Use of chiral auxiliaries in the asymmetric synthesis of biologically active compounds: A review

This review article describes the use of some of the most popular chiral auxiliaries in the asymmetric synthesis of biologically active compounds. Chiral auxiliaries derived from naturally occurring compounds, such as amino acids, carbohydrates, and terpenes, are considered essential tools for the construction of highly complex molecules. We highlight the auxiliaries of Evans, Corey, Yamada, Enders, Oppolzer, and Kunz, which led to remarkable progress in asymmetric synthesis in the last decades and continue to bring advances until the present day.     

Chiral synthesis via organoboranes. 41. The utility of B-chlorodiisopinocampheylborane for a general synthesis of enantiomerically pure drugs

A general approach to the synthesis of enantiomerically pure α-phenyl amino alcohols via the asymmetric reduction of α-phenyl haloalkyl ketones or α-phenyl aminoalkyl ketones with B-chlorodiisopinocampheylborane is described. Using this approach, an improved synthesis of a potential antipsychotic, α-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinebutanol in ⩾98% ee, and the broncholdilator 1-(2-methoxy-2-phenethyl)-4-(3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropyl)piperazine (eprozinol) in ⩾99% ee is achieved. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The synthesis and X-ray structure of a chiral rhodium-NHC complex: Implications for the use of NHCs in asymmetric hydroformylation catalysis

An optically active N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) has been metallated with [RhCl(COD)]₂ to give a rhodium(I) monocarbene substituted complex. This complex has been fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Preliminary tests of hydroformylation of styrene catalyzed with this compound have shown that branched to linear aldehyde ratio was rather low 0.67 (40%) and that the enantiomeric excess measured on the corresponding alcohols was only 10%. In the presence of an excess of triphenylphosphine, the ratio of branched to linear aldehyde increased markedly (91%) whereas the enantioselectivity of the reaction remained almost unchanged (12.5%).     

Chiral discrimination promoted by (1S,2S)-1-phenyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol derivatives in the asymmetric Reformatsky reaction

Some 3-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy derivatives, synthesized from the cheap commercially available (1S,2S)-2-amino-1-phenyl-1,3-propanediol [(1S,2S)- 1 ], have been successfully employed as new chiral ligands in the asymmetric Reformatsky reaction on aldehydic substrates. The influence both of the substrate and of the ligand on the stereochemical pathway has been investigated by varying the structure of the carbonyl substrate and of the optically active aminodiols. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Enantioselective potential of polysaccharide‐based chiral stationary phases in supercritical fluid chromatography

The enantioselective potential of two polysaccharide‐based chiral stationary phases for analysis of chiral structurally diverse biologically active compounds was evaluated in supercritical fluid chromatography using a set of 52 analytes. The chiral selectors immobilized on 2.5 μm silica particles were tris‐(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarmabate) derivatives of cellulose or amylose. The influence of the polysaccharide backbone, different organic modifiers, and different mobile phase additives on retention and enantioseparation was monitored. Conditions for fast baseline enantioseparation were found for the majority of the compounds. The success rate of baseline and partial enantioseparation with cellulose‐based chiral stationary phase was 51.9% and 15.4%, respectively. Using amylose‐based chiral stationary phase we obtained 76.9% of baseline enantioseparations and 9.6% of partial enantioseparations of the tested compounds. The best results on cellulose‐based chiral stationary phase were achieved particularly with propane‐2‐ol and a mixture of isopropylamine and trifluoroacetic acid as organic modifier and additive to CO₂, respectively. Methanol and basic additive isopropylamine were preferred on amylose‐based chiral stationary phase. The complementary enantioselectivity of the cellulose‐ and amylose‐based chiral stationary phases allows separation of the majority of the tested structurally different compounds. Separation systems were found to be directly applicable for analyses of biologically active compounds of interest.     

Recent advances in asymmetric oxidative coupling of 2‐naphthol and its derivatives

The enantiomeric atropoisomers of 1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diol (BINOL) have become one of the most widely used chiral ligands and auxiliaries for asymmetric synthesis. This review provides an overview of enantioselective synthesis of optical active BINOLs by straightforward asymmetric oxidative coupling of identical 2‐naphthol and its substituted derivatives. Chirality 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The Chiral Separation and Enantioselective Degradation of the Chiral Herbicide Napropamide

