Stereoselective synthesis and characterization of new enantiomerically pure phosphoric acids

Starting from (R)‐6,6′‐dimethyldiphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylic acid, a novel class of enantiomerically pure cyclic dialkyl phosphates was synthesized and properly characterized. The absolute configuration was determined by 2D NOESY experiments. The catalytic behavior of the new chiral Bronsted acids was investigated in the stereoselective addition of a silyl keteneacetal to aldimines. The Mannich‐type reaction was promoted in up to 94% yields and enantioselectivities up to 55%. On the basis of preliminary molecular mechanic calculations, a model of stereoselection was also proposed to explain the sense of the enantioselectivity observed in the reaction. Chirality 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Synthesis and application of the first planar chiral strong Brønsted acid organocatalysts

The synthesis of planar chiral strong Brønsted acid organocatalysts derived from [2.2]paracyclophane is described. Resolution was accomplished according to a modified protocol involving pseudo‐ortho‐substituted [2.2]paracyclophane‐based sulfoxides for the synthesis of three new sulfonic acids. The first planar chiral phosphoric acid diester was obtained from the corresponding phenyl‐substituted diol derived from enantiopure 4‐bromo‐12‐hydroxy [2.2]paracyclophane. These new classes of catalysts were tested in an enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reaction as well as in a direct asymmetric Mannich reaction and gave yields of up to 93% and ee‐values of up to 38%. Chirality, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Direct Asymmetric anti‐Mannich‐Type Reactions Catalyzed by Cinchona Alkaloid Derivatives

A series of cinchona alkaloid derivatives were used to catalyze the asymmetric anti‐Mannich‐type reaction of 3‐methyl‐2‐oxindole with N‐tosyl aryl aldimines. The resulting anti‐3,3‐disubstituted 2‐oxindole products were obtained in good yields (up to 92%) with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities (anti/syn up to 97:3 and 91% ee). Chirality 26:801–805, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Studies on Kojic Acid and its Related γ-Pyrone Compounds

The Mannich reaction of kojic acid in both acidic and basic media was studied. Mono-Mannich derivatives (substitution at position 6) were obtained; the reactivity in basic medium was found to be somewhat greater than in acidic medium. Reduction of the Mannich derivatives with zinc dust and acetic acid gave a 6-methyl kojic acid (6-methyl-5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-γ-pyrone).

Mono-Mannich base of pyromeconic acid was also prepared in a manner similar to that of kojic acid. From this Mannich base, maltol (2-methyl-3-hydroxy-γ-pyrone) was obtained by the reduction with zinc dust and acetic acid.     

Chiral cinchona alkaloid-derived thiourea catalyst for enantioselective synthesis of novel β-amino esters by Mannich reaction

A cinchona alkaloid-derived thiourea catalyst has been designed to access new asymmetric β-amino esters bearing benzothiazole moiety by utilizing a Mannich reaction between an imine and a malonate. A simultaneous activation of the two imine functionalities and malonate by the bifunctional chiral organocatalyst is proposed to account for the good yields (71-91%) and high enantiomeric excess (89.4-98.5%) under mild conditions.     

Earthworm Is a Versatile and Sustainable Biocatalyst for Organic Synthesis

A crude extract of earthworms was used as an eco-friendly, environmentally benign, and easily accessible biocatalyst for various organic synthesis including the asymmetric direct aldol and Mannich reactions, Henry and Biginelli reactions, direct three-component aza-Diels-Alder reactions for the synthesis of isoquinuclidines, and domino reactions for the synthesis of coumarins. Most of these reactions have never before seen in nature, and moderate to good enantioselectivities in aldol and Mannich reactions were obtained with this earthworm catalyst. The products can be obtained in preparatively useful yields, and the procedure does not require any additional cofactors or special equipment. This work provides an example of a practical way to use sustainable catalysts from nature.     

