Formation of Complex α-Imino Esters via Multihetero-Cope Rearrangement of α-Keto Ester Derived Nitrones.

A sequential benzoylation and multihetero-Cope rearrangement of α-keto ester derived nitrones has been developed. The reaction furnishes a diverse array of complex α-imino ester derivatives. The products can be transformed into amino alcohols via LiAlH4 reduction.

Synthesis of Complex Glycolates by Enantioconvergent Addition Reactions.

The unique role that stereochemistry plays in molecular recognition events continues to provide a driving force for synthesizing organic compounds in enantioenriched form. The tendency of enantioenriched organic compounds to revert to an entropically favored racemic state in the presence of viable racemization pathways (e.g., the enolization of stereogenic carbonyl derivatives) can sometimes interfere with this objective; however, beginning with Noyori's foundational disclosure of a dynamic kinetic transfer hydrogenation, the ability to channel racemic, configurationally labile starting materials through stereoconvergent reaction pathways has been recognized as a powerful strategy in asymmetric synthesis. Proton transfer, retro-aldol, retro-Michael, reversible redox events, and other processes that can be deleterious to asymmetric synthesis are exploitable in enantioconvergent reactions using chiral small molecules and enzymes as asymmetric catalysts. Enantioselective reduction of configurationally labile carbonyl derivatives bearing a C-H acidic chiral center are particularly common. Because facile racemization is vital to stereocontrol in these transformations, hydrogenations of ß-dicarbonyls are commonplace, while less activated substrates have been used less commonly. Our entry into enantioconvergent catalysis evolved from a long-standing interest in the synthesis of complex glycolates and began with the development of a general Noyori-type transfer hydrogenation of α-keto esters. Key innovations in this work include the identification of a new terphenylsulfonamide-Ru(II) complex, which displays unusual preference toward reduction of α-keto esters, and the observation that α-keto esters racemize under mildly basic conditions. This work was extended to the dynamic kinetic hydrogenation of racemic acyl phosphonates. Moreover, the recent recognition that the mechanistic paradigm underlying enantioconvergent hydrogenation chemistry can be extended to diverse carbon-centered nucleophiles has led to advances in the art. Our lab has developed a number of enantioconvergent tertiary alcohol syntheses. In the context of carbon-centered nucleophiles, we have focused on the use of α-keto esters; however, in the latter part of this Account, we will briefly describe our nascent efforts to develop dynamic kinetic additions of carbon-centered nucleophiles to ß-oxo acid derivatives. While the enantioconvergent hydrogenation of ß-keto acid derivatives is carried out on 100-ton scale annually, non-hydrogenative transformations of these compounds constitute an underexplored subclass of enantioconvergent reactions. With regard to future prospects, a trend toward transformations that afford increasing levels of molecular complexity is apparent. It can be expected that the burgeoning field of asymmetric 1,2-addition chemistry will further drive this chemistry to encompass a wider array of enantioconvergent additions. Additionally, the continued exploration of these chemistries in the context of less conventional electrophiles, as well as identifying novel or overlooked modes of racemization, holds considerable potential.

Catalytic Enantioselective [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of α-Keto Ester Enolates and Nitrile Oxides.

An enantioselective [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between nitrile oxides and transiently generated enolates of α-keto esters has been developed. The catalyst system was found to be compatible with in situ nitrile oxide-generation conditions. A versatile array of nitrile oxides and α-keto esters could participate in the cycloaddition, providing novel 5-hydroxy-2-isoxazolines in high chemical yield with high levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivity. Notably, the optimal reaction conditions circumvented concurrent reactions via O-imidoylation and hetero-[3 + 2] pathways.

Palladium-Catalyzed ß-Arylation of α-Keto Esters.

A catalyst system derived from commercially available Pd2(dba)3 and PtBu3 has been applied to the coupling of α-keto ester enolates and aryl bromides. The reaction provides access to an array of ß-stereogenic α-keto esters. When the air-stable ligand precursor PtBu3·HBF4 is employed, the reaction can be carried out without use of a glovebox. The derived products are of broad interest given the prevalence of the α-keto acid substructure in biologically important molecules.

Synthesis of Complex Tertiary Glycolates by Enantioconvergent Arylation of Stereochemically Labile α-Keto Esters.

Enantioconvergent arylation reactions of boronic acids and racemic ß-stereogenic α-keto esters have been developed. The reactions are catalyzed by a chiral (diene)Rh(I) complex and provide a wide array of ß-stereogenic tertiary aryl glycolate derivatives with high levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivity. Racemization studies employing a series of sterically differentiated tertiary amines suggest that the steric nature of the amine base additive exerts a significant influence on the rate of substrate racemization.

High-yielding oxidation of ß-hydroxyketones to ß-diketones using o-iodoxybenzoic acid.

The oxidation of ß-hydroxyketones to ß-diketones was systematically investigated. o-Iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) was found to be efficient, operationally easy, and superior to other common oxidants. The reaction is suitable for milligram- to gram-scale oxidations.