Pyrrolidine based chiral organocatalyst for efficient asymmetric Michael addition of cyclic ketones to β-nitrostyrenes

An efficient asymmetric Michael addition of cyclic ketones to β-nitrostyrenes using secondary diamine as an organocatalyst derived from l-proline and (R)-α-methylbenzyl amine has been described. This pyrrolidine based catalyst 1 was found to be very effective to synthesize various γ-nitrocarbonyl compounds in good yield (up to 81%) with excellent stereoselectivity (up to >99:1 dr and >99% ee).     

Direct asymmetric Michael addition of thioether‐based aryl sulfanyl‐propan‐2‐one to nitroalkenes catalyzed by a chiral amine‐thiourea bifunctional organocatalyst

Although the organocatalytic direct asymmetric Michael reactions of carbonyl compounds to nitroalkenes have been investigated intensely, the Michael reaction of the thioether‐based donors remains a rather undeveloped field. This work concerns the asymmetric Michael addition of aryl sulfanyl‐propan‐2‐one to nitroalkenes with benzoic acid as an additive, and chiral amine‐thiourea as a bifunctional organocatalyst. The reactions provided the highly functionalized chiral adducts with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee) and good yields. Moreover, the further transformed products exhibited excellent diastereoselectivity. Chirality, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Chitosan-based heterogeneous catalysts for enantioselective Michael reaction

Novel chitosan-supported cinchona alkaloids have been developed as heterogeneous catalysts for enantioselective Michael reaction. As-synthesized products as organocatalysts for asymmetric Michael reaction have a high efficiency, providing highly functionalized products (containing adjacent quaternary and tertiary stereocenters) with good stereoselectivity (up to 93% enantiomeric excess) in high yields and recyclability (up to five runs).     

Enantioselective organocatalytic Michael addition of ketones to alkylidene malonates

Organocatalysts bearing sulfide or sulfone functions (1a-d) were studied for the direct asymmetric Michael addition of ketones and alkylidene malonates. The organocatalyst (S)-2-((naphthalen-2-ylthio)methyl)pyrrolidine, bearing a pyrrolidine and a sulfide moiety, showed a very high catalytic activity in the absence of additives. The reaction condition is mild, and the Michael adducts were obtained in very good enantioselectivities (up to 96%), diastereoselectivities (up to 95:5), and chemical yields (up to 95%).     

The lipase-catalyzed asymmetric C–C Michael addition

The example of enzyme-catalyzed asymmetric C–C Michael addition was observed using Lipozyme TLIM (immobilized lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus) in organic medium in the presence of water. This biocatalysis is applicable to the Michael additions of a wide range of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and cyclohexanone to aromatic and heteroaromatic nitroolefins and cyclohexenone. The enantioselectivities up to 83% ee and yields up to 90% were achieved. The enzyme can be reused for three cycles.     

One-pot synthesis of highly functionalized morphans from C-glycosides

Highly functionalized morphan derivatives were synthesized from nitroalkene 2′-(oxoalkyl)-C-glycosides by a tandem reaction that created three (two C–N and one C–C) new bonds and four stereogenic centers in a one-pot procedure under very mild conditions without the use of expensive reagents. The transformation was achieved from a β-elimination/Michael addition cascade, followed by Michael addition of the amine and intramolecular enamination. In the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride the iminium intermediate was reduced in situ to afford the desired morphans.     

A chiral benzoylthiourea–pyrrolidine catalyst for the highly enantioselective Michael addition of ketones to chalcones

A benzoylthiourea–pyrrolidine catalyst was developed for the asymmetric Michael addition of ketones to chalcones. The corresponding products were obtained in high yields with high level of diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr) and high level of enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee) under mild conditions.     

Multiple functional hyperbranched poly(amido amine) nanoparticles: synthesis and application in cell imaging

The hyperbranched poly(amido amine) nanoparticles (HPAMAM NPs) with multiple functions, such as biodegradability, autofluorescence, and specific affinity, were successfully prepared by Michael addition dispersion polymerization of CBA, AEPZ, and N-galactosamine hydrochloride (or N-glucosamine hydrochloride) in a mixture of methanol/water. The resultant NPs displayed strong photoluminescence, high photostability, broad absorption, and emission (from 430 to 620 nm) spectra. The fluorescence from HPAMAM NPs may be attributed to the tertiary amine chromophore. The incubation results of the liver cancer cells, HepG2, with the NPs showed that the NPs are nontoxic and can be recognized by asialoglycoprotein receptors on the surface of HepG2 and then can be internalized. Therefore, they have potential applications in bioimaging and drug or gene delivery.     

