Alcohol,sec

Figure 4.5 Simplified mechanism of the racemization of sec-alcohols catalyzed by transition metal complexes.

The racemization mechanism of sec-alcohols has been widely studied [16,17]. Metal complexes of the main groups of the periodic table react through a direct transfer of hydrogen (concerted process), such as aluminum complexes in Meerwein-Ponn-dorf-Verley-Oppenauer reaction. However, racemization catalyzed by transition metal complexes occurs via hydrogen transfer processes through metal hydrides or metal dihydrides intermediates (Figure 4.5) [18]. 

The research groups of Williams [19] and Backvall [20] were the first to report the combination of enzymes and transition metals for DKR of sec-alcohols. 

The research group of Backvall employed the Shvo s ruthenium complex (1) [21] for the racemization. This complex is activated by heat. For the KR they used p-chlorophenyl acetate as the acyl donor in combination with thermostable enzymes, such as CALB [20] (Figure 4.7). This was the first practical chemoenzymatic DKR affording acetylated sec-alcohols in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. In the best case 100% conversion (92% isolated yield) with 99% ee was obtained. This method was subsequently applied to a variety of different substrates and it is employed (with a different ruthenium complex) by the Dutch company DSM for the large-scale production of (R)-phenylethanol [22]. 

Very recently the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley-Oppenauer (MPVO) reaction has been exploited for the racemization of alcohols using inexpensive aluminum-based catalysts. Combination of these complexes with a lipase (CALB) results in an efficient DKR of sec-alcohols at ambient temperature. To increase the reactivity of the aluminum complexes, a bidentate ligand, such as binol, is required. Also, specific acyl donors need to be used for each substrate [31] (Eigure 4.9). 

Figure 4.9 DKR of sec-alcohols using a lipase and inexpensive Al complexes.

Figure 4.19 DKR of sec-alcohols catalyzed by acid zeolites and a lipase.

Jacobs et al. employed an acidic zeolite catalyst for the racemization of sec-alcohols, which occurs through the formation of carbocations [44] (Figure 4.19). The KR is catalyzed by CALB in the presence of vinyl octanoate as acyl donor. DKR takes place successfully in a biphasic system (octane/H2O, 1 1) at 60 °C. 

Biooxidative deracemization of racemic sec-alcohols to single enantiomers [47,48] is complementary to combined metal-assisted lipase-mediated strategies [49,50]. In general, deracemization can be realized by either an enantioconvergent, a dynamic kinetic resolution, or a stereoinversion process. The latter concept is particularly appealing, as only half of the substrate needs to be converted, as the remaining half already represents the product with correct stereochemistry. 

Scheme 9.5 A two step process for the deracemization of sec-alcohols by two dehydrogenases.

Table 9 Result of one-pot preparation method of optically active sec-alcohols (65a,b, 65e-i) by a combination of reduction of ketone and enantiomeric resolution in a water susupension medium... 

When methanol was used to rinse a pestle and mortar which had been used to grind coarse chromium trioxide, immediate ignition occurred due to vigorous oxidation of the solvent. The same occurred with ethanol, 2-propanol, butanol and cyclo-hexanol. Water is a suitable cleaning agent for the trioxide [1]. For oxidation of sec-alcohols in DMF, the oxide must be finely divided, as lumps cause violent local reaction on addition to the solution [2]. Use of methanol to reduce the Cr(VI) oxide to a Cr(III) derivative led to an explosion and fire [3], The ignitability of the butanols decreases from n -through sec- to iert-butanol [4],... 

During oxidation of a. sec -alcohol to ketone in cold DMF solution, addition of solid trioxide caused ignition. Addition of lumps of trioxide was later found to cause local ignition on addition to ice-cooled DMF under nitrogen [1], Addition of 2 g of chromium trioxide to 18 ml of solvent to form a 10 wt% solution caused immediate ignition and ejection of the flask contents [2],... 

Kroutil, W., Mang, H., Edegger, K. and Faber, K. (2004) Recent advances in the biocatalytic reduction of ketones and oxidation of sec-alcohols. Current Opinion in Chemical Biology, 8 (2), 120-126. 

Both pyridinium salts and pyridine A-oxides are of increased interest as chiral catalysts in organic reactions. Connon and Yamada independently designed and examined pyridinium salts as chiral catalysts in the acylation of secondary alcohols <06OBC2785 06JOC6872>. These two catalysts can be used for kinetic resolution of various sec-alcohols and uf/-diols in good to moderate enantiomeric excess. 

Preparation of sec-or t-alcohols.1 A one-pot preparation of either sec- or t-alcohols involves reaction of RMnI with an acyl chloride to form a ketone com-plexed with MnCl and stable to further reactions with RMnI. The ketone can be reduced by LiAlH4 or NaBH4 to a sec-alcohol or converted into a r-alcohol by reaction with an alkyllithium or a Grignard reagent. 

Scheme 40 Cathodic intermolecular coupling of ketones with vinyl trimethylsilane R R alkyl, R prim. sec. alcohol, yields 35-96%.

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