Next Article in Journal
On the Nature of the Transition State Characterizing Gated Molecular Encapsulations
Previous Article in Journal
Two New Guaiane Sesquiterpenoids from Daphne holosericea (Diels) Hamaya
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Molecules
Volume 19
Issue 9
10.3390/molecules190914273
molecules-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Access to Optically Pure β-Hydroxy Esters via Non-Enzymatic Kinetic Resolution by a Planar-Chiral DMAP Catalyst

by
Alba E. Díazlvarez
1,†,
Laura Mesas-Sánchez
1,† and
Peter Dinér
1,2,*
1
Department of Chemistry-BMC, Uppsala University, Box 576, Uppsala SE-75123, Sweden
2
Department of Chemistry-Organic Chemistry, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm SE-100 44, Sweden
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Molecules 2014, 19(9), 14273-14291; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules190914273
Submission received: 15 July 2014 / Revised: 26 August 2014 / Accepted: 27 August 2014 / Published: 11 September 2014
(This article belongs to the Section Organic Chemistry)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
The development of new approaches to obtain optically pure β-hydroxy esters is an important area in synthetic organic chemistry since they are precursors of other high value compounds. Herein, the kinetic resolution of racemic β-hydroxy esters using a planar-chiral DMAP derivative catalyst is presented. Following this procedure, a range of aromatic β-hydroxy esters was obtained in excellent selectivities (up to s = 107) and high enantiomeric excess (up to 99% ee). Furthermore, the utility of the present method was demonstrated in the synthesis of (S)-3-hydroxy-N-methyl-3-phenylpropanamide, a key intermediate for bioactive molecules such as fluoxetine, tomoxetine or nisoxetine, in its enantiomerically pure form.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

In the recent decades, the development of methods for asymmetric synthesis of organic molecules has gained increasing importance [1]. As a representative example, the development of approaches to achieve optically pure β-hydroxy esters has emerged as an important issue in synthetic organic chemistry [2], since these chiral derivatives have received special attention due to their importance as intermediates in the synthesis of a variety of important chemicals, such as β-lactams, pheromones and carotenoids [3,4]. In addition, β-hydroxy esters are also precursors to norepinephrine or serotonin reuptake inhibitors that are an important class of drugs. For example, fluoxetine (Prozac), which is formulated as a racemate, is one of the most widely prescribed antidepressants. It has been shown that the different enantiomers display different pharmacological properties [5,6,7] and therefore the enantioselective synthesis of enantiopure compounds is of interest [8,9,10,11,12]. Several routes to produce optically pure 1,3-hydroxy esters have been explored, including asymmetric aldol reaction [13,14,15,16], the Reformatsky reaction [17,18,19,20,21,22], or regioselective epoxide ring opening [23,24,25,26]. The most widely studied method to achieve this kind of derivatives is asymmetric reduction, using either biocatalysts [4,27,28,29,30] or organometallic complexes [31,32,33,34,35,36] (Scheme 1).
Molecules 19 14273 g004 550
Scheme 1. Different asymmetric approaches to β-hydroxy esters.
Scheme 1. Different asymmetric approaches to β-hydroxy esters.
Molecules 19 14273 g004
