Axial Chirality Control by 2,4‐Pentanediol for the Alternative Synthesis of C3*‐TunePhos Chiral Diphosphine Ligands and Their Applications in Highly Enantioselective Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of β‐Keto Esters

A highly efficient strategy for the synthesis of a series of C₃*‐TunePhos chiral diphosphine ligands was well established with several remarkable features. The synthetic utility of these ligands was explored for the ruthenium‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of β‐keto esters. Up to 99% ee values were achieved for the enantioselective synthesis of β‐hydroxy acid derivatives, which are very important chiral building blocks for the synthesis of a variety of natural products and biologically active molecules.     

Enantioselective Hydrogenation of α‐Dehydroamino Acid Esters Catalyzed by Rhodium Complexes with Chiral Bisaminophosphine Ligands

A highly efficient strategy for the synthesis of a series of chiral bisaminophosphine ligands was well established with several remarkable features. The synthetic utility of these ligands was explored for rhodium‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenations of α‐dehydroamino acid esters. Up to 98% ee values were achieved for the enantioselective synthesis of aminocarboxylic acids and their derivatives, which are very important chiral building blocks for the synthesis of a variety of natural products and biologically active molecules.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of Halocrotonates: Efficient Synthesis of Versatile Chiral Multifunctional Building Blocks

The highly enantioselective synthesis of α‐methyl‐substituted esters is reported in up to 90% yield and up to 99% ee using copper‐TaniaPhos as chiral catalyst. The transformation proved scalable to at least 6.6 mmol (1.7 g scale). The products of this transformation have been further elaborated to multifunctional building blocks with a single (branched esters and acids) or multiple stereogenic centers (vicinal dimethyl esters, as well as, hydroxy‐ or iodo‐substituted lactones).     

Alkylzinc‐Mediated Addition of Alkynes to N‐Tosylaldimines: Enantioselective Synthesis of (E)‐(2‐En‐3‐ynyl)‐amines

An alkylzinc‐mediated simple and efficient procedure for the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of N‐tosyl‐(E)‐(2‐en‐3‐ynyl)‐amines has been developed. The method works well with various N‐tosylaldimines and alkynes.     

Asymmetric Organocatalytic Cascade Michael/Hemiketalization/Retro‐Aldol Reaction of 2‐[(E)‐2‐Nitrovinyl]phenols with 2,4‐Dioxo‐4‐arylbutanoates: A Convenient Access to Chiral α‐Keto Esters

An unprecedented organocatalytic enantioselective cascade Michael/hemiketalization/retro‐aldol reaction of 2‐[(E)‐2‐nitrovinyl]phenols and 2,4‐dioxo‐4‐arylbutanoates is described. With a bifunctional squaramide catalyst incorporating (1R,2R)‐1,2‐diphenylethane‐1,2‐diamine, the reactions afford products in 75–99% yields with 80–98% ee. This process provides an enantioselective pathway for the synthesis of chiral α‐keto esters, precursors of 3‐arylproline derivatives, δ‐amino α‐keto acids or cyclic α‐keto lactams.

     

Chiral Amino Diol Derivatives as New Modular Organocatalysts for the Enantioselective α‐Chlorination of Cyclic β‐Keto Esters

Highly modular chiral amino diol derivatives have been used as organocatalysts in the enantioselective α‐chlorination of cyclic β‐keto esters. Optimization of the catalyst structure and the reaction conditions has allowed the synthesis of optically active α‐chlorinated products with high enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee) using inexpensive commercially available N‐chlorosuccinimide (NCS) as the chlorine source under mild conditions.     

Approaches to the Preparation of Enantiomerically Pure (2R,2′R)‐(+)‐threo‐Methylphenidate Hydrochloride

Various approaches to the preparation of enantiomerically pure (2R,2′R)‐(+)‐threo‐methylphenidate hydrochloride ( 1 ) are reviewed. These approaches include synthesis using enantiomerically pure precursors obtained by resolution, classical and enzyme‐based resolution approaches, enantioselective synthesis approaches, and approaches based on enantioselective synthesis of (2S,2′R)‐erythro‐methylphenidate followed by epimerization at the 2‐position. 1 Introduction 2 Methods for the Enhancement of Enantiomeric Purity of 1 3 Approaches Using Enantiomerically Pure Precursors Obtained by Resolution 4 Classical Resolution Approaches 4.1 Resolution of Amide and Acid Derivatives 4.2 Resolution of (±)‐threo‐Methylphenidate 5 Enzyme‐Based Resolution Approaches 6 Enantioselective Synthesis Approaches 7 Approaches Based on Enantioselective Synthesis of (2S,2′R)‐erythro‐Methylphenidate and Epimerization 8 Conclusions     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Arylboronic Acids to Dihydronitronaphthalenes

A highly enantioselective (up to 91% ee) rhodium‐catalyzed asymmetric addition of arylboronic acids has been achieved leading to the challenging dihydro‐3‐nitronaphthalenes using one equivalent of phosphoramidite ligand to rhodium catalyst. A concise formal asymmetric synthesis of the dopamine D1 agonist, dihydrexidine was accomplished using the method.     