Preparation of Immobilized L‐Prolinamide Via Enzymatic Polymerization of Phenolic L‐Prolinamide and Evaluation of Its Catalytic Performance for Direct Asymmetric Aldol Reaction

Phenolic L‐prolinamide was allowed to participate in enzymatic polymerization with horseradish peroxidase as the catalyst, generating immobilized L‐prolinamide. The catalytic performance of the resultant polymer‐supported L‐prolinamide for direct asymmetric aldol reaction between aromatic aldehyde and cyclohexanone was studied. The results show that as prepared L‐prolinamide can catalyze the aldol reaction at room temperature in the presence of H₂O. Relevant aldol addition products are obtained with good yields (up to 91%), high diastereoselectivities (up to 6:94 dr), and medium enantioselectivities (up to 87% ee). Moreover, the title polymer‐supported catalyst can be recovered and reused for at least five cycles while the activity remains almost unchanged. Chirality 26:209–213, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

DABCO-based chiral ionic liquids as recoverable and reusable organocatalyst for asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction

New DABCO-based chiral ionic liquids were synthesized and evaluated in asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes or 4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one. Chiral ionic liquid of modified MacMillan catalyst having a DABCO cation and hexafluorophosphate anion acts as organocatalyst (5 mol%) for the Diels–Alder reaction of crotonaldehyde and cyclopentadiene producing 98% of the product and 87% ee (endo) in CH₃CN/H₂O (95/5) at 25°C in 2 h. The scope and limitations of the catalysis were also studied by using cyclopentadiene and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, and the Diels–Alder products were obtained in 18%–92% yields with 68%–93% ee. The catalyst was recycled and reused up to 6 cycles with a slight drop in ee and conversion of the product.     

‘On Water’-Promoted Three-Component Tandem Michael Addition/D−A Cycloaddition Reaction to Construct Polycyclic N-Heterocycles Derivatives

‘On Water’-promoted the three-component tandem Michael addition/D−A cycloaddition reaction in 80 °C at 3 h has been developed without employing any catalyst and organic solvent. The process allows facile access to polycyclic N-heterocycles derivatives contain indole and maleimide from easily accessible starting materials in moderate to high yields (up to 91 %). Compared with conventional reaction conditions, this reaction not only improves the reaction efficiency and rate but also minimizes the side reaction.     

Microbial production of optically active β-phenylalanine ethyl ester through stereoselective hydrolysis of racemic β-phenylalanine ethyl ester

The ability to produce (R)- or (S)-β-phenylalanine ethyl ester (3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid ethyl ester, BPAE) from racemic BPAE through stereoselective hydrolysis was screened for in BPAE-assimilating microorganisms. Sphingobacterium sp. 238C5 and Arthrobacter sp. 219D2 were found to be potential catalysts for (R)- and (S)-BPAE production, respectively. On a 24-h reaction, with 2.5% (w/v) racemic BPAE (130 mM) as the substrate and wet cells of Sphingobacterium sp. 238C5 as the catalyst, 1.15% (w/v) (R)-BPAE (60 mM) with enantiomeric purity of 99% e.e. was obtained, the molar yield as to racemic BPAE being 46%. On a 48-h reaction, with 2.5% (w/v) racemic BPAE (130 mM) as the substrate and wet cells of Arthrobacter sp. 219D2 as the catalyst, 0.87% (w/v) (S)-BPAE (45 mM) with enantiomeric purity of 99% e.e. was obtained, the molar yield as to racemic BPAE being 35%. The enzyme stereoselectively hydrolyzing (S)-BPAE was purified to homogeneity from the cell-free extract of Sphingobacterium sp. 238C5. The enzyme was a monomeric protein with a molecular mass of about 42,000. The enzyme catalyzed hydrolysis of β-phenylalanine esters, while the common aliphatic and aromatic carboxylate esters were not catalyzed.     

