Synthesis of four chiral pharmaceutical intermediates by biocatalysis

Chiral intermediates were prepared by biocatalytic processes for the chemical synthesis of four pharmaceutical drug candidates. These include: (i) the microbial reduction of 3,5-dioxo-6-(benzyloxy) hexanoic ethyl ester to (3S,5R)-dihydroxy-6-(benzyloxy) hexanoic acid ethyl ester, an intermediate for a new anticholesterol drug; (ii) synthesis of (2R,3S)-(-)-N-benzoyl-3-phenyl isoserine ethyl ester, a taxol side-chain synthon; (iii) the microbial oxygenation of 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-6-carbonitrile to the corresponding (3S,4S) epoxide and (3S,4R)-trans diol, intermediates for synthesis of potassium channel opener; (iv) the biotransformation of (exo,exo)-7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1] heptane-2,3-dimethanol to the corresponding chiral lactol and lactone, intermediates for thromboxane A₂ antagonist.     

Enantiomerically Pure Quinoline-Based κ-Opioid Receptor Agonists: Chemoenzymatic Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation

Racemic _K-opioid receptor (KOR) agonist 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-[(4aRS,8SR,8aSR)-8-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydroquinolin-1(2H)-yl]ethan-1-one ((±)- 4 ) was prepared in a diastereoselective synthesis. The first key step of the synthesis was the diastereoselective hydrogenation of the silyl ether of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoin-8-ol ((±)- 9 ) to afford cis,cis-configured perhydroquinoline derivative (±)- 10 . Removal of the TBDMS protecting group led to a β-aminoalcohol that reacted with SO₂Cl₂ to form an oxathiazolidine. Nucleophilic substitution with pyrrolidine resulted in the desired cis,trans-configured perhydroquinoline upon inversion of the configuration. In order to obtain enantiomerically pure KOR agonists 4 (99.8 % ee) and ent- 4 (99.0 % ee), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-8-ols (R)- 8 (99.1 % ee) and (S)- 8 (98.4 % ee) were resolved by an enantioselective acetylation catalyzed by Amano lipase PS-IM. The absolute configuration was determined by CD spectroscopy. The 4aR,8S,8aS-configured enantiomer 4 showed sub-nanomolar KOR affinity (K_i=0.81 nM), which is more than 200 times higher than the KOR affinity of its enantiomer ent- 4 . In the cAMP assay and the Tango β-arrestin-2 recruitment assay, 4 behaved as a KOR agonist. Upon incubation of human macrophages, human dendritic cells, and mouse myeloid immune cells with 4 , the number of cells expressing co-stimulatory receptor CD86 and proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α was significantly reduced; this indicates the strong anti-inflammatory activity of 4 . The anti-inflammatory effects correlated well with the KOR affinity: (4aR,8S,8aS)- 4 was slightly more potent than the racemic mixture (±)- 4 , and the distomer ent- 4 was almost inactive.     

Resolution of Pheromonal Epoxydienes by Chiral HPLC, Stereochemistry of Separated Enantiomers, and Their Field Evaluation

Resolution of insect pheromonal cis-epoxydiene racemates derived from (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-trienes with a C₁₈–C₂₃ chain was examined utilizing chiral HPLC columns, and the result showed that a Chiralpak AS column was suitable to separate enantiomers of the 3,4-epoxides, and a Chiralpak AD column was indispensable for the resolution of the racemic 6,7- and 9,10-epoxides. The absolute configuration of the enantiomers of the 3,4- and 9,10-epoxides separated by HPLC was studied after methanolysis of their epoxy rings. Examination of the ¹H NMR data from esters of the methoxyalcohols produced by a modified Mosher's method with (S)- and (R)--methoxy--(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetic acid indicated that the dextrorotatory parent epoxides with a shorter R _t were 3S,4R and 9S,10R isomers and the levorotatory enantiomers having a longer R _t possessed 3R,4S and 9R,10S configuration. Field tests with both enantiomers of (Z,Z)-6,9-cis-3,4-epoxynonadecadiene separated by HPLC with the chiral column revealed new specific attraction of geometrid forest defoliators, Pachyerannis obliquaria, to the 3R,4S isomer and Zethenia albonotaria nesiotis to the 3S,4R isomer.     