Enantioselective N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed [3+3] Annulation of α,β‐Unsaturated Esters with Methyl Ketoimine

Herein, we disclose the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed [3+3] annulation of challenging esters with methyl ketoimines for the highly enantioselective synthesis of intriguing δ‐lactams featuring various substituent patterns. The annulation occurs under mild conditions and offers good tolerance, good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. The six‐membered heterocyclic products are valuable for the synthesis of bioactive molecules.

     

Enantioselective Construction of Cyclic Enaminone‐Based 3‐Substituted 3‐Amino‐2‐oxindole Scaffolds via Catalytic Asymmetric Additions of Isatin‐Derived Imines

The first catalytic asymmetric construction of the cyclic enaminone‐based 3‐substituted 3‐amino‐2‐oxindole scaffold with potential bioactivity has been developed via chiral phosphoric acid‐catalyzed enantioselective addition reactions of cyclic enaminones to isatin‐derived imines, which afforded a series of cyclic enaminone‐based 3‐substituted 3‐amino‐2‐oxindoles in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield, 97% ee). The investigation of the reaction mechanism suggested that it was facilitated by a dual hydrogen‐bonding activation mode between the two substrates and the chiral phosphoric acid. Besides, this method could be utilized for a large‐scale synthesis with maintained enantioselectivity. This approach will not only offer a useful method for enantioselective construction of the cyclic enaminone‐based 3‐substituted 3‐amino‐2‐oxindole scaffold, but also enrich the research on catalytic asymmetric addition reactions of isatin‐derived imines by using electron‐rich olefins as nucleophiles. More importantly, a preliminary evaluation on the cytotoxicity of some selected products revealed that two of the enantio‐pure compounds exhibited moderate to strong cytotoxicity to A549, 786‐0, ECA109 and BT474 cancer cell lines.

     

Combining in situ Generated Chiral Silicon Lewis Acid and Chiral Brønsted Acid Catalysts for [3+2] Cycloadditions: Cooperative Catalysis as a Convenient Enantioselective Route to Pyrazolidines

A facile enantioselective synthesis of chiral pyrazolidines via a [3+2] cycloaddition reaction, involving a BINOL‐derived phosphoric acid and an in situ generated BINOL phosphate‐derived silicon Lewis acid, which may act cooperatively, has been developed.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of 2‐Substituted Dihydrobenzofurans and 3‐Hydroxydihydrobenzopyrans through the Enantioselective Epoxidation of O‐Silyl‐Protected ortho‐Allylphenols

The Shi‐type epoxidation of O‐tert‐butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) protected o‐allylphenols serves as an efficient strategy to construct the dihydrobenzofurans and dihydrobenzopyrans in up to 97% ee. This methodology led to the enantioselective synthesis of (+)‐marmesin, (−)‐(3′R)‐decursinol, and (+)‐lomatin.     

Enantioselective Organocatalytic Synthesis of a Secoyohimbane‐Inspired Compound Collection with Neuritogenic Activity

Natural products provide evolutionary validated core structures to inspire the synthesis of new compound collections endowed with neurite growth‐promoting activity. Rhynchophylline is the major component of Uncaria species, and has been used to treat neurological diseases in Chinese traditional medicine. Based on the structure of this spirocyclic secoyohimbane alkaloid, we developed a highly enantioselective and efficient organocatalyzed synthesis method to provide a tetracyclic secoyohimbane scaffold incorporating a quaternary and three tertiary stereogenic centers, in a one‐pot multistep reaction sequence. A compound collection of derived secoyohimbanes was synthesized and expanded by decorating the periphery of the basic scaffold with additional substituents to increase the diversity. Evaluation of the different subcollections of secoyohimbanes for modulation of neurite outgrowth in the SH‐SY5Y human cell line led to the discovery of new compounds that promote neurite outgrowth.     

Preparation of Optically Enriched 3‐Hydroxy‐3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones by Heterogeneous Catalytic Cascade Reaction over Supported Platinum Catalyst

The development of a novel heterogeneous catalytic asymmetric cascade reaction for the synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines from 2‐nitrophenylpyruvates is reported. Optically enriched 3‐hydroxy‐3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones are prepared by enantioselective hydrogenation of the activated keto group over a Cinchona alkaloid‐modified Pt catalyst, reduction of the nitro group and spontaneous cyclization cascade. Acceleration of the enantioselective hydrogenation of the activated keto group over the catalyst modified by Cinchona alkaloids ensured high tetrahydroquinolinone selectivities. The scope of the reaction was checked using twelve substrates. Both yields and enantioselectivities were significantly influenced by the nature and position of the substituents on the phenyl ring. Substituents adjacent to the nitro group considerably increased the product yield, due to their effect on the nitro group′s reduction rate; however, had only a limited effect on enantioselectivities.     

Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Enantioselective Synthesis of Arylglycine Derivatives from Ethyl Glyoxylate,p‐Toluenesulfonyl Isocyanate and Arylboronic Acids

A palladium(II)‐catalyzed, one‐pot enantioselective synthesis of arylglycine derivatives from ethyl glyoxylate, p‐toluenesulfonyl isocyanate and arylboronic acids giving moderate to good yields and enantioselectivity has been developed. This reaction provides a convenient and efficient method for the synthesis of arylglycines.     

Asymmetric Rhodium‐Catalyzed 1,4‐ and 1,2‐Additions of Arylboronic Acids to Activated Ketones in Water at Room Temperature Using a Mixed Sulfur‐Olefin Ligand

Performing catalytic enantioselective reactions, especially enantioselective carbon‐carbon bond forming reactions, in water without using any organic solvents is one of the important goals in modern asymmetric synthesis. Herein, we report an efficient enantioselective micellar catalytic approach for the 1,4‐addition of arylboronic acids to cyclic ketones. Noteworthy, applying the same catalytic system we have also developed the first addition of boronic acids to the more challenging α‐keto carbonyl compounds in water, affording tertiary carbinols with high yields and high enantioselectivities. Beside the mild conditions used, the reported processes use as catalyst precursor the robust sulfinamido‐olefin mixed ligand 1 obtained on a multigram scale and in one step from a sugar‐derived sulfinate ester.     

Synthetic Studies on (+)‐Biotin,Part 11: Application of Cinchona Alkaloid‐Mediated Asymmetric Alcoholysis of meso‐Cyclic Anhydride in the Total Synthesis of (+)‐Biotin

A practical and asymmetric process for the total synthesis of (+)‐biotin ( 1 ) has been accomplished starting from cis‐1,3‐dibenzyl‐2‐oxoimidazolidine‐4,5‐dicarboxylic acid ( 2 ). This approach features a highly enantioselective alcoholysis of meso‐cyclic anhydride 3 into (4S,5R)‐cinnamyl hemiester 4 mediated by Cinchona alkaloids. Another attractive feature of this synthesis involves the use of recyclable palladium nanoparticles‐catalyzed assembly of the 4‐carboxybutyl chain at C‐4 in (3aS,6aR)‐thiolactone 7 employing an improved Fukuyama‐type cross‐coupling reaction     

Novel Peptidyl Aryl Vinyl Sulfones as Highly Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Cathepsins L and B

Herein we present the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a structurally novel library of 20 peptidyl 3‐aryl vinyl sulfones as inhibitors of cathepsins L and B. The building blocks, described here for the first time, were synthesized in a highly efficient and enantioselective manner, starting from 3‐aryl‐substituted allyl alcohols. The corresponding vinyl sulfones were prepared by a new approach, based on a combination of solid‐phase peptide synthesis using the Fmoc/tBu strategy, followed by solution‐phase coupling to the corresponding (R)‐3‐amino‐3‐aryl vinyl sulfones as trifluoroacetate salts. The inhibitory activity of the resulting compounds against cathepsins L and B was evaluated, and the compound exhibiting the best activity was selected for enzymatic characterization. Finally, docking studies were performed in order to identify key structural features of the aryl substituent.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Maraviroc (UK‐427,857)

The asymmetric synthesis of Maraviroc (UK‐427,857), a chemochine receptor 5 (CCR‐5) receptor antagonist, based on an expeditious organocatalytic enantioselective assembly of the chiral β‐amino aldehyde key fragment is presented. The reactions were performed on a gram‐scale and allow for the rapid construction of new Maraviroc analogues.     

Cyclometalated N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Platinum Catalysts for the Enantioselective Cycloisomerization of Nitrogen‐Tethered 1,6‐Enynes

Platinum(II) complexes which combine six‐membered N‐heterocyclic carbene‐containing metallacyclic units and monodentate chiral phosphines have been prepared. The key step of their synthesis is the intramolecular oxidative addition of N‐2‐iodobenzylimidazolylidene‐platinum(0)‐diene complexes in the presence of the chiral phosphorus ligands. The platinum(II) metallacycles have been used as well‐defined pre‐catalysts for the enantioselective cycloisomerization of nitrogen‐tethered 1,6‐enynes into 3‐azabicyclo[4.1.0]hept‐4‐enes. High enantiomeric excesses have been obtained with either Monophos or phenyl‐Binepine based catalysts (ees=82–96%), although phenyl‐Binepine outperforms Monophos in these reactions. The absolute configuration of the final 3‐azabicyclo[4.1.0.]heptenes has been established by X‐ray diffraction studies. The method has been extended then to the cycloisomerization of dienynes with enantiotopic vinyl groups. An (S)‐phenyl‐Binepine‐platinum(II) complex allows total diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivity levels to be attained in these reactions (ees up to 95%) which represent the first enantioselective desymetrizations achieved via enyne cycloisomerizations.