Reductive amination keto esters, enantioselective

Asymmetric catalysis undertook a quantum leap with the discovery of ruthenium and rhodium catalysts based on the atropisomeric bisphosphine, BINAP (3a). These catalysts have displayed remarkable versatility and enantioselectivity in the asymmetric reduction and isomerization of a,P- and y-keto esters functionalized ketones allylic alcohols and amines oc,P-unsaturated carboxylic acids and enamides. Asymmetric transformation with these catalysts has been extensively studied and reviewed.81315 3536 The key feature of BINAP is the rigidity of the ligand during coordination on a transition metal center, which is critical during enantiofacial selection of the substrate by the catalyst. Several industrial processes currently use these technologies, whereas a number of other opportunities show potential for scale up. 

Direct Asymmetric a-Amination Reaction of 2-Keto Esters. The cir-DiPh-Box copper complex catalyzes highly enantioselective direct a-amination reaction of 2-keto esters with dialkyl azodicarboxylates and thus provides convenient access to optically active jyn-3-amino-a-hydroxy esters (eq 2). This enantioselective, direct a-amination is applicable to a range of 2-keto esters when dibenzyl azodicarboxylate is used as the nitrogen source. The immediate product of the amination reaction is prone to racemization. Stereoselective reduction of the keto functionality by L-selectride enables further synthetic operations to be carried out without loss of enantiopurity. 

MK-1597. A similar procedure was used for the hydrogenation of a close analog for a related renin inhibitor (ee 99%, ton 100, tof 20 h ) [99] (Scheme 43). A catalyst prepared in situ from [Ru(cymene)Cl2]2 and-dm-segphos in presence of NH4OAC was used by Takasago [100] for the reductive amination of p-keto esters with very high enantioselectivities. The reaction shown in Scheme 44 was carried out on the 66-kg scale. 

Although natural amino acids are readily available, there is a continuing need for unnatural amino acids. Jon C. AntiUa of the University of South Florida has described J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007,129, 5830) a promising approach, based on the enantioselective organocatalytic reduction of imines such as 1 derived from a-keto esters. The aryl group is easily removed to give the primary amine. 

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