Motomu Kanai

Recent progress in asymmetric bifunctional catalysis using multimetallic systems.

The concept of bifunctional catalysis, wherein both partners of a bimolecular reaction are simultaneously activated, is very powerful for designing efficient asymmetric catalysts. Catalytic asymmetric processes are indispensable for producing enantiomerically enriched compounds in modern organic synthesis, providing more economical and environmentally benign results than methods requiring stoichiometric amounts of chiral reagents. Extensive efforts in this field have produced many asymmetric catalysts, and now a number of reactions can be rendered asymmetric. We have focused on the development of asymmetric catalysts that exhibit high activity, selectivity, and broad substrate generality under mild reaction conditions. Asymmetric catalysts based on the concept of bifunctional catalysis have emerged as a particularly effective class, enabling simultaneous activation of multiple reaction components. Compared with conventional catalysts, bifunctional catalysts generally exhibit enhanced catalytic activity and higher levels of stereodifferentiation under milder reaction conditions, attracting much attention as next-generation catalysts for prospective practical applications. In this Account, we describe recent advances in enantioselective catalysis with bifunctional catalysts. Since our identification of heterobimetallic rare earth-alkali metal-BINOL (REMB) complexes, we have developed various types of bifunctional multimetallic catalysts. The REMB catalytic system is effective for catalytic asymmetric Corey-Chaykovsky epoxidation and cyclopropanation. A dinucleating Schiff base has emerged as a suitable multidentate ligand for bimetallic catalysts, promoting catalytic syn-selective nitro-Mannich, anti-selective nitroaldol, and Mannich-type reactions. The sugar-based ligand GluCAPO provides a suitable platform for polymetallic catalysts; structural elucidation revealed that their higher order polymetallic structures are a determining factor for their function in the catalytic asymmetric Strecker reaction. Rational design identified a related ligand, FujiCAPO, which exhibits superior performance in catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of cyanide to enones and a catalytic asymmetric Diels-Alder-type reaction. The combination of an amide-based ligand with a rare earth metal constitutes a unique catalytic system: the ligand-metal association is in equilibrium because of structural flexibility. These catalytic systems are effective for asymmetric amination of highly coordinative substrate as well as for Mannich-type reaction of alpha-cyanoketones, in which hydrogen bonding cooperatively contributes to substrate activation and stereodifferentiation. Most of the reactions described here generate stereogenic tetrasubstituted carbons or quaternary carbons, noteworthy accomplishments even with modern synthetic methods. Several reactions have been incorporated into the asymmetric synthesis of therapeutics (or their candidate molecules) such as Tamiflu, AS-3201 (ranirestat), GRL-06579A, and ritodrine, illustrating the usefulness of bifunctional asymmetric catalysis.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Tertiary Alcohols and α-Tertiary Amines via Cu-Catalyzed C−C Bond Formation to Ketones and Ketimines

Chiral tertiary alcohols and R-tertiary amines are important building blocks of naturally occurring and artificial biologically active molecules. Although there are catalytic asymmetric oxidation and amination reactions to access these chiral building blocks, the catalytic asymmetric addition of carbon nucleophiles to ketones and ketimines, which can simultaneously construct a carbon skeleton and tetrasubstituted stereogenic center, is synthetically more efficient (Scheme 1). Realizing the catalytic asymmetric addition to ketones and ketimines (tetrasubstituted carbon synthesis), however, is generally more challenging than addition to aldehydes or aldimines (trisubstituted carbon synthesis) for two main reasons: (1) ketones and ketimines are significantly less reactive than aldehydes and aldimines; (2) enantio-face differentiation of ketones and ketimines is more difficult due to the smaller steric and electronic differences between the two substituents on prochiral carbons. Therefore, asymmetric catalysts that promote C-C bond-formation to ketones and ketimines should have high catalyst activity and enantioselectivity.

