A new approach to the synthesis of chiral vinyl carbinols from 2,3-epoxy alcohols

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of chiral allylic esters

A broadly useful catalytic enantioselective synthesis of branched allylic esters from prochiral (Z)-2-alkene-1-ols has been developed. The starting allylic alcohol is converted to its trichloroacetimidate intermediate by reaction with trichloroacetonitrile, either in situ or in a separate step, and this intermediate undergoes clean enantioselective S(N)2' substitution with a variety of carboxylic acids in the presence of the palladium(II) catalyst (R(p),S)-di-μ-acetatobis[(η(5)-2-(2'-(4'-methylethyl)oxazolinyl)cyclopentadienyl-1-C,3'-N)(η(4)-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt]dipalladium, (R(p),S)-[COP-OAc](2), or its enantiomer. The scope and limitations of this useful catalytic asymmetric allylic esterification are defined.

[1,3]-Transfer of Chirality during the Nicholas Reaction in γ-Benzyloxy Propargylic Alcohols

A highly regio- and stereoselective intramolecular [1,5]-hydrogen-transfer process is described. Treatment of gamma-benzyl-protected Co2(CO)6-alpha,gamma-acetylenic diols with BF3 x OEt2 provides bis-homopropargylic alcohols. The reaction occurs within seconds, tolerates a wide range of functionalities, and provides good yields. When the ether group is located at a stereochemically defined carbon atom, the rearrangement occurs with high stereoselectivity, transferring the chirality of the carbinol center to the newly created stereocenter. The cleavage of the benzyloxy group is totally regioselective when additional benzyl ethers are present. The scope and limitations of this novel process in densely substituted substrates are evaluated, and possible competitive reactions and/or stereochemical influences are also described. A mechanism based on a highly ordered chair-like transition state substantiated by a theoretical study is also included.

Phenylethanoid and aliphatic alcohol glycosides from Acanthus ilicifolius

A phenylethanoid glycoside (ilicifolioside A) and an aliphatic alcohol glycoside (ilicifolioside B), have been isolated from the aerial parts of Acanthus ilicifolius, together with eight known compounds. Their structures were determined from spectroscopic analyses.

New Lewis-Acidic Molybdenum(II) and Tungsten(II) Catalysts for Intramolecular Carbonyl Ene and Prins Reactions. Reversal of the Stereoselectivity of Cyclization of Citronellal

New Mo(II) complexes BnEt(3)N(+)[Mo(CO)(4)ClBr(2)](-) (A) and Mo(CO)(5)(OTf)(2) (B) and their W(II) congeners D and E have been developed as catalysts for the title reactions. Unlike other Lewis acids, the latter catalysts exhibit cis-stereoselectivity in the cyclization of citronellal (1 --> 3 with A and 1 --> 5 with B). Isotopic labeling allowed formulation of the reaction mechanism, according to which these complexes act as bulky Lewis acids, eta(1)-coordinated to the carbonyl oxygen. The stereochemistry appears to be controlled by the protruding ligand L(p), which dictates the boatlike transition state III. The kinetically formed cis-alkenol 3 can be equilibrated by [Mo(CO)(4)Br(2)](2) (C) or ZnCl(2) to its trans-epimer 2 via a retro-ene reaction.