N‐Alkylation of Amines with Alcohols Catalyzed by a Water‐Soluble Cp*Iridium Complex: An Efficient Method for the Synthesis of Amines in Aqueous Media

An efficient and environmentally benign catalytic system for the synthesis of various organic amines catalyzed by the water‐soluble and air‐stable (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)‐iridium‐ammine iod‐ ide complex, [Cp*Ir(NH₃)₃][I]₂ (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), has been developed. A wide variety of secondary and tertiary amines were synthesized by the N‐alkylation reactions of theoretical equivalents of amines with alcohols in water under air without a base. The synthesis of cyclic amines was also achieved by the N‐alkylation of benzylamine with diols. Furthermore, the recycle use of the present water‐soluble Cp*Ir catalyst was accomplished.     

Active and Recyclable Polyethylene‐Supported Iridium‐(N‐ Heterocyclic Carbene) Catalyst for Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Reactions

The multistep synthesis of a polyethylene‐supported iridium(III)‐(N‐heterocyclic carbene) hydrogen/deuterium exchange catalyst was performed starting from an iodo‐polyethylene obtained via catalyzed polyethylene chain growth (CCG) on magnesium. Unique thermomorphic polyethylene properties give the possibility to perform catalytic hydrogen/deuterium exchange reactions at 100 °C in the homogeneous phase with simple catalyst separation as a precipitate at room temperature. The catalytic activity of the polymer‐supported catalyst was compared with that of its monomeric analogue. The catalytic studies showed that the supported catalyst exhibits similar profiles and turnover numbers as homogeneous counterparts without deactivation.

     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Mediated Organocatalytic Transfer of Tin onto Aldehydes: New Access to α‐Silyloxyalkylstannanes and γ‐Silyloxyallylstannanes

A new, highly efficient and mild N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐mediated organocatalytic procedure for the transfer of tin from tributyl(trimethylsilyl)stannane (Bu₃SnSiMe₃) onto aldehydes for the preparation of α‐silyloxyalkylstannanes and γ‐silyloxyallylstannanes has been developed.     

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.

     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed β‐Alkylation of Secondary Alcohols with Primary Alcohols

Cyclopentadienyl (Cp), hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borato (Tp), and bipyridine ruthenium complexes were found to be active catalysts for the β‐alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols. Mechanistic aspects of the Cp and Tp complexes‐catalyzed reactions were investigated; the crucial hydrido complexes were identified. Carbonyl complexes resulting from aldehyde decarbonylation were formed in some cases, and surprisingly, they were also found to be active for the catalytic processes.     

An Efficient Method for the Selective Iridium‐Catalyzed Monoalkylation of (Hetero)aromatic Amines with Primary Alcohols

An efficient multi‐gram scale synthesis protocol of a variety of P,N ligands is described. The synthesis is achieved in a two‐step reaction. First, the amine is deprotonated and subsequently the chlorophosphine is added to yield the corresponding P,N ligand. Deprotonation of the amine is normally achieved with n‐BuLi at low temperature, but for the preparation of ligands with a 2,2′‐dipyridylamino backbone and phosphines with a high steric demand KH has to be employed in combination with reaction temperatures of 110 °C for the salt metathesis step. The reaction of two equivalents of a selected P,N ligand with one equivalent of the iridium complex [IrCl(cod)]₂ (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) affords P,N ligand‐coordinated iridium complexes in quantitative yield. X‐Ray single crystal structure analysis of one of these complexes reveals a monomeric five‐coordinated structure in the solid state. The iridium complexes were used to form catalysts for the N‐alkylation of aromatic amines with alcohols. The catalyst system was optimized by studying 8 different P,N ligands, 9 different solvents and 14 different bases. Systematic variation of the substrate to base and the amine to alcohol ratios as well as the catalyst loading led to optimized catalytic reaction conditions. The substrate scope of the developed catalytic protocol was shown by synthesizing 20 different amines of which 12 could be obtained in isolated yields higher than 90%. A new efficient catalyst system for the selective monoalkylation of primary aromatic and heteroaromatic amines with primary aromatic, heteroaromatic as well as aliphatic alcohols has been established. The reaction proceeds with rather moderate catalyst loadings.     

Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of 2‐Phenylpropanal Derivatives to Yield β‐Chiral Primary Amines via Bioamination

The amination of racemic α‐chiral aldehydes, 2‐phenylpropanal derivatives, was investigated employing ω‐transaminases. By medium and substrate engineering the optical purity of the resulting β‐chiral chiral amine could be enhanced to reach optical purities up to 99% ee. Using enantiocomplementary ω‐transaminases allowed us to access the (R)‐ as well as the (S)‐enantiomer in most cases. It is important to note that the stereopreference of the ω‐transaminases found for α‐chiral aldehydes did not correlate with the stereopreference previously observed for the amination of methyl ketones. In one case the stereopreference switched even upon exchanging a methyl substituent to a methoxy group.

