Pd/Cu Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylation for Stereodivergent Synthesis of Glutamic Acid Derivatives

A synergistic Pd/Cu catalyst system has been developed for stereodivergent transformation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates and Schiff bases derived from simple amino acids to afford a series of optically active β-branched γ-methyleneglutamic acid derivatives with adjacent tertiary/tertiary and quaternary/tertiary stereocenters in high yields (up to 96 %) with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (>20/1 dr and >99 % ee in most cases) under mild conditions. The use of SKP ligand is disclosed to be crucial for the success of the transformation, and in particular allowing the reaction to proceed at low catalyst loading (0.02 mol % for Pd and 0.08 mol % for Cu). The high efficiency of the catalysis was attributed to the formation of intimate ion pair complex A1, composed of Pd-phosphonium cation and a t-butoxide anion, which would facilitate the subsequent deprotonation and C-C coupling events. All four stereoisomers of the β-branched glutamic acid derivatives were readily prepared by permutation of the catalyst enantiomers. Synthetic utility of the methodology was exemplified by efficient synthesis of a fused pyrrolooxazolidinone with three contiguous chiral centers, highlighting the power of synergistic Pd/Cu catalysis for asymmetric allylic alkylation with MBH carbonates.

Chiral Silver Complex-Catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of 1-Pyrroline-5-Carbonitrile to α-Enones

The conjugated addition reaction of 1-pyrroline-5-carbonitrile to α-enones was effectively catalyzed by AgF/ThioClickFerrophos (TCF) in diethyl ether in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), and nearly single diastereomers of adducts with good enantiomeric excesses (up to 97% ee) were obtained in high yields. The reduction of the nitrile group with H₂/Raney Ni in ethanol successfully transformed the conjugate adduct to the corresponding spirocyclic piperidine (60% yield) as a single stereoisomer.

Redox-neutral manganese-catalyzed synthesis of 1-pyrrolines

This report describes a manganese-catalyzed radical [3 + 2] cyclization of cyclopropanols and oxime ethers, leading to valuable multi-functional 1-pyrrolines. In this redox-neutral process, the oxime ethers function as internal oxidants and H-donors. The reaction involves sequential rupture of C-C, C-H and N-O bonds and proceeds under mild conditions. This intermolecular protocol provides an efficient approach for the synthesis of structurally diverse 1-pyrrolines.

Silver/ThioClickFerrophos-Catalyzed 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition and Tandem Addition-Elimination Reaction of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Adducts

The asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of glycine imino esters to Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) adducts or acetylated MBH adducts is described. The reaction was efficiently catalyzed by AgOAc/(R,S_p)-ThioClickFerrophos at room temperature to afford pyrrolidine derivatives bearing a quaternary carbon as a single diastereomer with excellent enantioselectivity. When a cyclic pyrroline ester was used as the nucleophile instead of a glycine imino ester, the enantioselective tandem addition-elimination reaction with an acetylated MBH adduct proceeded with an excellent yield and enantioselectivity, resulting in the formation of an exo-olefin. The wide substrate scope of these reactions and the transformability of the products enable expeditious access to divergent multifunctionalized pyrrolidines in an optically pure fashion.

Stereodivergent silver-catalyzed synthesis of pyroglutamic acid esters

We report here a silver-catalyzed method for the enantio- and diastereodivergent synthesis of chiral pyroglutamic acid esters with multiple stereocenters. This process proceeds through asymmetric conjugate addition of glycine imine esters to a broad range of β-substituted α,β-unsaturated perfluorophenyl esters followed by lactamization. By leveraging catalyst control and stereospecificity of the 1,4-addition process, all four product stereoisomers containing two adjacent stereocenters are accessible with high stereoselectivity.

Asymmetric synthesis of quaternary α-trifluoromethyl α-amino acids by Ir-catalyzed allylation followed by kinetic resolution

Facile access to quaternary α-trifluoromethyl α-amino acids has been developed. This sequential reaction involves an Ir-catalyzed asymmetric allylation of α-trifluoromethyl aldimine esters followed by an unprecedented kinetic resolution.

