Polystyrene-supported N-sulfonylated amino alcohols and their applications to titanium(IV) complexes catalyzed enantioselective diethylzinc additions to aldehydes

Crosslinked polystyrene-supported resins 4, 7a, and 7b containing N-sulfonylated beta-amino alcohol in 98, 20, and 40% loadings are prepared. Asymmetric diethylzinc additions to benzaldehyde employing titanium complexes of 10 mol % resins 4, 7a, or 7b are examined and the best performed 7a/Ti(O-i-Pr)4 catalytic system applies to various aldehydes to afford desired secondary alcohols in excellent enantioselectivities up to 95% ee. The resin 7a is reused five times, giving the product with enantioselectivities >or=86% ee and an 81% ee is obtained when the resin is used the sixth time. The used resin 7a is refreshed with 1 M HCl and the asymmetric reaction employing the regenerated resin 7a gives the product in 88% ee.     

Room temperature and highly enantioselective additions of alkyltitanium reagents to aldehydes catalyzed by a titanium catalyst of (R)‐h8‐binol

Three alkyltitanium reagents of RTi(O‐i‐Pr)₃ (R = Cy ( 1a ), i‐Bu ( 1b ), and n‐Bu ( 1c )) were prepared in good yields. The high‐resolution mass spectroscopy showed that 1b and 1 c in the gas phase are monomeric species. However, the solid state of 1a revealed a dimeric structure. Asymmetric additions of 1a , 1b , 1c to aldehydes catalyzed by a titanium catalyst of (R)‐H₈‐BINOL were studied at room temperature. The reactions produced desired secondary alcohols in good yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities of up to 94% ee. Reactivity and enantioselectivity differences, in terms of steric bulkiness of the R nucleophiles, are herein described. The addition reactions of secondary c‐hexyl to aldehydes were slower than the reactions of primary i‐butyl or n‐butyl nucleophiles. For the primary alkyls, lower enantioselectivities were obtained for products from addition reactions of the linear n‐butyl as compared with the enantioselectivities of products from the addition reactions of the branched i‐butyl group. The same stereochemistry of RTi(O‐i‐Pr)₃ addition reactions as the addition reactions of organozinc, organoaluminum, Grignard, or organolithium reagents directly supports the argument of that titanium‐catalyzed addition reactions of aldehydes involve an addition of an organotitanium nucleophile. Chirality, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes catalyzed by titanium(IV) complexes of N-sulfonylated beta-amino alcohols with four stereogenic centers

An N-sulfonylated beta-amino alcohol (R,S,S,R)-9 with four stereogenic centers is prepared. The titanium complex of 9 is an effective catalyst to induce excellent enantioselectivities for diethylzinc addition to aromatic aldehydes with ee values up to 99%. The feature of doubling the quantity of Ti(O-i-Pr)4 required relative to the catalytic system of the Ti complex of bidentate N-sulfonylated beta-amino alcohols suggests that the two N-sulfonylated beta-amino alcohol moieties in 9 behave as two independent bidentate ligands in the catalytic system. The results obtained using ligand 15 having one N-sulfonylated beta-amino alcohol blocked support the argument of two independent active bidentate moieties in 9.     

Readily available sulfamide-amine alcohols for enantioselective phenylacetylene addition to aldehydes in the absence of Ti(O(i)Pr)4

Ephedrine-derived sulfamide-amine alcohol 3 was found to be an effective catalyst for the asymmetric phenylacetylene addition to aldehydes at room temperature without using Ti(O(i)Pr)4 and Zn(OTf)2. It afforded the propargylic alcohols in high yields (up to 99%) and good enantioselectivities (up to 84% ee), which were much higher than that based on N-methylephedrine under the same reaction conditions. Its weakly coordinative sulfonamide moiety of the ligand plays an important role for further acceleration and stereocontrol in the alkynylation.     

