Hyeon-Kyu Lee

Stereoselective Synthesis of Norephedrine and Norpseudoephedrine by Using Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation Accompanied by Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

Each of the enantiomers of both norephedrine and norpseudoephedrine were stereoselectively prepared from the common, prochiral cyclic sulfamidate imine of racemic 1-hydroxy-1-phenyl-propan-2-one by employing asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) catalyzed by the well-defined chiral Rh-complexes, (S,S)- or (R,R)-Cp*RhCl(TsDPEN), and HCO(2)H/Et(3)N as the hydrogen source. The ATH processes are carried out under mild conditions (rt, 15 min) and are accompanied by dynamic kinetic resolution.

Highly Efficient, Enantioselective Syntheses of (S)-(+)- and (R)-(−)-Dapoxetine Starting with 3-Phenyl-1-propanol

A highly efficient, enantioselective sequence has been developed for the synthesis of (S)- and (R)-dapoxetine. The pathways involve the intermediacy of the 6-membered-ring sulfamate esters 4, which were generated by Du Bois asymmetric C-H amination reactions of the prochiral sulfamate 3, catalyzed by the chiral dirhodium(II) complexes. During the course of our research, the absolute configuration of the enantiomer of 4-pheny[1,2,3]oxathiazinane 2,2-dioxide (4r), prepared by the Du Bois asymmetric C-H amination reaction of 3 and the Rh(2)(S-nap)(4) catalyst, is determined to be R and not S as was originally reported.

Dynamic kinetic resolution based asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of α-alkoxy-β-ketophosphonates. Diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of monoprotected 1,2-dihydroxyphosphonates.

Dynamic kinetic resolution driven, asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reactions of a wide range of 2-substituted α-alkoxy-β-ketophosphonates 3 were observed to proceed efficiently to give the corresponding 2-substituted α-alkoxy-β-hydroxy phosphonates 4 with excellent levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivity. These processes are promoted by using well-defined, commercially available, chiral transition metal catalysts and a 0.2:1 mixture of formic acid and triethylamine as the hydrogen source and solvent.

Dynamic kinetic resolution-based asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of 2-benzoylmorpholinones and its use in concise stereoselective synthesis of all four stereoisomers of the antidepressant reboxetine.

Dynamic kinetic resolution-driven, asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reaction of 2-benzoylmorpholin-3-ones (4) proceeds efficiently to give the corresponding (2R,3S)- or (2S,3R)-2-(hydroxyphenylmethyl)morpholin-3-ones (6) with an excellent level of diastereo- and enantioselectivity and simultaneous control of two contiguous stereogenic centers in a single step. This process is employed to prepare all four stereoisomers of the antidepressant reboxetine.

Stereoselective Synthesis of 4-Substituted Cyclic Sulfamidate-5-Phosphonates by Using Rh-Catalyzed, Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation with Accompanying Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

Dynamic kinetic resolution driven, asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of 4-substituted cyclic sulfamidate imine-5-phosphonates produces the corresponding cyclic sulfamidate-5-phosphonates. The process employs a HCO2H/Et3N mixture as the hydrogen source and the chiral Rh catalysts, (R,R)- or (S,S)-Cp*RhCl(TsDPEN), and it takes place at room temperature within 1 h with high yields and high levels of stereoselectivity.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized 1,3-Disubstituted Isoindolines via Rh(III)-Catalyzed Tandem Oxidative Olefination-Cyclization of 4-Aryl-cyclic Sulfamidate-5-Carboxylates

A new method for the direct, stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized 1,3-disubstituted isoindolines 6 from enantiomerically enriched cyclic 4-aryl-sulfamidate-5-carboxylates (5) is described. The process involves sulfamidate directed, Rh(III)-catalyzed tandem ortho C-H olefination of the 4-aryl-sulfamidate-5-carboxylates and subsequent cyclization by aza-Michael addition. In the reaction, which generates trans-1,3-disubstituted isoindolines exclusively, the configurational integrity of the stereogenic center in the starting cyclic sulfamidate is completely retained in the product. Examples are provided which show that the cyclic sulfamidate moiety not only serves as a chiral directing group but also as a versatile handle for further functionalization of the generated isoindoline ring system.

Xanthene Derivatives Increase Glucose Utilization through Activation of LKB1-Dependent AMP-Activated Protein Kinase

5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a highly conserved serine-threonine kinase that regulates energy expenditure by activating catabolic metabolism and suppressing anabolic pathways to increase cellular energy levels. Therefore AMPK activators are considered to be drug targets for treatment of metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. To identify novel AMPK activators, we screened xanthene derivatives. We determined that the AMPK activators 9H-xanthene-9-carboxylic acid {2,2,2-trichloro-1-[3-(3-nitro-phenyl)-thioureido]-ethyl}-amide (Xn) and 9H-xanthene-9-carboxylic acid {2,2,2-trichloro-1-[3-(3-cyano-phenyl)-thioureido]-ethyl}-amide (Xc) elevated glucose uptake in L6 myotubes by stimulating translocation of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). Treatment with the chemical AMPK inhibitor compound C and infection with dominant-negative AMPKa2-virus inhibited AMPK phosphorylation and glucose uptake in myotubes induced by either Xn or Xc. Of the two major upstream kinases of AMPK, we found that Xn and Xc showed LKB1 dependency by knockdown of STK11, an ortholog of human LKB1. Single intravenous administration of Xn and Xc to high-fat diet-induced diabetic mice stimulated AMPK phosphorylation of skeletal muscle and improved glucose tolerance. Taken together, these results suggest that Xn and Xc regulate glucose homeostasis through LKB1-dependent AMPK activation and that the compounds are potential candidate drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

DBU-Promoted Dynamic Kinetic Resolution in Rh-Catalyzed Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of 5-Alkyl Cyclic Sulfamidate Imines: Stereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized 1,2-Amino Alcohols

Dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR)-driven asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of 5-alkyl cyclic sulfamidate imine produces the corresponding sulfamidate with excellent levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivity by employing a HCO2H/DBU mixture as the hydrogen source in the presence of the Noyori-type chiral Rh-catalyst at room temperature for 1 h. In this process, DKR was induced by DBU-promoted rapid racemization of the substrate. Stereoselective transformations of the resulting cyclic sulfamidates to functionalized enantiomerically enriched 1,2-amino alcohol and chiral amine substances are also described.

Tandem Rh-Catalyzed Oxidative C–H Olefination and Cyclization of Enantiomerically Enriched Benzo-1,3-Sulfamidates: Stereoselective Synthesis of trans-1,3-Disubstituted Isoindolines

A tandem process, involving Rh(III)-catalyzed oxidative C-H olefination of enantiomerically enriched 4-aryl-benzo-1,3-sulfamidates and subsequent intramolecular aza-Michael cyclization has been developed. The reaction produces trans-benzosulfamidate-fused-1,3-disubstituted isoindolines as major products, in which the configurational integrity of the stereogenic center in the starting material is preserved. Further transformations of the benzosulfamidate-fused-1,3-disubstituted isoindolines are described.