Enantioconvergent and enantiodivergent catalytic hydrogenation of isomeric olefins.

The asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation of olefins is one of the most widely studied and utilised transformations in asymmetric synthesis. This straightforward and atom-economical strategy can provide excellent enantioselectivity for a broad variety of substrates and is widely relevant for both industrial applications and academic research. In many instances the hydrogenation is stereospecific in the regard that the E-Z-geometry of the olefin governs the stereochemistry of the hydrogenation, producing an enantiodivergent outcome. Interestingly, the possibility to hydrogenate E- and Z-isomer mixtures to a single stereoisomer in an enantioconvergent manner has been reported. This avoids the need for synthesis of geometrically pure alkene starting materials and therefore constitutes a significant practical advantage. This review article aims to provide an overview of the different stereochemical outcomes in the hydrogenation of olefins. Although the field is well developed and selectivity models have been proposed for a number of catalytic systems, an organized collection of enantioconvergent results, as opposed to the more common enantiodivergent case, might promote new investigation into these phenomena.

Kinetic resolution of racemic allylic alcohols via iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation: scope, synthetic applications and insight into the origin of selectivity.

Asymmetric hydrogenation is one of the most commonly used tools in organic synthesis, whereas, kinetic resolution via asymmetric hydrogenation is less developed. Herein, we describe the first iridium catalyzed kinetic resolution of a wide range of trisubstituted secondary and tertiary allylic alcohols. Large selectivity factors were observed in most cases (s up to 211), providing the unreacted starting materials in good yield with high levels of enantiopurity (ee up to >99%). The utility of this method is highlighted in the enantioselective formal synthesis of some bioactive natural products including pumiliotoxin A, inthomycin A and B. DFT studies and a selectivity model concerning the origin of selectivity are presented.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (-)-Juvabione via Sequential Ir-Catalyzed Hydrogenations.

(-)-Juvabione, a natural sesquiterpene exhibiting juvenile insect hormone activity, was synthesized constructing the two adjacent stereogenic centers via sequential Ir-catalyzed hydrogenations. The first center is generated by hydrogenation of a styrene-type double bond (99% ee). The successive monohydrogenation of a diene intermediate constitutes the key step, granting high levels of regio- and stereocontrol (94:6 dr). This novel strategy allowed the preparation of (-)-juvabione from simple starting materials in 9 steps and 17% total yield.

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Regioselective Asymmetric Mono-Hydrogenation of Dienes and Polyenes.

Organic compounds containing multiple C=C bonds are attractive substrates for catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation. The full saturation of prochiral double bonds, controlling the creation of two or more stereocenters in one step, is obviously a remarkable goal. However, another fascinating and useful option is to selectively introduce a new defined stereogenic center while leaving other double bonds untouched. Thus, the retained functionalities can be further exploited in synthesis. Examples of regio- and enantioselective mono-hydrogenations of polyolefins are highlighted in this Concept article, and are divided according to the nature of the reduced double bond and the transition-metal catalyst used. Alkenes bearing coordinating functional groups are often preferentially hydrogenated by Rh- and Ru-complexes, while the more recently developed Ir-based catalysts promote the selective saturation on alkyl-substituted olefins. Relevant applications of this effective methodology in the synthesis of natural products are included to demonstrate its value in organic synthesis.

Ir-Catalyzed Asymmetric and Regioselective Hydrogenation of Cyclic Allylsilanes and Generation of Quaternary Stereocenters via the Hosomi-Sakurai Allylation.

A number of cyclic dienes containing the allylsilane moiety were prepared by a Birch reduction and subjected to iridium-catalyzed regioselective and asymmetric hydrogenation, which provided chiral allylsilanes in high conversion and enantiomeric excess (up to 99 % ee). The compounds were successively used in the Hosomi-Sakurai allylation with various aldehydes employing TiCl4 as Lewis acid, providing adducts with two additional stereogenic centers in excellent diastereoselectivity.

Evolution and Prospects of the Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Unfunctionalized Olefins.

The catalytic enantioselective hydrogenation of prochiral olefins is a key reaction in asymmetric synthesis. Its relevance applies to both industry and academia as an inherently direct and sustainable strategy to induce chirality. Here we briefly recount the early breakthroughs concerning the asymmetric hydrogenation of largely unfunctionalized olefins, from the first reports to the advent of chiral Crabtree-like catalysts. The mechanism and its implications on the enantioselectivity are shortly discussed. The main focus of this Perspective lies on the more recent advances in the field, such as the latest developed classes of ligands and the opportunity to employ more Earth-abundant metals. Therefore, separate sections consider iridium N,P-, NHC-, P,S-, and O,P-catalysts, and rhodium, palladium, cobalt, and iron catalysts. Finally, the remaining unsolved challenges are examined, and the potential directions of forthcoming research are outlined.

Enantio- and Regioselective Ir-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Di- and Trisubstituted Cycloalkenes.

A number of cyclic olefins were prepared and evaluated for the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction using novel N,P-ligated iridium imidazole-based catalysts (Crabtree type). The diversity of these cyclic olefins spanned those having little functionality to others bearing strongly coordinating substituents and heterocycles. Excellent enantioselectivities were observed both for substrates having little functionality (up to >99% ee) and for substrates possessing functional groups several carbons away from the olefin. Substrates having functionalities such as carboxyl groups, alcohols, or heterocycles in the vicinity of the C═C bond were hydrogenated in high enantiomeric excess (up to >99% ee). The hydrogenation was also found to be regioselective, and by controlling the reaction conditions, selective hydrogenation of one of two trisubstituted olefins can be achieved. Furthermore, trisubstituted olefins can be selectively hydrogenated in the presence of tetrasubstituted olefins.

Formal total synthesis of aliskiren.

The efficient and selective formal total synthesis of aliskiren is described. Aliskiren, a renin inhibitor drug, has received considerable attention, primarily because it is the first of the renin inhibitor drugs to be approved by the FDA. Herein, the formal synthesis of aliskiren by iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of two allylic alcohol fragments is reported. Screening a number of N,P-ligated iridium catalysts yielded two catalysts that gave the highest enantioselectivity in the hydrogenation, which gave the saturated alcohols in 97 and 93 % ee. In only four steps after hydrogenation, the fragments were combined by using the Julia-Kocienski reaction to produce late-stage intermediate in an overall yield of 18 %.

Enantioselective aza-Michael addition of imides by using an integrated strategy involving the synthesis of a family of multifunctional catalysts, usage of multiple catalysis, and rational design of experiment.

A challenging asymmetric reaction (aza-Michael addition of imides to enones) has been optimized through an integrated approach involving the synthesis of a family of organocatalysts, multiple catalysis (usage of additives), and finally with rational exploration of the chemical space by the application of the experiment design.