On the Role of Water as a Catalyst in Prebiotic Chemistry.

In this manuscript we provide computational support to the catalytic role of water in all kinds of pseudopericyclic reactions operating in the reductive acid cycle, as well as in other metabolic processes. Water catalysis is not limited to those reactions where simple translocation of hydrogen atoms occurs, such as those represented by NuH+E→Nu-EH general equation. Indeed, water catalysis is more general and extremely important in tautomerization reactions of the type HX-Y=Z→X=Y-ZH, which operate in the reductive citric acid cycle and metabolic processes. Moreover, the comprehensive theoretical study reported herein illustrates that these reactions appear to behave as authentic enzyme-catalyzed reactions showing Michaelis-Menten behavior, however with the abnormal singularity that the concentration of the catalytic "water clusters" of different length and nature must be taken as a huge number. Overall, the results presented are suggestive of the workability of the so-called "metabolism first" proposal in a hot water world, as water catalysis eliminates the dilution problem frequently associated to this proposal.

The role of proton shuttling mechanisms in solvent-free and catalyst-free acetalization reactions of imines.

Proton transfer is central to the understanding of chemical processes. More so in addition reactions of the type NuH + E → Nu-EH taking place under solvent-free and catalyst-free conditions. Herein we show that the addition of alcohols or amines (the NuH component) to imine derivatives (the E component), in 1 : 1 ratio, under solvent-free and catalyst-free conditions, are efficient methods to access N,O and N,N-acetal derivatives. In addition, computational studies reveal that they are catalyzed reactions involving two or even three NuH molecules operating in a cooperative manner as H-bonded NuH(NuH)nNuH associates (many body effects) in the transition state through a concerted proton shuttling mechanism (addition of alcohols) or stepwise proton shuttling mechanism (addition of amines), thereby facilitating the key proton transfer step.

Organocatalysis by Networks of Cooperative Hydrogen Bonds: Enantioselective Direct Mannich Addition to Preformed Arylideneureas.

The concept of noncovalent organocatalysis by means of networks of cooperative hydrogen bonds (NCHB organocatalysis) has been explored. Arylideneureas were chosen as ideal substrates because of their powerful donor-acceptor properties. We have examined their uncatalyzed, direct Mannich reaction with acetoacetates in comparison with that catalyzed by a number of salan derivatives capable of providing a network of cooperative hydrogen bonds. Catalyst D [(R,R)-N,N'-bis(salicyl)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine] was found to drive the above direct Mannich reaction in an enantioselective manner, thereby allowing the synthesis of several Biginelli dihydropyrimidinones with high enantioselectivity. DFT calculations (B3LYP-D-PCM/6-31+G*//B3LYP/6-31+G*) revealed that the NCHB organocatalyst lowers the energy barrier of the reaction. The NCHB organocatalysts appear to function as biomimetic catalysts.

[Ln(binolam)3]·(OTf)3, a new class of propeller-shaped lanthanide(III) salt complexes as enantioselective catalysts: structure, dynamics and mechanistic insight.

The ligand 3,3'-bis(diethylaminomethyl)-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (binolam) contains an arrayed Brønsted acid-Brønsted base (BABB) system, which is responsible for the original shape of its lanthanide compounds. The solution structure of Pr, Nd and Yb compounds is solved by means of paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy and it is demonstrated that they are substantially isostructural, but with a completely new fold compared to the apparently similar heterobimetallic systems based on 1,1'-bis(2-naphthol) (binol) and alkali cations. The aromatic nuclei lie in a region equatorial with respect to the C(3) symmetry axis, whereas the alkylamine chain stretches almost parallel to C(3), above (and below) Ln(3+). This is also found in the crystal structure of the binolamo-scandium complex. A detailed study of the proton-exchange processes within the network of BABBs present in the complex is reported, which provides insight into the mechanism of the enantioselective Henry reaction promoted by these systems.

Enantioselective, organocatalytic Morita-Baylis-Hillman and Aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions: stereochemical issues.

Conscious of the importance that stereochemical issues may have on the design of efficient organocatalyts for both Morita-Baylis-Hillman and aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction we have analyzed them in this minireview. The so-called standard reactions involve "naked" enolates which therefore should lead to the syn adducts as the major products, irrespective of the E, Z stereochemistry of the enolate. Accordingly, provided the second step is rate determining step, the design of successful bifunctional or polyfunctional catalysts has to consider the geometrical requirements imposed by the transition structures of the second step of these reactions. On the other hand, MBH and aza-MBH reactions co-catalyzed by (S)-proline and a secondary or tertiary amine (co-catalyst) involve the aldol-type condensation of either a 3-amino-substituted enamine, dienamine, or both, depending on the cases. A Zimmerman-Traxler mechanism defines the stereochemical issues regarding these co-catalyzed condensations which parallel those of the well established (S)-proline catalyzed aldol-like reactions.

