Preparation of enantioenriched helical- and axial-chiral molecules by dynamic asymmetric induction

DYASIN of racemic dynamic chiral heterohelicenes afforded their highly enantioenriched forms in quantitative yields. These heterohelicenes were readily converted into semi-static axial-chiral 1,1′-binaphthyl derivatives in a stereospecific manner.

Exploiting the Chiral Ligands of Bis(imidazolinyl)- and Bis(oxazolinyl)thiophenes—Synthesis and Application in Cu-Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts Asymmetric Alkylation

Five new C2-symmetric chiral ligands of 2,5-bis(imidazolinyl)thiophene (L1–L3) and 2,5-bis(oxazolinyl)thiophene (L4 and L5) were synthesized from thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (1) with enantiopure amino alcohols (4a–c) in excellent optical purity and chemical yield. The utility of these new chiral ligands for Friedel–Crafts asymmetric alkylation was explored. Subsequently, the optimized tridentate ligand L5 and Cu(OTf)2 catalyst (15 mol%) in toluene for 48 h promoted Friedel–Crafts asymmetric alkylation in moderate to good yields (up to 76%) and with good enantioselectivity (up to 81% ee). The bis(oxazolinyl)thiophene ligands were more potent than bis(imidazolinyl)thiophene analogues for the asymmetric induction of the Friedel–Crafts asymmetric alkylation.

Organocatalytic Discrimination of Non-Directing Aryl and Heteroaryl Groups: Enantioselective Synthesis of Bioactive Indole-Containing Triarylmethanes

Despite the enormous developments of asymmetric catalysis, the basis for asymmetric induction is largely limited to spatial interaction between substrate and catalyst. Consequently, asymmetric discrimination between two sterically similar groups remains a challenge. This is particularly formidable for enantiodifferentiation between aryl and heteroaryl groups without a directing group or electronic manipulation. Here we address this challenge by a robust organocatalytic system leading to excellent enantioselection between aryl and heteroaryl groups. With the versatile 2-indole imine methide as platform, an excellent combination of a superb chiral phosphoric acid and the optimal hydride source provided efficient access to a range of highly enantioenriched indole-containing triarylmethanes. Control experiments and kinetic studies provided important insights into the mechanism. DFT calculations also indicated that, while hydrogen bonding is important for activation, the key interaction for discrimination of the two aryl groups is mainly π-π stacking. Preliminary biological studies also demonstrated the great potential of these triarylmethanes for anticancer and antiviral drug development.

Organocatalytic Discrimination of Non-Directing Aryl and Heteroaryl Groups: Enantioselective Synthesis of Bioactive Indole-Containing Triarylmethanes

Despite the enormous developments of asymmetric catalysis, the basis for asymmetric induction is largely limited to spatial interaction between substrate and catalyst. Consequently, asymmetric discrimination between two sterically similar groups remains a challenge. This is particularly formidable for enantiodifferentiation between aryl and heteroaryl groups without a directing group or electronic manipulation. Here we address this challenge by a robust organocatalytic system leading to excellent enantioselection between aryl and heteroaryl groups. With the versatile 2-indole imine methide as platform, an excellent combination of a superb chiral phosphoric acid and the optimal hydride source provided efficient access to a range of highly enantioenriched indole-containing triarylmethanes. Control experiments and kinetic studies provided important insights into the mechanism. DFT calculations also indicated that, while hydrogen bonding is important for activation, the key interaction for discrimination of the two aryl groups is mainly π-π stacking. Preliminary biological studies also demonstrated the great potential of these triarylmethanes for anticancer and antiviral drug development.

Untethering sparteine: 1,3-diamine ligand for asymmetric synthesis in water

Chiral ligands are the toolbox for asymmetric synthesis to access 3D molecular world. Enabling efficient asymmetric reaction in water is a big challenge. As moisture/air stable and strong binding moieties, amines, compared to imine and phosphine ligands, are ideal candidates to accommodate asymmetric transformations in water. Known amine ligands like Proline analogues and Cinchona alkaloids showed excellent asymmetric induction. Sparteine, an alkaloid studied originated in 1968, had never been considered as a privileged catalyst due to its structure defection which led to poor reaction compatibility and unsatisfactory stereoselectivity. Here, we report the design of a chiral diamine catalyst untethering one of the sparteine rings. The diamine catalyst was easily accessed in two steps on 100 gram-scale. This chiral ligand was proved to be efficient for addition reactions in water providing products with excellent yields and enantiomeric ratios. This pluripotent catalyst has also shown good reactivity/enantioselectivity under organocatalysis, Cu and Pd-catalysed conditions. We anticipate that the ligand would allow further development of other catalysts for important yet challenging green stereoselective transformations.

1,3-Asymmetric Induction in Diastereoselective Allylations of Chiral N-Tosyl Imines

Lewis-acid mediated allylations of β-alkoxy N-tosyl imines lead to 3-alkoxy homoallylic N-tosyl amines with anti diastereoselectivity. Diastereoselectivity and yields of reactions are comparable between two methods of Hosomi-Sakurai allylations. Observed selectivity trends and computational evidence suggest that 1,3 asymmetric induction occurs through the formation of a six- membered ring chelate which adopts a half-chair-like conformation. The product ratios of allylations to β-alkoxy N-tosyl imines are dependent on conformation preferences of the chelate and stereoelectronic interactions in the transition-state structures. Debenzylation and detosylation of these allylation products result in anti 1,3-amino alcohols, a privileged motif in synthetic and natural bioactive compounds.