Enantiomerically Pure Bithiophene Diphosphine Oxides as Catalysts for Direct Double Aldol Reactions

The direct aldol reaction between aryl methyl ketones with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of tetrachlorosilane and a catalytic amount of a chiral bithiophene diphosphine oxide was studied; the product of double aldol addition was isolated as diacetate in good diastereoselectivity (up to 95:5) and enantioselectivities up to 91%. The reaction with heteroaromatic aldehydes was also investigated leading to the corresponding 1,3 diols, in some cases with excellent stereoselectivities. Chirality 25:643–647:, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Enantioselective addition of phenylacetylene to aldehydes catalyzed by polymer‐supported titanium(IV) complexes of β‐hydroxy amides

A series of polymer‐supported chiral β‐hydroxy amides and C₂‐symmetric β‐hydroxy amides have been synthesized and successfully used for the enantioselective addition of phenylacetylene to aldehydes. High yields (up to 93%) and enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee) were achieved by using polymer‐supported chiral β‐hydroxy amide 4b . The resin 4b is reused four times, giving the product with enantioselectivity 80% ee. Fortunately, it is found that this heterogonous system is suitable not only for aromatic aldehydes but also aliphatic aldehyde. Chirality, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Enantioselective Addition of Diethylzinc to Aldehydes Catalyzed by Chiral O,N,O‐tridentate Phenol Ligands Derived From Camphor

Chiral O,N,O‐tridentate phenol ligands bearing a camphor backbone were found to be effective chiral catalysts for the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes, resulting in high enantioselectivities (80–95% ee) at room temperature. Chirality 28:65–71, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Purification and characterization of a novel recombinant highly enantioselective short-chain NAD(H)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase from Thermus thermophilus

The gene encoding a novel alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) that belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamily was identified in the extremely thermophilic, halotolerant gram-negative eubacterium Thermus thermophilus HB27. The T. thermophilus ADH gene (adh(Tt)) was heterologously overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the protein (ADH(Tt)) was purified to homogeneity and characterized. ADH(Tt) is a tetrameric enzyme consisting of identical 26,961-Da subunits composed of 256 amino acids. The enzyme has remarkable thermophilicity and thermal stability, displaying activity at temperatures up to approximately 73 degrees C and a 30-min half-inactivation temperature of approximately 90 degrees C, as well as good tolerance to common organic solvents. ADH(Tt) has a strict requirement for NAD(H) as the coenzyme, a preference for reduction of aromatic ketones and alpha-keto esters, and poor activity on aromatic alcohols and aldehydes. This thermophilic enzyme catalyzes the following reactions with Prelog specificity: the reduction of acetophenone, 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone, alpha-tetralone, and alpha-methyl and alpha-ethyl benzoylformates to (S)-(-)-1-phenylethanol (>99% enantiomeric excess [ee]), (R)-alpha-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl alcohol (93% ee), (S)-alpha-tetralol (>99% ee), methyl (R)-(-)-mandelate (92% ee), and ethyl (R)-(-)-mandelate (95% ee), respectively, by way of an efficient in situ NADH-recycling system involving 2-propanol and a second thermophilic ADH. This study further supports the critical role of the D37 residue in discriminating NAD(H) from NADP(H) in members of the SDR superfamily.     

Synthesis and application of 3‐substituted (S)‐BINOL as chiral ligands for the asymmetric ethylation of aldehydes

A series of (S)‐BINOL ligands substituted at the 3 position with some five‐membered nitrogen‐containing aromatic heterocycles were effectively prepared and their catalytic abilities were evaluated in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde in the presence of titanium tetraisopropoxide. Under the optimized reaction conditions, titanium complex of (S)‐3‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl)‐1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol was found to be the most efficient catalyst for asymmetric ethylation of various aldehydes to generate the corresponding secondary alcohols in up to 99% yield and 91% ee. Chirality, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Highly enantioselective addition of terminal alkynes to aldehydes catalyzed by a new chiral beta-sulfonamide alcohol/Ti(OiPr)4/Et2Zn/R3N catalyst system

A new catalytic system, generated from the readily available and inexpensive beta-sulfonamide alcohol L*, Ti(O(i)Pr)(4), Et(2)Zn, and tertiary amine base (R(3)N), effectively catalyzes the enantioselective addition of various terminal alkynes including some quite challenging alkynes to aldehydes in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Up to 96% yield and >99% enantioselectivity were achieved with the use of N,N-diisoproylethylamine (DIPEA) as an additive in this asymmetric addition.     

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 ).     

Synthesis of (R)-1,3-butanediol by enantioselective oxidation using whole recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing (S)-specific secondary alcohol dehydrogenase

The synthesis of (R)-1,3-butanediol (BDO) from its racemate was studied using whole cells of recombinant Escherichia coli expressing an (S)-specific secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (CpSADH) from Candida parapsilosis by enantioselective oxidation. Under the optimized conditions, the yield of (R)-1,3-BDO reached 72.6 g/l, with a molar recovery yield of 48.4% from a racemate of 15% and an optical purity of 95% ee.     

