Unlocking the Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Tetrasubstituted Acyclic Enones.

Asymmetric hydrogenation (AH) of tetrasubstituted olefins generating two stereocenters is still an open topic. There are only a few reports on the AH of tetrasubstituted olefins with conjugated functional groups, while this process can create useful intermediates for the subsequent elaboration of relevant end products. Most of the tetrasubstituted olefins successfully submitted to AH belong to a small number of functional classes; remarkably, the AH of tetrasubstituted acyclic enones still represents an unsolved challenge.

P-Stereogenic Ir-MaxPHOX: A Step toward Privileged Catalysts for Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Nonchelating Olefins.

The Ir-MaxPHOX-type catalysts demonstrated high catalytic performance in the hydrogenation of a wide range of nonchelating olefins with different geometries, substitution patterns, and degrees of functionalization. These air-stable and readily available catalysts have been successfully applied in the asymmetric hydrogenation of di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted olefins (ee's up to 99%). The combination of theoretical calculations and deuterium labeling experiments led to the uncovering of the factors responsible for the enantioselectivity observed in the reaction, allowing the rationalization of the most suitable substrates for these Ir-catalysts.

Proofreading experimentally assigned stereochemistry through Q2MM predictions in Pd-catalyzed allylic aminations.

The palladium-catalyzed enantioselective allylic substitution by carbon or nitrogen nucleophiles is a key transformation that is particularly useful for the synthesis of bioactive compounds. Unfortunately, the selection of a suitable ligand/substrate combination often requires significant screening effort. Here, we show that a transition state force field (TSFF) derived by the quantum-guided molecular mechanics (Q2MM) method can be used to rapidly screen ligand/substrate combinations.

Self-Adaptable Tropos Catalysts.

Biological systems have often served as inspiration for the design of synthetic catalysts. The lock and key analogy put forward by Emil Fischer in 1894 to explain the high substrate specificity of enzymes has been used as a general guiding principle aimed at enhancing the selectivity of chemical processes by optimizing attractive and repulsive interactions in molecular recognition events. However, although a perfect fit of a substrate to a catalytic site may enhance the selectivity of a specific catalytic reaction, it inevitably leads to a narrow substrate scope, excluding substrates with different sizes and shapes from efficient binding.

Recent Advances in Enantioselective Pd-Catalyzed Allylic Substitution: From Design to Applications.

This Review compiles the evolution, mechanistic understanding, and more recent advances in enantioselective Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution and decarboxylative and oxidative allylic substitutions. For each reaction, the catalytic data, as well as examples of their application to the synthesis of more complex molecules, are collected. Sections in which we discuss key mechanistic aspects for high selectivity and a comparison with other metals (with advantages and disadvantages) are also included.

Rh-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydroaminomethylation of α-Substituted Acrylamides: Application in the Synthesis of RWAY.

The successful rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroformylation and hydroaminomethylation of α-substituted acrylamides is described using 1,3-phosphite-phosphoramidite ligands based on a sugar backbone. A broad scope of chiral aldehydes and amines were afforded in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99%). Furthermore, the synthetic potential of this method is demonstrated by the single-step synthesis of the brain imaging molecule RWAY.

Effect of Ligand Chelation and Sacrificial Oxidant on the Integrity of Triazole-Based Carbene Iridium Water Oxidation Catalysts.

We report the effect of replacing the pyridine group in the chelating trz Ir-water oxidation catalysts by a benzoxazole and a thiazole moiety. We have also evaluated if the presence of bidentate ligands is crucial for high activities and to avoid the decomposition into undesired heterogeneous layers. The catalytic performance of these benzoxazole/thiazole-triazolidene Ir-complexes in water oxidation was studied at variable pH using either CAN (pH = 1) or NaIO (pH = 5.

Evolution of phosphorus-thioether ligands for asymmetric catalysis.

In the early 1990s chiral P-thiother ligands emerged as promising ligands in the field of asymmetric catalysis, with the development of many P-thioether ligand families. However, only a few of them have shown a broad reaction and substrate scope. So, compared with other heterodonor ligands such as the widely studied P-N ligands, their impact in asymmetric catalysis was not realised until recently.

P-Stereogenic -Phosphine-Phosphite Ligands for the Rh-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Olefins.

We have identified a successful family of simple P-stereogenic -phosphine-phosphite ligands for the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of olefins. These catalysts show excellent enantiocontrol for α-dehydroamino acid derivatives and α-enamides (ee's up to >99%) and promising results for the more challenging β-analogues (ee's up to 80%). The usefulness of these catalytic systems was further demonstrated with the synthesis of several valuable precursors for pharmacologically active compounds, with ee's at least as high as the best ones reported previously (up to >99%).

