Boron enolates, Mannich reaction

Asymmetric Mannich reactions provide useful routes for the synthesis of optically active p-amino ketones or esters, which are versatile chiral building blocks for the preparation of many nitrogen-containing biologically important compounds [1-6]. While several diastereoselective Mannich reactions with chiral auxiliaries have been reported, very little is known about enantioselective versions. In 1991, Corey et al. reported the first example of the enantioselective synthesis of p-amino acid esters using chiral boron enolates [7]. Yamamoto et al. disclosed enantioselective reactions of imines with ketene silyl acetals using a Bronsted acid-assisted chiral Lewis acid [8]. In all cases, however, stoichiometric amounts of chiral sources were needed. Asymmetric Mannich reactions using small amounts of chiral sources were not reported before 1997. This chapter presents an overview of catalytic asymmetric Mannich reactions. 

Additionally, more advanced derivatives of enolates have reactivity compatible with the Mannich reaction. Boron enolate 41 could be paired with aminal 42 to generate the corresponding Mannich bases 43 and 44."... 

In recent years, catalytic asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reactions have emerged as one of the most important C—C bond-forming reactions [35]. Among the various types of chiral Lewis acid catalysts used for the Mukaiyama aldol reactions, chirally modified boron derived from N-sulfonyl-fS)-tryptophan was effective for the reaction between aldehyde and silyl enol ether [36, 37]. By using polymer-supported N-sulfonyl-fS)-tryptophan synthesized by polymerization of the chiral monomer, the polymeric version of Yamamoto s oxazaborohdinone catalyst was prepared by treatment with 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl boron dichloride ]38]. The polymeric chiral Lewis acid catalyst 55 worked well in the asymmetric aldol reaction of benzaldehyde with silyl enol ether derived from acetophenone to give [i-hydroxyketone with up to 95% ee, as shown in Scheme 3.16. In addition to the Mukaiyama aldol reaction, a Mannich-type reaction and an allylation reaction of imine 58 were also asymmetrically catalyzed by the same polymeric catalyst ]38]. 

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