Access to α-Aminophosphonic Acid Derivatives and Phosphonopeptides by [Rh(P-OP)]-Catalyzed Stereoselective Hydrogenation.

The hydrogenation of N-substituted vinylphosphonates using rhodium complexes derived from P-OP ligands L1, ent-L1, or (R,R)-Me-DuPHOS as catalysts has been successfully accomplished, achieving very high levels of stereoselectivity (up to 99% ee or de). The described synthetic strategy allowed for the efficient preparation of α-aminophosphonic acid derivatives and phosphonopeptides, which are valuable building blocks for the preparation of biologically relevant molecules.

Stereoselective Catalytic Synthesis of P-Stereogenic Oxides via Hydrogenative Kinetic Resolution.

A highly stereoselective catalytic method for the preparation of structurally diverse P-stereogenic oxides has been developed. The approach relies on the ability of rhodium complexes derived from an enantiopure P-OP ligand to kinetically resolve racemic α,ß-unsaturated phosphane oxides by hydrogenation of the C═C motif and formation of highly enantioenriched (or even enantiopure) P-stereogenic oxides. The practicality of the methodology has been demonstrated by the preparation of potentially functional P-chiral molecules for catalytic enantioselective synthesis.

Stereoselective Rh-Catalyzed Hydrogenative Desymmetrization of Achiral Substituted 1,4-Dienes.

Highly efficient catalytic stereoselective hydrogenative desymmetrization reactions mediated by rhodium complexes derived from enantiopure phosphine-phosphite (P-OP) ligands are described. The highest performing ligand, which contains a TADDOL-derived phosphite fragment [TADDOL = (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-diyl)bis(diphenylmethanol)], presented excellent catalytic properties for the desymmetrization of a set of achiral 1,4-dienes, providing access to the selective formation of a variety of enantioenriched secondary and tertiary alcohols (six examples, up to 92% ee).

Hydrogenative Kinetic Resolution of Vinyl Sulfoxides.

Enantiopure sulfoxides are valuable precursors of organosulfur compounds with broad application in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry. An unprecedented strategy for obtaining highly enantioenriched sulfoxides based on a hydrogenative kinetic resolution using Rh-complexes of phosphine-phosphite ligands as catalysts is reported. After optimization, highly efficient conditions for the kinetic resolution of racemic sulfoxides have been identified. This methodology has been applied to a set of racemic aralkyl or aryl vinyl sulfoxides and allowed the isolation of both recovered and reduced products in excellent yields and enantioselectivities (up to 99% and 97% ee, respectively; 16 examples).

Enantiopure narrow bite-angle P-OP ligands: synthesis and catalytic performance in asymmetric hydroformylations and hydrogenations.

Herein is reported the preparation of a set of narrow bite-angle P-OP ligands the backbone of which contains a stereogenic carbon atom. The synthesis was based on a Corey-Bakshi-Shibata (CBS)-catalyzed asymmetric reduction of phosphomides. The structure of the resulting 1,1-P-OP ligands, which was selectively tuned through adequate combination of the configuration of the stereogenic carbon atom, its substituent, and the phosphite fragment, proved crucial for providing a rigid environment around the metal center, as evidenced by X-ray crystallography. These new ligands enabled very good catalytic properties in the Rh-mediated enantioselective hydrogenation and hydroformylation of challenging and model substrates (up to 99 % ee). Whereas for asymmetric hydrogenation the optimal P-OP ligand depended on the substrate, for hydroformylation, a single ligand was the highest-performing one for almost all studied substrates: it contains an R-configured stereogenic carbon atom between the two phosphorus ligating groups, and an S-configured 3,3'-diphenyl-substituted biaryl unit.

Catalytic enantioselective reductive desymmetrisation of achiral and meso compounds.

Herein an overview of reductive catalytic enantioselective desymmetrisation of achiral or meso compounds is provided. The most efficient reductive desymmetrisations described in the literature, which involve the reduction of C=O, C=N, C=C and C-halogen bonds, or reductive ring-opening, are summarised. The structural diversity of the valuable highly enantioenriched intermediates prepared by reductive desymmetrisation is highlighted.

Small bite-angle P-OP ligands for asymmetric hydroformylation and hydrogenation.

A series of small bite-angle phosphine-phosphite (P-OP) ligands have been synthesized by a two-step method. The key intermediate was prepared by an unprecedented asymmetric carbonyl reduction of a phosphamide using the CBS (Corey-Bakshi-Shibata) catalyst. The topology of these ligands (a configurationally stable stereogenic carbon with two heteroatom substituents) and their small bite-angle (created by the close proximity of the two ligating groups to the metal center) together provide a rigid asymmetric environment around this center, enabling high stereoselectivity in hydroformylations and hydrogenations of standard substrates.

Allosteric P═O-based receptors for dicarboxylic acids.

The synthesis of new P═O-disubstituted receptors with appended crown ethers and their properties as receptors for dicarboxylic acids have been studied. High affinities have been observed (oxalic and malonic acids with 4-, 5-, 6-, or 8-crown ethers). Binding of a cationic effector within the crown ether unit resulted in a positive "allosteric" effect, which has been determined to be K(rel) = 7 in the best case (binding of malonic acid with Li(+) @ rac-3b).

Highly modular P-OP ligands for asymmetric hydrogenation: synthesis, catalytic activity, and mechanism.

A library of enantiomerically pure P-OP ligands (phosphine-phosphite), straightforwardly available in two synthetic steps from enantiopure Sharpless epoxy ethers is reported. Both the alkyloxy and phosphite groups can be optimized for maximum enantioselectivity and catalytic activity. Their excellent performance in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of a wide variety of functionalized alkenes (26 examples) and modular design makes them attractive for future applications. The lead catalyst incorporates an (S)-BINOL-derived (BINOL = 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol) phosphite group with computational studies revealing that this moiety has a dual effect on the behavior of our P-OP ligands. On one hand, the electronic properties of phosphite hinder the binding and reaction of the substrate in two out of the four possible manifolds. On the other hand, the steric effects of the BINOL allow for discrimination between the two remaining manifolds, thereby elucidating the high efficiency of these catalysts.