Ketones, 3-asymmetric amino nucleophilic addition reactions

Addition of nucleophiles to electrophilic glycine templates has served as an excellent means of synthesis of a-amino acid derivatives [2c, 4—6]. In particular, imines derived from a-ethyl glyoxylate are excellent electrophiles for stereoselective construction of optically active molecules [32], This research and retrosyn-thetic analysis led us to believe that amine-catalyzed asymmetric Mannich-type additions of unmodified ketones to glyoxylate derived imines would be an attractive route for synthesis of y-keto-ce-amino acid derivatives [33], Initially, L-proline-catalyzed direct asymmetric Mannich reaction with acetone and N-PMP-protected a-ethyl glyoxylate was examined in different solvents. The Mannich-type reaction was effective in all solvents tested and the corresponding amino acid derivative was isolated in excellent yield and enantioselectivity (ee >95 %). Direct asymmetric Mannich-type additions with other ketones afford Mannich adducts in good yield and excellent regio-, diastereo- and enantioselectivity (Eq. 8). 

Melchiorre and co-workers reported the first asymmetric aziridination of a,p-unsaturated ketones using the primary amine-amino acid salt 91 (Scheme 5.39) [68]. The reaction occurred via first nucleophilic addition of A-centered nucleophile (iminium catalysis) followed by intramolecular cyclization (enamine catalysis). Essential factors for the success of the current reaction included the proper selection of nitrogen nucleophile and the addition of solid NaHCO. Under the optimized conditions, a range of cyclic or acyclic enones can be incorporated in the protocol to afford either A-CBz or A-Boc aziridines with excellent diastereo- and enantioste-reocontrol (Scheme 5.39). 

It has recently been shown that when the tetrahedral intermediate of the reaction is cyclic, it is a better donor of nucleophilic CF3. These cyclic intermediates can be generated intramolecularly from trifluoroacetamides or trifluorosulfmamides derived from (9-silylated ephedrine. These reagents are able to trifluoromethylate aldehydes and ketones, even in the case of enolizable substrates, as a strong base is not required (Figure 2.34). However, while the source of CF3 is chiral, there is no chirality transfer to the addition product, and the replacement of ephedrine by other chiral amino alcohols did not show any improvement. " Similar to asymmetric trifluoromethylation with the Ruppert reagent, only the use of a fluoride salt of cinchonine can increase the enantioselectivity. " " ... 

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%. ... 

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