In comparison, kinetic resolution (KR) of β-hydroxy esters has been less studied. There are four different kinetic resolution approaches to prepare β-hydroxy esters including: hydrolytic KR [37,38,39,40], oxidative KR [41,42], acylation reactions [43,44,45], and dehydrative KR [46] (Scheme 2a–d).
Molecules 19 14273 g005 550
Scheme 2. Kinetic resolution alternatives of β-hydroxy esters: (a) hydrolytic KR; (b) oxidative KR, (c) acylative KR and (d) dehydrative KR.
Scheme 2. Kinetic resolution alternatives of β-hydroxy esters: (a) hydrolytic KR; (b) oxidative KR, (c) acylative KR and (d) dehydrative KR.
Molecules 19 14273 g005
With the exception of oxidative KR, which takes place in the presence of a palladium complex containing (−)-sparteine ligand [41,42], and the dehydrative KR, in which a chiral aminoalcohol in the presence of a zinc complex dehydrates the chiral alcohol [46], the remaining examples described in bibliography to date are enzymatic processes [37,38,39,40,43,44,45].
In the last decade, several organocatalysts for the enantioselective acylation of alcohols have been developed as an alternative to enzymes [47]. In 1996, Vedejs and Chen described the first example of a chiral DMAP derivative catalyst for the kinetic resolution of secondary aryl alcohols [48,49]. Independently, Fu and co-workers developed the synthesis of planar-chiral ferrocenyl DMAP analogues, e.g., (−)-1, which catalyzed the kinetic resolution of secondary aryl [50,51], allylic [52] and propargylic [53] alkyl alcohols with good selectivity factors. In addition, Fu and co-workers recently reported the compatibility of (−)-1 with a ruthenium-based racemization catalyst representing the first highly selective non-enzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of secondary alcohols [54,55].
The advantages of using the planar-chiral ferrocene DMAP derivative are that both (S)-(−)-1 and (R)-(+)-1 enantiomers are commercially available providing an easy access to both enantiomers of the substrates. Further, the kinetic resolution can be performed with low loading of the planar-chiral DMAP catalyst (1–2 mol %), the catalyst can easily be recovered after the reaction by simple flash chromatography [50,51], and it is possible to combine it with a racemization catalyst for an appealing DKR [54,55]. We have focused our effort in expanding the substrate scope of the KR by (−)-1 to sec-aryl alcohols that contains an additional heteroatom-containing functional group in the alkyl moiety [56,57] (Scheme 3), which includes aromatic β-azido alcohols and β-hydroxy phosphonate alcohols, that are important intermediates for the synthesis of bioactive molecules.
Molecules 19 14273 g006 550
Scheme 3. Kinetic resolution of secondary aryl alcohol catalyzed by planar-chiral DMAP derivative (−)-1.
Scheme 3. Kinetic resolution of secondary aryl alcohol catalyzed by planar-chiral DMAP derivative (−)-1.
Molecules 19 14273 g006
In this study, we wish to present the non-enzymatic kinetic resolution of a variety of β-hydroxy esters with good to excellent selectivities, using the planar-chiral ferrocenyl DMAP catalyst (−)-1. Furthermore, the utility of the present method could be demonstrated in the synthesis of the (S)-3-hydroxy-N-methyl-3-phenylpropanamide, which is a key intermediate for highly selective norepinephrine or serotonin reuptake inhibitor aryloxyphenylpropylamine derivatives, such as fluoxetine, tomoxetine or nisoxetine, in their enantiomerically pure forms.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Substrate Screening

