α-Nitro Esters

A pair of chiral bis(amidine) [BAM] proton complexes provide reagent (catalyst)-controlled, highly diastereo- and enantioselective direct aza-Henry reactions leading to α-alkyl-substituted α,β-diamino esters. A C₂-symmetric ligand provides high anti-selectivity, while a nonsymmetric congener exhibits syn-selectivity in this example of diastereodivergent, enantioselective catalysis. A detailed computational analysis is reported for the first time, one that supports distinct models for selectivity resulting from the more hindered binding cavity of the C₁-symmetric ligand. Binding in this congested pocket accommodates four hydrogen bond contacts among ligands and substrates, ultimately favoring a pre-syn arrangement highlighted by pyridinium-azomethine activation and quinolinium-nitronate activation. The complementary transition states reveal a wide range of alternatives. Comparing the C₁- and C₂-symmetric catalysts highlights distinct electrophile binding orientations despite their common hydrogen bond donor-acceptor features. Among the factors driving unusual high syn-diastereoselection are favorable dispersion forces that leverage the anthracenyl substituent of the C₁-symmetric ligand.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted α-Aminophosphonic Acid Derivatives

Due to their structural similarity with natural α-amino acids, α-aminophosphonic acid derivatives are known biologically active molecules. In view of the relevance of tetrasubstituted carbons in nature and medicine and the strong dependence of the biological activity of chiral molecules into their absolute configuration, the synthesis of α-aminophosphonates bearing tetrasubstituted carbons in an asymmetric fashion has grown in interest in the past few decades. In the following lines, the existing literatures for the synthesis of optically active tetrasubstituted α-aminophosphonates are summarized, comprising diastereoselective and enantioselective approaches.

Substituted Imidazoline Synthesis: A Diastereo- and Enantioselective aza-Henry Route to a Human Proteasome Modulator

The first enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of Tepe's human proteasome modulator is described. Routes to this and other highly substituted chiral imidazolines generally produce racemic material. Key to the route disclosed here is a gram-scale anti-selective aza-Henry reaction of an α-alkyl α-nitro ester nucleophile, catalyzed by a Bis(Amidine) [BAM] chiral proton complex, delivering the key intermediate in high yield as a single stereoisomer. The adduct is reduced to the amino ester and converted to an imidazoline.

A novel approach for obtaining α,β-diaminophosphonates bearing structurally diverse side chains and their interactions with transition metal ions studied by ITC

Aminophosphonates are an important group of building blocks in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry. Novel representatives of this class of compounds containing nontypical side chains are still needed. The aza-Michael-type addition of amines to phosphonodehydroalanine derivatives provides a simple and effective approach for synthesizing N′-substituted α,β-diaminoethylphosphonates and thus affords general access to aminophosphonates bearing structurally diverse side chains. Thermodynamic analysis of the chosen aminophosphonates at physiological pH proves that they serve as potent chelators for copper(ii) ions and moderate chelators for nickel(ii) ions.

A convenient and general reaction is presented for the preparation of diaminophosphonates further evaluated as chelators of metal ions.

Direct Observation and Analysis of the Halo-Amino-Nitro Alkane Functional Group

Conventional amide synthesis is a mainstay in discipline-spanning applications, and it is a reaction type that historically developed as a singular paradigm when considering the carbon-nitrogen bond-forming step. Umpolung amide synthesis (UmAS) exploits the unique properties of an α-halo nitroalkane in its reaction with an amine to produce an amide. The "umpolung" moniker reflects its paradigm-breaking C-N bond formation on the basis of evidence that the nucleophilic nitronate carbon and electrophilic nitrogen engage to form a tetrahedral intermediate (TI) that is an unprecedented functional group, a 1,1,1-halo-amino-nitro alkane (HANA). Studies probing HANA transience have failed to capture this (presumably) highly reactive intermediate. We report here the direct observation of a HANA, its conversion thermally to an amide functionality, and quantitative analysis of this process using computational techniques. These findings validate the HANA as a functional group common to UmAS and diverted UmAS, opening the door to its targeted use and creative manipulation.

The inverted ketene synthon: a double umpolung approach to enantioselective β2,3-amino amide synthesis

A stereocontrolled synthesis of β2,3-amino amides is reported. Innovation is encapsulated by the first use of nitroalkenes to achieve double umpolung in enantioselective β-amino amide synthesis. Step economy is also fulfilled by the use of Umpolung Amide Synthesis (UmAS) in the second step, delivering the amide product without intermediacy of a carboxylic acid or activated derivative. Molybdenum oxide-mediated hydride reduction provides the anti-β2,3-amino amide with high selectivity.

