Viewing and Inducing Symmetry Breaking at the Single‐Molecule Limit

Symmetry breaking by photons, electrons, and molecular interactions lies at the heart of many important problems as varied as the origin of homochiral life to enantioselective drug production. Herein we report a system in which symmetry breaking can be induced and measured in situ at the single‐molecule level using scanning tunneling microscopy. We demonstrate that electrical excitation of a prochiral molecule on an achiral surface produces large enantiomeric excesses in the chiral adsorbed state of up to 39%. The degree of symmetry breaking was monitored as a function of scanning probe tip state, and the results revealed that enantiomeric excesses are correlated with the intrinsic chirality in scanning probe tips themselves, as evidenced by height differences between single molecule enantiomers. While this work has consequences for the study of two‐dimensional chirality, more importantly, it offers a new method for interrogating the coupling of photons, electrons, and combinations of physical fields to achiral starting systems in a reproducible manner. This will allow the mechanism of chirality transfer to be studied in a system in which enantiomeric excesses are quantified accurately by counting individual molecules. Chirality 24:1051–1054, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Asymmetric Reduction of Ketones by Biocatalysis Using Clementine Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) Fruit Grown in Annaba or by Ruthenium Catalysis for Access to Both Enantiomers

Biocatalytic reduction of prochiral ketones using freshly ripened clementine mandarin (Citrus reticulata) in aqueous medium is reported. High enantioselectivities were observed, especially for the bioreduction of indanone 3 , tetralone 4 , and thiochromanone 5 with respectively 95%, 99%, and 86% enantiomeric excess (ee). Enantioselective bio‐ and metal‐catalyzed reactions were compared. Chiral ruthenium catalysts afforded good asymmetric inductions (>75% ee) in most cases, enantiomeric excesses depending on the nature of substrate and ligand. N‐aminoindanol prolinamide L³ was revealed as the best ligand for most ketones. Interestingly, for several substrates both enantiomers could be obtained using either Citrus reticulata or ruthenium complex. Chirality 27:205–210, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Enantiomeric composition and prevalence of some bicyclic monoterpenoids in amber

Among the more prevalent chiral monoterpenoid compounds in conifers are α-pinene, β-pinene, and smaller amounts of camphene and limonene. The most prevalent chiral monoterpenoid compounds in fossilized resin (referred to as amber in this paper) appear to be borneol, isoborneol, and camphene. Most of these compounds have easily measured enantiomeric excesses. The borneol and isoborneol in some amber samples have pronounced enantiomeric excesses despite the fact that they are tens of millions of years old. The enantiomeric ratios of the monoterpenoids in different ambers vary tremendously and often are distinct. However, in any single amber sample, the stereochemistry (absolute configuration) of the excess monoterpenoid enantiomers appears to be identical. The camphene in amber may be a secondary reaction product formed over time, possibly from the dehydration of borneol. Although a compound's original stereochemistry can be preserved, it also may diminish with the number and type of chemical transformations over geological time. The monoterpene enantiomeric ratios in modern conifer resins vary tremendously. Future stereochemical studies are outlined that could provide the data necessary for more exact geochemical interpretations and possibly for obtaining pertinent paleobiological information. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Parity-Violating Energy Shifts of Murchison L-Amino Acids are Consistent with an Electroweak Origin of Meteorite L-Enantiomeric Excesses

In 1996, four α-methyl amino acids in the Murchison meteorite—L-isovaline, L-α-methylnorvaline, L-α-methyl-allo-isoleucine and L-α-methyl-isoleucine—were found to show significant enantiomeric excesses of the L form, ranging from 2% to 9%. Their deuterium to hydrogen isotope ratios suggest they formed in the pre-solar interstellar gas cloud rather than during a later aqueous processing phase on the asteroid parent body. In this paper we apply the techniques of the preceding two papers to compute the parity-violating energy shifts of these amino acids. We find that, in the gas phase, the PVESs of the neutral L forms of all four Murchison α-methyl amino acids are decisively negative, and there is even some correlation between the magnitudes of the L-excesses and the magnitudes of the PVESs—all of which is at least consistent with an electroweak origin of the Murchison enantiomeric excesses.     