In accordance with previous studies [51,56,57], the kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols catalyzed by the planar-chiral DMAP catalyst (−)-1 proceeds in an efficient and selective way in tert-amyl alcohol and in the presence of acetic anhydride (0.75 equiv.) as acylation agent. Employing these conditions, the influence of the temperature and addition of triethylamine was investigated in the kinetic resolution of rac-(2a), which was used as a model substrate in order to find the best conditions for the selectivity of the reaction. Using the standard conditions, it was found that the selectivity factor increases when the reaction was performed at lower temperature, but at the expense of the reaction rate with a subsequent increase of the reaction times. Previously, the addition of triethylamine increased the rate of the reaction [50,51,52]. Unfortunately, triethylamine catalyzed the unselective acetylation of the more reactive β-hydroxy esters, resulting in a decrease of the selectivity. For this reason, the rest of the kinetic resolution studies of the β-hydroxy esters were performed at a lower temperature (0 °C) and without addition of base.
Next, we wanted to explore the influence of the bulkiness of the substituent in the β-position to the hydroxyl group on the selectivity of the kinetic resolution. Kinetic resolutions were performed for the substrates (2a–i) containing either ethyl or the bulkier tert-butyl carboxylate group using the standard conditions. The selectivity factor was determined from the enantiomeric excess of the chiral alcohol and the acetylated product after 3 h of reaction (Entries 1 to 9, Table 1).
Table
Table 1. Selectivity for the kinetic resolution of β-hydroxy-β-aryl esters (rac-2) by (−)-1 a. Molecules 19 14273 i001
Table 1. Selectivity for the kinetic resolution of β-hydroxy-β-aryl esters (rac-2) by (−)-1 a. Molecules 19 14273 i001
EntryRArTime/heeROH (%) beeROAc (%) bConv. (%) csc
1EtPh (2a)332.495.425.458
2Et4-NO2-Ph (2b)384.292.844.671
3Et4-MeO-Ph (2c)339.894.629.653
4tert-BuPh (2d)328.895.223.254
5tert-Bu4-NO2-Ph (2e)388.493.648.689
6tert-Bu4-MeO-Ph (2f)339.496.029.172
7tert-Bu2-Naphthyl (2g)383.4 95.246.7107
8tert-Bu4-Cl-Ph (2h)375.095.244.192
9tert-Bu2,6-Cl2-Ph (2i)340.496.629.586
a: Reaction conditions: rac-(2) (0.15 mmol), Ac2O (0.75 equiv.), (−)-1 (0.003 mmol, 2 mol %) in 0.6 mL of tert-amyl alcohol at 0 °C; b: Determined by HPLC; c: Selectivity and conversion calculated using the following equations: s = ln[(1 − c)(1 − eeROH)]/ln[(1 − c)(1 + eeROH)] and c = eeROH/(eeROH + eeROAc).
In general, the substrates bearing the bulkier tert-butyl group show higher selectivity than the substrates with the ethyl substituents. The largest difference is seen for the substrates containing the electron donating methoxy group or an electron-withdrawing nitro group in the para position (Entries 1–6, Table 1). The tendency that kinetic resolutions of substrates with more bulky alkyl substituents lead to higher selectivity is in agreement with the results previously reported by Fu for secondary benzylic alcohols with a bulky aliphatic substituent (the tert-butyl compared to the methyl substituent) [51] as well as for secondary β-hydroxyl-β-aryl phosphonates [57].
We also wanted to explore the influence of electronic effects of the substitution on the aromatic ring. The replacement of the phenyl group with an aryl containing an extended π-system led to a higher selectivity (selectivity factor of 107) and a faster reaction rate compared to the parent compound (entry 4 vs. entry 7, Table 1). This is consistent with a suggested π–cation interaction between the cationic acylated catalyst and the aromatic substituent, which has previously been suggested for other catalytic systems [58,59,60]. In general, substrates with additional substituents gave a higher selectivity than the parent compound. For example, the compound with an electron donating methoxy group in the para position (2f) (entry 4 vs. entry 6, Table 1) and substrates with electron withdrawing groups in the phenyl ring led to higher selectivity compared to the parent compound. The results follow the previous trend [56,57] that electron-withdrawing substituents in the aromatic ring lead to a higher selectivity. This suggests that the electronic properties affect the interactions between the aromatic ring of the substrate and the acylated catalyst.
The kinetic resolutions were also performed with longer reaction times (24 h) in order to be able to access the remaining alcohol in high enantiomeric excess (Table 2). We were able to isolate all the alcohols 2a–f in high enantiomeric excess (95%–99% ee) and in good to moderate yield (23%–45%).
Table
Table 2. Substrate screening for the kinetic resolution of β-hydroxy-β-aryl esters (rac-2) by (−)-1 a. Molecules 19 14273 i001
Table 2. Substrate screening for the kinetic resolution of β-hydroxy-β-aryl esters (rac-2) by (−)-1 a. Molecules 19 14273 i001
EntryRArConv. (%) cYield (%) deeROH (%) e
1EtPh (2a)574199
2Et4-NO2-Ph (2b)792399 f
3Et4-MeO-Ph (2c)553299 f
4 btert-BuPh (2d)563995
5tert-Bu4-NO2-Ph (2e)663399 f
6tert-Bu4-MeO-Ph (2f)554199
7tert-Bu2-Naphthyl (2g)544598
8tert-Bu4-Cl-Ph (2h)653499 f
9 btert-Bu2,6-Cl2-Ph (2i)633199 f
a: Reaction conditions: rac-2 (0.25 mmol), Ac2O (0.75 equiv.), (−)-1 (0.005 mmol, 2 mol %) in 1 mL of tert-amyl alcohol at 0 °C, 24 h unless otherwise specified; b: 48 h; c: Conversion calculated using the following equation: c = eeROH/(eeROH + eeROAc); d: Isolated yield base on rac-2; e: Determined by HPLC; f: A single peak was judged as 99% ee.