Asymmetric Michael reaction of aldehydes with β-nitroalkenes catalyzed by pyrrolidine-camphor derived organocatalysts bearing hydrogen-bond donors

Several pyrrolidine-camphor derived organocatalysts were designed and synthesized. These organocatalysts were used for direct Michael reaction of aldehydes with nitroalkenes to give the desired γ-nitrocarbonyl compounds in high yields (up to 99%), high diastereoselectivities (syn:anti up to 92:8), and good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee). Possible transition-state model was also proposed for this asymmetric transformation, which may involve hydrogen-bond interactions between the nucleophilic enamine formed in situ and the nitroalkenes.     

Synthesis of new six- and seven-membered 1-N-iminosugars as promising glycosidase inhibitors

New six- and seven-membered 1-N-iminosugars were prepared from d-glucose by the stereoselective Michael addition of nitromethane to d-glucose derived α,β-unsaturated ester A followed by one pot reduction of nitro/ester functionality and subsequent amine protection to get N-Cbz protected aminol 6. Hydrolysis of 1,2-acetonide and reductive aminocyclization gave seven membered 1-N-iminosugar 5b. While, hydrolysis of 1,2-acetonide followed by NaIO(4) oxidative cleavage and hydrogenation using 10% Pd(OH)(2)/C, H(2) gave six membered 1-N-iminosugar 4a; the hydrogenation using 10% Pd/C-H(2) however, gave N-methyl substituted 1-N-iminosugar 4b. The hydrochloride salts of 4a/4b and 5b were found to be specific α-galactosidase and moderate α-glucosidae inhibitors, respectively, in micro molar range.     

Novel biodegradable poly(disulfide amine)s for gene delivery with high efficiency and low cytotoxicity

Novel biodegradable poly(disulfide amine)s with defined structure, high transfection efficiency, and low cytotoxicity were designed and synthesized as nonviral gene delivery carriers. Michael addition between N, N'-cystaminebisacrylamide (CBA) and three N-Boc protected diamines ( N-Boc-1,2-diaminoethane, N-Boc-1,4-diaminobutane, and N-Boc-1,6-diaminohexane) followed by N-Boc deprotection under acidic condition resulted in final cationic polymers with disulfide bonds, tertiary amine groups in main chains, and pendant primary amine groups in side chains. Polymer structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, and their molecular weights were in the range 3.3-4.7 kDa with narrow polydispersity (1.12-1.17) as determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Acid-base titration assay showed that the poly(disulfide amine)s possessed superior buffering capacity to branched PEI 25 kDa in the pH range 7.4-5.1, which may facilitate the escape of DNA from the endosomal compartment. Gel retardation assay demonstrated that significant polyplex dissociation was observed in the presence of 5.0 mM DTT within 1 h, suggesting rapid DNA release in the reduction condition such as cytoplasm due to the cleavage of disulfide bonds. Genetic transfections mediated by these poly(disulfide amine)s were side-chain spacer length dependent. The poly(disulfide amine) with a hexaethylene spacer, poly(CBA-DAH), had comparable transfection efficiency to bPEI 25 kDa in the tested cell lines, i.e., 293T cells, Hela cells, and NIH3T3 cells. This same poly(disulfide amine) mediated 7-fold higher luciferase expression than bPEI 25 kDa in C2C12 cells (mouse myoblast cell line), a cell line difficult to transfect with many cationic polymers. Furthermore, MTT assay indicated that all three poly(disulfide amine)s/pDNA polyplexes were significantly less toxic than bPEI/pDNA complexes.     

A novel isosteviol-based bifunctional squaramide organocatalyst for enantioselective Michael addition of acetylacetone to nitroolefins

Chiral amine-squaramide is a kind of effective hydrogen bond donor bifunctional catalyst to promote many asymmetric transformations. In this paper, novel chiral tertiary amine-squaramide derived from the natural product of the stevioside was developed and applied into the asymmetric Michael addition of acetylacetone to nitroolefins. This asymmetric reaction performed well, and a series of enantiomerically enriched compounds were obtained in high yields (up to 96%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).     

Design,synthesis and application of chiral tetraoxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine‐based organocatalysts in asymmetric Michael addition reactions

A novel type of oxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine‐based organocatalysts for asymmetric Michael reactions are reported for the first time. Chiral subunits were attached to the heteroatom‐bridged calixaromatic platform by a reaction of (R)‐ and (S)‐1‐aminotetraline with tetraoxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine in both enantiomeric forms. To evaluate the catalytic efficiency of the novel organocatalysts, isobutyraldehyde reacted with various substituted and unsubstituted aromatic trans‐β‐nitrostyrenes in tetrahydrofuran (THF), leading to Michael adducts in excellent yields and enantioselectivites (up to 97% yield and 99% ee).     