Pyrroloindolone Synthesis via a Cp*CoIII-Catalyzed Redox-Neutral Directed C–H Alkenylation/Annulation Sequence

A unique synthetic utility of a Cp*Co(III) catalyst in comparison with related Cp*Rh(III) catalysts is described. A C2-selective indole alkenylation/annulation sequence proceeded smoothly with catalytic amount of a [Cp*Co(III)(C6H6)](PF6)2 complex and KOAc. Intramolecular addition of an alkenyl-Cp*Co species to a carbamoyl moiety gave pyrroloindolones in 58-89% yield in one pot. Clear difference was observed between the catalytic activity of the Cp*Co(III) complex and those of Cp*Rh(III) complexes, highlighting the unique nucleophilic activity of the organocobalt species. The Cp*Co(III) catalysis was also suitable for simple alkenylation process of N-carbamoyl indoles, and broad range of alkynes, including terminal alkynes, were applicable to give C2-alkenylated indoles in 50-99% yield. Mechanistic studies on C-H activation step under Cp*Co(III) catalysis with the aid of an acetate unit as well as evaluation of the difference between organo-Co(III) species and organo-Rh(III) species are also described.

Sequential regulation of DOCK2 dynamics by two phospholipids during neutrophil chemotaxis.

During chemotaxis, activation of the small guanosine triphosphatase Rac is spatially regulated to organize the extension of membrane protrusions in the direction of migration. In neutrophils, Rac activation is primarily mediated by DOCK2, an atypical guanine nucleotide exchange factor. Upon stimulation, we found that DOCK2 rapidly translocated to the plasma membrane in a phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate–dependent manner. However, subsequent accumulation of DOCK2 at the leading edge required phospholipase D–mediated synthesis of phosphatidic acid, which stabilized DOCK2 there by means of interaction with a polybasic amino acid cluster, resulting in increased local actin polymerization. When this interaction was blocked, neutrophils failed to form leading edges properly and exhibited defects in chemotaxis. Thus, intracellular DOCK2 dynamics are sequentially regulated by distinct phospholipids to localize Rac activation during neutrophil chemotaxis.

Enantioselective Synthesis of SM-130686 Based on the Development of Asymmetric Cu(I)F Catalysis To Access 2-Oxindoles Containing a Tetrasubstituted Carbon

Two different catalytic enantioselective approaches to 3-aryl- and 3-alkenyl-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles have been developed. First, enantioselective arylation and alkenylation reactions of isatins using aryltrimethoxysilanes and alkenyltrimethoxysilanes as nucleophiles can be catalyzed by a complex of CuF with structurally tuned Taniaphos (6) in the presence of a catalytic amount of ZnF(2). Despite the wide substrate scope, this intermolecular reaction was not applicable to a catalytic enantioselective synthesis of SM-130686 (1), a highly potent, orally active growth hormone secretagogue containing a sterically congested chiral tetrasubstituted carbon. Therefore, we developed an intramolecular catalytic enantioselective arylation of alpha-keto amides, taking advantage of the robustness of arylboronate reagents under multiple synthetic conversions and silica gel column chromatography purification. A complex of CuF with Ph-BPE (12) catalyzed the enantioselective arylation of alpha-keto amide 19, affording product 20 in 85% ee. The addition of ZnF(2) to this intramolecular reaction was not necessary. The first enantioselective synthesis of SM-130686 was achieved using this catalytic methodology. Because 2-oxyindoles are a versatile motif for biologically active compounds, the two types of Cu-catalyzed asymmetric reactions developed here will be useful for the synthesis of other natural products and pharmaceutical leads.

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Tertiary Organoboronic Esters through Conjugate Boration of β-Substituted Cyclic Enones

The first catalytic enantioselective conjugate boration of beta-substituted cyclic enones was developed to produce enantiomerically enriched tertiary organoboronates. The optimized asymmetric catalyst includes a QuinoxP*-CuO(t)Bu complex generated from CuPF(6)(CH(3)CN)(4) and LiO(t)Bu. In situ generated LiPF(6) significantly increased product yield. The enantioselectivity, however, was almost constant irrespective of the alkali metal used (Li, Na, or K). Moreover, a protic additive, which was essential in the previous Cu-catalyzed enantioselective boration to linear beta-monosubstituted substrates (Yuns reaction), was not necessary. The substrate scope was broad, and high to excellent enantioselectivity was produced using both beta-aromatic and aliphatic (linear and branched)-substituted cyclic enones with five-, six-, and seven-membered ring sizes. Due to the synthetic versatility of organoboron compounds, a variety of new chiral building blocks containing a chiral tetrasubstituted carbon was synthesized based on this methodology. Specifically, a one-pot three-component reaction from alpha,beta-substituted cyclic enone, bis(pinacolato)diboron (PinB-BPin: 2), and an aldehyde proceeded with a high level of enantio- and diastereocontrol. These chiral building blocks are difficult to access using other methods.