2.2. Assignment of the Absolute Configuration of 2e and 2i after KR

The absolute configuration of the optically pure β-hydroxy esters was assigned by comparing the sign of the optical rotation with literature values. Ethyl (S)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-3-hydroxypropanoate (S)-2e and ethyl (S)-3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-3-hydroxypropanoate (S)-2i were the two substrates whose specific rotations are not reported in the literature and had to be determined. In order to confirm the absolute configuration of these two substrates after KR, the secondary alcohol was derivatized with a chiral auxiliary of already known absolute configuration (Scheme 4).
Molecules 19 14273 g007 550
Scheme 4. Synthesis of the Mosher’s esters using (R)-MTPA chloride as chiral derivatization agent.
Scheme 4. Synthesis of the Mosher’s esters using (R)-MTPA chloride as chiral derivatization agent.
Molecules 19 14273 g007
Numerous chiral derivatizing reagents have been described and used to assign the absolute configuration of chiral secondary alcohols [61]. The most common are the aryl-containing carboxylic acids (R)-(+) and (S)-(−)-α-methoxy-α-trifluoromethylphenylacetic acid (MTPA, Mosher’s reagent; (4) [62]. Chadha et al., reported the assignment of the absolute configuration of β-hydroxy esters using a single enantiomer of Mosher’s acid chloride [63,64,65].
Firstly, the Mosher’s ester of the racemic mixture and the (S)-enantiomer of the substrate tert-butyl 3-hydroxy-3-(2-naphthyl)propanoate (2g) were prepared and used to validate the method. The 1H-NMR spectrum of the mixture of diastereomers formed shows that the chemical shift difference between the methoxy signals is significant enough to be used for the differentiation of the diastereomers (Figure 1a), as reported by Padhi and Chadha [64]. This chemical shift difference in the diastereomer originates from the fact that the methoxy group and the aromatic ring of the β-hydroxy ester are on the same side of the MTPA plane (i.e., (S)-2g-(R)-MTPA) and that the signal for the methoxy group protons is shielded due to the diamagnetic effect of the aromatic ring and appears at a lower chemical shift (3.42 ppm) (see Figure 1). The signal from the methoxy protons of the other diastereomer (i.e., (R)-2g-(R)-MTPA) appears downfield (3.56 ppm) because they are less shielded. In the same manner, the signals of the CF3 group allow the assignment by 19F-NMR and eliminate the possibility of overlapping signals (Figure 1b). The signal at −71.68 ppm belongs to the diastereomer that has the CF3 group and the aromatic ring on the same side of the MTPA plane (i.e., (R)-2g-(R)-MTPA), whereas the signal at −71.31 ppm belongs to the other diastereomer that has these two groups in opposite sides of the plane (i.e., (S)-2g-(R)-MTPA) (see Figure 1).
Molecules 19 14273 g001 550
Figure 1. (a) 1H-NMR of the methoxy region of (R)-MTPA esters of rac-2g (above) and (R)-MTPA ester of (S)-2g (below); (b) 19F-NMR of (R)-MTPA esters of rac-2g (above) and (R)-MTPA ester of (S)-2g (below).
Figure 1. (a) 1H-NMR of the methoxy region of (R)-MTPA esters of rac-2g (above) and (R)-MTPA ester of (S)-2g (below); (b) 19F-NMR of (R)-MTPA esters of rac-2g (above) and (R)-MTPA ester of (S)-2g (below).
Molecules 19 14273 g001
Therefore, the analysis of the 1H and 19F-NMR spectrum of the known enantiomer of (S)-2g allows us to conclude that obtained enantiomer has (S)-configuration which is in agreement with the previously reported sign of the optical rotation. The same method was used to determine the absolute configuration of the enantiomerically pure unknown enantiomers of 2e and 2i obtained after kinetic resolution. The 1H-NMR analysis of the Mosher’s esters (Figure 2a and Figure 3b) shows that the signals of the methoxy protons are shielded (3.43 and 3.49 ppm for the Moshers esters of enantiopure 2e and 2i respectively). This supports the fact that the formed diastereomers have the methoxy group and the aromatic ring in the same side of the MTPA plane, i.e., the β-hydroxy esters have (S)-configuration.
The same conclusion can be drawn from the 19F-NMR spectrum. The fluorine signal obtained belongs to the (S)-2e-(R)-MTPA (−71.29 ppm, Figure 2b) and (S)-2i-(R)-MTPA (−71.49 ppm, Figure 2b) because it appears in the deshielded region and this it indicates that the CF3 group and the aromatic ring are not in the same side of the plane as previously observed.
The 1H-NMR and 19F-NMR analyses confirm that the absolute configuration of ethyl (S)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-3-hydroxypropanoate (S)-2e and ethyl (S)-3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-3-hydroxypropanoate (S)-2i is S.
Molecules 19 14273 g002 550
Figure 2. (a) 1H-NMR of the methoxy region of (R)-MTPA esters of rac-2e (above) and (R)-MTPA ester of (S)-2e (below); (b) 19F-NMR of (R)-MTPA esters of rac-2e (above) and (R)-MTPA ester of (S)-2e (below).
Figure 2. (a) 1H-NMR of the methoxy region of (R)-MTPA esters of rac-2e (above) and (R)-MTPA ester of (S)-2e (below); (b) 19F-NMR of (R)-MTPA esters of rac-2e (above) and (R)-MTPA ester of (S)-2e (below).
Molecules 19 14273 g002
Molecules 19 14273 g003 550
Figure 3. (a) 1H-NMR of the methoxy region of (R)-MTPA esters of rac-2i (above) and (R)-MTPA ester of (S)-2i (below); (b) 19F-NMR of (R)-MTPA esters of rac-2i (above) and (R)-MTPA ester of (S)-2i (below).
Figure 3. (a) 1H-NMR of the methoxy region of (R)-MTPA esters of rac-2i (above) and (R)-MTPA ester of (S)-2i (below); (b) 19F-NMR of (R)-MTPA esters of rac-2i (above) and (R)-MTPA ester of (S)-2i (below).
Molecules 19 14273 g003