A readily accessible and modular carbohydrate-derived thioether/selenoether-phosphite ligand library for Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitutions.

A large library of thioether/selenoether-phosphite ligands have been tested in the Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reaction. The presented ligands are derived from cheap and available carbohydrates and they are air-stable solids and easy to handle. Their highly modular nature has made it possible to achieve excellent enantioselectivities in the substitution of a range of hindered and unhindered substrates (ees up to 99% and 91%, respectively).

Giving a Second Chance to Ir/Sulfoximine-Based Catalysts for the Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Olefins Containing Poorly Coordinative Groups.

This work identifies a family of Ir/phosphite-sulfoximine catalysts that has been successfully used in the asymmetric hydrogenation of olefins with poorly coordinative or noncoordinative groups. In comparison with analogue Ir/phosphine-sulfoximine catalysts previously reported, the presence of a phosphite group extended the range of olefins than can be efficiently hydrogenated. High enantioselectivities, comparable to the best ones reported, have been achieved for a wide range of olefins containing relevant poorly coordinative groups such as α,β-unsaturated enones, esters, lactones, and lactams as well as alkenylboronic esters.

Extending the Substrate Scope in the Hydrogenation of Unfunctionalized Tetrasubstituted Olefins with Ir-P Stereogenic Aminophosphine-Oxazoline Catalysts.

Air-stable and readily available Ir-catalyst precursors modified with MaxPHOX-type ligands have been successfully applied in the challenging asymmetric hydrogenation of tetrasubstituted olefins under mild reaction conditions. Gratifyingly, these catalyst precursors are able to efficiently hydrogenate not only a range of indene derivatives (ee's up to 96%) but also 1,2-dihydronapthalene derivatives and acyclic olefins (ee's up to 99%), which both constitute the most challenging substrates for this transformation.

Enantioselective Synthesis of 6,6-Disubstituted Pentafulvenes Containing a Chiral Pendant Hydroxy Group.

Simple enantioselective synthesis of 6,6-disubstituted pentafulvenes bearing chiral pendant hydroxy groups are attained by cascade reactivity using commercially available proline-based organocatalysts. Condensation of cyclopentadiene with the acetyl function of a 1,2-formylacetophenone, followed by cyclization of a resulting fulvene-stabilized carbanion with the formyl group, generates bicyclic chiral alcohols with initial er values up to 94:6. Exceptional enantio-enrichment of the resultant alcohols results upon crystallization-even near racemic samples spontaneously de-racemize.

Triazolylidene Iridium Complexes for Highly Efficient and Versatile Transfer Hydrogenation of C═O, C═N, and C═C Bonds and for Acceptorless Alcohol Oxidation.

A set of iridium(I) and iridium(III) complexes is reported with triazolylidene ligands that contain pendant benzoxazole, thiazole, and methyl ether groups as potentially chelating donor sites. The bonding mode of these groups was identified by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray structure analysis. The complexes were evaluated as catalyst precursors in transfer hydrogenation and in acceptorless alcohol oxidation.

Phosphite-Thiother Ligands Derived from Carbohydrates allow the Enantioswitchable Hydrogenation of Cyclic β-Enamides by using either Rh or Ir Catalysts.

Phosphite-thioether ligands with a simple modular architecture, derived from inexpensive l-(+)-tartaric acid and d-mannitol, have been for the first time successfully applied (ee values up to 99 %) in the synthesis of 2-aminotetralines and 3-aminochromanes by metal-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of cyclic β-enamides. The ligands have the advantages of the robustness of the thioether/phosphite moieties and the extra control provided by the flexibility of the chiral pocket through the presence of a biaryl phosphite group and a modular carbohydrate-derived backbone. Moreover, they are solid and stable to air and they are therefore easy to handle, manipulate, and store.

Adaptable P-X Biaryl Phosphite/Phosphoroamidite-Containing Ligands for Asymmetric Hydrogenation and C-X Bond-Forming Reactions: Ligand Libraries with Exceptionally Wide Substrate Scope.

In this personal review, we present our efforts in the design of ligand libraries for the discovery of suitable metal catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation and C-X bond-forming reactions.

Extending the Substrate Scope for the Asymmetric Iridium-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Minimally Functionalized Olefins by Using Biaryl Phosphite-Based Modular Ligand Libraries.