Carbene-Catalyzed [4 + 2] Cycloadditions of Vinyl Enolate and (in Situ Generated) Imines for Enantioselective Synthesis of Quaternary α-Amino Phosphonates

A carbene-catalyzed enantioselective addition of enals to five-membered cyclic imines is developed. The reaction gives chiral quaternary α-amino phosphonates bearing tetrasubstituted carbon centers with excellent enantioselectivities. The imine substrates can be generated in situ from the corresponding amines under an oxidative condition that is compatible with the carbene catalysis. Thus, a one-pot cross-dehydrogenative-coupling (CDC) reaction between enals and amines is also realized with high enantioselectivity remaining. The method provides quick enantioselective access to amino phosphonates with potential applications in medicines and pesticides.

Continuous Platform to Generate Nitroalkanes On-Demand (in situ) using Peracetic Acid-Mediated Oxidation in a PFA Pipes-in-Series Reactor

The synthetic utility of the aza-Henry reaction can be diminished on scale by potential hazards associated with the use of peracid to prepare nitroalkane substrates, and the nitroalkanes themselves. In response, a continuous and scalable chemistry platform to prepare aliphatic nitroalkanes on-demand is reported, using the oxidation of oximes with peracetic acid and direct reaction of the nitroalkane intermediate in an aza-Henry reaction. A uniquely designed pipes-in-series plug flow tube reactor addresses a range of process challenges including stability and safe handling of peroxides and nitroalkanes. The subsequent continuous extraction generates a solution of purified nitroalkane which can be directly used in the following enantioselective aza-Henry chemistry to furnish valuable chiral diamine precursors in high selectivity, thus, completely avoiding isolation of potentially unsafe low molecular weight nitroalkane intermediate. A continuous campaign (16 h) established that these conditions were effective in processing 100 g of the oxime and furnishing 1.4 L of nitroalkane solution.

Enantioselective access to multi-cyclic α-amino phosphonates via carbene-catalyzed cycloaddition reactions between enals and six-membered cyclic imines

A carbene-catalyzed enantioselective [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction is developed and quarternary α-amino phosphonates are afforded with encouraging anti-bacterial activities.

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic amination: enantioselective synthesis of chiral α-methylene substituted β-aminophosphonates

Palladium catalyzed asymmetric allylic amination of 2-diethylphosphonate-substituted allylic acetates in the presence of SKP ligands afforded the corresponding chiral β-aminophosphonates in good yields, high regioselectivities, and excellent enantioselectivities.

Enantioselective synthesis of quaternary α-aminophosphonates by Pd-catalyzed arylation of cyclic α-ketiminophosphonates with arylboronic acids

A highly enantioselective addition of arylboronic acids to cyclic α-ketiminophosphonates is reported using a chiral palladium phosphinooxazoline catalyst, providing an efficient and facile route to quaternary α-aminophosphonates in high yields and up to 99.9% enantioselectivity.

Development of an Intermittent-Flow Enantioselective Aza-Henry Reaction Using an Arylnitromethane and Homogeneous Brønsted Acid-Base Catalyst with Recycle

A stereoselective aza-Henry reaction between an arylnitromethane and Boc-protected aryl aldimine using a homogeneous Brønsted acid-base catalyst was translated from batch format to an automated intermittent-flow process. This work demonstrates the advantages of a novel intermittent-flow setup with product crystallization and slow reagent addition which is not amenable to the standard continuous equipment: plug flow tube reactor (PFR) or continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). A significant benefit of this strategy was the integration of an organocatalytic enantioselective reaction with straightforward product separation, including recycle of the catalyst, resulting in increased intensity of the process by maintaining high catalyst concentration in the reactor. A continuous campaign confirmed that these conditions could effectively provide high throughput of material using an automated system while maintaining high selectivity, thereby addressing nitroalkane safety and minimizing catalyst usage.

Adaptation of a small-molecule hydrogen-bond donor catalyst to an enantioselective hetero-Diels-Alder reaction hypothesized for brevianamide biosynthesis

Chiral diamine-derived hydrogen-bond donors were evaluated for their ability to effect stereocontrol in an intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder (HDA) reaction hypothesized in the biosynthesis of brevianamides A and B. Collectively, these results provide proof of principle that small-molecule hydrogen-bond catalysis, if even based on a hypothetical biosynthesis construct, holds significant potential within enantioselective natural product synthesis.

