Chiral benzimidazoles as hydrogen bonding organocatalysts

Several bifunctional organocatalysts bearing the benzimidazole unit have been designed in order to act as bifunctional systems by hydrogen bonding. Chiral 2-aminobenzimidazoles are conformational rigid guanidines able to catalyze enantioselectively Michael reaction, direct SN1 of alcohols, and aldol reactions. Some of these organocatalysts can be easily recovered by simple isolation methods and reused without loss of catalytic activity. Related (2-aminoalkyl)benzimidazoles have been used as chiral organocatalysts in aldol and amination reactions of carbonyl compounds.The Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN) (projects CTQ2010-20387, and Consolider Ingenio 2010, CSD2007-00006), the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) (projects CTQ2013-43446-P and CTQ2014-51912-REDC), FEDER – Spain, the Generalitat Valenciana – Spain (PROMETEO 2009/039 and PROMETEOII/2014/017), and the University of Alicante are gratefully acknowledged for financial support

Polymorphisms of inversions and Adh alleles in eye colour mutant experimental populations of Drosophila melanogaster

International audienc

Variability of eye colour mutations in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster

International audienc

Effect of alcohol and competition levels on viability of eye colour mutants of Drosophila melanogaster

International audienc

Asymmetric 1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditons of Stabilized Azomethine Ylides with Nitroalkenes

This review highlights the biological importance of many polysubstituted nitro-prolines and -pyrrolidines. Their preparation using asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of azomethine ylides with nitroalkenes using diastereoselective and enantioselective strategies is described remarking the scope and main features of each one.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) (Consolider INGENIO 2010 CSD2007-00006, CTQ2010-20387), FEDER, Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2009/039), and by the University of Alicante

Coinage Metal Complexes as Chiral Catalysts for 1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditions

In this account, we describe the experience of our research group in the implementation of chiral coinage metal complexes into the efficient enantioselective 1,3-DC of azomethine ylides derived from α-amino acids and azlactones with different dipolarophiles. The corresponding chiral metallodipoles were generated in situ and next focused on the synthesis of highly substituted prolines. For this purpose, privileged ligands such as phosphoramidites and binap with silver(I), gold(I) and copper(II) salts are described. Depending from the ligand and mainly from the metal salt it can be possible to control the facial endo/exo-diasteroselectivity and the enantioselectivity of these types of processes. The synthetic processes are also supported by DFT calculations in order to elucidate the most plausible mechanism and the stereochemical results.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) (Consolider INGENIO 2010 CSD2007-00006, CTQ2010-20387), FEDER, Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2009/039), and by the University of Alicante

Catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones: recent advances

In this review, we consider the main processes for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones from 2008 up today. The most effective organometallic compounds (derived from Ru, Rh, Ir, Fe, Os, Ni, Co, and Re) and chiral ligands (derived from amino alcohols, diamines, sulfur- and phosphorus-containing compounds, as well as heterocyclic systems) will be shown paying special attention to functionalized substrates, tandem reactions, processes under non-conventional conditions, supported catalysts, dynamic kinetic resolutions, the use of water as a green solvent, theoretical and experimental studies on reaction mechanisms, enzymatic processes, and finally applications to the total synthesis of biologically active organic molecules.We thank the continuous financial support from our Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN) (projects CTQ2007-62771/BQU, CTQ2010-20387, CONSOLIDER INGENIO 2010-CDS2007-00006, CTQ2011-24151, CTQ2011-24165), the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) (projects CTQ2013-43446-P, CTQ2014-51912-REDC, CTQ2014-53695-P), FEDER, the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO 2009/039, PROMETEOII/2014/017), and the University of Alicante