Development of P- and N-Chirogenic Ligands Based on Chiral Induction from a Phosphorus Donor to a Nitrogen Donor in Palladium Complexes

Catalytic Asymmetric Hydrophosphination of α,β-Unsaturated Aza-heteroarenes

Here we report a comprehensive investigation of the asymmetric addition of diarylphosphorus oxides to a wide range of α,β-unsaturated pyridines and other N-heterocyclic substrates, catalyzed by commercial chiral phosphoric acid, affording the corresponding products in up to 99% yield and 96% ee. The experimental studies and density functional theory calculation suggest the possible mechanism and the role of chiral phosphoric acid in the control of enantioselectivity.

Application of mixed phosphorus/sulfur ligands based on terpenoids in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution and Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation

A small library of easily prepared diamidophosphite-sulfides based on 1,3-thioether alcohols, primarily of terpenoid nature, was developed. Upon complexation with Pd(II) ions, these hemilabile ligands showed the ability to form both P,S-chelates and complexes with two ligands P-monodentately bonded to the metal. The structures of the ligands and their complexes were determined by 2D NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The use of these stereoselectors provided up to 95% ee in the classic Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions of (E)-1,3-diphenylallyl acetate with C- and N-nucleophiles and up to 80% ee in the Pd-mediated allylic alkylation of cinnamyl acetate with β-ketoesters. In addition, ee values of up to 90% with quantitative conversion were achieved in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl esters of unsaturated acids. The effects of the structural parameters, reaction conditions and ligand-to-metal ratio on the catalytic results are discussed.

P-Stereogenic Phosphorus Ligands in Asymmetric Catalysis

Chiral phosphorus ligands play a crucial role in asymmetric catalysis for the efficient synthesis of useful optically active compounds. They are largely categorized into two classes: backbone chirality ligands and P-stereogenic phosphorus ligands. Most of the reported ligands belong to the former class. Privileged ones such as BINAP and DuPhos are frequently employed in a wide range of catalytic asymmetric transformations. In contrast, the latter class of P-stereogenic phosphorus ligands has remained a small family for many years mainly because of their synthetic difficulty. The late 1990s saw the emergence of novel P-stereogenic phosphorus ligands with their superior enantioinduction ability in Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation reactions. Since then, numerous P-stereogenic phosphorus ligands have been synthesized and used in catalytic asymmetric reactions. This Review summarizes P-stereogenic phosphorus ligands reported thus far, including their stereochemical and electronic properties that afford high to excellent enantioselectivities. Examples of reactions that use this class of ligands are described together with their applications in the construction of key intermediates for the synthesis of optically active natural products and therapeutic agents. The literature covered dates back to 1968 up until December 2023, centering on studies published in the late 1990s and later years.

Modular Synthesis of Phosphino Hydrazones and Their Use as Ligands in a Palladium-Catalysed Cu-Free Sonogashira Cross-Coupling Reaction

Phosphino hydrazones represent a versatile class of nitrogen-containing phosphine ligands. Herein, we report a modular synthesis of phosphino hydrazone ligands by hydrazone condensation reaction of three different aryl hydrazines with 3-(diphenylphosphino)propanal (PCHO). Complexation reactions of these phosphino hydrazone ligands with palladium(II) and platinum(II) were investigated and the catalytic activity of the palladium(II) complexes was explored in a Cu-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction achieving yields up to 96 %. Additionally it was shown that the catalytically active species is homogeneous.

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Tröger's Base Analogues with Nitrogen Stereocenter

Nitrogen stereocenters are common chiral units in natural products, pharmaceuticals, and chiral catalysts. However, their research has lagged largely behind, compared with carbon stereocenters and other heteroatom stereocenters. Herein, we report an efficient method for the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of Tröger's base analogues with nitrogen stereocenters via palladium catalysis and home-developed GF-Phos. It allows rapid construction of a new rigid cleft-like structure with both a C- and a N-stereogenic center in high efficiency and selectivity. A variety of applications as a chiral organocatalyst and metallic catalyst precursors were demonstrated. Furthermore, DFT calculations suggest that the NH···O hydrogen bonding and weak interaction between the substrate and ligand are crucial for the excellent enantioselectivity control.

Diverse “roof shaped” chiral diamidophosphites: palladium coordination and catalytic applications

“Roof shaped” chiral diamidophosphites of various structures and denticities were obtained and tested in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution.