Asymmetric induction 1,2-addition, Cram chelation Model

Despite the great deal of attention devoted to nucleophilic additions to a-chiral carbonyls, the source of stereoselectivity in these reactions (predicted by Cram s rules of asymmetric induction ) remains largely unresolved. Neither direct structural studies nor correlation of reactant and product stereochemistries have yielded any conclusive support for a single comprehensive model. Similarly, the effect of Lewis acids on these systems is only understood at the level of chelation-controlled additions (vide infra). 

This chapter begins with a detailed examination of the evolution of the theory of nucleophilic attack on a chiral aldehyde or ketone, from Cram s original rule of steric control of asymmetric induction to the Felkin-Anh-Heathcock formulation. Then follows a discussion of Cram s simpler rigid model (chelate rule), then carbonyl additions using chiral catalysts and chiral (nonenolate) nucleophiles. The chapter concludes with asymmetric 1,4-additions to conjugated carbonyls and azomethines. 

Very few examples of asymmetric 1,4-induction are reported in connection with the addition of acidic Ti complexes to chiral y-alkoxycarbonyl compounds. According to the Cram model, the chelation is expected to afford a flexible seven-membered ring intermediate, resulting in less efficient induction (equation 34). An early example of asymmetric 1,4-induction is provided by the reaction of o-phthalal-dehyde (96 equation 35) with 2 equiv. of MeTi(OPr )3 which affords an 83 17 molar mixture of racemic- 97) and meso-(98), whereas Ae analogous reaction with MeMgl leads to a 1 1 mixture of the above diastereomers. 

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