     

Tris(acetylacetonato)rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed α‐Alkylation of Ketones, β‐Alkylation of Secondary Alcohols and Alkylation of Amines with Primary Alcohols

The tris(acetylacetonato)rhodium(III) catalyst is shown to be a versatile catalyst in the presence of DABCO (1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) as ligand for the α‐alkylation of ketones followed by transfer hydrogenation, for the one‐pot β‐alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols and for the alkylation of aromatic amines in the presence of an inorganic base in toluene.     

Highly Enantioselective Phase‐Transfer Catalytic α‐Alkylation of α‐tert‐Butoxycarbonyllactams: Construction of β‐Quaternary Chiral Pyrrolidine and Piperidine Systems

A new enantioselective α‐alkylation of α‐tert‐butoxycarbonyllactams for the construction of β‐quaternary chiral pyrrolidine and piperidine core systems is reported. α‐Alkylations of N‐methyl‐α‐tert‐butoxycarbonylbutyrolactam and N‐diphenylmethyl‐α‐tert‐butoxycarbonylvalerolactam under phase‐transfer catalytic conditions (solid potassium hydroxide, toluene, −40 °C) in the presence of (S,S)‐3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl‐3,3′,5,5′‐tetrahydro‐2,6‐bis(3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)‐4,4′‐spirobi[4H‐dinaphth[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]azepinium] bromide [(S,S)‐NAS Br] (5 mol%) afforded the corresponding α‐alkyl‐α‐tert‐butoxycarbonyllactams in very high chemical (up to 99%) and optical yields (up to 98% ee). Our new catalytic systems provide attractive synthetic methods for pyrrolidine‐ and piperidine‐based alkaloids and chiral intermediates with β‐quaternary carbon centers.     

Cationic copolymers of α,β‐poly‐(N‐2‐hydroxyethyl)‐DL‐aspartamide (PHEA) and α,β‐polyasparthylhydrazide (PAHy): synthesis and characterization

In the present study the derivatization of two water‐soluble synthetic polymers, α,β‐poly(N‐2‐hydroxyethyl)‐DL ‐aspartamide (PHEA) and α,β‐polyasparthylhydrazide (PAHy), with glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GTA) is described. This reaction permits the introduction of positive charges in the macromolecular chains of PHEA and PAHy in order to make easier the electrostatic interaction with DNA. Different parameters affect the reaction of derivatization, such as GTA concentration and reaction time. PHEA reacts partially and slowly with GTA; on the contrary the reaction of PAHy with GTA is more rapid and extensive. The derivatization of PHEA and PAHy with GTA is a convenient method to introduce positive groups in their chains and it permits the preparation of interpolyelectrolyte complexes with DNA. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Efficient Lipase‐Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution and Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of β‐Hydroxy Nitriles. Correction of Absolute Configuration and Transformation to Chiral β‐Hydroxy Acids and γ‐Amino Alcohols

Chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution of β‐hydroxy nitriles 1 has been carried out using Candida antarctica lipase B and a ruthenium catalyst. The use of a hydrogen source to depress ketone formation in the dynamic kinetic resolution yields the corresponding acetates 2 in good yield and high enantioselectivity. It is shown that the ruthenium catalyst and the enzyme can be recycled when used in separate reactions. We also report on the preparation of various enantiomerically pure β‐hydroxy acid derivatives and γ‐amino alcohols from 1 and 2. The latter compounds were also used to establish the correct absolute configuration of 1 and 2.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of cis‐4‐Formyl‐β‐lactams via Chiral N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution

An efficient synthesis of optically pure cis‐4‐formyl‐β‐lactams (up to 99% ee) by a chiral NHC‐catalyzed ring expansion reaction has been realized, featuring the ready availability of both the substrate and the catalyst, and the mild reaction conditions. The current method is also suitable for the synthesis of enantioenriched 4‐formyl‐β‐lactams and succinimides containing quaternary carbon centers.     