Natural catalyst for luminol chemiluminescence: application to validate peroxide levels in commercial hair dyes

Here, we report a hydrothermally treated green leaves (Moringa oleifera) extract exploited as an efficient and highly sensitive catalyst to catalyze the chemiluminescence (CL) reaction of luminol. In the absence of enhancer, this green and hydrothermally treated catalyst was found to significantly enhance the CL intensity ~3.5-fold compared with the traditionally used K₃Fe(CN)₆ catalyst. The structure and surface morphology of the catalyst was elucidated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The synergistic effect of the catalyst in the CL reaction was systematically investigated in the presence of hydrogen peroxide using ultraviolet–visible and CL spectroscopy. Studies showed that the sensitivity of the catalyst could be amplified by adjusting several parameters such as pH of the medium and concentrations of the base and luminol. The sensitivity of the novel-type catalyst was examined through the validation of hydrogen peroxide levels in commercial hair dye samples. Markedly, the catalyst displayed ultrasensitivity to hydrogen peroxide as the limit of detection of hydrogen peroxide using this catalyst was determined to be 0.02 μM under optimized conditions. In general, the proposed inexpensive, ecofriendly, and nontoxic catalyst could enable the determination of hydrogen peroxide for diverse analytical applications.     

Efficient synthesis of a long carbohydrate chain alkyl glycoside catalyzed by cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase)

Alkyl glycosides with long carbohydrate groups are surfactants with attractive properties but they are very difficult to synthesize. Here, a method for extension of the carbohydrate group of commercially available dodecyl‐β‐d ‐maltoside (DDM) is presented. DDM was converted to dodecyl‐β‐d ‐maltooctaoside (DDMO) in a single step by using a CGTase as catalyst and α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) as glycosyl donor. The coupling reaction is under kinetic control and the maximum yield depends on the selectivity of the enzyme. The Bacillus macerans CGTase favored the coupling reaction while the Thermoanaerobacter enzyme also catalyzed disproportionation reactions leading to a broader product range. A high ratio α‐CD/DDM favored a high yield of DDMO and yields up to 80% were obtained using the B. macerans enzyme as catalyst. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 104: 854–861. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Studies on the Fermentative Production and Metabolism of Uridine Coenzymes

Enzyme activities involved in the galactose metabolism of Torulopsis Candida grown on a. lactose medium were investigated with the cell-free extract and ammonium sulfate fraction. Remarkable activities of galactokinase, galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase and UDPG pyrophosphorylase were detected, whereas UDPGal pyrophosphorylase activity was weak. UDPGal formation proceeded by the cell-free extract along a coupling reaction catalyzed by UDPG pyrophosphorylase and galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase where UDPG or glucose-l-phosphate acted as a catalyst.

The mechanism of UDPGal accumulation under the fermentative condition could be explained by a concerted inhibition of UDPGal-4- epimerase activity by 5′-UMP and galactose present as fermentation substrates.     

New Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl Aldimines Containing L‐α‐Amino Ester Moieties and Their Use in Mannich‐Type Reactions

L‐α‐Amino esters were considered valuable chiral starting materials in the condensation reaction with trifluoroacetaldehyde (fluoral) ethyl hemiacetal to obtain new functionalized trifluoromethyl aldimines. Starting from these latter compounds, isovaleraldehyde was used in proline‐catalyzed Mannich‐type addition reactions to give trifluoromethyl syn‐ or anti‐γ‐amino alcohols bearing the L‐α‐amino ester function, simply by changing the reaction temperature. Chirality 27:571–575, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Chiral Imidazolidin-4-one with catalytic amount of Dicationic ionic liquid act as a recoverable and reusable Organocatalyst for asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction

Imidazolidin-4-one is used as a recoverable organocatalyst for the asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction in the presence of catalytic amount of dicationic ionic liquid and trifluoroacetic acid as a co-catalyst. The Diels-Alder reaction between model substrate cyclopentadiene and crotonaldehyde gave the product in 95% conversion and 87% ee of the endo-product. The catalyst was shown better reusability when the 20 mol% of dicationic ionic liquid was used and catalyst was reused upto 5 cycles, conversion remains upto 3 recycles but ee of endo- 9 was slightly droped.     

Organocatalytic alkylation of carbohydrate‐containing aldehydes with dihydroquinoline N,O‐acetals: Absolute configuration of 1,2‐dihydroquinolines

The direct catalytic α‐amidoalkylation of dihydroquinolines with aldehydes bearing oxygen functionalities at different positions in a Mannich‐type reaction has been studied. β‐Alkoxy‐aldehyde 1d gave high enantioselectivity, albeit with an inherently poor diastereoselectivity, while the use of α‐alkoxy aldehydes 1c was detrimental also to enantioselectivity. Mannich‐type reactions have been studied for the first time using new chiral carbohydrate‐derived aldehydes 1a,b showing a reactivity markedly influenced by the presence of water. The chiral glycidic backbone showed a slight but significant influence on the overall stereochemical outcome only when present in α‐position of the aldehyde. The absolute stereochemistry of the products was studied by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra and compared with theoretical calculations. ECD analysis easily provides the absolute configuration of 1,2‐dihydroquinoline derivatives such as quinoline‐1(2H)‐carboxylates.     