A hybrid process for chiral separation of compound‐forming systems

The resolution of chiral compound‐forming systems using hybrid processes was discussed recently. The concept is of large relevance as these systems form the majority of chiral substances. In this study, a novel hybrid process is presented, which combines pertraction and subsequent preferential crystallization and is applicable for the resolution of such systems. A supported liquid membrane applied in a pertraction process provides enantiomeric enrichment. This membrane contains a solution of a chiral compound acting as a selective carrier for one of the enantiomers. Screening of a large number of liquid membranes and potential carriers using the conductor‐like screening model for realistic solvation method led to the identification of several promising carriers, which were tested experimentally in several pertraction runs aiming to yield enriched (+)‐(S)‐mandelic acid (MA) solutions from racemic feed solutions. The most promising system consisted of tetrahydronaphthalene as liquid membrane and hydroquinine‐4‐methyl‐2‐quinolylether (HMQ) as chiral carrier achieving enantiomeric excesses of 15% in average. The successful production of (+)‐(S)‐MA with a purity above 96% from enriched solutions by subsequent preferential crystallization proved the applicability of the hybrid process. Chirality, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Enantioselectivity in the Rabbit Liver Microsomal Biotransformation of Styrene and Phenylpropenes

The rabbit liver microsomal P-450 catalyzed oxidation of styrene (1a) and isomeric phenylpropenes, trans-1-phenylpropene (1b), cis-1-phenylpropene (1c) and 3-phenylpropene (1d), was investigated and the enantioselectivity of the epoxidation of the olefinic double bond was determined by checking the enantiomeric excesses of the corresponding first formed epoxides (2). These enantiomeric excesses were always modest, ranging between 7% of (1S,2S)-(2b) and 22% of (1R,2R)-(2c). In the case of (1d) a nonenantioselective hydroxylation at the benzylic-allylic C(3) was also oberved. The ratio between this hydroxylation and olefin epoxidation of (Id) was 1:2.     

Synthesis and enantiomeric purity determination of chiral 3-benzylglycidol,a key synthon for hiv protease inhibitors

The detailed synthesis of (2R,3R)-3-benzylglycidol by the Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation route is described. The enantiomeric purity determination of this compound is complicated by the presence of small quantities of the diastereometric (2R,3S)-3-benzylglycidol from the asymmetric epoxidation of the cis-allylic alcohol, and the unreacted allylic alcohols that are not removed in the product isolation steps. We have developed a direct chiral HPLC method that can resolve all these components for the precise determination of enantiomeric excesses of chiral 3-benzylglycidols. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Bioreduction of aromatic aldehydes and ketones by fruits’ barks of Passiflora edulis

A series of ketones and aldehydes were reduced using plant cell preparations from fruits’ barks of Passiflora edulis in water as solvent. The reduced products were obtained in very good yields, and low to moderate enantiomeric excesses were reached with aromatic ketones and a β-ketoester. This is the first time that the biotransformation of carbonyl compounds have been successfully achieved using Passiflora species.     

Use of (S)‐BINOL as NMR chiral solvating agent for the enantiodiscrimination of omeprazole and its analogs

The application of (S)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diol as NMR chiral solvating agent (CSA) for omeprazole, and three of its analogs (lanso‐, panto‐, and rabe‐prazole) was investigated. The formation of diastereomeric host–guest complexes in solution between the CSA and the racemic substrates produced sufficient NMR signal splitting for the determination of enantiomeric excesses by ¹H‐ or ¹⁹F‐NMR spectroscopy. Using of hydrophobic deuterated solvents was mandatory for obtaining good enantiodiscrimination, thus suggesting the importance of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the stabilization of the complexes. The method was applied to the fast quantification of the enantiomeric purity of in‐process samples of S‐omeprazole. Chirality, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Enantioselective oxidations by the diketocamphane monooxygenase isozymes from Psevdomonas putida

Summary 2,5-Diketocamphane 1,2-monooxygenase and 3,6-diketocamphane 1,6-monooxygenase isolated from (±)-camphor grown Pseudomonas putida NCIMB 10007 catalysed two different types of Baeyer-Villiger oxidations. The former isozyme biotransformed various bicyclic [3.2.0] ketones and aryl alkyl sulfides with consistently greater regio- and/or enantioselectivity, yielding lactone and sulfoxide products with enantiomeric excesses > 55%.     