Green and Scalable Aldehyde‐Catalyzed Transition Metal‐Free Dehydrative N‐Alkylation of Amides and Amines with Alcohols

In contrast to the borrowing hydrogen‐type N‐alkylation reactions, in which alcohols were activated by transition metal‐catalyzed anaerobic dehydrogenation, the addition of external aldehydes was accidentally found to be a simple and effective protocol for alcohol activation. This interesting finding subsequently led to an efficient and green, practical and scalable aldehyde‐catalyzed transition metal‐free dehydrative N‐alkylation method for a variety of amides, amines, and alcohols. Mechanistic studies revealed that this reaction most possibly proceeds via a simple but interesting transition metal‐free relay race mechanism.     

Direct and Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones and Imines with a Ruthenium N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complex

The dihydride ruthenium N‐heterocyclic carbene complex Ru(IMes)(PPh₃)₂CO(H)₂ ( 1 ) (IMes=1,3‐dimesityl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene) is an efficient catalyst for both direct hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation of ketones and imines, in the absence of base.     

Carboxylation of Terminal Alkynes with Carbon Dioxide Catalyzed by Poly(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene)‐Supported Silver Nanoparticles

An N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) polymer supported silver nanoparticle catalyst system was developed. The novel nano‐composite catalyst demonstrated very high activity and excellent stability and reusability in the carboxylation of terminal alkynes with carbon dioxide at ambient conditions. The unique N‐heterocyclic carbene polymer and silver nanoparticle composite structure provided a synergistic effect on activation of terminal alkynes and carbon dioxide that contributed to the high catalytic activity. The poly‐NHC‐silver catalyst exhibited excellent substrate generality and tolerance to various functionalities. In addition, the catalyst is stable to air and moisture and can be easily recovered and reused.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Mediated Organocatalytic Transfer of Tin onto Aldehydes: An Easy Access to syn‐Diols and Mechanistic Studies

An update of our preliminary communication concerning an efficient organocatalytic procedure for the transfer of tin onto aldehydes is presented. This update combines (i) a full study of the preparation of γ‐silyloxyallylstannanes from β‐substituted enals, (ii) a “one‐pot” sequence (in inter‐ and intramolecular version) including N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed silylstannation reaction/Lewis acid‐promoted allylstannation reaction to furnish the corresponding syn‐diols, and (iii) mechanistic studies on the organocatalytic 1,2‐addition.     

An Efficient Palladium N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyst Allowing the Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling of Aryl Chlorides and Arylboronic Acids at Room Temperature in Aqueous Solution

The application of a highly active Pd‐NHC catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling of a broad variety of electronically activated and deactivated aryl chlorides with different arylboronic acids in excellent yields is described. This catalyst can be handled under aerobic conditions, is active with low catalyst loadings at room temperature and in an aqueous reaction medium and allows the application of cheap potassium carbonate as the base.

     

Enantioselective N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Annulations of 2‐Bromoenals with 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds and Enamines via Chiral α,β‐Unsaturated Acylazoliums

The N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed generation of chiral α,β‐unsaturated acylazoliums from 2‐bromoenals followed by their interception with 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds or enamines, the formal [3+3] annulation reaction, is reported. The reaction results in the enantioselective synthesis of synthetically and medicinally important dihydropyranones and dihydropyridinones, and tolerates a wide range of functional groups. It is noteworthy that the reaction takes place under mild reaction conditions utilizing relatively low catalyst loadings. In addition, based on DFT calculations, a mechanistic scenario involving the attack of the nucleophile from below the plane of the α,β‐unsaturated acylazoliums, and the mode of enantioinduction is presented.     

Low Pressure Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Quinolines using an Annulated Planar Chiral N‐Ferrocenyl NHC‐Iridium Complex

Annulated planar chiral N‐ferrocenylimidazolones, obtained by acid‐mediated cyclization of diphenylmethanol derivatives, may be reduced with diisobutylaluminium hydide (DIBAL‐H) to afford a series of surprisingly stable and isolable hemiaminal ether aminals. Two of these derivatives can be oxidized with triphenylcarbenium tetrafluoroborate to imidazolinium salt precursors of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). Deprotonation of these salts in the presence of (cyclooctadiene)iridium chloride dimer {[Ir(COD)Cl]₂} provides chiral coordination complexes bearing N‐ferrocenyl NHCs with unique rigid tetracyclic frameworks. Cationic analogues of these complexes catalyze the asymmetric hydrogenation of 2‐substituted quinolines under very mild conditions (1 mol% complex, 1 mol% PPh₃, 1–5 atm H₂, toluene, 25 °C) in appreciable enantioselectivity (up to 90:10 er). The sensitivity of the hydrogenation process to changes in the phosphine additive suggests that an outer‐sphere reaction mechanism may be involved, as proposed for a related achiral NHC‐Ir complex reported by Crabtree and co‐workers.