2.3. Synthesis of (S)-3-Hydroxy-N-methyl-3-phenylpropanamide

In order to demonstrate the synthetic applicability of the present method, the synthesis of the enantiomerically pure intermediate (S)-3-hydroxy-N-methyl-3-phenylpropanamide was carried out (Scheme 5). First, the kinetic resolution of ethyl 3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoate, rac-2a (547.6 mg, 2.8 mmol) was performed, recovering 62% of the (S)-enantiomer (32% yield, 99% ee). The subsequent treatment of the β-hydroxy esters with aqueous methylamine gave access to the β-hydroxy amide (S)-4 in 85% yield and with retention of the configuration (99% ee). The β-hydroxyamide (S)-4 can then be reduced by lithium aluminium hydride in THF to the corresponding amine, followed by an aromatic nucleophilic substitution by 4-chlorobenzotrifluoride using sodium hydride in DMF, in order to yield (S)-fluoxetine [8,9,10,11,12].
Molecules 19 14273 g008 550
Scheme 5. Synthesis of (S)-3-hydroxy-N-methyl-3-phenylpropanamide.
Scheme 5. Synthesis of (S)-3-hydroxy-N-methyl-3-phenylpropanamide.
Molecules 19 14273 g008
Reagents and conditions: (i) rac-(2a) (2.8 mmol), Ac2O (0.75 equiv.), (−)-1 (0.005 mmol, 2 mol %) in 1 mL of tert-amyl alcohol at 0 °C, 24 h. (ii) MeNH2 (40% aq), r.t, 3 h.

3. Experimental Section

3.1. General Information

Commercially available reagents were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Co. and used without further purification. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on ALUGRAM® SIL G/UV254 plates (0.2 mm), using UV-light (254 nm) for visualization. Flash column chromatography was performed using Merck silica gel (0.04–0.06 mm). 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian Mercury 300 MHz, Varian Unity 400 MHz or Varian Unity 500 MHz spectrometer. The chemical shift values (δ) are given in parts per million (ppm) and are referred to the residual peak of the deuterated solvent used (CDCl3). Chemical shifts and literature NMR shifts were used as references in identification and characterization of the optically pure synthesized compounds. Characterization data for these compounds are as follows (copies of the HPLC chromatograms, 1H- and 13C{1H}-NMR spectra are included in the Supplementary data). IR spectra were recorded on a PerkinElmer Spectrum One (ATR Technique). High-resolution mass spectra were recorded by Aleh Yahorau, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Sweden.