Enantiospecific Effect of Pulegone and Pulegone-Derived Lactones on Myzus persicae (Sulz.) Settling and Feeding

The effect of pulegone chiral center configuration on its antifeedant activity to Myzus persicae was examined. Biological consequences of structural modifications of (R)-(+)- and (S)-(−)-pulegone, the lactonization, iodolactonization, and incorporation of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups were studied, as well. The most active compounds were (R)-(+)-pulegone (1a) and δ-hydroxy-γ-spirolactones (5S,6R,8S)-(−)-6-hydroxy-4,4,8-trimethyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one (5b) and (5R,6S,8S)-6-hydroxy-4,4,8-trimethyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one (6b) derived from (S)-(−)-pulegone (1b). The compounds deterred aphid probing and feeding at preingestional, ingestional, and postingestional phases of feeding. The preingestional effect of (R)-(+)-pulegone (1a) was manifested as difficulty in finding and reaching the phloem (i.e., prolonged time preceding the first contact with phloem vessels), a high proportion of probes not reaching beyond the mesophyll layer before first phloem phase, and/or failure to find sieve elements by 20% of aphids during the 8-hr experiment. The ingestional activity of (R)-(+)-pulegone (1a) and hydroxylactones 5b and 6b resulted in a decrease in duration of phloem sap ingestion, a decrease in the proportion of aphids with sustained sap ingestion, and an increase in the proportion of aphid salivation in phloem. δ-Keto-γ-spirolactone (5R,8S)-(−)-4,4,8-trimethyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2,6-dione (8b) produced a weak ingestional effect (shortened phloem phase). The postingestional deterrence of (R)-(+)-pulegone (1a) and δ-hydroxy-γ-spirolactones (5R,6S,8R)-(+)-6-hydroxy-4,4,8-trimethyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]-decan-2-one (5a), 5b, (5S,6R,8R)-6-hydroxy-4,4,8-trimethyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one (6a), 6b, and δ-keto-γ-spirolactone 8b prevented aphids from settling on treated leaves. The trans position of methyl group CH₃–8 and the bond C5–O1 in lactone 6b appeared to weaken the deterrent activity in relation to the cis diastereoisomer (5b).     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of CF3Se-Substituted α-Amino Acid Derivatives

Several CF₃Se-substituted α-amino acid derivatives, such as (R)-2-amino-3-((trifluoromethyl)selanyl)propanoates ( 5 a / 6 a ), (S)-2-amino-4-((trifluoromethyl)selanyl)butanoates ( 5 b / 6 b ), (2R,3R)-2-amino-3-((trifluoromethyl)selanyl)butanoates ( 5 c / 6 c ), (R)-2-((S)-2-amino-3-phenylpropanamido)-3-((trifluoromethyl)selanyl)propanoates ( 11 a / 12 a ), and (R)-2-(2-aminoacetamido)-3-((trifluoromethyl)selanyl)propanoates ( 11 b / 12 b ), were readily synthesized from natural amino acids and [Me₄N][SeCF₃]. The primary in vitro cytotoxicity assays revealed that compounds 6 a , 11 a and 12 a were more effective cell growth inhibitors than the other tested CF₃Se-substituted derivatives towards MCF-7, HCT116, and SK-OV-3 cells, with their IC₅₀ values being less than 10 μM for MCF-7 and HCT116 cells. This study indicated the potentials of CF₃Se moiety as a pharmaceutically relevant group in the design and synthesis of novel biologically active molecules.     

