Asymmetric Desymmetrization of meso Epoxides

The Ti- and Yb-catalyzed ring-opening reactions of epoxides with TMSCN (Sec- 

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Other reactions not described here are formal [3 -i- 2] cycloadditions of a,p-unsaturated acyl-fluorides with allylsilanes [116], or the desymmetrization of meso epoxides [117]. For many of the reactions shown above, the planar chiral Fe-sandwich complexes are the first catalysts allowing for broad substrate scope in combination with high enantioselectivities and yields. Clearly, these milestones in asymmetric Lewis-base catalysis are stimulating the still ongoing design of improved catalysts. 

Scheme 6.37. Zr-catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of meso epoxides proceeds efficiently and with high levels of asymmetric induction.

Nugent, W. A. (1998) Desymmetrization of meso-epoxides with halides A new catalytic reaction based on mechanistic insight, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 120 7139-7140. Bruns, S. Haufe, G. (1999) Catalytic asymmetric ring opening of epoxides to chlorohydrins with mild chloride donors and enantiopure titanium complexes.. 

There is a frequently noted incompatibility of organoiithiums with many chiral Lewis acids, which are often employed for asymmetric openings of epoxides [99]. Analogous Lewis base-catalyzed reactions are rare [100]. However, activation by Lewis acids, such as BFj OEt2, is necessary for the opening of less reactive epoxides [101]. While organoiithiums are rarely employed, applications of hetero-nucleophiles are well known in enantioselective desymmetrizations of meso-epoxides [102]. 

Aluminum alkoxide can be also used as a base. Chiral aluminum alkoxide prepared from Al(Oi-Pr)3 and BINOL mediated asymmetric desymmetrization of meso-cyclopentenone epoxide through p-eliminative ring-opening reaction to give hydroxylated cyclopentenone in 95% ee (Scheme 6.77) [97]. 

Kassab, D. J. Ganem, B., (1999) An enantioselective synthesis of (-)-Allosamidin by asymmetric desymmetrization of a highly functionalized meso-epoxide. J. Org. Chem., 64 1782-1783. 

Asymmetric epoxidation, the desymmetrization of meso-tetrahydrofinans, and enantiospedfic ring-enlargement. Current Organic Chemistry, 5, 663 78. 

Precursor of Useful Chiral Ligands. OPEN is widely used for the preparation of chiral ligands. Organometallic compounds with these ligands act as useful reagents or catalysts in asymmetric induction reactions such as dihydroxylation of olefins, transfer hydrogenation of ketones and imines, Diels-Alder and aldol reactions, desymmetrization of meso-diols to produce chiral oxazolidinones, epoxidation of simple olefins, benzylic hydroxylation, and borohydride reduction of ketones, imines, and a,p-unsaturated carboxylates. ... 

In comparison with the asymmetric epoxide-opening reactions described above in Section 9.4, catalytic desymmetrizations of meso-aziridines have relatively limited precedence [151]. Kanai and Shibasaki have disclosed a number of promising results obtained with lanthanide complexes of the chiral phosphinoxide ligand 193 (Scheme 9.24) [152, 153]. These efforts were showcased in the desymmetrization of meso-aziridine 192 with TMSN j to provide azide 194 in 96% yield and 91 % ee. Adduct 194 was subsequently converted into the anti-influenza drug oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu, 195) [153]. 

The only notable success to date in the use of (salen)metal systems in catalysis of asymmetric cyanide addition to epoxides was achieved by Pietrusiewicz, who reported the aluminium-catalyzed desymmetrization of phospholene meso-epoxide (Scheme 7.23) in moderate ee [47]. Despite these significant efforts, a truly prac-... 

Related catalytic enantioselective processes [115] Two catalytic procedures for asymmetric addition of cyanides to meso epoxides have been reported [116]. One is the result of work carried out in these laboratories, shown in Eq. 6.24, promoted by Ti-peptide chiral complexes, while the other, developed by Jacobsen and Schaus, is a Yb-catalyzed enantioselective reaction that is effected in the presence of pybox ligands (Eq. 6.25) [117]. Although the Shibasaki method (Eq. 6.21) is not as enantioselective as these latter methods, it has the advantage that it accomplishes both the epoxidation and subsequent desymmetrization in a single vessel. 

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