3.2. Preparation of the Racemic Substrates

3.2.1. General Procedure

The racemic substrates 2a–c and 4a–f were prepared following the procedure described by Xu and Yuan [43]. The racemic acetates 3a–c and 5a–f were prepared, as a references for the measurement of the HPLC retention times, by routine acetylation of the corresponding alcohols in dichloromethane at r.t. in the presence of catalytic amounts of DMAP and triethylamine. Chemical shifts and literature NMR shifts were used as references in identification and characterization of the synthesized compounds [43,66,67,68,69,70,71]. For the new substrates (4b and 4f) the IR and HRMS data are included in the characterization data.

3.2.2. Characterization Data

Ethyl 3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoate (2a) [43]
Molecules 19 14273 i002
1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.28–7.17 (m, 5H, Ar-H), 5.04 (dd, J = 7.8, 4.2 Hz, 1H, CH), 4.10 (m, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.22 (bs, 1H, OH), 2.64-2.50 (m, 2H, CH2), and 1.17 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H, CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 172.6, 142.8, 128.8 (2C), 128.0, 125.9 (2C), 70.6, 61.1, 43.6 and 14.4.
Ethyl 3-hydroxy-3-(4-nitrophenyl)propionate (2b) [43]
Molecules 19 14273 i003
1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.87 (d, 2H, Ar-H), 7.46 (d, 2H, Ar-H), 5.25 (dd, J = 7.8, 4.2 Hz, 1H, CH), 4.29–4.11 (m, 2H, CH2), 3.62 (bs, 1H, OH), 2.71 (q, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H, CH2) and 1.24 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H, CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 172.0, 149.9, 147.4, 126.2 (2C), 123.9 (2C), 69.2, 61.3, 43.1 and 14.1.
Ethyl 3-hydroxy-3-(4-metoxyphenyl)propionate (2c) [66]
Molecules 19 14273 i004
1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ. 7.29 (d, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, Ar-H), 6.86 (d, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, Ar-H), 5.08 (dd, J = 8.8, 4.0 Hz, 1H, CH), 4.19–4.09 (m, 2H, CH2), 3.80 (s, 3H, OCH3), 2.76–2.69 (m, 2H, CH2) and 1.27 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H, CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 172.3, 159.1, 134.8, 126.9 (2C), 113.8 (2C), 69.9, 60.7, 55.2, 43.3 and 14.1.
t-Butyl 3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate (2d) [67]
Molecules 19 14273 i005
1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.39–7.22 (m, 5H, Ar–H), 5.07 (dd, 1H, J = 7.8, 4.2 Hz, CH), 3.42 (bs, 1H, OH), 2.67 (dd, 1H, J = 16.0, 4.8 Hz, CH2), 2.61 (dd, 1H, J = 16.0, 4.8 Hz, CH2) and 1.43 (s, 9H, 3 CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 171.9, 142.6, 128.4 (2C), 127.6, 125.7 (2C), 81.5, 70.4, 44.3 and 28.0.
t-Butyl 3-hydroxy-3-(4-nitrophenyl)propionate (2e) [68]
Molecules 19 14273 i006
1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 8.20 (d, 2H, J = 8.1 Hz, Ar-H), 7.55 (d, 2H, J = 8.1 Hz, Ar-H), 5.18 (dd, J = 8.3, 4.1 Hz, 1H, CH), 2.73–2.57 (m, 2H, CH2) and 1.49 (s, 9H, 3 CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 171.3, 150.0, 147.3, 126.5 (2C), 123.6 (2C), 82.1, 69.4, 43.8 and 28.0. IR (neat): v(cm−1) 3438, 2941, 2977, 2903, 1700, 1510, 1343, 1148, 843. HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calcd for C13H18NO5+ [M+H+]: 268.1185, found: 268.1189.
t-Butyl 3-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propionate (2f) [69]
Molecules 19 14273 i007
1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.29 (d, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, Ar-H), 6.86 (d, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, Ar-H), 5.01 (dd, J = 8.8, 4.0 Hz, 1H, CH), 3.78 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.15 (bs, 1H, OH), 2.71–2.54 (m, 2H, CH2) and 1.44 (s, 9H, 3 CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 171.9, 159.1, 134.9, 127.0 (2C), 113.8 (2C), 81.4, 70.0, 55.2, 44.3, and 28.0.
t-Butyl 3-hydroxy-3-(2-naphthyl)propionate (2g) [70]
Molecules 19 14273 i008
1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.85–7.81 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 7.50–7.26 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 5.26 (dd, J = 7.3, 5.5 Hz, 1H, CH), 2.76–2.74 (m, 2H, CH2) and 1.46 (s, 9H, 3 CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 171.9, 140.1, 133.3, 133.0, 128.3, 128.0, 127.7, 126.1, 125.9, 124.5, 123.9, 81.6, 70.5, 44.3 and 28.1.
t-Butyl 3-hydroxy-3-(4-chloro)propionate (2h) [69]
Molecules 19 14273 i009
1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.34–7.31 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 5.09–5.05 (m, 1H, CH), 2.63–2.60 (m, 2H, CH2) and 1.45 (s, 9H, 3 CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 171.7, 141.1, 133.3, 128.6 (2C), 127.1 (2C), 81.7, 69.7, 44.1 and 28.0.
t-Butyl 3-hydroxy-3-(2',6'-dichlorophenyl) propionate (2i)
Molecules 19 14273 i010
1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.32–7.12 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 5.90 (dd, 1H, J = 10.5, J = 4.2 Hz, 1H, CH), 3.23–2.62 (m, 2H, CH2) and 1.46 (s, 9H, 3 CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 170.5, 136.2, 134.6, 129.4 (2C), 129.2 (2C), 81.3, 68.2, 40.7 and 28.0. IR (neat): v(cm−1) 3514, 2987, 2938, 1700, 1561, 1144, 766. HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calcd for C13H17Cl2O3+ [M+H+]: 291.0555, found: 291.0551.