The chiral pesticide enantiomers often have different toxic effects and environmental behaviors, which suggests that the risk assessments should be on an enantiomeric level. In this work, the chiral separation of the napropamide enantiomers and the stereoselective degradation in tomato, cucumber, rape, cabbage, and soil were investigated. Napropamide enantiomers could be separated absolutely by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a Chiralpak IC column with a resolution factor of 11.75 under the optimized condition. Solid phase extraction (SPE) was used for cleanup of the enantiomers in the vegetable samples. The residue analysis method was validated. Good linearities (R² = 0.9997) and recoveries (71.43% ‐97.64%) were obtained. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.05 mg/kg in soil and 0.20 mg/kg in vegetables. The results of degradation showed that napropamide dissipated rapidly in vegetables with half‐lives of only 1.13–2.21 days, but much more slowly in soil, with a half‐life of 11.95 d. Slight stereoselective degradation of the two enantiomers was only observed in cabbage, with enantiomeric fraction (EF) = 0.46, and there was no enantioselectivity in the other vegetables. The degradation of napropamide in the five matrixes was fast, and there was no enantioselectivity. Chirality 28:108–113, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Enantioselective separation and degradation of the herbicide dichlorprop methyl in sediment

Chiral pesticides currently constitute about 50% of all pesticides dosage used in China, and this ratio is increasing as more complex structures are introduced. Dichlorprop methyl (DCPPM) is a chiral herbicide consisting of a pair of enantiomers. In this study, the enantiomeric separation of DCPPM was investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using chiral stationary phases (CSPs), and its enantiomeric degradation was characterized using a DCPPM-degrading bacterial strain isolated from an activated sludge from a textile-printing wastewater treatment plant. Baseline separation by both GC and HPLC was achieved. Incubation with DCPPM-degrading bacteria in different pH solutions showed that the R enantiomer was preferentially degraded over the S enantiomer of DCPPM. The degradation rate constant decreased with increasing pH in the order of k(pH5) approximately k(pH7) >k(pH9). In comparison, the enantioselectivity as indicated by EF followed the order of pH 7 > pH 9-pH 5.     

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.     

Enantiomer Distribution of Major Chiral Volatile Organic Compounds in Selected Types of Herbal Honeys

In this article, volatile organic compounds in 14 honey samples (rosemary, eucalyptus, orange, thyme, sage, and lavender) were identified. Volatile organic compounds were extracted using a solid phase microextraction method followed by gas chromatography connected with mass spectrometry analysis. The studied honey samples were compared based on their volatile organic compounds composition. In total, more than 180 compounds were detected in the studied samples. The detected compounds belong to various chemical classes such as terpenes, alcohols, acids, aldehydes, ketones, esters, norisoprenoids, benzene and furane derivatives, and organic compounds containing sulfur and nitrogen heteroatom. Ten chiral compounds (linalool, trans‐linalool oxide, cis‐linalool oxide, 4‐terpineol, α‐terpineol, hotrienol, and four stereoisomers of lilac aldehydes) were selected for further chiral separation. Chirality 26:670‐674, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Process considerations for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral amines using transaminases

Biocatalytic transamination is being established as key tool for the production of chiral amine pharmaceuticals and precursors due to its excellent enantioselectivity as well as green credentials. Recent examples demonstrate the potential for developing economically competitive processes using a combination of modern biotechnological tools for improving the biocatalyst alongside using process engineering and integrated separation techniques for improving productivities. However, many challenges remain in order for the technology to be more widely applicable, such as technologies for obtaining high yields and productivities when the equilibrium of the desired reaction is unfavorable. This review summarizes both the process challenges and the strategies used to overcome them, and endeavors to describe these and explain their applicability based on physiochemical principles. This article also points to the interaction between the solutions and the need for a process development strategy based on fundamental principles.     

Stereoselective pharmacokinetics and metabolism of flobufen in guinea pigs

Stereoselective aspects of pharmacokinetics and metabolism of a chiral nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, flobufen, 4-(2', 4'-difluorobiphenyl-4-yl)-2-methyl-4-oxobutanoic acid, were studied in male guinea pigs after p.o. administration of racemic flobufen (rac-flobufen) at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected at intervals over 16 h after the administration of rac-flobufen for the quantification of flobufen enantiomers and their respective metabolites in plasma by chiral high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis was used to determine pharmacokinetic parameters of R- and S-flobufen. The plasma concentrations of the S- and R-enantiomers differed significantly during the experimental period. The S/R-enantiomeric ratio in 7plasma reached a maximum value of 10.1 at 240 min postdose. The oral clearance value of R-flobufen was five times higher than S-flobufen. The other pharmacokinetic parameters (K(e), T(1/2), V(SS)/F, MRT) of the enantiomers also differed substantially. All four stereoisomers of the dihydrometabolite of flobufen were detected in plasma with varying concentrations. Metabolite 17203 [4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-phenylacetic acid] exhibited a relatively longer residence time compared to that noted for the enantiomers of the parent compound. Pharmacokinetics of the flobufen enantiomers were stereoselective in guinea pigs. The metabolism of flobufen was complex. However, metabolite 17203 seemed to be the main metabolite of flobufen that may be responsible for its relatively long-lasting antiphlogistic and immunomodulatory effects.     

