Substituted alkenes, asymmetric epoxidation

The use of pybox ligands in ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidations was first reported by Nishiyama et al., who used catalyst 31 in combination with either iodosyl benzene, bisacetoxyiodo benzene [PhI(OAc)2], or TBHP for the oxidation of trans-stilbene [130]. In the best result, using PhI(OAc)2 as oxidant, they obtained trans-stilbene oxide in 80% yield and 63% ee. More recently, Beller and coworkers have reexamined this catalytic system and found that asymmetric epoxidations could be performed using ruthenium catalysts 30 and 31 and 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide [131-133]. A development of the pybox ligand led to ruthenium complex 32, which turned out to be the most efficient catalyst for asymmetric alkene epoxidation. Thus, using 5 mol% of 32 and slow addition of hydrogen peroxide, a number of aryl substituted alkenes were epoxidized in yields up >99% and enantioselectivity up to 84% (Scheme 2.25). 

The oxidation of the simplest symmetrically substituted alkene, ethylene, is noteworthy in that an asymmetric spiro transition state is observed. When constrained to Cs symmetry with eqnal forming carbon-oxygen bond lengths, the energy increases by only 0.1 kcalmol. The spiro TS has the plane of the HO—ONO (or peracid) at right angles to the axis of the C=C bond. In an idealized spiro TS this angle is exactly 90°. While the formation of snlfoxides from snlhdes by peroxynitrons acid is well-established , epoxidations have not yet been observed in solution. 

Alkenes strained by twist or r-bond torsion, such as E-cyclooctene, exhibit much lower barriers due to relief of strain in the TS for the oxygen transfer step. While the epoxidation of symmetrically substituted alkenes normally involve a symmetrical approach to the TT-bond, the TSs for epoxidation of E-cyclooctene and E-l-methylcyclooctene exhibit highly asymmetric transition structures. The AAE = 3.3 kcalmol" for E- versus Z-cyclooctene is clearly a reflection of the relative SE of these two medium ring alkenes (16.4 vs 4.2 kcalmol ) ". The classical activation barrier (AE ) for the highly strained bicyclo[3.3.1]non-l-ene is also quite low (Table 10, Figure 26). In these twist-strain alkenes, the approach of the peracid deviates markedly from the idealized spiro approach suggesting fliat this part of the potential energy surface is quite soft. 

The reaction was also successful for substituted salicylaldehydes. When Jacobsen came to develop his asymmetric epoxidation, which, unlike the Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, works for simple alkenes and not just for allylic alcohols, he chose salens as his catalysts, partly because they could be made so easily from salicylaldehydes. For example ... 

The development of simple systems that allow for the asymmetric oxidation of allyl alcohols and simple alkenes to epoxides or 1,2-diols has had a great impact on synthetic methodology as it allows for the introduction of functionality with concurrent formation of one or two stereogenic centers. This functionality can then be used for subsequent reactions tliat usually fall into the substitution reaction class. Because these transition metal catalysts do not require the use of low temperatures to ensure high degrees of induction, they can be considered robust. However, the sometimes low catalyst turnover numbers and the synthesis of the substrate can still be crucial economic factors. Aspects of asymmetric oxidations are discussed in Chapter 12. 

Substituted alkenes as well as terminal olefins and styrene derivatives are epoxidized in high yield and enantiomeric excess under homogeneous reaction conditions. Very recently, the first chiral salen complexes which are selectively soluble in perfluorinated solvents have been synthesized and their application in asymmetric synthesis has been investigated [39,40]. 

The methodology described above allows the asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols or cis-substituted conjugated alkenes and the resolution of terminal epoxides. The asymmetric synthesis of trans-di- and trisubstituted epoxides can be achieved with the dioxirane formed from the fructose-derived ketone 64, developed by Shi and co-workers. The oxidizing agent potassium peroxomonosulfate... 

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