Asymmetric induction directed aldol reaction

Asymmetric induction is another important aspect of the directed aldol reaction. The approach involves the use of a chiral aldehyde which influences the stereochemistry of the addition reaction. Reaction of a chiral phenylpropanaldehyde with a lithium enolate yields only two of the possible diastereoisomers in the ratio of 86 14 (equation 76).377... 

The directed aldol reaction in the presence of TiC found many applications in natural product synthesis. Equation (7) shows an example of the aldol reaction utilized in the synthesis of tautomycin [46], in which many sensitive functional groups survived the reaction conditions. The production of the depicted single isomer after the titanium-mediated aldol reaction could be rationalized in terms of the chelation-controlled (anft-Felkin) reaction path [37]. A stereochemical model has been presented for merged 1,2- and 1,3-asymmetric induction in diastereoselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction and related processes [47]. 

The next task was to form the C2-C3 aldol bond stereoselectively. However, asymmetric coupling of acetate derivatives to aldehydes is often accompanied by poor / -induction [89]. Moreover, the C3-C4 bond is particularly sensitive to retro-aldol reaction, especially under basic conditions. In the natural products, this was observed to be the main decomposition reaction. The first total syntheses of epothilones circumvented this problem by constructing this part of the molecule in an indirect manner, e.g., by using reduced forms at Cl or C5. We decided to employ our chromium-Reformatsky methodology, which avoids these problems and allows the direct use of reagents in the correct oxidation state. The non-basic reaction conditions, the intermediacy of a chromium(III) aldolate that is resistant to retro-aldol reaction, and the potential of a direct asymmetric carboxymethyl ( acetate ) transfer favor the use of this method [90]. 

If the metal-binaphthyl complex is not fitted directly into the cyclic transition state, it becomes difficult to explain the asymmetric inductions observed. The following rule seems to be generally valid for both BINOL and BINAP complexes The complexation of carbonyl or imine moieties by (R)-binaphthyl-metal complexes results in a shielding of the si face, the reaction proceeds from the re face. Correspondingly, the opposite principle applies when (STbinaphthyl complexes are used. All aldol reactions and carbonyl-ene reactions which are catalyzed by binaphthyl complexes abide by this rule [18], and the scheme can also be applied to the addition of ketene-silyl-acetals to imines with boron-BINOL catalysts [19]. 

An intramolecular diastereoselective Refor-matsky-type aldol approach was demonstrated by Taylor et al. [47] with an Sm(II)-mediated cy-clization of the chiral bromoacetate 60, resulting in lactone 61, also an intermediate in the synthesis of Schinzer s building block 7. The alcohol oxidation state at C5 in 61 avoided retro-reaction and at the same time was used for induction, with the absolute stereochemistry originating from enzymatic resolution (Scheme II). Direct re.solution of racemic C3 alcohol was also tried with an esterase adapted by directed evolution [48]. In other, somewhat more lengthy routes to CI-C6 building blocks, Shibasaki et al. used a catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction with heterobimetallic asymmetric catalysts [49], and Kalesse et al. used a Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation [50]. 

Chiral Auxiliary for Asymmetric Induction. Numerous derivatives of (—)-8-phenylmenthol have been utilized for asymmetric induction studies. These include inter- and intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions, dihydroxylations, and intramolecular ene reactions of a,p-unsaturated 8-phenylmenthol esters. These reactions usually proceed in moderate to good yield with high diastereofacial selectivity. a-Keto esters of 8-phenylmenthol (see 8-Phenylmenthyl Pyruvate) have been used for asymmetric addition to the keto group, as well as for asymmetric [2 -F 2] photoadditions and nucleophilic alkylation. Ene reactions of a-imino esters of 8-phenylmenthol with alkenes provide a direct route to a-amino acids of high optical purity. Vinyl and butadienyl ethers of 8-phenylmenthol have been prepared and the diastereofacial selectivity of nitrone and Diels-Alder cycloadditions, respectively, have been evaluated. a-Anions of 8-phenylmenthol esters also show significant diastereofacial selectivity in aldol condensations and enantiose-lective alkene formation by reaction of achiral ketones with 8-phenylmenthyl phosphonoacetate gives de up to 90%. ... 

The most interesting and practical asymmetric induction process that involves enamines is the proline-catalyzed conversion of the prochiral triketone in Scheme 15 to the cyclic aldol condensation product" or to the aldol product. The course of the reaction is determined by the presence (or absence) of a strong acid such as hydrochloric acid as a cocatalyst. As a result of both the practical significance of the product(s) as synthetic intermediate(s) and the catalytic nature of this process, there has been a high level of interest directed at establishing the mechanistic pathway for these reactions. 

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