Stereoselective kinetic study of hexaconazole enantiomers in the rabbit

Hexaconazole [(RS)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)hexan-2-ol] is a potent triazole fungicide. The (-) isomer accounts for most of the fungicidal activity. The stereo- and/or enantioselective kinetics of hexaconazole were investigated in rabbits by intravenous injection. The concentrations of (-)- and (+)-hexaconazole in plasma, liver, and kidney tissue were determined by HPLC with a cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate)-based chiral stationary phase and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. After intravenous administration of racemic hexaconazole (rac-hexaconazole) at 30 mg/kg, plasma, liver, and kidney levels of the (+)-enantiomer decreased more rapidly than those of the (-)-enantiomer. The (-)-/(+)-enantiomer ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)) was 1.35. The total plasma clearance value (CL) of (+)-enantiomer was more than 1.3-fold higher than that of the (-)-hexaconazole. The enantiomeric ratio (ER) increased with time in plasma, liver, and kidney. Other pharmacokinetic parameters of the enantiomers were also different. These results indicate substantial stereoselectivity in the kinetics of hexaconazole enantiomers in rabbits.     

Advances in asymmetric oxidative kinetic resolution of racemic secondary alcohols catalyzed by chiral Mn(III) salen complexes

Enantiomerically pure secondary alcohols are essential compounds in organic synthesis and are used as chiral auxiliaries and synthetic intermediates in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and fine chemical industries. One of the attractive and practical approaches to achieving optically pure secondary alcohols is oxidative kinetic resolution of racemic secondary alcohols using chiral Mn(III) salen complexes. In the last decade, several chiral Mn(III) salen complexes have been reported with excellent enantioselectivity and activity in the homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis of the oxidative kinetic resolution of racemic secondary alcohols. This review article is an overview of the literature on the recent development of chiral Mn(III) salen complexes for oxidative kinetic resolution of racemic secondary alcohols. The catalytic activity of monomeric, dimeric, macrocyclic, polymeric, and silica/resin supported chiral Mn(III) salen complexes is discussed in detail.     

Influence of L-tryptophan and auxins applied to the rhizosphere on the vegetative growth of Zea mays L.

Glasshouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of L-TRP in comparison with indole-3-acetamide (IAM), tryptophol (TOL) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on the growth of Zea mays L. var. Early Sunglow. L-TRP (25 to 2.5×10^–5 mg kg^–1 soil), IAM (22 to 2.2×10^–5 mg kg^–1 soil), TOL (20 to 2.0×10^–5 mg kg^–1 soil), and IAA (22 to 2.2×10^–5 mg kg^–1 soil) were applied as a soil drench to established uniform seedlings. All treatments were applied in a completely randomized design with 10 replicates. IAM had no significant effect on the plant growth parameters. Shoot height, uppermost leaf collar base distance, internodal distance, and shoot dry and fresh weights were significantly improved upon the addition of TOL (2.0×10^–2 mg kg^–1 soil), however, the highest concentration (20 mg kg^–1 soil) caused a 14.6% reduction in leaf width. L-TRP (2.5×10^–3 mg kg^-1 soil) also had a significant influence on shoot height, uppermost leaf collar base distance, internodal distance and fresh weight of shoot compared with the control. The highest concentration of L-TRP (25=mg kg^–1 soil) had a negative effect on leaf width and dry weight of the shoot. The most pronounced response on the corn growth parameters was observed with the application of IAA at lower concentrations (2.2×10^–5 to 2.2×10^–2 mg kg^–1 soil) specifically improving root growth. The highest concentration (22 mg kg^–1 soil) of IAA had a significant negative effect on plant height, leaf width, stem diameter, shoot fresh and dry weight. These findings indicate that L-TRP applied at the appropriate concentrations can have positive effects on corn growth comparable to pure auxins (TOL and IAA).     