Superoxide radical anions protect enkephalin from oxidation if the amine group is blocked

The pentapeptide methionine-enkephalin (Met-enk) is a natural opiate that inhibits signals of pain. The N-terminal tyrosyl residue is important in the recognition of the peptide by its receptor. In oxidative stress, this residue can be oxidized by reactive oxygen species. The one-electron oxidation of Met-enk and of tert-butoxycarbonyl-methionine-enkephalin (Boc-Met-enk) was studied by gamma- and pulse radiolysis in the absence and in the presence of superoxide radical anions (O(2)(.-)) and oxygen, using azidyl radicals as oxidants. Without oxygen, both peptides behaved similarly. The tyrosyl radical resulting from the oxidation of tyrosyl residue produced the dimer linked by dityrosines. Methionine was also oxidized to its sulfoxide; however, this reaction is of minor importance. When O(2)(.-) was present, it added to tyrosyl radical giving a hydroperoxide. For Met-enk, this adduct cyclized via an intramolecular Michael addition of the amine on the aromatic ring. Conversely, for Boc-Met-enk, the adduct eliminated oxygen which led to 97% regeneration of the nonmodified peptide. Blocking the terminal amine group had thus a key role in protection of the tyrosyl residue. This finding might be exploited in the search for new pain inhibitors.     

C2‐symmetric sulfonamides as homogeneous and heterogeneous organocatalysts that mimic enzymes in enantioselective Michael additions

Herein, we report the synthesis of C₂‐symmetric sulfonamides as homogeneous and heterogeneous organocatalysts and their application in the enantioselective conjugate 1,4‐Michael addition of carbonylic nucleophiles to β‐nitrostyrene. Organocatalysts hydrogen bond to β‐nitrostyrene and enamine in the transition state, mimicking an enzyme leading to final products in high yields (up to 98%) and good enantioselectivities (up to 96%). In addition, these results were supported by density functional calculations.     

An efficient and enantioselective Michael addition of aromatic oximes to α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes promoted by a chiral diamine catalyst derived from α,α‐diphenyl prolinol

Chiral diamine catalysts 11a–e derived from α ,α ‐diphenyl prolinol were prepared and successfully applied to the Michael addition of aromatic oximes to α ,β ‐unsaturated aldehydes in mediocre to good yields (up to 78%) and good to high enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee ).     

Enantioselective and diastereoselective Michael addition of ketone/aldehyde to trans-nitroolefins catalyzed by a novel chiral pyrrolidine-thiourea

The direct Michael addition reaction of cyclohexanone/aliphatic aldehydes with nitroolefins, catalyzed by a novel chiral pyrrolidine-thiourea catalyst 1a, is described. The desired 1,4-adducts were obtained in moderate yields with enantioselectivities up to 99% ee and dr up to 99:1 of the syn product.     

Recyclable Merrifield resin‐supported organocatalysts containing pyrrolidine unit through A3‐coupling reaction linkage for asymmetric Michael addition

Merrifield resin‐supported pyrrolidine‐based chiral organocatalysts A ? D through A³‐coupling reaction linkage have been developed and found to be highly effective catalysts for the Michael addition reaction of ketones with nitrostyrenes. The reactions generated the corresponding products in good yields (up to 92%), excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee), and high diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr). In addition, the catalysts can be reused at least five times without a significant loss of catalytic activity and stereoselectivity. Chirality, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of cyclohexanone to nitroolefins catalyzed by pyrrolidine‐based bifunctional benzoylthiourea in water

Organocatalysis and aqueous reactions are identified as the focus of the greening of chemistry. Combining these two strategies effectively remains an interesting challenge in organic synthesis. Herein, we used pyrrolidine‐based benzoylthiourea 1c to catalyze the asymmetric Michael addition of cyclohexanone to various nitroolefins in water to afford the corresponding compounds in moderate to good yields, and with excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >99:1 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).     

Highly Enantioselective Michael Addition Promoted by a New Diterpene‐Derived Bifunctional Thiourea Catalyst: A Doubly Stereocontrolled Approach to Chiral Succinimide Derivatives

A doubly stereocontrolled organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition to the synthesis of substituted succinimides is described. Starting from aldehydes and maleimides, both enantiomers of the succinimides could be obtained in high to excellent yields (up to 98%) and enantioselectivities (up to 99%) when one of the two special chiral diterpene‐derived bifunctional thioureas was individually used as a catalyst. Moreover, these catalysts can be efficiently used in large‐scale catalytic synthesis with the same level of yield and enantioselectivity. Chirality 00:000–000, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.