Synergistic catalysis for cascade allylation and 2-aza-cope rearrangement of azomethine ylides

The efficient construction of enantiomerically enriched molecules from simple starting materials via catalytic asymmetric synthesis strategies is a key challenge in synthetic chemistry. Metallated azomethine ylides are commonly-used synthons for the preparation of N-heterocycles and α-amino acids. Remarkably, to date, the utilization of azomethine ylides for the facile access to chiral amines has proven elusive. Here, we report that a synergistic Cu/Ir-catalytic system combined with careful tuning of the steric congestion can be used to convert aldimine esters to a variety of chiral homoallylic amines via a cascade allylation/2-aza-Cope rearrangement. The elucidation of the distinct effects of each stereogenic center of the allylation intermediates on the stereochemical outcome and chirality transfer in the rearrangement further guided the selection of catalysts combination.

Metallated azomethine ylides are commonly used for the construction of N-heterocycles and α-amino acids. Here, the authors report a synergistic Cu/Ir-catalytic system that converts aldimine esters to a variety of chiral homoallylic amines via a cascade allylation/2-aza-Cope rearrangement.

Formation of Non-Natural α,α-Disubstituted Amino Esters via Catalytic Michael Addition

The enolate monoanion of amino esters is explored, and the first catalytic Michael addition of α-amino esters is demonstrated. These studies indicate that the acidity of the αC-H is the primary factor determining reactivity. Thus, polyfluorophenylglycine amino esters yield novel α-amino esters in the presence of a catalytic amount of a guanidine-derived base and Michael acceptors. Reactivity requires an acidic N-H, which is accomplished using common protecting groups such as N-Bz, N-Boc, and N-Cbz. Calculations and labeling experiments provide insight into the governing principles in which a key C-to-N proton transfer occurs, resulting in an expansion of the scope to include a number of natural amino esters. The study culminates with a late-stage functionalization of peptidic γ-secretase inhibitor, DAPT.

Recent Advances in Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,4-Conjugate Addition (ACA) of Nonorganometallic Nucleophiles

The metal-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition (ACA) reaction has emerged as a general and powerful approach for the construction of optically active compounds and is among the most significant and useful reactions in synthetic organic chemistry. In recent years, great progress has been made in this area with the use of various chiral metal complexes based on different chiral ligands. This review provides comprehensive and critical information on the enantioselective 1,4-conjugate addition of nonorganometallic (soft) nucleophiles and their importance in synthetic applications. The literature is covered from the last 10 years, and a number of examples from before 2007 are included as background information. The review is divided into multiple parts according to the type of nucleophile involved in the reaction (such as C-, B-, O-, N-, S-, P-, and Si-centered nucleophiles) and metal catalyst systems used.

Catalytic Asymmetric Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition of 2-Isocyanatomalonate Esters and Unsaturated Imines: Synthesis of Highly Substituted Chiral γ-Lactams

Unlike their isocyano and isothiocyanato analogues, isocyanato esters remain almost unexplored as formal 1,3-dipoles in asymmetric catalytic reactions. The first asymmetric formal [3+2] cycloaddition involving isocyanato esters and electrophilic alkenes is reported. Diisopropyl 2-isocyanatomalonate reacts with α,β-unsaturated N-(o-anisidyl) imines in the presence of a Mg(OTf)₂ -BOX complex to give highly substituted chiral pyrrolidinones featuring a conjugate exocyclic double bond with excellent yields and enantiomeric excesses up to 99 %. Several transformations of the resulting heterocycles, including the synthesis of a pyroglutamic acid derivative, have been carried out.

Copper(i)/TF-BiphamPhos catalyzed asymmetric nitroso Diels–Alder reaction

A highly efficient enantioselective nitroso Diels–Alder reaction of 6-methyl-2-nitroso pyridine with various 1,3-dienes was successfully developed using a copper(i)/(S)–TF-BiphamPhos complex as the catalyst. For most of the cyclic dienes, the cycloadducts were obtained in high yields with excellent regio-, and stereoselectivities. Acyclic 2-silyloxy-1,3-diene also worked well in the reaction.