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Dihydroisoquinolinones via a One-Pot Aza-Henry-Hemiaminalization-Oxidation Sequence

The asymmetric organocatalytic one-pot synthesis of trans-3,4-disubstituted 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones is described. Starting from 2-(nitromethyl)benzaldehydes and various N-protected aldimines, 5 mol% of a quinine-based squaramide organocatalyst was used to synthesize the title compounds as virtually single diastereomers via an aza-Henry-hemiaminalization-oxidation sequence. Moderate to good yields (39-78%) and moderate to very good enantioselectivities (40-95% ee) were reached.

Quinine-derived thiourea and squaramide catalyzed conjugate addition of α-nitrophosphonates to enones: asymmetric synthesis of quaternary α-aminophosphonates

Conjugate addition of α-nitrophosphonates to enones was carried out in the presence of two sets of organocatalysts, viz. a quinine-thiourea and a quinine-squaramide. The quinine-thiourea provided the products possessing an α-quaternary chiral center in high enantioselectivities only in the case of electron rich enones. On the other hand, the quinine-squaramide was more efficient in that a wide variety of electron rich and electron poor enones underwent Michael addition of nitrophosphonates to afford the quaternary α-nitrophosphonates in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The hydrogen bonding donor ability of the bifunctional catalyst, as shown in the proposed transition states, appears primarily responsible for the observed selectivity. However, a favorable π-stacking between the aryl groups of thiourea/squaramide and aryl vinyl ketone also appeared favorable. The reaction was amenable to scale up, and the enantioenriched quaternary α-nitrophosphonates could be easily transformed to synthetically and biologically useful quaternary α-aminophosphonates and other multifunctional molecules.

An organocatalytic biomimetic approach to α-aminophosphonates

A novel biomimetic approach to optically active α-aminophosphonates from readily available acylphosphonates employing chiral base catalysis.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized Tetrasubstituted α-Aminophosphonates through Enantioselective Aza-Henry Reaction of Phosphorylated Ketimines

Bifunctional Cinchona alkaloid thioureas efficiently catalyze asymmetric nucleophilic addition of nitromethane to ketimines derived from α-aminophosphonic acids to afford tetrasubstituted α-amino-β-nitro-phosphonates. Catalytic hydrogenation of (S)-α-amino-β-nitro-phosphonate 2d gives enantiopure (S)-α,β-diaminophosphonate 3.

Synthesis and characterization of new chiral Cu(ii)-N4 complexes and their application in the asymmetric aza-Henry reaction

Cu(ii) Schiff base complexes Cu(ii)- and Cu(ii)- based on 2-acetyl pyridine with both (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and (1S,2S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane were synthesized in a single step. Subsequent reduction of ligands and with NaBH4 followed by complexation with Cu(OTf)2 resulted in generation of two more additional chiral centers in complexes Cu(ii)- and Cu(ii)-. The ligands and their corresponding complexes were well characterized by several spectral techniques like (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, LC-MS, CD, UV-Vis spectroscopy and microanalysis. The respective Cu(ii) complexes derived from ligands and were investigated using both the solution and solid state EPR spectra. The particular orientation of the reduced complex with Cu(OTf)2 was confirmed by the X-ray crystal structure of the corresponding complex. All the catalytic protocols were applied in the asymmetric aza-Henry reaction to evaluate the catalytic properties of the Cu(ii) complexes in the present study.

Organocatalytic, diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of nonsymmetric cis-stilbene diamines: a platform for the preparation of single-enantiomer cis-imidazolines for protein-protein inhibition

The finding by scientists at Hoffmann-La Roche that cis-imidazolines could disrupt the protein–protein interaction between p53 and MDM2, thereby inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, raised considerable interest in this scaffold over the past decade. Initial routes to these small molecules (i.e., Nutlin-3) provided only the racemic form, with enantiomers being enriched by chromatographic separation using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a chiral stationary phase. Reported here is the first application of an enantioselective aza-Henry approach to nonsymmetric cis-stilbene diamines and cis-imidazolines. Two novel mono(amidine) organocatalysts (MAM) were discovered to provide high levels of enantioselection (>95% ee) across a broad range of substrate combinations. Furthermore, the versatility of the aza-Henry strategy for preparing nonsymmetric cis-imidazolines is illustrated by a comparison of the roles of aryl nitromethane and aryl aldimine in the key step, which revealed unique substrate electronic effects providing direction for aza-Henry substrate–catalyst matching. This method was used to prepare highly substituted cis-4,5-diaryl imidazolines that project unique aromatic rings, and these were evaluated for MDM2-p53 inhibition in a fluorescence polarization assay. The diversification of access to cis-stilbene diamine-derived imidazolines provided by this platform should streamline their further development as chemical tools for disrupting protein–protein interactions.