Asymmetric hydrogenation is one of the most efficient and atom-economical tools to prepare chiral molecules. However, the enantiodiscrimination of simple, minimally functionalized olefins is still challenging and requires more sophisticated ligand design. Herein, we discuss our progress in the successful development of ligand design for the iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of minimally functionalized olefins.

Stereospecific S(N)2@P reactions: novel access to bulky P-stereogenic ligands.

The stereospecific hydrolysis of bulky aminophosphine boranes is reported for the first time. The resulting phosphinous acid boranes, upon activation, undergo stereospecific nucleophilic substitution reaction at the phosphorous center with amine nucleophiles. The combination of these two processes provides a novel access to bulky P*-ligands.

Extending the substrate scope of bicyclic p-oxazoline/thiazole ligands for Ir-catalyzed hydrogenation of unfunctionalized olefins by introducing a biaryl phosphoroamidite group.

This study identifies a series of Ir-bicyclic phosphoroamidite-oxazoline/thiazole catalytic systems that can hydrogenate a wide range of minimally functionalized olefins (including E- and Z-tri- and disubstituted substrates, vinylsilanes, enol phosphinates, tri- and disubstituted alkenylboronic esters, and α,β-unsaturated enones) in high enantioselectivities (ee values up to 99 %) and conversions. The design of the new phosphoroamidite-oxazoline/thiazole ligands derives from a previous successful generation of bicyclic N-phosphane-oxazoline/thiazole ligands, by replacing the N-phosphane group with a π-acceptor biaryl phosphoroamidite moiety. A small but structurally important family of Ir-phosphoroamidite-oxazoline/thiazole precatalysts has thus been synthesized by changing the nature of the N-donor group (either oxazoline or thiazole) and the configuration at the biaryl phosphoroamidite moiety.

A theoretically-guided optimization of a new family of modular P,S-ligands for iridium-catalyzed hydrogenation of minimally functionalized olefins.

A library of modular iridium complexes derived from thioether-phosphite/phosphinite ligands has been evaluated in the asymmetric iridium-catalyzed hydrogenation of minimally functionalized olefins. The modular ligand design has been shown to be crucial in finding highly selective catalysts for each substrate. A DFT study of the transition state responsible for the enantiocontrol in the Ir-catalyzed hydrogenation is also described and used for further optimization of the crucial stereodefining moieties.

Highly versatile Pd-thioether-phosphite catalytic systems for asymmetric allylic alkylation, amination, and etherification reactions.

A Pd-furanoside thioether-phosphite catalytic system that can create new C-C, C-N, and C-O bonds in several substrate types using a wide range of nucleophiles in high yields and enantioselectivities has been identified. Of particular note are the excellent enantioselectivities obtained in the etherification of linear and cyclic substrates. The potential application of the new Pd-thioether-phosphite catalytic systems was also demonstrated by the synthesis of the chiral carbo- and heterocycles.

A new modular phosphite-pyridine ligand library for asymmetric Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions: a study of the key Pd-π-allyl intermediates.

A library of phosphite-pyridine ligands L1-L12 a-g has been successfully applied for the first time in the Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions of several di- and trisubstituted substrates by using a wide range of C, N and O nucleophiles, among which are the little studied α-substituted malonates, β-diketones, and alkyl alcohols. The highly modular nature of this ligand library enables the substituents/configuration at the ligand backbone, and the substituents/configurations at the biaryl phosphite moiety to be easily and systematically varied. We found that the introduction of an enantiopure biaryl phosphite moiety played an essential role in increasing the versatility of the Pd-catalytic systems.

Asymmetric Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation using a furanoside phosphite-phosphoroamidite and diphosphoroamidite ligand library.

A furanoside phosphite-phosphoroamidite and diphosphoroamidite ligand library L1-L5a-f was tested in the asymmetric Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives and enamides. Enantioselectivity depended strongly on the ligand parameters. High enantioselectivities were obtained in the reduction of dimethyl itaconate (up to >99% ee), α-dehydroamino acid esters (up to 99% ee) and several enamides (up to 92% ee).

Carbohydrate-based pseudo-dipeptides: new ligands for the highly enantioselective Ru-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation reaction.

Ruthenium-complexes of novel carbohydrate based pseudo-dipeptide ligands effectively and selectively catalyze the reduction of a broad range of aryl-alkyl ketones under ATH conditions. Excellent enantioselectivities (>99% ee) are obtained using aminosugars as the sole source of chirality.