Lewis acids conformation

The regioselectivity benefits from the increased polarisation of the alkene moiety, reflected in the increased difference in the orbital coefficients on carbon 1 and 2. The increase in endo-exo selectivity is a result of an increased secondary orbital interaction that can be attributed to the increased orbital coefficient on the carbonyl carbon ". Also increased dipolar interactions, as a result of an increased polarisation, will contribute. Interestingly, Yamamoto has demonstrated that by usirg a very bulky catalyst the endo-pathway can be blocked and an excess of exo product can be obtained The increased di as tereo facial selectivity has been attributed to a more compact transition state for the catalysed reaction as a result of more efficient primary and secondary orbital interactions as well as conformational changes in the complexed dienophile" . Calculations show that, with the polarisation of the dienophile, the extent of asynchronicity in the activated complex increases . Some authors even report a zwitteriorric character of the activated complex of the Lewis-acid catalysed reaction " . Currently, Lewis-acid catalysis of Diels-Alder reactions is everyday practice in synthetic organic chemistry. 

Wlien tlie diiral molybdenum -K-allyl-substituted enone 147 was treated witli litliium dimetliylciiptate, formation of adduct 148 witli fait selectivity was observed tSdieme 6.29) [69], Interestingly, bigber selectivities were obtained in tlie presetice of boron ttlbuotlde etlierate. It is assumed tliat Lewis acid coordination induces tlie s-trans reactive conformation 149 [64], Consequently, nudeopb de attack anti to tlie molybdetiLim ftagmetit sbould afford tlie major diastereomer 148. 

On the other hand, in the presence of Lewis acids such as titanium(lV) chloride or eerium(TIT) chloride, the (S)-e s-conformer predominates via chelation of the two carbonyl groups and a reversed stereochemistry of the addition reaction is observed1 °. 

When a Lewis acid coordinates to a base, the resulting complex can have conformational properties that influence reactivity. Coordination of SnCl4 with aldehydes and esters, for example, leads to a complex where the conformation is determined by interactions of the C=0"-SnCl4 unit with substituents attached to the carbonyl. 

Jorgensen et al. [84] studied how solvent effects could influence the course of Diels-Alder reactions catalyzed by copper(II)-bisoxazoline. They assumed that the use of polar solvents (generally nitroalkanes) improved the activity and selectivity of the cationic copper-Lewis acid used in the hetero Diels-Alder reaction of alkylglyoxylates with dienes (Scheme 31, reaction 1). The explanation, close to that given by Evans regarding the crucial role of the counterion, is a stabilization of the dissociated ion, leading to a more defined complex conformation. They also used this reaction for the synthesis of a precursor for highly valuable sesquiterpene lactones with an enantiomeric excess superior to 99%. 

Summary of the Relationship between Diastereoselectivity and the Transition Structure. In this section we considered simple diastereoselection in aldol reactions of ketone enolates. Numerous observations on the reactions of enolates of ketones and related compounds are consistent with the general concept of a chairlike TS.35 These reactions show a consistent E - anti Z - syn relationship. Noncyclic TSs have more variable diastereoselectivity. The prediction or interpretation of the specific ratio of syn and anti product from any given reaction requires assessment of several variables (1) What is the stereochemical composition of the enolate (2) Does the Lewis acid promote tight coordination with both the carbonyl and enolate oxygen atoms and thereby favor a cyclic TS (3) Does the TS have a chairlike conformation (4) Are there additional Lewis base coordination sites in either reactant that can lead to reaction through a chelated TS Another factor comes into play if either the aldehyde or the enolate, or both, are chiral. In that case, facial selectivity becomes an issue and this is considered in Section 2.1.5. 

Chelation Control. The stereoselectivity of reduction of carbonyl groups can be controlled by chelation when there is a nearby donor substituent. In the presence of such a group, specific complexation among the substituent, the carbonyl oxygen, and the Lewis acid can establish a preferred conformation for the reactant. Usually hydride is then delivered from the less sterically hindered face of the chelate so the hydroxy group is anti to the chelating substituent. 

TS, which is usually based on the chair (Zimmerman-Traxler) model. This pattern is particularly prevalent for the allylic borane reagents, where the Lewis acidity of boron promotes a tight cyclic TS, but at the same time limits the possibility of additional chelation. The dominant factors in these cases are the E- or Z-configuration of the allylic reagent and the conformational preferences of the reacting aldehyde (e.g., a Felkin-type preference.)... 

Lewis-acid promoted C-allylations of furanose acetates 101 with allyl-(trimethyl)silane are a-selective and the selectivity is governed by the alkoxy group at C-3. The lowest energy conformers bear the 3-alkoxy group in a pseudoaxial orientation (Scheme 35). To a lesser extent, the 2-substituent... 

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