Robert A. Reamer

Asymmetric hydrogenation of tetrahydropyrazines: Synthesis of (S)-piperazine-2-tert-butylcarboxamide, an intermediate in the preparation of the HIV protease inhibitor indinavir

Abstract Hydrogenation of tetrahydropyrazine 4g with [(R)-BINAP(COD)Rh]TfO gave piperazine 6g in 96% yield and 99% ee. Simple hydrogenolytic deprotection and crystallization afforded the key chiral (S)-N-Boc-piperazine MK-639 intermediate 1 in high yield and enantiomeric purity.

[2.2]PHANEPHOS-Ruthenium(II) complexes: Highly active asymmetric catalysts for the hydrogenation of β-ketoesters

Abstract The application of the planar chiral [2.2]PHANEPHOS ligand in the Ru(II)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of β-ketoesters gave up to 96% ee involving a practical and reproducible procedure using the defined and readily prepared [2.2]PHANEPHOS-Ru(II)bis(trifluoroacetate) salt in the presence of a halide source.

A Case of Remote Asymmetric Induction in the Peptide-Catalyzed Desymmetrization of a Bis(phenol)

We report a catalytic approach to the synthesis of a key intermediate on the synthetic route to a pharmaceutical drug candidate in single enantiomer form. In particular, we illustrate the discovery process employed to arrive at a powerful, peptide-based asymmetric acylation catalyst. The substrate this catalyst modifies represents a remarkable case of desymmetrization, wherein the enantiotopic groups are separated by nearly a full nanometer, and the distance between the reactive site and the pro-stereogenic element is nearly 6 A. Differentiation of enantiotopic sites within molecules that are removed from the prochiral centers by long distances presents special challenges to the field of asymmetric catalysis. As the distance between enantiotopic sites increases within a substrate, so too may the requirements for size and complexity of the catalyst. The approach presented herein contrasts enzymatic catalysts and small-molecule catalysts for this challenge. Ultimately, we report here a synthetic, miniaturized enzyme mimic that catalyzes a desymmetrization reaction over a substantial distance. In addition, studies relevant to mechanism are presented, including (a) the delineation of structure-selectivity relationships through the use of substrate analogs, (b) NMR experiments documenting catalyst-substrate interactions, and (c) the use of isotopically labeled substrates to illustrate unequivocally an asymmetric catalyst-substrate binding event.

Synthesis of the 5-HT1D receptor agonist MK-0462 via a Pd-catalyzed coupling reaction

Abstract Application of a palladium-catalyzed coupling between 3 and 5a to the synthesis of the novel 5-HT 1D receptor agonist MK-0462 ( 1 ), a potential anti-migraine drug, is described.

Reaction development and mechanistic study of a ruthenium catalyzed intramolecular asymmetric reductive amination en route to the dual Orexin inhibitor Suvorexant (MK-4305).

The first example of an intramolecular asymmetric reductive amination of a dialkyl ketone with an aliphatic amine has been developed for the synthesis of Suvorexant (MK-4305), a potent dual Orexin antagonist under development for the treatment of sleep disorders. This challenging transformation is mediated by a novel Ru-based transfer hydrogenation catalyst that provides the desired diazepane ring in 97% yield and 94.5% ee. Mechanistic studies have revealed that CO(2), produced as a necessary byproduct of this transfer hydrogenation reaction, has pronounced effects on the efficiency of the Ru catalyst, the form of the amine product, and the kinetics of the transformation. A simple kinetic model explains how product inhibition by CO(2) leads to overall first-order kinetics, but yields an apparent zero-order dependence on initial substrate concentration. The deleterious effects of CO(2) on reaction rates and product isolation can be overcome by purging CO(2) from the system. Moreover, the rate of ketone hydrogenation can be greatly accelerated by purging of CO(2) or trapping with nucleophilic secondary amines.

Diastereoselective syn-epoxidation of 2-alkyl-4-enamides to epoxyamides: Synthesis of the Merck HIV-1 protease inhibitor epoxide intermediate

Abstract Reaction of 2-alkyl-4-enamides 2, 9–15 with NIS and aqueous sodium bicarbonate results in the diastereoselective formation of the corresponding iodohydrins 3, 16–22 with essentially no iodolactone by-product. This methodology has been successfully employed for the synthesis of the epoxide intermediate 4 of the orally active Merck HIV-1 protease inhibitor L-735,524.

Neocarzinostatin chromophore: Presence of a highly strained ether ring and its reaction with mercaptan and sodium borohydride

Spectroscopic evidence suggests the presence of a highly strained ether ring (Fig. 1) (possibly an epoxide) in the C12-subunit of the previously determined partial structure 2a (Fig. 2) of the major neocarzinostatin chromophore (NCS-Chrom A) which completes assignment of all the oxygens in the molecule. The main product from mercaptan treatment suggests opening of the ether ring involving the addition of one molecule of mercaptan as well as reduction of the C12-substructure, whereas a parallel two-step reduction occurs on NaBH4 treatment. Both reactions occur with rearrangement of the C12-substructure and the implication for the mechanism of action of NCS-Chrom A in DNA strand scission activity is discussed. The evidence suggests a downward revision of the molecular formula for NCS-Chrom A as well as minor components B and C by two protons.

The zaragozic acids: Structure elucidation of a new class of squalene synthase inhibitors

Structures of two novel fungal metabolites, zaragozic acids A (1) and B (2), characterized by a novel 2,8-dioxobicyclo[3.2.1] octane-4,6,7-trihydroxy-3,4,5-tricar☐ylic acid core, are proposed predominantly on the basis of 2D NMR.

Synthesis of the orally active spiroindoline-based growth hormone secretagogue, MK-677

Abstract The preparation of the Merck Growth Hormone Secretagogue; MK-677 is described. A Fischer indole/reduction based strategy provides the novel spiroindoline nucleus of this potent compound. This optimized sequence necessitates the isolation of only one intermediate 10 and provides MK-677 in 48% overall yield from isonipecotic acid 3.

Diastereospecific, non-racemic synthesis of the C.20–C.34 segment of the novel immunosuppressant FK-506

Abstract An efficient stereocontrolled route to construct the C.20–C.34 moiety of FK-506 is described.