Field response of maritime pine scale,Matsucoccus feytaudi duc. (Homoptera: Margarodidae), to synthetic sex pheromone stereoisomers

The absolute configuration of the primary component of the maritime pine scale (Matsucoccus feytaudi) pheromone (i.e., (8E, 10E)-3,7,9-trimethyl-8,10-dodecadien-6-one) was determined as 3S,7R by field-trapping experiments using synthetic stereoisomers and according to previous NMR considerations. The 3R,7R isomer showed similar activity to 3S,7R, whereasM. feytaudi males responded very weakly to the two other candidates (3R,7S and 3S,7S). Further studies were conducted to optimize scale trapping for monitoring scale populations. Results of these studies showed that the trapping efficiency was related to pheromone dose, trap area, and wind speed but not to trap height.     

A new glucoceramide from the watermelon begonia, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pellionia repens</Emphasis>

A new glucoceramide named pellioniareside (1) was isolated from the aqueous ethanolic extract of whole plants of Pellionia repens, together with lupeol (2), uracil (3), (22E,20S,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3-β-ol (4), and daucosterol (5). The structure and relative configurations of pellioniareside were identified as (2S,3S,4R,6E,8E)-1-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-2-[(2R)-2-hydroxytetracosanoylamino]-1,3,4-octadecanetriol-6,8-diene by analysis of spectral data and by chemical evidence.     

New Sphingolipids with a Previously Unreported 9-Methyl-C<Subscript>20</Subscript>-sphingosine Moiety from a Marine Algous Endophytic Fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus niger</Emphasis> EN-13

Asperamides A (1) and B (2), a sphingolipid and their corresponding glycosphingolipid possessing a hitherto unreported 9-methyl-C₂₀-sphingosine moiety, were characterized from the culture extract of Aspergillus niger EN-13, an endophytic fungus isolated from marine brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods as (2S,2′R,3R,3′E,4E,8E)-N-(2′-hydroxy-3′-hexadecenoyl)-9-methyl-4,8-icosadien-1,3-diol (1) and 1-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(2S,2′R,3R,3′E,4E,8E)-N-(2′-hydroxy-3′-hexadecenoyl)-9-methyl-4,8-icosadien-1,3-diol (2). In the antifungal assay, asperamide A (1) displayed moderate activity against Candida albicans.     

Enantiospecific synthesis fromd-fructose of (2S,5R)- and (2R,5R)-2-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane [the odor bouquet minor components ofParavespula vulgaris (L.)]

The synthesis of (2S,5R)-(1) and (2R,5R)-2-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro [4.5]decane (2) from (2RS,5R,8R,9R,10S)-8,9,10-trihydroxy-2-methyl-1, 6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane (8), obtained in five steps fromd-fructose using Wittig's methodology, reduction, and spiroketalation, has been accomplished by a Corey dideoxygenation at C-8,9, followed by a Barton deoxygenation at C-10, of the appropriately protected derivatives.Enantiospecific synthesis of spirocetals. Part V. For Part IV, see Izquierdo et al. (1992).     

Synthesis of Sodium (+)-(12S,13R)-Epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl Sulfonate from Vernonia Oil

A water-soluble, foaming epoxyalkene sulfonate, sodium (+)-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl sulfonate, was synthesized from vernonia oil (VO) by a series of simple reactions that include transesterification, metal hydride reduction, tosylation, and S_N2 reactions. Conversion of VO into vernonia oil methyl esters (VOME) using sodium methoxide was quantitative. Subsequent reduction of VOME with lithium aluminum hydride yielded (+)-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenol (94%), along with minor amounts of hexadecenol, octadecenol, cis-9-octadecenol, and cis-9,12-octadecandienol. The (+)-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenol, was tosylated with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride to give (+)-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl tosylate at 96% yield. Iodination of the tosylate with sodium iodide and subsequent S_N2 reaction with sodium sulfite afforded (+)-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl sulfonate (63% yield). This study demonstrates the ability to produce an epoxyalkenyl sulfonate, belonging to a class of anionic surfactants, from VO without destroying the epoxy functionality in the (+)-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl moiety of VO. The critical micelle concentration of the synthesized sulfonate was also determined.     