An efficient dipeptide‐catalyzed direct asymmetric aldol reaction of equimolar reactants in solid media

The direct asymmetric aldol reactions of equivalent molar amounts of aldehydes and ketones were carried out at −20 °C over alkaline Al₂O₃ with 20 mol % of Pro‐Trp as catalyst and 20 mol % of N‐methylmorpholine or 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane as additive. After simple and environmentally friendly work‐up, moderate to high isolated yields (up to 95%), good diastereoselectivities (>99:1), and enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee) have been achieved for the reactions of different kinds of ketones with various aldehydes. The catalytic system could be reused without decrease of activity by addition of 10 mol % catalyst and base in the catalytic system. Chirality 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Enantioselective Ethylation of Various Aldehydes Catalyzed by Readily Accessible Chiral Diols

Four chiral C₂‐symmetric diols were synthesized in a straightforward three‐step reaction and demonstrated excellent enantioselectivities and good overall yields. Their catalytic activities were examined via the addition of diethylzinc to various aldehydes. The enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to 2‐methoxybenzaldehyde gave the corresponding chiral secondary alcohol with high yields (up to 95%) and moderate to good enantiomeric excess (up to 88%). All synthesized ligands were evaluated in the addition of diethylzinc to various aldehydes in the presence of an additional metal such as Ti(IV) complexes. Chirality 28:593–598, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

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.     

Ficin-catalyzed asymmetric aldol reactions of heterocyclic ketones with aldehydes

Ficin from fig tree latex displayed a promiscuous activity to catalyze the direct asymmetric aldol reactions of heterocyclic ketones with aromatic aldehydes. Ficin showed good substrate adaptability to different heterocyclic ketones containing nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. The enantioselectivities up to 81% ee and diastereoselectivities up to 86:14 (anti/syn) were achieved under the optimized reaction conditions.     

Enantioselective addition of phenylacetylene to N-aryl arylimines catalyzed by Cu(II)-pyridine containing N-tosylatedaminoimine ligand complex

Chiral tridentate N-tosylated pyridine-containing ligands were prepared and used in the Cu(II)-catalyzed enantioselective addition of phenylacetylene to N-aryl arylimines. Moderate to high enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee) were obtained in very mild reaction conditions.     

Enantioselective hydrogenation of olefins with phosphinooxazoline-iridium catalysts

Cationic iridium complexes with chiral phosphinooxazoline ligands are efficient catalysts for the enantioselective hydrogenation of olefins. The complexes are readily prepared, air-stable, and easy to handle. In contrast to chiral rhodium- and ruthenium-phosphine catalysts, they do not require the presence of a polar coordinating group near the C=C bond. In the hydrogenation of unfunctionalized trisubstituted 1,2-diaryl-olefins, high enantioselectivities of >95% ee with full conversion and turnover frequencies of >7,000 h-1 can be achieved, using 0.1 mol% of catalyst with tetrakis[3, 5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (TFPB or BARF) as the counterion. The corresponding hexafluorophosphate or tetrafluoroborate salts give low conversion due to deactivation of the catalyst during the reaction. Substrates with polar substituents such as allylic alcohols, on the other hand, afford better results with the hexafluorophosphate salts.     

Chiral synthesis of secondary alcohols using Geotrichum candidum

Chiral synthesis of secondary alcohols of both the (S)- and (R)-enantiomer with extremely high enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) using a biocatalyst, Geotrichum candidum, is reviewed. Resting cell and dried-cell preparation using acetone were applied to oxidation, reduction, and deracemization reactions. Many methods to improve the reactivity and enantioselectivity of the reactions were developed. For example, additives such as secondary alcohols and hydrophobic resin (Amberlite XAD) were used in nonaqueous reaction media such as organic and supercritical solvents as well as in aqueous ones. As a result, optically pure alcohols of both enantiomers were synthesized on a gram scale.     

3-substituted BINOL Schiff bases and their reductive products for catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes

Three new chiral 3-substituted BINOL Schiff bases and their reductive 3-arylaminomethyl BINOL products have been synthesized and used for the asymmetric addition reaction of diethylzinc to aldehydes in the presence of titanium tetraisopropoxide. The reaction provided optically active secondary alcohols in high yield (86-100%) and good enantioselectivity (up to 92% ee).