Alkyl transfer reactions 3-Allyl complexes

We have developed asymmetric syntheses of isocarbacyclin [3] (Scheme 1.3.2) and cicaprost [4] (Scheme 1.3.3) featuring a Cu-mediated allylic alkylation of an allyl sulfoximine [5-7] and a Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of a vinyl sulf-oximine [8-10], respectively, transformations that were both developed in our laboratories. The facile synthesis of an allyl sulfoximine by the addition-elimination-isomerization route aroused interest in the synthesis of sulfonimidoyl-sub-stituted aiiyititanium complexes of types 1 and 2 (Fig. 1.3.2) and their application as chiral heteroatom-substituted allyl transfer reagents [11]. 

Although metal-olefin complexation can be a source of enandoselection, reactions exploiting this mechanistic motif have not been developed much. Due to the facile enantioface interconversion process, the origin of the enantioselection often reverts back to Type C alkylation (Figure 8E, 1). To transfer chiral recognition of the coordination process to the ee of the product, kinetic trapping of the incipient 7t-allyl complex is required prior to any isomerization process. For this reason, few successful examples have come from the use of more reactive heteroatom nucleophiles (N, O and S) and/or intramolecular reactions. 

As shown in Scheme 4-6, the reaction proceeds via a Ti(IV) mixed-ligand complex A bearing allyl alkoxide and TBHP anions as ligands. The alkyl peroxide is electrophilically activated by bidentate coordination to the Ti(IV) center. Oxygen transfer to the olefinic bond occurs to provide the complex B, in which Ti(IV) is coordinated by epoxy alkoxide and r-butoxide. In complex B,... 

Organonickel(II) species are believed to be formed during the reaction between [Ni(TMC)] and primary alkyl halides, and subsequently undergo hydrolysis with cleavage of the Ni—C bond. Kinetic data measured in the presence of excess alkyl halide indicate a rate law -dlNi1 (TMC)+]/cft = MNi (TMCr][RX]. The rate constants increase for R and X in the order methyl < primary < secondary < allyl < benzyl halides and Cl < Br < I (133, 140). This suggests that the rate-determining step is electron transfer from the Ni(I) complex to R—X via an inner-sphere atom-transfer mechanism (143). 

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