A Powerful P-N Connection: Preparative Approaches, Reactivity, and Applications of P-Stereogenic Aminophosphines

For more than five decades, P-stereogenic aminophosphine chalcogenides and boranes have attracted scientific attention and are still in the focus of ongoing research. In the last years, novel transition metal-based synthesis methods have been discovered, in addition to the long-known use of chiral auxiliaries. Enantiomerically pure compounds with N-P+ -X- (X=O, S, BH3 ) motifs served as valuable reactive building blocks to provide new classes of organophosphorus derivatives, thereby preserving the stereochemical information at the phosphorus atom. Over the years, intriguing applications in organocatalysis and transition metal catalysis have been reported for some representatives. Asymmetric reductions of C=C, C=N, and C=O double bonds were feasible with selected P-stereogenic aminophosphine oxides in the presence of hydrogen transfer reagents. P-stereogenic aminophosphine boranes could be easily deprotected and used as ligands for various transition metals to enable catalytic asymmetric hydrogenations of olefins and imines. This review traces the emergence of a synthetically and catalytically powerful functional compound class with phosphorus-centered chirality in its main lines, starting from classical approaches to modern synthesis methods to current applications.

Universal and divergent P-stereogenic building with camphor-derived 2,3-diols

The access to P-stereogenic motifs has always been considered a very challenging and high attractive mission in modern organic synthesis. While several chiral auxiliaries employed by the practical Jugé-Stephan-like methodology have been developed, new type of readily accessible bifunctional ligands toward P-stereogenic building still remain much desirable. Herein, we present a powerful chiral template, camphor-derived 2,3-diols named CAMDOL, which were designed and synthesized from the commercially cheap camphorquinone in high yields at 50 grams scale with a column-free purification. Diverse P(III)-chiral compounds and their borane forms including phosphinous acids, phosphinites, and phosphines, as well as the corresponding P(V)-chiral compounds including phosphinates, phosphine oxides, phosphinothioates, phosphine sulfides, and secondary phosphine oxides were afforded in high yields and ee values through the optimal 2,3-diphenyl CAMDOL platform. An unusual C³-OP bond cleavage following the first P-OC² bond breaking was observed during the ring-opening process when quenching by NH₄Cl solution, which generates a unique but valuable camphor-epoxide scaffold as by-product.

A facile and practical preparation of P-chiral phosphine oxides

A practical and cost-effective synthetic method of P-chiral diarylalkyl, aryldialkyl, and triaryl phosphine oxides by using readily available chiral diphenyl-2-pyrrolidinemethanol as the auxiliary is developed. The long-standing racemization issue during solvolysis has been addressed and well controlled by employing a suitable solvent, a low reaction temperature, and an appropriate reaction time.

Synthesis of SMT022357 enantiomers and in vivo evaluation in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse model

Following on from ezutromid, the first-in-class benzoxazole utrophin modulator that progressed to Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a new chemotype was designed to optimise its physicochemical and ADME profile. Herein we report the synthesis of SMT022357, a second generation utrophin modulator preclinical candidate, and an asymmetric synthesis of its constituent enantiomers. The pharmacological properties of both enantiomers were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. No significant difference in the activity or efficacy was observed between the two enantiomers; activity was found to be comparable to the racemic mixture.

Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Alkylation (Methylation) of Phosphonamides and Phosphinamides Using Dicumyl Peroxide

An effective and practical CuI-catalyzed methodology toward N-alkyl or N-methyl phosphonamides and phosphinamides was herein demonstrated. The transformation took place readily under the oxidative conditions, and plenty of N-alkylated (methylated) amides (30 examples) were successfully furnished in high efficiency (up to 92% yields). Dicumyl peroxide was considered to act either as the oxidant for the alkylation reaction or as methyl donator for the methylation protocol.