Transition states in synthesis

Because of the nature of the transition state in the pericyclic mechanism, optically active substrates with a chiral carbon at C-3 or C-4 transfer the chirality to the product, making this an enantioselective synthesis (see p. 1451 for an example in the mechanistically similar Claisen rearrangement). ... 

The transformation of the cyano group could also introduce a new chiral center under diastereoselective control (Figure 5.13). Grignard-transimination-reduction sequences have been employed in a synthesis of heterocyclic analogues of ephedrine [81]. The preferential formation of erythro-/3-amino alcohols may be explained by preferential hydride attack on the less-hindered face of the intermediate imine [82], and hydrocyanation of the imine would also appear to proceed via the same type of transition state. In the case of a,/3-unsaturated systems, reduction- transimination-reduction may be followed by protection of the /3-amino alcohol to an oxazolidinone, ozonolysis with oxidative workup, and alkali hydrolysis to give a-hydroxy-/3-amino acids [83]. This method has been successfully employed in the synthesis L-threo-sphingosine [84]. 

Since dienolates 1 and 2 represent diacetate synthons, the dienolate derived from 6-ethyl-2,2-dimethyldioxinone can be seen as a propionate-acetate syn-thon. The synthesis of the corresponding dienolate provides a mixture of the E and Z enolates in a 3 5 ratio. The reaction with Ti-BINOL complex 5 generates a 5 1 mixture with the syn isomer as the major diastereomer. After separation of the diastereomers, the enantiomeric excess of the syn isomer was determined to be 100%. The anti isomer was formed in 26% ee. The same transformation performed with boron Lewis acid 7 gave the anti isomer as the major compound, but only with 63% ee. The minor syn isomer was produced with 80% ee. The observed selectivity could be rationalized by an open transition state in which minimization of steric hindrance favors transition state C (Fig. 1). In all three... 

The synthesis of modhephene (54), which proceeds according to plan in an overall yield of >16%, with complete control of relative stereochemistry, demonstrates the ability of radical cyclisations to form propellane systems and generate highly crowded neopentyl quaternary centres. The accepted pathway for the cyclisation of the vinyl trimethylstannane is shown in Scheme 7.25. The chair-like transition state in which the methyl substituent on the radical is pseudoequatorial, accounts for the observed endo stereoselectivity. 

A procedure for enantioselective synthesis of carboxylic acids is based on sequential alkylation of the oxazoline 8 via its lithium salt. Chelation by the methoxy group leads preferentially to the transition state in which the lithium is located as shown. The lithium acts as a Lewis acid in directing the approach of the alkyl halide. This is reinforced by a steric effect from the phenyl substituent. As a result, alkylation occurs predominantly from the lower face of the anion. The sequence in which the groups R and R are introduced... 

Alkenyl nitrones, having the alkene connected to the nitrone nitrogen atom, have been used in another approach to intramolecular reactions (231-235). Holmes and co-workers have this method for the synthesis of the alkaloid (—)-indolizidine 209B 137 (210,231). The alkenyl nitrone 134, was obtained from the chiral hydroxylamine 133 and an aldehyde. In the intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, 135 was formed as the only isomer (Scheme 12.45). The diastereofacial selectivity was controlled by the favored conformation of the cyclohexane-like transition state in which the pentyl group was in a pseudoequatorial position, as indicated by 134. Further transformation of 135 led to the desired product 137. 

In all these cases, provided that the reaction is under kinetic control, the proportion of predominant isomer found in the product (whether enantiomeric or diastereoisomeric) is determined by the difference in the free energies of activation of the irreversible steps leading to the alternative diastereoisomeric transition states. In each of the cases noted above, the text gives some amplification of the factors which determine these differences in free energy of activation and, it is hoped, should provide an introduction to the philosophy of asymmetric synthesis. However, a few further general comments may be helpful. 

The butylated /J-ketoester C of Figure 13.26 is not the final synthetic target of the acetoacetic ester synthesis of methyl ketones. In that context, the /J-ketoester C is converted into the corresponding /J-ketocarhoxylic acid via acid-catalyzed hydrolysis (Figure 13.27 for the mechanism, see Figure 6.22). This /i-ketocarboxylic acid is then heated either in the same pot or after isolation to effect decarboxylation. The /f-ketocarboxylic acid decarboxylates via a cyclic six-membered transition state in which three valence electron pairs are shifted at the same time. The reaction product is an enol, which isomerizes immediately to a ketone (to phenyl methyl ketone in the specific example shown). 

Six-Membered Transition States in Organic Synthesis, By Jaemoon Yang Copyright 2008 John Wiley Sons, Inc. 

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