Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenative Amination of Benzylic Ketones Catalyzed by Cp*Ir(III) Complexes Bearing a Chiral N-(2-Picolyl)sulfonamidato Ligand.

A convenient asymmetric reductive amination of benzylic ketones (α-arylated ketones) catalyzed by newly designed Cp*Ir complexes bearing a chiral N-(2-picolyl)sulfonamidato ligand was developed. Using readily available ß-amino alcohols as chiral aminating agents, a range of benzo-fused and acyclic ketones were successfully reduced with formic acid in methanol at 40 °C to afford amines with favorable chemo- and diastereoselectivities. The amino alcohol-derived chiral auxiliary was easily removed by mild periodic oxidants, leading to optically active primary ß-arylamines without erosion of the optical purity (up to 97% ee). The excellent catalytic performance was retained even upon lowering the amount of catalyst to a substrate/catalyst (S/C) ratio of 20,000, and the amination could be performed on a large scale exceeding 100 g. The precise hydride transfer to iminium species generated from the ketonic substrate and the chiral amine counterpart was suggested by the mechanistic studies on stoichiometric reactions of isolable hydridoiridium complexes and model intermediates such as N,O-acetal, enamine, and iminium compounds.

Reductive Amination of Ketonic Compounds Catalyzed by Cp*Ir(III) Complexes Bearing a Picolinamidato Ligand.

Cp*Ir complexes bearing a 2-picolinamide moiety serve as effective catalysts for the direct reductive amination of ketonic compounds to give primary amines under transfer hydrogenation conditions using ammonium formate as both the nitrogen and hydrogen source. The clean and operationally simple transformation proceeds with a substrate to catalyst molar ratio (S/C) of up to 20,000 at relatively low temperature and exhibits excellent chemoselectivity toward primary amines.

Loss of ATP2A2 Allows Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infection of a Human Epidermis Model by Disrupting Innate Immunity and Barrier Function.

Destruction of epidermal barrier function associated with atopic dermatitis or Darier's disease often causes severe secondary skin infections. Patients with skin barrier disorders often repeatedly acquire Kaposi varicelliform eruption, which is caused by herpes simplex virus, but the underlying mechanisms and effective preventive methods have yet to be found. Viral infection through an impaired epidermal barrier can be prevented by enhancing innate immunity and/or inhibiting viral entry. In this study, we established a three-dimensional skin barrier dysfunction model by silencing ATP2A2, which is mutated in some Darier's disease patients. We confirmed the loss of desmosomes and presence of histopathological clefts in the suprabasal layer. Herpes simplex virus 1 applied to the stratum corneum infected the deep epidermis. An innate immune reaction was assessed by evaluating the expression of IFNB1 and related genes. Pretreatment with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid alone or plus the antimicrobial peptide, LL37 enhanced IFN-ß production and suppressed viral replication. Furthermore, topical application of a white petrolatum ointment containing heparin, which binds viral glycoproteins related to virus entry, strongly inhibited viral replication, probably by inhibiting invasion. Our human barrier-dysfunctional model will have future application for identifying the mechanism of Kaposi varicelliform eruption onset, preventive methods, and therapies.

Membrane damages under high pressure of human erythrocytes agglutinated by concanavalin A.

Human erythrocytes are agglutinated by lectins such as concanavalin A (Con A). The behaviors of agglutinated erythrocytes under pressure are less well understood. Here, we report the effects of erythrocyte agglutination on pressure-induced membrane damages. Small clumps of intact erythrocytes by Con A were dissociated by a pressure of 200 MPa. Further, the observation by scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the generation of vesicles, fragmented particles, and membrane hole. On the other hand, large clumps of trypsin-digested erythrocytes by Con A seemed to be stable against 200 MPa. However, the erythrocytes dissociated from such pressure-treated clumps by methyl α-mannopyranoside also showed the existence of vesicles and fragmented particles except for the membrane hole. Pressure-induced hemolysis was greatly suppressed in such large clumps. Similar suppressive effects were observed in erythrocytes packed by centrifugation. However, the hemolysis occurred when the erythrocytes dissociated from 200 MPa-treated large clumps by methyl α-mannopyranoside were incubated at 0°C and atmospheric pressure. Pyrene excimer fluorescence due to spectrin denaturation was observed in Con A-agglutinated ghosts that were exposed to a pressure of 200 MPa. These results suggest that upon pressure treatment of tightly agglutinated erythrocytes, the hemolysis is greatly suppressed, but membrane damages occur such as spectrin denaturation and vesiculation.

Asymmetric hydrogenation of alkynyl ketones with the η(6)-arene/TsDPEN-ruthenium(II) catalyst.