Sex Pheromone of the Pine Sawfly, Gilpinia pallida: Chemical Identification, Synthesis, and Biological Activity

We present the identification of the sex pheromone in the pine sawfly, Gilpinia pallida, including analysis of the female pheromone content, male antennal response and attraction in the field, and synthesis of the most active pheromone component. Several 3,7-dimethyl-2-alkanols were identified from female whole-body extracts, including some compounds with a 2R configuration. This is the first observation of such compounds in a pine sawfly species. Antennae of male G. pallida responded strongly in electroantennograph (EAG) recordings to the (2S,3R,7R)-isomers of the propionates of 3,7-dimethyl-2-tridecanol, 3,7-dimethyl-2-tetradecanol, and 3,7-dimethyl-2-pentadecanol, as well as to the acetates of the tri- and pentadecanols (the acetate of the tetradecanol was not tested). The propionate of (2S,3R,7R)-3,7-dimethyl-2-tetradecanol caught more males in the field than the corresponding isomer of tri- or pentadecanol. We suggest that the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer of 3,7-dimethyl-2-tetradecanol is likely the main sex pheromone precursor in G. pallida, with a subsidiary role for the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer of the tridecanol. Preparation of highly pure (2R,3R,7R)- and (2S,3R,7R)-stereoisomers of 3,7-dimethyl-2-tetradecanol, including the biological active esters, was performed via chemoenzymatic methods and is described in detail.     

Zirconium phosphonate immobilized chiral amino alcohol for heterogeneous enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde

The chiral (1R,2S)-(−)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol and (1S,2R)-(+)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol had been immobilized on the layered frame of zirconium phosphate to obtain zirconium phosphonates (1R,2S)-(−)-4a and (1S,2R)-(+)-4b. The enantioselective addition of Et₂Zn to benzaldehyde using zirconium phosphonates (1R,2S)-(−)-4a and (1S,2R)-(+)-4b as heterogeneous catalysts yielded secondary alcohol in 80.1% yield and e.e. values of up to 54.3%, which was only 7.6% e.e. lower than that using the corresponding ligands (1R,2S)-(−)-2a and (1S,2R)-(+)-2b as homogeneous catalysts. The zirconium phosphonates (1R,2S)-(−)-4a and (1S,2R)-(+)-4b were characterized by IR, SEM, XRD and TG analysis. SEM and XRD data showed that the catalysts (1S,2R)-(+)-4b and (1R,2S)-(−)-4a were in aggregate and mesopore structure with the same interlayer spacing 2.48 nm and pore diameter 5.6 nm.     

Biosynthesis of 14,15-Hepoxilins in Human L1236 Hodgkin Lymphoma Cells and Eosinophils

Hepoxilins are epoxy alcohols synthesized through the 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO) pathway in animal cells. The epidermis is the principal source of hepoxilins in humans. Here we report on the formation of novel hepoxilin regioisomers formed by the 15-LO pathway in human cells. The Hodgkin lymphoma cell line L1236 possesses high 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LO-1) activity and incubation of L1236 cells with arachidonic acid led to the formation of 11(S)-hydroxy-14(S),15(S)-epoxy 5(Z),8(Z),12(E) eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-HxA₃ 11(S)) and 13(R)-hydroxy-14(S),15(S)-epoxy 5(Z),8(Z),11(Z) eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-HxB₃ 13 (R)). In addition, two hitherto unidentified products were detected and these products were collected and analyzed by positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. These metabolites were identified as 11(S),15(S)-dihydroxy-14(R)-glutathionyl-5(Z),8(Z),12(E)-eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-HxA₃-C) and 11(S),15(S)-dihydroxy-14(R)-cysteinyl-glycyl-5(Z),8(Z),12(E)-eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-HxA₃-D). Incubation of L1236 cells with synthetic 14,15-HxA₃ 11(S) also led to the formation of 14,15-HxA₃-C and 14,15-HxA₃-D. Several soluble glutathione transferases, in particular GST M1-1 and GST P1-1, were found to catalyze the conversion of 14,15-HxA₃ to 14,15-HxA₃-C. L1236 cells produced approximately twice as much eoxins as cysteinyl-containing hepoxilins upon stimulation with arachidonic acid. Human eosinophils, nasal polyps and dendritic cells selectively formed 14,15-HxA₃ 11(S) and 14,15-HxB₃ 13(R) stereoisomers, but not cysteinyl-containing hepoxilins, after stimulation with arachidonic acid. Furthermore, purified recombinant 15-LO-1 alone catalyzed the conversion of arachidonic acid to 14,15-HxA₃ 11(S) and 14,15-HxB₃ 13(R), showing that human 15-LO-1 possesses intrinsic 14,15-hepoxilin synthase activity.     