Resolution of 2-nitroalcohols by Burkholderia cepacia lipase-catalyzed enantioselective acylation

Racemic 2-nitro-1-phenylethanol was resolved by via enantioselective transesterification catalyzed by Burkholderia cepacia lipase. The reaction afforded excellent E values (E > 200) and enantioselectivity (up to >99% enantiomeric excesses [ee]) of both remaining substrates and acetylated product. Moreover, the lipase displayed high enantioselectivity in the resolution of additional 2-nitroalcohols (E up to >200). This method provides an efficient alternative for obtaining enantiopure 2-nitroalcohols.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (R)‐Cinacalcet via cobalt‐catalysed asymmetric Negishi cross‐coupling

A novel enantioselective synthesis of (R)‐cinacalcet with 99% enantiomeric excesses (ee) has been achieved. The main strategies of the approach include a gram‐scale cobalt‐catalysed asymmetric cross‐coupling of racemic ester with arylzinc reagent, Hoffman‐type rearrangement of acidamide, the amidation of chiral amine, and improving the ee of chiral amide from 87% to 99% via recrystallization.     

Baker’s yeast mediated asymmetric reduction of cinnamaldehyde derivatives

The enantioselective reduction of cinnamaldehyde derivatives is an attractive strategy to prepare various optically active multifunctional molecules that can be used as chiral building blocks for the synthesis of some HIV-protease inhibitors. The asymmetric reduction with pH adjusted to 5.5 of α-substituted-cinnamaldehydes (Br, N₃) mediated by baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) yielded α-substituted-3-phenyl-1-propanol in excellent enantiomeric excesses and yields.     

Preparation of optically pure chiral amines by lipase-catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis of N-acyl-amines

Summary A new and effective method using lipase from Candida antarctica (native or Novozym SP-435) for the preparation of enantiopure primary R-amines is reported. Hydrolysis of rac-N-acetyl-amines resulted in high conversion > 40% (168 hrs) and > 48% (> 240 hrs) and enantiomeric excesses (> 99% ee) for both the product and the remaining substrate.     

Enzymatic and chromatographic chiral discrimination of racemic (thio)glycidyl esters: Part I. A chemoenzymatic approach to both enantiomers of thioglycidyl esters

Both hitherto unknown (+)-(R)- and (?)-(S)-thioglycidyl esters, (R)-( 2 ) and (S)-( 2 ), have been synthesized with different high enantiomeric excesses (ee) by two routes from the corresponding rac-glycidyl esters rac-( 1 ). The first includes a porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL)-mediated kinetic resolution of these esters followed by sulfuration with practically complete inversion to the (+)-(R)-enantiomer (+)-(R)-( 2 ) (36–86% ee). (?)-(S)-Thioglycidyl esters (?)-(S)-( 2 ) are obtained by the reverse reaction sequence (43–80% ee). In the latter case the hydrolysis rate is lower than that of analogous glycidyl esters. Moreover, the dependence of enantiomeric excess on the size of the acyl-group is of the opposite tendency. Therefore, in both cases suitable selection of the acid residue gives rise to maximum enantioselectivity. The irreversible lipase-catalyzed acylation of rac-glycidol and rac-thioglycidol, however, was found to be a less suitable alternative. The enantiomeric excess of recovered homochiral esters was determined by chiral chromatography using modified cellulose stationary phases (OB, OD). © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Synthesis of new pryridyl alcohols and their use as catalysts in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes.