Enantioselective hydrogenation of alkynyl ketones catalyzed by Ru(OTf)(TsDPEN)(η(6)-p-cymene) (TsDPEN = N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine) affords the propargylic alcohols in up to 97% ee. The alkynyl moieties are left intact in most cases. The reaction can be conducted with a substrate-to-catalyst molar ratio as high as 5000 under 10 atm of H2. The mode of enantioselection is elucidated with the transition state models directed by the CH/π attractive interaction between the substrate and the catalytic species.

Chiral eta(6)-arene/N-tosylethylenediamine-ruthenium(II) complexes: solution behavior and catalytic activity for asymmetric hydrogenation.

Aromatic ketones are enantioseletively hydrogenated in alcohols containing [RuX{(S,S)-Tsdpen}(eta(6)-p-cymene)] (Tsdpen=TsNCH(C(6)H(5))CH(C(6)H(5))NH(2); X=TfO, Cl) as precatalysts. The corresponding Ru hydride (X=H) acts as a reducing species. The solution structures and complete spectral assignment of these complexes have been determined using 2D NMR ((1)H-(1)H DQF-COSY, (1)H-(13)C HMQC, (1)H-(15)N HSQC, and (1)H-(19)F HOESY). Depending on the nature of the solvents and conditions, the precatalysts exist as a covalently bound complex, tight ion pair of [Ru(+)(Tsdpen)(cymene)] and X(-), solvent-separated ion pair, or discrete free ions. Solvent effects on the NH(2) chemical shifts of the Ru complexes and the hydrodynamic radius and volume of the Ru(+) and TfO(-) ions elucidate the process of precatalyst activation for hydrogenation. Most notably, the Ru triflate possessing a high ionizability, substantiated by cyclic voltammetry, exists in alcoholic solvents largely as a solvent-separated ion pair and/or free ions. Accordingly, its diffusion-derived data in CD(3)OD reflect the independent motion of [Ru(+)(Tsdpen)(cymene)] and TfO(-). In CDCl(3), the complex largely retains the covalent structure showing similar diffusion data for the cation and anion. The Ru triflate and chloride show similar but distinct solution behavior in various solvents. Conductivity measurements and catalytic behavior demonstrate that both complexes ionize in CH(3)OH to generate a common [Ru(+)(Tsdpen)(cymene)] and X(-), although the extent is significantly greater for X=TfO(-). The activation of [RuX(Tsdpen)(cymene)] during catalytic hydrogenation in alcoholic solvent occurs by simple ionization to generate [Ru(+)(Tsdpen)(cymene)]. The catalytic activity is thus significantly influenced by the reaction conditions.

Asymmetric hydrogenation of alpha-hydroxy ketones catalyzed by MsDPEN-Cp*Ir(III) complex.

Asymmetric hydrogenation of a series of alpha-hydroxy aromatic ketones in methanol catalyzed by Cp*Ir(OTf)(MsDPEN) (MsDPEN = N-(methanesulfonyl)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine) affords the 1-aryl-1,2-ethanediols in up to 99% ee. The reaction can be conducted with a substrate-to-catalyst molar ratio as high as 6000 under 10 atm of H2. 1-hydroxy-2-propanone is also hydrogenated with high enantioselectivity.

Asymmetric hydrogenation of alpha-chloro aromatic ketones catalyzed by eta6-arene/TsDPEN-ruthenium(II) complexes.

Asymmetric hydrogenation of various alpha-chloro aromatic ketones with Ru(OTf)(TsDPEN)(eta6-arene) (TsDPEN = N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine) produces the chiral chlorohydrins in up to 98% ee. This reaction can be conducted even on a 206-g scale. The hydrogenation of an alpha-chloro ketone with a phenol moiety has been utilized for the synthesis of (R)-norphenylephrine without protection-deprotection operations. [reaction: see text].

The hydrogenation/transfer hydrogenation network: asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones with chiral eta6-arene/N-Tosylethylenediamine-ruthenium(II) catalysts.

Chiral eta6-arene/N-tosylethylenediamine-Ru(II) complexes, known as excellent catalysts for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones in basic 2-propanol, can be used for asymmetric hydrogenation using H2 gas. Active catalysts are generated from RuCl[(S,S)-TsNCH(C6H5)CH(C6H5)NH2](eta6-p-cymene) in methanol, but not 2-propanol, or by combination of Ru[(S,S)-TsNCH(C6H5)CH(C6H5)NH](eta6-p-cymene) and CF3SO3H or other non-nucleophilic acids. This method allows, for the first time, asymmetric hydrogenation of simple ketones under acidic conditions. Hydrogenation of base-sensitive 4-chromanone and its derivatives with the S,S catalyst proceeds in methanol with a substrate-to-catalyst molar ratio of 1000-3000 (10 atm) to 7000 (100 atm), giving (S)-4-chromanols with 97% ee quantitatively. The reaction can be achieved even on a 2.4 kg scale. The mechanistic rationale for the catalytic efficiency is presented.

