Yu-hong Lam

Origins of Stereoselectivity in Intramolecular Aldol Reactions Catalyzed by Cinchona Amines

The intramolecular aldol condensation of 4-substituted heptane-2,6-diones leads to chiral cyclohexenones. The origins of the enantioselectivities of this reaction, disclosed by List et al. using a cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amine (cinchona amine) organocatalyst, have been determined with dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT). The stereocontrol hinges on the chair preference of the substrate-enamine intermediate and the conformational preferences of a hydrogen-bonded nine-membered aldol transition state containing eight heavy atoms. The conformations of the hydrogen-bonded ring in the various stereoisomeric transition structures have been analyzed in detail and shown to closely resemble the conformers of cyclooctane. A model of stereoselectivity is proposed for the cinchona amine catalysis of this reaction. The inclusion of Grimmes dispersion corrections in the DFT calculations (B3LYP-D3(BJ)) substantially improves the agreement of the computed energetics and experiment, attesting to the importance of dispersion effects in stereoselectivity.

Enamine carboxylates as stereodetermining intermediates in prolinate catalysis.

Experimental and computational studies probing the nature of intermediates in the α-amination of aldehydes catalyzed by prolinate salts support an enamine carboxylate intermediate in the stereodetermining step.

Theory and Modeling of Asymmetric Catalytic Reactions

Modern density functional theory and powerful contemporary computers have made it possible to explore complex reactions of value in organic synthesis. We describe recent explorations of mechanisms and origins of stereoselectivities with density functional theory calculations. The specific functionals and basis sets that are routinely used in computational studies of stereoselectivities of organic and organometallic reactions in our group are described, followed by our recent studies that uncovered the origins of stereocontrol in reactions catalyzed by (1) vicinal diamines, including cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amines, (2) vicinal amidophosphines, and (3) organo-transition-metal complexes. Two common cyclic models account for the stereoselectivity of aldol reactions of metal enolates (Zimmerman-Traxler) or those catalyzed by the organocatalyst proline (Houk-List). Three other models were derived from computational studies described in this Account. Cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amines and other vicinal diamines are venerable asymmetric organocatalysts. For α-fluorinations and a variety of aldol reactions, vicinal diamines form enamines at one terminal amine and activate electrophilically with NH(+) or NF(+) at the other. We found that the stereocontrolling transition states are cyclic and that their conformational preferences are responsible for the observed stereoselectivity. In fluorinations, the chair seven-membered cyclic transition states is highly favored, just as the Zimmerman-Traxler chair six-membered aldol transition state controls stereoselectivity. In aldol reactions with vicinal diamine catalysts, the crown transition states are favored, both in the prototype and in an experimental example, shown in the graphic. We found that low-energy conformations of cyclic transition states occur and control stereoselectivities in these reactions. Another class of bifunctional organocatalysts, the vicinal amidophosphines, catalyzes the (3 + 2) annulation reaction of allenes with activated olefins. Stereocontrol here is due to an intermolecular hydrogen bond that activates the electrophilic partner in this reaction. We have also studied complex organometallic catalysts. Krisches ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrohydroxyalkylation of butadiene involves two chiral ligands at Ru, a chiral diphosphine and a chiral phosphate. The size of this combination strains the limits of modern computations with over 160 atoms, multiple significant steps, and a variety of ligand coordinations and conformations possible. We found that carbon-carbon bond formation occurs via a chair Zimmerman-Traxler-type transition structure and that a formyl CH···O hydrogen bond from aldehyde CH to phosphate oxygen, as well as steric interactions of the two chiral ligands, control the stereoselectivity.

Stereoselectivities of Histidine-Catalyzed Asymmetric Aldol Additions and Contrasts with Proline Catalysis: A Quantum Mechanical Analysis

Quantum mechanical calculations reveal the origin of diastereo- and enantioselectivities of aldol reactions between aldehydes catalyzed by histidine, and differences between related reactions catalyzed by proline. A stereochemical model that explains both the sense and the high levels of the experimentally observed stereoselectivity is proposed. The computations suggest that both the imidazolium and the carboxylic acid functionalities of histidine are viable hydrogen-bond donors that can stabilize the cyclic aldolization transition state. The stereoselectivity is proposed to arise from minimization of gauche interactions around the forming C-C bond.

How Cinchona Alkaloid-Derived Primary Amines Control Asymmetric Electrophilic Fluorination of Cyclic Ketones

The origin of selectivity in the α-fluorination of cyclic ketones catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amines is determined with density functional calculations. The chair preference of a seven-membered ring at the fluorine transfer transition state is key in determining the sense and level of enantiofacial selectivity.