On the "gluing" effect of lithium: the lithium-driven assembly of circum-arranged, edge-fused cyclopentadienyl lithium compounds and aza analogues.

Predictions (DFT/B3LYP calculations) are that cyclopentadienyl lithium edge-fused to [n]circulenes in a circum-like manner should self-assemble as rod-like, nanometer long, supersandwich compounds (see figure). On the contrary, triazolyl lithium analogues prefer to dimerize thereby giving rise to shell-like dimers of variable curvatures.This study is aimed at exploring M. Etter's (T. W. Panunto, Z. Urbanczyk-Lipkowska, R. Jonhson, M. Etter, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1987, 109, 7786-7797) bottom-up approach towards the design of organic-solid sate materials. Guided by the electrostatic paste ("gluing") effect of lithium, we examined the self-assembly modes of a series of cyclopentadienyl lithium edge-fused to benzene, as well as to [n]circulenes, arranged in a circum-like manner by means of DFT/B3 LYP calculations. We have also examined the self-assembly modes of the analogous triazolyl derivatives. Generally, well defined trends have been found. Thus, whereas cylcopentadienyl derivatives 1, 3 and 5 tend to aggregate as rod-like, nanometer-long, supersandwich compounds, the corresponding triazolyl analogues 2, 4 and 6 tend to dimerize thus giving rise to shell-like dimers of variable curvatures. In our view, M. Etter's bottom-up approach combined with high level calculations appears to have great potential for designing complex molecular architectures and nanostructures. Hopefully, these studies will spur the activity of synthetic and materials chemists.

Lanthanide (III) salt complexes: arrayed acid-base networks for enantioselective catalysis. The nitroaldol reaction upon aldehydes and trifluoromethylketones.

Shelf stable, chiral-at-metal, D(3) symmetric, 3:1 complexes of lanthanide (III) triflate salts are easily available by complexation with binolam (3,3'-diethylaminomethyl-2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-dinaphthalene) 1 or binolamo (3,3'-diethylaminooxymethyl-2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-dinaphthalene) 2 ligands. The resulting compounds 3Ln and 4Ln are isostructural, as demonstrated by their spectroscopic data, and possess an arrayed acid-base LABABB network. Complexes are kinetically labile, and in solution undergo hydrolysis by water. The lanthanum complex derived from binolam, i.e., (Delta,S,S,S)- (binolam)(3).la(OTf)(3)3La was found to be the most active catalyst in promoting direct nitroaldol reactions upon aldehydes and trifluoromethyl ketones, thereby giving rise to secondary nitroalcohols and tertiary alpha-trifluoromethyl-beta-nitroalcohols, respectively, with high ee in both cases. Enantiomerically enriched tertiary nitroalcohols were easily reduced to the corresponding aminoalcohols having a quaternary asymmetric carbon without loss of enantiomeric purity.

Direct, catalytic enantioselective nitroaldol (Henry) reaction of trifluoromethyl ketones: an asymmetric entry to alpha-trifluoromethyl-substituted quaternary carbons.

Herein we describe the first direct, catalytic enantioselective nitroaldol (Henry) reaction of simple alpha-trifluoromethyl ketones with nitromethane using a chiral monometallic lanthanum(III) triflate salt complex, namely [(Delta,S,S,S)-Binolam]3.La(OTf)3, as enantioselective catalyst. The resulting alpha-trifluoromethyl tertiary nitroaldols were obtained in moderate to high yields (up to 93%) and enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). These adducts are versatile chiral building blocks and may be reduced (NiCl2/NaBH4) to their beta-amino-alpha-trifluoromethyl tertiary alcohols without loss of enantiomeric purity.

Intramolecular sulfur transfer in N-enoyl oxazolidine-2-thiones promoted by Brønsted acids. Practical asymmetric synthesis of beta-mercapto carboxylic acids and mechanistic insights.