Bifunctional transition metal-based molecular catalysts for asymmetric syntheses.

The discovery and development of conceptually new chiral bifunctional transition metal-based catalysts for asymmetric reactions is described. The chiral bifunctional Ru catalyst was originally developed for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones and imines and is now successfully applicable to enantioselective C-C bond formation reaction with a wide scope and high practicability. The deprotonation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with the chiral amido Ru complexes leading to the amine Ru complexes bearing C- or O-bonded enolates, followed by further reactions with electrophlies gives C-C bond formation products. The present bifunctional Ru catalyst offers a great opportunity to open up new fundamentals for stereoselective molecular transformation including enantioselective C-H and C-C as well as C-O, C-N bond formation.

Mechanism of asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone catalyzed by chiral eta(6)-arene-N-tosylethylenediamine-ruthenium(II) complexes.

Chiral arene-N-tosylethylenediamine-Ru(II) complexes can be made to effect both asymmetric transfer hydrogenation and asymmetric hydrogenation of simple ketones through a slight functional modification and by switching reaction conditions. [Ru(OSO2CF3){(S,S)-TsNCH(C6H5)CH(C6H5)NH2}(eta(6)-p-cymene)] catalyzes the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone in methanol to afford (S)-1-phenylethanol with 96% ee in 100% yield. Like the transfer hydrogenation catalyzed by similar Ru catalysts with basic 2-propanol or a formic acid/triethylamine mixture, this hydrogenation proceeds through a metal-ligand bifunctional mechanism. The reduction of the C=O function occurs via an intermediary 18e RuH species in its outer coordination sphere without metal-substrate interaction. The high catalytic efficiency relies on the facile ionization of the Ru triflate complex in methanol. The turnover rate is dependent on hydrogen pressure and medium acidity and basicity. The RuCl analogue can be used as a precatalyst, albeit less effectively. Unlike the well-known diphosphine-1,2-diamine-Ru(II)-catalyzed hydrogenation that proceeds in a basic alcohol, this reaction takes place under slightly acidic conditions, creating new opportunities for asymmetric hydrogenation.

Catalytic enantioselective Michael addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to nitroalkenes catalyzed by well-defined chiral ru amido complexes.

Well-defined chiral Ru amido complexes promoted asymmetric Michael addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds including malonates, beta-keto esters, and 1,3-diketones to nitroalkenes to give the corresponding adducts with excellent ees and in excellent yields.

Enantioselective Michael reaction catalyzed by well-defined chiral ru amido complexes: isolation and characterization of the catalyst intermediate, ru malonato complex having a metal-carbon bond.

Chiral Ru amido complexes promote asymmetric Michael addition of malonates to cyclic enones, leading to Michael adducts with excellent ee's, in which the chiral Ru amido complexes react with malonates to give isolable catalyst intermediates, chiral Ru malonato complexes bearing a metal bound C-nucleophile.

Highly efficient chiral metal cluster systems derived from Ru3(CO)12 and chiral diiminodiphosphines for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones.

The chiral Ru cluster-based catalyst systems generated in situ from Ru3(CO)12 and chiral diiminodiphosphine tetradentate ligands effected asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of propiophenone in 2-propanol, leading to 1-phenyl-1-propanol in 94% yield and with 96% ee.

Practical synthesis of optically active amino alcohols via asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of functionalized aromatic ketones.

2-Substituted acetophenones such as 2-cyano-, 2-azido-, or 2-nitroacetophenones were effectively reduced with a mixture of HCOOH/N(C(2)H(5))(3) containing a chiral Ru(II) catalyst, RuCl[(S,S)-N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine](p-cymene), giving the corresponding optically active alcohols, which can be converted to optically active amino alcohols with excellent ee's. Similarly, the reaction of 2-benzoylacetophenone with the same Ru catalyst gave a quantitative yield of the corresponding optically active 1,3-diol with 99% ee.

trans-[RuCl2 (phosphane)2 (1,2-diamine)] and Chiral trans-[RuCl2 (diphosphane)(1,2-diamine)]: Shelf-Stable Precatalysts for the Rapid, Productive, and Stereoselective Hydrogenation of Ketones.

A turnover number (TON) of 2 400 000 and a turnover frequency (TOF) of 63 s-1 are achieved with the chiral RuII complex 1 (R=p-CH3 C6 H4 ) in the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone. Carbonyl-selective asymmetric hydrogenation of α,ß-unsaturated ketones proceeds in the presence of these RuII catalysts, and 4-substituted cyclohexanones are selectively converted into cis alcohols.