Amino Amide Organocatalysts for Asymmetric Michael Addition of β-Keto Esters with β-Nitroolefins

Asymmetric Michael addition of β-keto esters with trans-β-nitroolefins using chiral amino amide organocatalyst was tried and afforded synthetically useful chiral Michael adducts in both excellent chemical yields (up to 99%) and stereoselectivities (up to dr. 99:1, up to 98% ee)

Hybrid-Type Squaramide-Fused Amino Alcohol Organocatalysts for Enantioselective Nitro-Aldol Reaction of Nitromethane with Isatins

A series of new hybrid type squaramide-fused amino alcohol (SFAA) catalysts were synthesized and their catalytic efficiency in enantioselective nitro-aldol reaction of various isatins with nitromethane that afford the chiral 3-substituted 3-hydroxyoxindoles in excellent chemical yields (up to 99%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee) is described. The resulting chiral 3-hydroxyoxindoles could be used as synthetic precursors for the synthesis of several natural products with a broad spectrum of fascinating biological activities

Chiral primary amino alcohol organobase catalyst for the asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of anthrones with maleimides

Simple chiral TES-amino alcohol organocatalysts containing a bulkysilyl [triethylsilyl: TES] group on oxygen atom at γ-position were designed andsynthesized as new organocatalysts for the enantioselective Diels-Alder (DA) reactionof anthrones with maleimides to produce chiral hydroanthracene DA adducts (up to99% yield with up to 94% ee)

Lipase-catalyzed domino Michael-aldol reaction of 2-methyl-1,3-cycloalkanedione and methyl vinyl ketone for the synthesis of bicyclic compounds

Synthesis of bicyclic compounds was achieved via a lipase-catalyzed, stereoselective, domino Michael–aldol reaction of 2-methyl-1,3-cycloalkanedione and methyl vinyl ketone. Appropriate reaction conditions, including the type of enzyme, solvent, and temperature, were determined. In addition, the effects of solvent polarity and addtives were investigated. The reaction proceeded in the presence of lipase AS in a solution of 20% acetone in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) at 10 °C for 8 days, followed by the addition of p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) to afford bicyclic compounds in 51–83% yields with moderate stereoselectivity. Although this domino Michael–aldol reaction showed only moderate stereoselectivity, even with the acid-supported enhancement of the reaction, these results represent potential new applications for lipase

New Hybrid-type Squaramide-Fused Amino Alcohol Organocatalyst for Enantioselective Domino Michael Addition/Cyclization Reaction of Oxoindolines with Cyclic 1,3-Diketones

The new hybrid-type squaramide-fused amino alcohol containing both a Bronsted basic site and hydrogen bondingsites in the molecule showed a high catalytic activity as an l organocatalyst in the enantioselective domino Michael addition/cyclization reaction of oxoindohnes with cyclic 1,3-etones to afford\u27the chiralsproonjugate oxindoles featuring 2-aminopyrans fusing with l carbo-heterocyclic ring systems with l excellent chemical yields (up Ito 98%) and enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). The obtained chiral spiroconjugated 2-aminopyrans bearing quaternary stereogenic carbon center could be used as l synthetic precursors for several natural products that ave a broad spectrum Iof fascinating biological activities

Biotransformation of organic compounds in vivo using larvae of beetles (Allomyrina dichotoma) as biocatalysts

The biotransformation of organic compounds using the larvae of the Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Allomyrina dichotoma) as a biocatalyst is described. When phenyl alkanediones were administered by mouth (p.o) or subcutaneous injection (s.c) to the beetle, asymmetric reduction occurred to yield the corresponding diols in varying optical yields: 1-phenyl-1,2-propandione or 1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione reduced to (1R,2S)- and (1S,2S)-1,2-phenylpropanediols in high optical yields or (1R,3S)- and (1R,3R)-1-phenyl-1,3-butanediols in low to high optical yields, respectively. By administrating 1-phenyl-1-propanone, 1-phenyl-1-butanone or 4-phenyl-2-butanone, redox reactions occurred to give 1-phenyl-1,2-propanediols or 1-phenyl-1,3-butanediols in lower optical yields. The administrations of β-ionone and cinnamyl chloride resulted in regioselective allylic oxidations producing enone and cinnamic acid, respectively. However, when (R)-(-)-carvone was administered, regiospecific dihydroxylation at the isopropenyl group occurred to give (4R,8R)- and (4R,8S)-8,9-dihydroxy-8,9-dihydrocarvone as diastereoisomers. These results appear to demonstrate similar reaction tendency with the case of a microorganism. It is possible that these reactions were due in part to bacteria in the intestine of the larva: however, regio- and stereoselectivities of the reactions were sometimes unique. Thus, it is supposed that these biotransformations were accomplished by the ensemble of the larva׳s own enzymes with several bacteria. The results obtained in this study might show the possibility of using such enzymes derived from insects, including beetle larvae, as a biocatalyst

Catalytic Efficiency of Primary α-Amino Amides as Multifunctional Organocatalysts in Recent Asymmetric Organic Transformations

Chiral primary α-amino amides, consisting of an adjacent enamine bonding site (Bronsted base site), a hydrogen bonding site (Bronsted acid site), and flexible bulky substituent groups to modify the steric factor, are proving to be extremely valuable bifunctional organocatalysts for a wide range of asymmetric organic transformations. Primary α-amino amides are less expensive alternatives to other primary amino organocatalysts, such as chiral diamines and cinchona-alkaloid-derived primary amines, as they are easy to synthesize, air-stable, and allow for the incorporation of a variety of functional groups. In recent years, we have demonstrated the catalytic use of simple primary α-amino amides and their derivatives as organocatalysts for the aldol reaction, Strecker reaction, Michael tandem reaction, allylation of aldehydes, reduction of N-Aryl mines, opening of epoxides, hydrosilylation, asymmetric hydrogen transfer, and N-specific nitrosobenzene reaction with aldehydes

Catalytic Efficiency of Primary α-Amino Amides as Multifunctional Organocatalysts in Recent Asymmetric Organic Transformations

Chiral primary α-amino amides, consisting of an adjacent enamine bonding site (Bronsted base site), a hydrogen bonding site (Bronsted acid site), and flexible bulky substituent groups to modify the steric factor, are proving to be extremely valuable bifunctional organocatalysts for a wide range of asymmetric organic transformations. Primary α-amino amides are less expensive alternatives to other primary amino organocatalysts, such as chiral diamines and cinchona-alkaloid-derived primary amines, as they are easy to synthesize, air-stable, and allow for the incorporation of a variety of functional groups. In recent years, we have demonstrated the catalytic use of simple primary α-amino amides and their derivatives as organocatalysts for the aldol reaction, Strecker reaction, Michael tandem reaction, allylation of aldehydes, reduction of N-Aryl mines, opening of epoxides, hydrosilylation, asymmetric hydrogen transfer, and N-specific nitrosobenzene reaction with aldehydes