Carbonyl catalysis enables a biomimetic asymmetric Mannich reaction

Chiral amines are widely used as catalysts in asymmetric synthesis to activate carbonyl groups for α-functionalization. Carbonyl catalysis reverses that strategy by using a carbonyl group to activate a primary amine. Inspired by biological carbonyl catalysis, which is exemplified by reactions of pyridoxal-dependent enzymes, we developed an N-quaternized pyridoxal catalyst for the asymmetric Mannich reaction of glycinate with aryl N-diphenylphosphinyl imines. The catalyst exhibits high activity and stereoselectivity, likely enabled by enzyme-like cooperative bifunctional activation of the substrates. Our work demonstrates the catalytic utility of the pyridoxal moiety in asymmetric catalysis.

A Three-Component Reaction for the One-Pot Preparation of β-Amino-α,α-Difluoroketones from Trimethyl(trifluoromethyl)silane (CF3TMS), Acylsilanes and Imines

A methodology allowing the direct preparation of β-amino-α,α-difluoroketones from the Ruppert–Prakash reagent (CF3TMS), acyltrimethylsilanes and N-Boc or N-(diphenylphosphinyl)imines is reported. The process, initiated by a catalytic amount of tetra-n-butylammonium difluorotriphenylsilicate (TBAT), involves the addition of CF3TMS to the acylsilane, followed by a Brook rearrangement and elimination of a fluoride anion. The latter promotes the addition of the resulting difluoroenoxysilane to the imine. The higher electrophilicity of the acylsilane compared to the imine allows the direct mixing of all the reagents in a three-component, one-pot process.

Preparation and ring-opening reactions of N-diphenylphosphinyl vinyl aziridines

Predominantly (E)-N-diphenylphosphinyl vinyl aziridines are prepared by a reaction of N-diphenylphosphinyl imines with α-bromoallyllithium in the presence of freshly fused ZnCl2. These aziridines undergo a ring-opening reaction with a variety of carbon and heteronucleophiles, in good yield, and generally with good regioselectivity.