Electrophilic Aminating Agents in Total Synthesis

Classical amination methods involve the reaction of a nitrogen nucleophile with an electrophilic carbon center; however, in recent years, umpoled strategies have gained traction where the nitrogen source acts as an electrophile. A wide range of electrophilic aminating agents are now available, and these underpin a range of powerful C-N bond-forming processes. In this Review, we highlight the strategic use of electrophilic aminating agents in total synthesis.

Application of Threonine Aldolases for the Asymmetric Synthesis of α-Quaternary α-Amino Acids

We report the synthesis of diverse β-hydroxy-α,α-dialkyl-α-amino acids with perfect stereoselectivity for the α-quaternary center through the action of l- and d-specific threonine aldolases. A wide variety of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes were accepted by the enzymes and conversions up to >80 % were obtained. In the case of d-selective threonine aldolase from Pseudomonas sp., generally higher diastereoselectivities were observed. The applicability of the protocol was demonstrated by performing enzymatic reactions on preparative scale. Using the d-threonine aldolase from Pseudomonas sp., (2R,3S)-2-amino-3-(2-fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoic acid was generated in preparative amounts in one step with a diastereomeric ratio >100 favoring the syn-product. A Birch-type reduction enabled the reductive removal of the β-hydroxy group from (2S)-2-amino-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-phenylpropanoic acid to generate enantiopure l-α-methyl-phenylalanine via a two-step chemo-enzymatic transformation.

Total Synthesis of Sphingofungin E and 4,5-Di-epi-sphingofungin E

Total synthesis of sphingofungin E and 4,5-di-epi-sphingofungin E was achieved from an intermediate same as that of myriocin and mycestericin D via antipodal stereoselective dihydroxylations.

Catalytic Asymmetric Direct Aldol Reaction of α-Alkyl Azlactones and Aliphatic Aldehydes

An unprecedented highly diastereoselective and enantioselective aldol reaction of α-alkyl azlactones and aliphatic aldehydes was achieved with cinchona alkaloid catalysts. To our knowledge, this reaction provides the first useful catalytic asymmetric access toward β-hydroxy-α-amino acids bearing alkyl substituents, which are structural motifs embedded in many natural products.

[Development of new methods in asymmetric reactions and their applications]

Several novel methods using chiral reagents and biocatalysts for asymmetric reactions are described. Among those reactions, asymmetric reduction via a novel tandem Michael addition/Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction of acyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones using a chiral mercapto alcohol, asymmetric synthesis of allene-1,3-dicarboxylate via crystallization induced asymmetric transformation, and improved asymmetric nitroolefination of lactones and lactames at alpha-carbon using new chiral reagents were developed. In the reactions using biocatalysts, asymmetric dealkoxycarbonylation of bicyclic beta-keto diesters having sigma-symmetry with lipase or esterase to give optically active beta-keto esters, the asymmetric reduction of bicyclic 1,3-diketones having sigma-symmetry with Baker's yeast to give optically active keto alcohols, and the asymmetric aldol reaction of glycine with threonine aldolase were also developed. The above mentioned products were effectively utilized as chiral building blocks for the asymmetric synthesis of natural products and drugs.