Cp*Co-III Catalyzed Site-Selective C-H Activation of Unsymmetrical O-Acyl Oximes: Synthesis of Multisubstituted Isoquinolines from Terminal and Internal Alkynes

The synthesis of isoquinolines by site-selective C-H activation of O-acyl oximes with a Cp*Co(III) catalyst is described. In the presence of this catalyst, the C-H activation of various unsymmetrically substituted O-acyl oximes selectively occurred at the sterically less hindered site, and reactions with terminal as well as internal alkynes afforded the corresponding products in up to 98 % yield. Whereas the reactions catalyzed by the Cp*Co(III) system proceeded with high site selectivity (15:1 to 20:1), use of the corresponding Cp*Rh(III) catalysts led to low selectivities and/or yields when unsymmetrical O-acyl oximes and terminal alkynes were used. Deuterium labeling studies indicate a clear difference in the site selectivity of the C-H activation step under Cp*Co(III) and Cp*Rh(III) catalysis.

Dehydrative Direct CH Allylation with Allylic Alcohols under [Cp*CoIII] Catalysis†

The unique reactivity of [Cp*Co(III)] over [Cp*Rh(III)] was demonstrated. A cationic [Cp*Co(III)] catalyst promoted direct dehydrative C-H allylation with non-activated allyl alcohols, thus giving C2-allylated indoles, pyrrole, and phenyl-pyrazole in good yields, while analogous [Cp*Rh(III)] catalysts were not effective. The high γ-selectivity and C2-selectivity indicated that the reaction proceeded by directing-group-assisted C-H metalation. DFT calculations suggested that the γ-selective substitution reaction proceeded by C-H metalation and insertion of a C-C double bond, with subsequent β-hydroxide elimination. The [Cp*Co(III)] catalyst favored β-hydroxide elimination over β-hydride elimination.

Copper‐Catalyzed Intramolecular C(sp3)H and C(sp2)H Amidation by Oxidative Cyclization

The first copper-catalyzed intramolecular C(sp(3))-H and C(sp(2))-H oxidative amidation has been developed. Using a Cu(OAc)2 catalyst and an Ag2CO3 oxidant in dichloroethane solvent, C(sp(3))-H amidation proceeded at a terminal methyl group, as well as at the internal benzylic position of an alkyl chain. This reaction has a broad substrate scope, and various β-lactams were obtained in excellent yield, even on gram scale. Use of CuCl2 and Ag2CO3 under an O2 atmosphere in dimethyl sulfoxide, however, leads to 2-indolinone selectively by C(sp(2))-H amidation. Kinetic isotope effect (KIE) studies indicated that C-H bond activation is the rate-determining step. The 5-methoxyquinolyl directing group could be removed by oxidation.

A meta-selective C–H borylation directed by a secondary interaction between ligand and substrate

Regioselective C-H bond transformations are potentially the most efficient method for the synthesis of organic molecules. However, the presence of many C-H bonds in organic molecules and the high activation barrier for these reactions make these transformations difficult. Directing groups in the reaction substrate are often used to control regioselectivity, which has been especially successful for the ortho-selective functionalization of aromatic substrates. Here, we describe an iridium-catalysed meta-selective C-H borylation of aromatic compounds using a newly designed catalytic system. The bipyridine-derived ligand that binds iridium contains a pendant urea moiety. A secondary interaction between this urea and a hydrogen-bond acceptor in the substrate places the iridium in close proximity to the meta-C-H bond and thus controls the regioselectivity. (1)H NMR studies and control experiments support the participation of hydrogen bonds in inducing regioselectivity. Reversible direction of the catalyst through hydrogen bonds is a versatile concept for regioselective C-H transformations.