A chiral sex pheromone system in the pea midge, Contarinia pisi

The sex pheromone of the pea midge consists of 2-acetoxytridecane, (2S,11S)-diacetoxytridecane and (2S,12S)-diacetoxytridecane. The responses of male pea midges to the corresponding stereoisomers of (2S,11S)-diacetoxytridecane and (2S,12S)-diacetoxytridecane were tested in field trapping experiments and by electroantennographic recordings. When added at 20% of the pheromone component to the sex pheromone blend, the (2S,11R)- and (2R,11S)-stereoisomers of (2S,11S)-diacetoxytridecane, were shown to have a strong inhibitory effect on male attraction in the field. At the same dose, (2R,11R)-diacetoxytridecane, (2R,12R)-diacetoxytridecane, and meso-2,12-diacetoxytridecane, did not have a significant effect on male behavior. It was also shown that substitution of either (2S,11S)-diacetoxytridecane or (2S,12S)-diacetoxytridecane with the related stereoisomers reduced trap catches to the level of blank traps. The electroantennographic recordings showed similar dose–response curves for the pheromone components and the stereoisomers shown to have an inhibitory effect. It seems likely that male antennae have receptors for both pheromone components and for inhibitory stereoisomers. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of the antennae revealed three types of sensilla involved in chemoreception: sensilla circumfila, sensilla trichodea, and sensilla coeloconica. The sensilla circumfila and trichodea are both innervated by two sensory cells, whereas the sensilla coeloconica are innervated by four to five cells.     

Novel imine from Hemsleya macrocarpa var. clavata

The new substance hemsleyin imine A (1) was isolated along with (2S,3S,4R,2′R)-2-(2′-hydroxytetracosanoylamino)-octadecan-1,3,4-triol (2), (2S,3R,4E,8E)-1-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-hydroxy-2-(2′R-hydroxypalmitoylamino)-4,8-octadecadiene (3) from the rhizomes of Hemsleya macrocarpa var. clavata. Their chemical structures were established mainly by spectral analysis and chemical evidence. Compound 1 possesses the skeleton of an imine moiety, which is novel in natural products.     

Field Response of Male Pine Sawflies, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neodiprion sertifer</Emphasis> (Diprionidae), to Sex Pheromone Analogs in Japan and Sweden

The pine sawfly Neodiprion sertifer (Geoffroy) uses the acetate or propionate of (2S,3S,7S)-3,7-dimethyl-2-pentadecanol (diprionol) as pheromone components, with the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer being antagonistic, synergistic, or inactive according to the population tested. In this study, we tested the attraction of males to the acetates of three analogs of diprionol, each missing one methyl group, viz. (2S,7S)-7-methyl-2-pentadecanol, (2S,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-1-tetradecanol, and (2S,3S)-3-methyl-2-pentadecanol. None of the analogs alone, or in combination with diprionol acetate, was attractive in Sweden, even at 100 times the amount of diprionol acetate attractive to N. sertifer. In Japan, the acetate of (2S,3S)-3-methyl-2-pentadecanol attracted males when tested in amounts 10–20 times higher than the acetate pheromone component. The acetate esters of the (2S,3R)-analog and the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer of diprionol also were tested in combination with the pheromone compound (acetate ester). Both compounds caused an almost total trap-catch reduction in Sweden, whereas in Japan they appear to have relatively little effect on trap capture when added to diprionol acetate. Butyrate and iso-butyrate esters of diprionol were unattractive to N. sertifer in Sweden. In summary, there exists geographic variation in N. sertifer in responses to both diprionyl acetate and some of its analogs.     