Optically active new pyridyl alcohols 1-4, which can be easily synthesized by the reaction of (+)-camphor or (-)-menthone with lithiated pyridine derivatives, were applied as chiral ligands in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes. Good yields with up to 94.0% enantiomeric excesses were observed in these reactions.     

On the asymmetric autocatalysis of aldol reactions: The case of 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde and acetone. A critical appraisal with a focus on theory

Under neutral conditions, spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking has been occasionally reported for aldol reactions starting from achiral reagents and conditions. Chiral induction might be interpreted in terms of autocatalysis exerted by chiral mono‐aldol or bis‐aldol products as source of initial enantiomeric excesses, which may account for such experimental observations. We describe here a thorough Density Functional Theory (DFT) study on this complex and otherwise difficult problem, which provides some insights into this phenomenon. The picture adds further rationale to an in‐depth analysis by Moyano et al, who showed the isolation and characterization of bis‐aldol adducts and their participation in a complex network of reversible steps. However, the lack of enantiodiscrimination (ees vanish rapidly in solution) suggests, according to the present results, a weak association in complexes formed by the catalysts and substrates. The latter would also be consistent with almost flat transition states having similar heights for competitive catalyst‐bound transition structures (actually, we were unable to locate them at the level explored). Overall, neither autocatalysis as once conjectured nor mutual inhibition of enantiomers appears to be operating mechanisms. Asymmetric amplification in early stages harnessing unavoidable enantiomeric imbalances in reaction mixtures of chiral products represents a plausible interpretation.     

Achiral‐to‐Chiral Transition in Benzil Solidification: Analogies with Racemic Conglomerates Systems Showing Deracemization

Experimental results show that benzil (1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐ethanedione), an achiral compound that crystallizes as a racemic conglomerate, yields by solidification polycrystalline scalemic mixtures of high enantiomeric excesses. These results are related to those previously reported in this type of compounds on deracemizations of racemic mixtures of crystal enantiomorphs obtained by wet grinding. However, the present results strongly suggest that these experiments cannot be explained without taking into account chiral recognition interactions at the level of precritical clusters. The conditions that would define a general thermodynamic scenario for such deracemizations are discussed. Chirality 25:393–399, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Emulsion liquid membranes for chiral separations: Selective extraction of rac-phenylalanine enantiomers

We describe the use of emulsion liquid membrane technology to perform chiral separations on low molecular weight species. We have reviewed liquid membrane technology in the context of existing process scale chiral separations. We illustrate the potential of this new technique by presenting our results on the selective extraction of phenylalanine enantiomers, using copper (II) N-decyl-(L)-hydroxyproline as a chiral selector in an emulsion liquid membrane configuration. This is compared with an analogous batch solvent extraction system. Initial batch enantiomeric excesses of greater than 40% were observed with the emulsion liquid membrane system compared with around 25% for the solvent extraction system. It was also noted that the system is not limited by the equilibrium capacity constraints of the solvent extraction system. We have shown that kinetic chiral liquid membrane technology offers high productivity and flexibility compared with analogous process scale chiral technologies. Recent transfer of highly specific chiral reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic chemistries have shown that “one-stop” enantiomeric excesses of commercial interest (>95%) are achievable using kinetic chiral liquid membrane systems. Solvent and temperature selection strategies also have been outlined as means of increasing the enantioselectivity of existing liquid membrane extraction chemistries. Chirality 9:261–267, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Isotope Chirality and Asymmetric Autocatalysis: A Possible Entry to Biological Chirality

Natural-abundance isotopic substitution in isotopically prochiral groups of otherwise achiral molecules can provide stochastically formed enantiomeric excesses which exceed the sensitivity threshold of sensitive asymmetric autocatalytic (Soai-type) reactions. This kind of induction of chirality should be taken into consideration in in vitro model experiments and offer a new kind of entry into primary prebiotic or early biotic enantioselection in the earliest stages of molecular evolution.