Pericyclic Cascade with Chirality Transfer: Reaction Pathway and Origin of Enantioselectivity of the Hetero‐Claisen Approach to Oxindoles

Cascade reactions[1] are of increasing value in organic synthesis due to their potential for expedient generation of molecular complexity. Pericyclic cascades[1,2] are especially appealing by virtue of their often predictable and exquisite stereochemical control. The diverse pericyclic cascades devised for target-oriented syntheses often act on substrates bearing well-recognized structural motifs with amply documented reactivity requirements and stereochemical properties. Nevertheless, the interplay between theory and experiment continues to uncover novel cascade mechanisms with new or underexplored reactivity patterns. Indeed, for the 2+2 cycloadditions of ketenes with 1,3-dienes[3] and imines,[4] the pericyclic mechanisms once formulated have recently been revised to cascades of more than one elementary mechanistic step. Other more elaborate pericyclic cascades of synthetic interest have also been elucidated by computations.[5] We recently developed an efficient enantioselective route to 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles from chiral nitrones and disubstituted ketenes, but the origin of the asymmetric induction remained unclear from existing mechanistic proposals.[6] We now propose a novel pericyclic cascade composed of a 3+2 cycloaddition and a hetero-[3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement, featuring chirality transfer in each of the two constituent steps, which proves crucial in engendering impressive enantioselectivity.

Transition States of Vicinal Diamine-Catalyzed Aldol Reactions

The transition states of aldol reactions catalyzed by vicinal diamines are characterized with density functional calculations. It was found that a cyclic transition state involving a nine-membered hydrogen-bonded ring is preferred. The crown (chair-chair) conformations of the transition state account for the observed stereoselectivity of these reactions.

Mechanisms and Origins of Periselectivity of the Ambimodal [6 + 4] Cycloadditions of Tropone to Dimethylfulvene

The mechanisms and selectivities of the cycloadditions of tropone to dimethylfulvene have been investigated with M06-2X and B3LYP-D3 density functional theory (DFT) calculations and quasi-classical direct molecular dynamics simulations. The originally proposed reaction mechanism (Houk) involves a highly peri-, regio-, and stereoselective [6F + 4T] cycloaddition of tropone [4π] to dimethylfulvene [6π], followed by a [1,5] hydrogen shift, and, finally, a second [6 + 4] cycloaddition of tropone [6π] to the cyclopentadiene moiety [4π]. Paddon-Row and Warrener proposed an alternative mechanism: the initial cycloaddition involves a different [6T + 4F] cycloaddition in which fulvene acts as the 4π component, and a subsequent Cope rearrangement produces the formal [6F + 4T] adduct. Computations now demonstrate that the initial cycloaddition proceeds via an ambimodal transition state that can lead to both of the proposed [6 + 4] adducts. These adducts can interconvert through a [3,3] sigmatropic shift (Cope rearrangement). Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the initial distribution of products and provide insights into the time-resolved mechanism of this ambimodal cycloaddition. Competing [4 + 2] cycloadditions and various sigmatropic shifts are also explored.

Boron carboxylate catalysis of homoallylboration.

Boron tris(trifluoroacetate) is identified as the first effective catalyst for the homoallyl- and homocrotylboration of aldehydes by cyclopropylcarbinylboronates. NMR spectroscopic studies and theoretical calculations of key intermediates and transition states both suggest that a ligand-exchange mechanism, akin to our previously reported PhBCl2-promoted homoallylations, is operative. Our experimental and theoretical results also suggest that the catalytic activity of boron tris(trifluoroacetate) might originate from more facile catalytic turnover of the trifluoroacetate ligands (in agreement with DFT calculations) or from a lower propensity for formation of off-pathway reservoir intermediates (as observed by 1H NMR). This work shows that carboxylates are viable catalytic ligands for homoallyl- and homocrotylations of carbonyl compounds and opens the door to the development of catalytic asymmetric versions of this transformation.

Quinine-Promoted, Enantioselective Boron-Tethered Diels–Alder Reaction by Anomeric Control of Transition State Conformation.

Diels-Alder reactions of tethered vinyl-metal species offer the opportunity to fashion highly functionalized diol intermediates for synthesis. We have developed the first enantioselective boron-tethered Diels-Alder reaction using quinine as a chiral promoter. Quinine recovery, enantioselectivity enhancement, and manipulation of the cyclohexene core are also investigated. DFT modeling calculations confirm the role of quinine as a bidentate ligand enhancing reaction rates. The enantioselectivity of the cycloaddition is proposed to originate from a boron-centered anomeric effect.