Aki Kawashima

Chemical Dynamic Kinetic Resolution and S/R Interconversion of Unprotected α-Amino Acids†

Reported herein is the first purely chemical method for the dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of unprotected racemic α-amino acids (α-AAs), a method which can rival the economic efficiency of the enzymatic reactions. The DKR reaction principle can be readily applied for S/R interconversions of α-AAs, the methodological versatility of which is unmatched by biocatalytic approaches. The presented process features a virtually complete stereochemical outcome, fully recyclable source of chirality, and operationally simple and convenient reaction conditions, thus allowing its ready scalability. A quite unique and novel mode of the thermodynamic control over the stereochemical outcome, including an exciting interplay between axial, helical, and central elements of chirality is proposed.

Recyclable Ligands for the Non‐Enzymatic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Challenging α‐Amino Acids

Structurally simple and inexpensive chiral tridentate ligands were employed for substantially advancing the purely chemical dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of unprotected racemic tailor-made α-amino acids (TM-α-AAs), enabling the first DKR of TM-α-AAs bearing tertiary alkyl chains as well as multiple unprotected functional groups. Owing to the operationally convenient conditions, virtually complete stereoselectivity, and full recyclability of the source of chirality, this method should find wide applications for the preparation of TM-α-AAs, especially on large scale.

Purely Chemical Approach for Preparation of d-α-Amino Acids via (S)-to-(R)-Interconversion of Unprotected Tailor-Made α-Amino Acids

Unnatural (R)-α-amino acids (α-AAs) are in growing demand in the biomedical research and pharmaceutical industries. In this work, we present development of a purely chemical approach for preparation of (R)-α-AAs via (S)-to-(R)-interconversion of natural and tailor-made (S)-α-AAs. The method can be used on free, unprotected α-AAs and features a remarkable structural generality including substrates bearing tertiary alkyl chains and reactive functional groups. These attractive characteristics, combined with simplicity of reaction conditions and virtually complete stereochemical outcome, constitute a true methodological advance in this area, rivaling previously reported chemical and biocatalytic approaches.

Advanced asymmetric synthesis of (1R,2S)-1-amino-2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid by alkylation/cyclization of newly designed axially chiral Ni(II) complex of glycine Schiff base

Asymmetric synthesis of (1R,2S)-1-amino-2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid (vinyl-ACCA) is in extremely high demand due to the pharmaceutical importance of this tailor-made, sterically constrained α-amino acid. Here we report the development of an advanced procedure for preparation of the target amino acid via two-step SN2 and SN2′ alkylation of novel axially chiral nucleophilic glycine equivalent. Excellent yields and diastereoselectivity coupled with reliable and easy scalability render this method of immediate use for practical synthesis of (1R,2S)-vinyl-ACCA.

Asymmetric synthesis of (1R,2S)-1-amino-2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid by sequential SN2–SN2′ dialkylation of (R)-N-(benzyl)proline-derived glycine Schiff base Ni(II) complex

This work describes a new process for the asymmetric synthesis of (1R,2S)-1-amino-2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid of high pharmaceutical importance. The sequence of the reactions includes PTC alkylation (SN2), homogeneous SN2′ cyclization followed by disassembly of the resultant Ni(II) complex. All reactions are conducted under operationally convenient conditions and suitably scaled up to 6 g of the starting Ni(II) complex.

Chemical Dynamic Thermodynamic Resolution and S/R Interconversion of Unprotected Unnatural Tailor-made α‑Amino Acids

Described here is an advanced, general method for purely chemical dynamic thermodynamic resolution and S/R interconversion of unprotected tailor-made α-amino acids (α-AAs) through intermediate formation of the corresponding nickel(II)-chelated Schiff bases. The method features virtually complete stereochemical outcome, broad substrate generality (35 examples), and operationally convenient conditions allowing for large-scale preparation of the target α-AAs in enantiomerically pure form. Furthermore, the new type of nonracemizable axially chiral ligands can be quantitatively recycled and reused, rendering the whole process economically and synthetically attractive.

Tandem Alkylation–Second-Order Asymmetric Transformation Protocol for the Preparation of Phenylalanine-Type Tailor-Made α-Amino Acids

In this work, we disclose an advanced general process for the synthesis of tailor-made α-amino acids (α-AAs) via tandem alkylation–second-order asymmetric transformation. The first step is the alkylation of the chiral Ni(II) complex of glycine Schiff base, which is conducted under mild phase-transfer conditions allowing the structural construction of target α-AAs. The second step is based on the methodologically rare second-order asymmetric transformation, resulting in nearly complete precipitation of the corresponding (SC,RN,RC)-configured diastereomer, which can be collected by a simple filtration. The operational convenience and potential scalability of all experimental procedures, coupled with excellent stereochemical outcome, render this method of high synthetic value for the preparation of various tailor-made α-AAs.