Impact of substituents on the enantioseparation of racemic 2-amidotetralins on polysaccharide stationary phases. I. chiralcel OD

The direct enantiomeric separation of 32 racemic 2-amidotetralins on the commercially available tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) derivative of cellulose, coated on silica gel (Chiralcel OD), is presented. To date, the selection of a column for the chiral separation of a racemic mixture is done empirically. Studying the impact of small changes in the chemical structure of a series of amidotetralins on the separation behavior may help to give an insight in the chiral recognition mechanism. The amidotetralins differed structurally in three of their substituents, which were never directly located on the chiral carbon atom. The enantiomers of 24 out of 32 amidotetralins could be resolved with a resolution >1.5. Hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions are supposed to be the major analyte-chiral stationary phase (CSP) interactions. However, the spatial arrangement of the enantiomers may play an important role too. Increasing the bulkiness of the acyl substituent led to an increase in the resolution (R_S), whereas a more bulky substituent on the aromatic ring resulted in a very low resolution. The introduction of a chlorine atom into the acyl substituent additionally increased the resolving power. Chirality 8:574–578, 1996. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Allosteric modulation by single enantiomers of a C3-chiral 1,4-benzodiazepine of the gamma aminobutyric acid type A receptor channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with Poly(A)⁺-RNA isolated from neuronal tissue express membrane proteins peculiar to the origin of mRNA. The translation of gamma aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) receptors has been shown by dose/ response behavior of GABA and the reversible blockade of the GABA-induced current by picrotoxin. This current was analyzed quantitatively under two electrode voltage-clamp conditions. This methodology has been applied for the first time to study the functional properties of the receptor as a function of the stereochemistry of the ligands. The (+)-S and (-)-R enantiomers of a water-soluble benzodiazepine derivative, 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hemisuccinyloxy-5-phenyl-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one (OXHEM), obtained by preparative high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) resolution on chiral stationary phase, act as agonists in the in vitro modulation of the chloride channel. The (+)-S-OXHEM enantiomer was the more active. Chirality 9:286–290, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Dirhodium-catalyzed enantioselective C-H insertion of N-(2-benzyloxyethyl)-N-(tert-butyl)diazoacetamide and its application for the synthesis of chiral GABOB

Rh(2)(4S-MEOX)(4) and ethereal solvent are the best catalytic system for the enantioselective intramolecular C-H insertion of N-(2-benzyloxyethyl)-N-(tert-butyl)diazoacetamide 2. The highest enantiomeric excess obtained was 91%. A new route for the asymmetric synthesis of gamma-amino-beta-hydroxybutyric acid (GABOB) has been developed.     

Influence of the route of administration on the pharmacokinetics of pirprofen enantiomers in the rat

The pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug pirprofen were studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats after oral and intravenous (iv) doses of the racemate. No significant differences were detected between the enantiomers after oral or iv dosing in t_½, Vd, or ∑Xu. However, the R:S area under the plasma concentration (AUC) ratio after oral doses (0.92 ± 0.13) was slightly but significantly lower than after matching iv doses (1.05 ± 0.036). The absolute bioavailability of the active S-enantiomer (78.5%) after oral doses was higher than the inactive R-enantiomer (69.3%). The plasma protein binding of both enantiomers was saturable over a fivefold range of plasma concentrations. At higher plasma concentrations, the S-enantiomer was less bound than the R-enantiomer. In an in vitro experiment using everted rat jejunum, no chiral inversion was discernible. The dependency of the AUC ratio of the enantiomers on the route of administration may be due to stereoselective first-pass metabolism. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Probenecid-induced changes in the clearance of pranoprofen enantiomers

Probenecid is known to inhibit the elimination of several acidic drugs. Its influence on the pharmacokinetics of pranoprofen was investigated in rabbit after a single intravenous injection of racemic mixture (5 mg/kg). Levels of (-)-(R)- and (+)-(S)-pranoprofen and their glucuronide (after hydrolysis with sodium hydroxide) were determined in plasma, urine, and several tissues. The plasma concentration of the (+)-(S)-isomer was higher than that of the (-)-(R)-form. Oral coadministered probenecid (100 mg/kg) resulted in an increased plasma concentration of both enantiomers. Probenecid reduced the apparent total clearance and excretion of pranoprofen enantiomers in urine. It had a slight effect on the tissue distribution of pranoprofen at the dose used, but significantly reduced the formation of glucuronide for both enantiomers to the same extent in kidney microsomes. The differences caused by probenecid were significant with respect to its ability to inhibit glucuronidation in the kidney and subsequent excretion into urine, but enantioselective effects were negligible.