Catalytic asymmetric 1,2-addition of α-isothiocyanato phosphonates: synthesis of chiral β-hydroxy- or β-amino-substituted α-amino phosphonic acid derivatives

α-Amino phosphonic acid derivatives are considered to be the most important structural analogues of α-amino acids and have a very wide range of applications. However, approaches for the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of such useful compounds are very limited. In this work, simple, efficient, and versatile organocatalytic asymmetric 1,2-addition reactions of α-isothiocyanato phosphonate were developed. Through these processes, derivatives of β-hydroxy-α-amino phosphonic acid and α,β-diamino phosphonic acid, as well as highly functionalized phosphonate-substituted spirooxindole, can be efficiently constructed (up to 99 % yield, d.r. >20:1, and >99 % ee). This novel method provides a new route for the enantioselective functionalization of α-phosphonic acid derivatives.

Preparation of (-)-Nutlin-3 using enantioselective organocatalysis at decagram scale

Chiral nonracemic cis-4,5-bis(aryl)imidazolines have emerged as a powerful platform for the development of cancer chemotherapeutics, stimulated by the Hoffmann-La Roche discovery that Nutlin-3 can restore apoptosis in cells with wild-type p53. The lack of efficient methods for the enantioselective synthesis of cis-imidazolines, however, has limited their more general use. Our disclosure of the first enantioselective synthesis of (-)-Nutlin-3 provided a basis to prepare larger amounts of this tool used widely in cancer biology. Key to the decagram-scale synthesis described here was the discovery of a novel bis(amidine) organocatalyst that provides high enantioselectivity at warmer reaction temperature (-20 °C) and low catalyst loadings. Further refinements to the procedure led to the synthesis of (-)-Nutlin-3 in a 17 g batch and elimination of all but three chromatographic purifications.

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α,β-disubstituted α,γ-diaminophosphonic acid precursors by Michael addition of α-substituted nitrophosphonates to nitroolefins

Michael additions of α-substituted nitrophosphonates to various nitroolefins are shown to proceed with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity when catalyzed by a quinine-derived thiourea-tertiary amine bifunctional catalyst and generate α,γ-diaminophosphonic acid precursors with contiguous quaternary and tertiary stereocenters.

Chiral proton catalysis of secondary nitroalkane additions to azomethine: synthesis of a potent GlyT1 inhibitor

The first enantioselective synthesis of a potent GlyT1 inhibitor is described. A 3-nitroazetidine donor is used in an enantioselective aza-Henry reaction catalyzed by a bis(amidine)-triflic acid salt organocatalyst, delivering the key intermediate with 92% ee. This adduct is reductively denitrated and converted to the target through a short sequence, thereby allowing assignment of the absolute configuration of the more potent enantiomer.

Achiral counterion control of enantioselectivity in a Brønsted acid-catalyzed iodolactonization

Highly enantioselective halolactonizations have been developed that employ a chiral proton catalyst-N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) reagent system in which the Brønsted acid is used at catalyst loadings as low as 1 mol %. An approach that modulates the achiral counterion (equimolar to the neutral chiral ligand-proton complex present at low catalyst loadings) to optimize the enantioselection is documented for the first time in this transformation. In this way, unsaturated carboxylic acids are converted to γ-lactones in high yields (up to 98% ee) using commercially available NIS.

Enantioselective synthesis of quaternary α-aminophosphonates via conjugate addition of α-nitrophosphonates to enones

Enantioselective Michael addition of α-nitrophosphonates to enones for the synthesis of α-aminophosphonates is reported for the first time. The reaction proceeds in good to high yields and moderate to high selectivity in the presence of a new quinine thiourea catalyst. The quaternary nitrophosphonates were conveniently transformed to cyclic quaternary α-aminophosphonates via in situ reduction-intramolecular cyclization or Baeyer-Villiger oxidation followed by in situ reduction-intramolecular cyclization.