Antimicrobial bioassay of colchicum luteum baker

The methanolic extract of the corms of Colchicum luteum Baker (Liliaceae) and its subsequent fractions in different solvent systems were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The crude extract and all the fractions demonstrated moderate to excellent antifungal activities against tested pathogens in antifungal bioassay. Excellent antifungal activity was shown against trichophyton longifusus, up to 75%, and microsporum canis, up to 85%, while the crude extract and subsequent fractions showed mild to moderate activities in an antibacterial bioassay with maximum antibacterial activity 58% against Bacillus subtilis.     

One‐pot synthesis of (R)‐1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethyl acetate using tandem catalyst prepared by co‐immobilization of palladium and lipase on mesoporous foam: Optimization and kinetic modeling

The synthesis of (R )‐1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethyl acetate was achieved over tandem palladium‐lipase catalyst with 100% selectivity using 4‐acetyl pyridine as a reactant. The 2% w /w palladium and lipase catalyst was successfully co‐immobilized in the microenvironment of the mesocellular foam and characterized by various techniques. The palladium metal from catalyst hydrogenated 4‐acetyl pyridine to form 1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethanol. The generated intermediate product then underwent kinetic resolution over lipase and selectively gave (R )‐1‐(pyridin‐4‐ yl)ethyl acetate. The catalytic conditions were then studied for optimal performance of both steps. The reaction conditions were optimized to 50 °C and toluene as a solvent. Both chemical and enzymatic kinetic models of the reaction were developed for a given set of reaction conditions and kinetic parameters were predicted. At optimal conditions, the obtained selectivity of intermediate (1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethanol) was 51.38%. The final product yield of ((R )‐1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethyl acetate) was 48.62%.     

Separation of Racemic frommeso-2,3-Butanediol

2,3-Butanediol containing less than 3% of themesoform has been obtained from samples containing up to 50% of themesoform. The diacetate was obtained by esterification with acetic anhydride in the presence of traces of sulfuric acid as a catalyst and was then purified. When the diacetate was held at 4°C, crystals of racemic 2,3-butanediol diacetate formed, and these were separated by filtration. The diacetate was then transformed back to 2,3-butanediol by transesterification with methanol in the presence of sodium methylate as a catalyst. The resulting 2,3-butanediol contained less than 3% of themesoform. For an original batch of 2,3-butanediol containing 50%dland 50%meso,this method can isolate up to 70% of the racemate content. If the original 2,3-butanediol contains too muchmesoform, racemic 2,3-butanediol diacetate does not crystallize, but 2,3-butanediol containing up to 60% of themesoform can be enriched up to 70% racemate by distillation.     

Heterooligosaccharide synthesis catalyzed by α-glucosidase from Bacillus stearothermophilus

α-Glucosidase from Bacillus stearothermophilus was used as a catalyst for oligosaccharide synthesis by reversed hydrolysis. The yield of disaccharides and trisaccharides depended strongly on the units of enzyme activity added, and on the stability of the enzyme under reaction conditions. When glucose was the only saccharide present in the reaction mixture with α-glucosidase, isomaltose (51%), nigerose (25%), maltose (14%) and kojibiose (10%) were formed. In 50% glucose solution, disaccharide concentrations reached up to 400 mmol/l and trisaccharides were also produced. When other saccharides (mannose or xylose), in addition to glucose, were present in the reaction mixture, both homodisaccharides and heterodisaccharides were formed, their quantity being dependent on the glucose/saccharide acceptor ratios. The highest yields of oligosaccharides were observed with glucose alone, consistent with the observation that the enzyme stability was highest with glucose as the sole saccharide.