Chiral Pool Synthesis,Biological Evaluation and Molecular Docking Studies of C-Furanosidic LpxC Inhibitors

Inhibitors of the bacterial deacetylase LpxC are a promising class of novel antibiotics, being selectively active against Gram-negative bacteria. To improve the biological activity of reported C-furanosidic LpxC inhibitors, the stereochemistry at positions 3 and 4 of the tetrahydrofuran ring was varied. In chiral pool syntheses starting from d -gulono-γ-lactone and d -ribose, a series of (3S,4R)-configured dihydroxytetrahydrofuran derivatives was obtained, of which the (2S,5S)-configured hydroxamic acid 15 ((2S,3S,4R,5S)-N,3,4-trihydroxy-5-(4-{[4-(morpholinomethyl)phenyl]ethynyl}phenyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxamide) was found to be the most potent LpxC inhibitor (K_i=0.4 μm ), exhibiting the highest antibacterial activity against E. coli BL21 (DE3) and the D22 strain. Additionally, molecular docking studies were performed to rationalize the obtained structure–activity relationships.     

Synthesis and characterization of macrocyclic nickel(II) complexes with α-methylbenzyl groups as chiral pendants

Novel nickel(II) hexaaza macrocyclic complexes, [Ni(L^R,R)](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Ni(L^S,S)](ClO₄)₂ (2), containing chiral pendant groups have been synthesized by an efficient one-pot template condensation and characterized (L^R,R/S,S = 1,8-di((R/S)-α-methylbenzyl)-1,3,6,8,10,13-hexaazacyclotetradecane). The crystal structures of 1 and 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Each complex has a square-planar coordination environment for the nickel(II) ion, and is either an R or an S enantiomorph depending on the pendant groups. The circular dichroism spectrum of 1 showed a negative, positive and negative peak at 345, 440, and 492 nm, respectively, and that of 2 exhibited an enantiomeric pattern.     

Palladium(II) Complexes of C2‐Bridged Chiral Diphosphines: Application to Enantioselective Carbonyl‐Ene Reactions

(11bR,11′bR)‐4,4′‐(1,2‐Phenylene)bis[4,5‐dihydro‐3H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]phosphepin] [abbreviated as (R)‐BINAPHANE], (3R,3′R,4S,4′S,11bS,11′bS)‐4,4′‐bis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐4,4′,5,5′‐tetrahydro‐3,3′‐bi‐3H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]phosphepin [(S)‐BINAPINE], (1S,1′S,2R,2′R)‐1,1′‐bis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐2,2′‐biphospholane [(S,S,R,R)‐TANGPHOS] and (2R,2′R,5R,5′R)‐1,1′‐(1,2‐phenylene)bis[2,5‐bis(1‐methylethyl)phospholane] [(R,R)‐i‐Pr‐DUPHOS] are C₂‐bridged chiral diphosphines that form stable complexes with palladium(II) and platinum(II) containing a five‐membered chelate ring. The Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE catalyst displayed good to excellent enantioselectivities with ee values as high as 99.0% albeit in low yields for the carbonyl‐ene reaction between phenylglyoxal and alkenes. Its Pt(II) counterpart afforded improved yields while retaining satisfactory enantioselectivity. For the carbonyl‐ene reaction between ethyl trifluoropyruvate and alkenes, the Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE catalyst afforded both good yields and extremely high enantioselectivities with ees as high as 99.6%. A comparative study on the Pd(II) catalysts of the four C₂‐bridged chiral diphosphines revealed that Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE afforded the best enantioselectivity. The ee values derived from Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE are much higher than those derived from the other three Pd(II) catalysts. A comparison of the catalyst structures shows that the Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE catalyst is the only one that has two bulky (R)‐binaphthyl groups close to the reaction site. Hence it creates a deep chiral space that can efficiently control the reaction behavior in the carbonyl‐ene reactions resulting in excellent enantioselectivity.