Cheol Hong Cheon

A Brønsted Acid Catalyst for the Enantioselective Protonation Reaction

A highly reactive and robust chiral Brønsted acid catalyst, chiral N-triflyl thiophosphoramide, was developed. The first metal-free Brønsted acid catalyzed enantioselective protonation reaction of silyl enol ethers was demonstrated using this chiral Brønsted acid catalyst. The catalyst loading could be reduced to 0.05 mol % without any deleterious effect on the enantioselectivity.

Super Brønsted acid catalysis

Brønsted acid catalysis has emerged as a new class of catalysis in modern organic synthesis. However, in order to make the utility of the Brønsted acid catalysis as broad as the well-developed Lewis acid catalysis, it is desirable to develop Brønsted acids demonstrating both high reactivities and selectivities. In this feature article, we will present our achievement in the design and development of strong Brønsted acids and their application to organic reactions. Furthermore, we will describe the Tf(2)NH-catalyzed Mukaiyama aldol reaction of super silyl enol ethers. We also will highlight the differences in reactivity and chemo- and stereo-selectivity between Brønsted and Lewis acid catalysis.

N-Triflylthiophosphoramide Catalyzed Enantioselective Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction of Aldehydes with Silyl Enol Ethers of Ketones

The first Brønsted acid catalyzed asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction of aldehydes using silyl enol ethers of ketones as nucleophiles has been reported. A variety of aldehydes and silyl enol ethers of ketones afforded the aldol products in excellent yields and good to excellent enantioselectivities. Mechanistic studies revealed that the actual catalyst may be changed from the silylated Brønsted acid to the Brønsted acid itself depending on the reaction temperature.

Development of a new Lewis base-tolerant chiral LBA and its application to catalytic asymmetric protonation reaction

A new Lewis base-tolerant LBA (Lewis Acid Assisted Brønsted Acid) derived from La(OTf)(3) and (S)-HOP has been developed as a new chiral Brønsted acid. This acid has been successfully applied as a catalyst to asymmetric protonation reactions of silyl enol ethers of 2-substituted cyclic ketones.