The ability of Brønsted acids alone to efficiently promote the sulfur transfer process in N-enoyl oxazolidine-2-thiones to give beta-mercapto carbonyl derivatives is demonstrated. The reactions proceed with essentially perfect diastereocontrol for a range of alkyl-substituted N-enoyl oxazolidine-2-thiones (d.r. regularly above 98:2) and high selectivity for most aryl-substituted counterparts (d.r. typically above 92:8). Importantly, the reaction works remarkably well in beta,beta-disubstituted N-enoyl oxazolidine-2-thiones as well, giving rise to quaternary C-S stereocenters in selectivities usually above 95:5. The relative efficiency of a range of acids (trifluoroacetic, difluoroacetic, acetic, triflic) is assessed showing TFA and TfOH as the most efficient and acetic acid as a totally inefficient reaction promoter. The new procedure complements the Lewis acid promoted reaction previously described by our group in two aspects: First, stereodivergent results are obtained for the Lewis acid or Brønsted acid promoted reactions of beta,beta-disubstituted enoyl compounds. Second, while the Brønsted acid promoted reactions are stereospecific, providing a good correlation between the substrate E/Z configuration and products stereochemistry, the reactions mediated by Lewis acids (BF3/OEt2) provide invariant d.r. values regardless of the E/Z composition of the starting olefin. The synthetic value of the method is illustrated by (a) removal of the oxazolidinone moiety from the rearranged products under reducing conditions (NaBH4, H2O-THF) which yields beta-mercapto alcohols and (b) treatment with Sm(OTf)3 in MeOH which affords the corresponding beta-mercapto carboxylic esters, both categories of compounds being isolated in up to 97% ee. Remarkably, the method constitutes the first general approach to highly enantioenriched building blocks bearing a quaternary C-S stereocenter. On the other hand, spectroscopic and inhibition experiments are carried out that demonstrate the participation of protons also in the Lewis acid promoted reactions. Finally, the computational studies carried out at the B3LYP/6-31G* level give support for an activation of the substrate enoyl by complexation with two molecules of either the Brønsted or Lewis acid and serve to explain the stereochemical outcome of the reactions.

Binolam-AlCl: a two-centre catalyst for the synthesis of enantioenriched cyanohydrin O-phosphates.

The enantioselective synthesis of cyanohydrin O-phosphates by using in situ generated bifunctional catalysts (R)- or (S)-3,3'-bis(diethylaminomethyl)-1,1'-binaphthol-aluminium chloride (binolam-AlCl) is reported. The reaction, which can be described as an overall cyano-O-phosphorylation of aldehydes, has a wide scope and applicability. Evidence is also provided, including ab initio and DFT calculations, in support of supported by the Lewis acid/Brønsted base (LABB) dual role of the catalyst in inducing first the key enantioselective hydrocyanation, which is then followed by O-phosphorylation. A brief screening of the synthetic usefulness of the resulting cyanohydrin O-phosphates unveiles some interesting applications. Among them, chemoselective hydrolysis, reduction and palladium-catalysed nucleophilic allyl substitution, thereby leading to enantiomerically enriched alpha-O-phosphorylated alpha-hydroxy esters, beta-amino alcohols and gamma-cyanoallyl alcohols, respectively. Naturally occurring (-)-tembamide and (-)-aegeline are synthesised accordingly.

A DFT computational study on electrophilic substitutions upon alpha-oxy-substituted benzylorganolithium compounds: lithium catalysis is the hidden piece of the puzzle.

A detailed DFT (B3LYP/6-31+G*) study upon alpha-oxybenzylorganolithium compounds such as alpha-carbamoyloxybenzyllithium 1 has revealed two relevant issues concerning the outcome of electrophilic substitutions (1) lithium salts catalyze these reactions, and (2) some pi lithium complexes can provide an extra position to which electrophiles can anchor and thus drive invertive (at the carbanionic carbon) processes. Calculations have shown that carboxylation, alkylation, and acylation should take place with inversion at the original C-Li bond.

Self-assembly of a stereoselective trinuclear sodium/lithium triple helix.

A new three nuclear triple-stranded helicate complex M3L3 containing Na+/Li+ ions has been synthetized and characterised by 1H, 23Na, 7Li solution NMR, ESI-MS and X-ray crystallography.

BINOLAM, a recoverable chiral ligand for bifunctional enantioselective catalysis: the asymmetric synthesis of cyanohydrins.

[reaction: see text] A new bifunctional catalytic system based on a monometallic aluminum complex is used for the efficient enantioselective cyanation of aldehydes. The ligand (S)- or (R)-2,2'-bis(diethylaminomethyl)-substituted binaphthol (BINOLAM) used is recovered for recycling. This methodology is used for the synthesis of a precursor of epothilone A.