3.3. General Procedure for the Kinetic Resolution

3.3.1. Selectivity Factor for the KR of 2a–i after 3 h

Catalyst (−)-1 (2.0 mg, 0.003 mmol), β-hydroxy ester 2a–i (0.15 mmol) and t-amyl alcohol (0.6 mL) were sequentially added to a vial. The vial was capped and stirred at room temperature to help dissolve the catalyst. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C in an ice-water bath and stirred for 15 min. Then, acetic anhydride (11 μL, 0.11 mmol) was added. After 3 h, a sample (0.2–0.3 mL) was quenched by the addition of methanol. The resulting solution was filtered through a short plug of silica using ether as eluent and then it was concentrated. The enantiomeric excess of the unreactive alcohol and the acetate were determined by HPLC (Table 1) using the appropriate chiral column and conditions. The chromatograms are attached in Supplementary section 1.
The selectivity s was calculated using the Equation (1), where C is the conversion (calculated using the Equation (2), eeROH and eeROAc are the enantiomeric excess for the unreactive alcohol and the resulting acetate respectively determined by HPLC [47]:
Molecules 19 14273 i011
Molecules 19 14273 i012

3.3.2. Synthesis of Optically Pure Alcohols

Catalyst (−)-1 (3.3 mg, 0.005 mmol), β-hydroxy ester 2a–i (0.25 mmol) and t-amyl alcohol (1.0 mL) were sequentially added to a vial. The vial was capped and stirred at room temperature to help dissolve the catalyst. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C, and then acetic anhydride (18 μL, 0.19 mmol) was added. After the appropriate amount of time, the reaction mixture was quenched by the addition of a large excess of methanol. The resulting solution was concentrated, and the unreactive alcohol, the acetate and the catalyst were separated by flash chromatography using increasing polarity mixtures of pentane/ethyl acetate as eluent. The enantiomeric excess of the unreactive alcohol and the acetate were determined by HPLC (Table 2). The chromatograms are attached in Supplementary section 2. Chemical shifts and literature NMR shifts were used as references in identification and characterization of the optically pure synthesized compounds 2a–i. The 1H and 13C{1H}-NMR spectra are attached in Supplementary section 3.
Ethyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoate ((S)-2a) [43]. Colorless oil (21.8 mg, 41% yield); ee 95%, Kromasil 5-CellCoat, n-hexane/i-PrOH = 95:05, 0.5 mL/min, 220 nm, tR[(S)/(R)] = 20.5/28.5 min; Molecules 19 14273 i013: −45.3 (c 3.7, CDCl3) (Lit. [71] [ Molecules 19 14273 i013: = −46.5 (c 1.04, CHCl3)). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.28–7.17 (m, 5H, ArH), 5.04 (dd, J = 7.8, 4.2 Hz, 1H, CH), 4.10 (m, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.22 (bs, 1H, OH), 2.64–2.50 (m, 2H, CH2), and 1.17 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H, CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 172.6, 142.8, 128.8 (2C), 128.0, 125.9 (2C), 70.6, 61.1, 43.6 and 14.4.
Ethyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-(4-nitrophenyl)propanoate ((S)-2b) [43]. Colorless oil (13.8 mg, 23% yield); ee 99%, Chiralpack AD, n-hexane/i-PrOH = 90:10, 0.5 mL/min, 220 nm, tR[(S)/(R)] = 26.6/28.4 min. Molecules 19 14273 i014: −58.0 (c 0.23, CHCl3) (Lit. [64] Molecules 19 14273 i013: −59.5 (c 1.5, CHCl3)). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.87 (d, 2H, ArH), 7.46 (d, 2H, ArH), 5.25 (dd, J = 7.8, 4.2 Hz, 1H, CH), 4.29–4.11 (m, 2H, CH2), 3.62 (bs, 1H, OH), 2.71 (q, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H, CH2) and 1.24 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H, CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 172.0, 149.9, 147.4, 126.2 (2C), 123.9 (2C), 69.2, 61.3, 43.1 and 14.1.
Ethyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propanoate ((S)-2c) [66]. Yellow oil (18.0 mg, 32% yield); ee 99%, Reprosil chiral NR, n-hexane/i-PrOH = 80:20, 0.5 mL/min, 220 nm, tR[(S)/(R)] = 15.9/18.7 min. Molecules 19 14273 i014: −45.9 (c 0.75, CHCl3) (Lit. [71] Molecules 19 14273 i015: −28.6 (c 1, CHCl3)). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.29 (d, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, ArH), 6.86 (d, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, ArH), 5.08 (dd, J = 8.8, 4.0 Hz, 1H, CH), 4.19–4.09 (m, 2H, CH2), 3.80 (s, 3H, OCH3), 2.76–2.69 (m, 2H, CH2) and 1.27 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H, CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 172.3, 159.1, 134.8, 126.9 (2C), 113.8 (2C), 69.9, 60.7, 55.2, 43.3 and 14.1.
tert-Butyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoate ((S)-2d) [67]. Pale yellow oil (21.6 mg, 39% yield); ee 95%, Reprosil Chiral NR, n-hexane/i-PrOH = 99:01, 1.0 mL/min, 220 nm, tR[(S)/(R)] = 11.4/15.6 min. Molecules 19 14273 i014: −85.0 (c 0.1, CHCl3) (Lit. [71] Molecules 19 14273 i013: −37.7 (c 1.2, CHCl3)). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.39–7.22 (m, 5H, ArH), 5.07 (dd, 1H, J = 7.8, 4.2 Hz, CH), 3.42 (bs, 1H, OH), 2.67 (dd, 1H, J = 16.0, 4.8 Hz, CH2), 2.61 (dd, 1H, J = 16.0, 4.8 Hz, CH2) and 1.43 (s, 9H, 3 CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 171.9, 142.6, 128.4 (2C), 127.6, 125.7 (2C), 81.5, 70.4, 44.3 and 28.0.
tert-Butyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-(4-nitrophenyl)propanoate ((S)-2e) [68]. Yellow oil (18.0 mg, 32% yield); ee 99%, Reprosil Chiral NR, n-hexane/i-PrOH = 90:10, 0.5 mL/min, 220 nm, tR[(S)/(R)] = 14.5/15.5 min. Molecules 19 14273 i014: −31.4 (c 0.19, CHCl3). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 8.20 (d, 2H, J = 8.1 Hz, ArH), 7.55 (d, 2H, J = 8.1 Hz, ArH), 5.18 (dd, J = 8.3, 4.1 Hz, 1H, CH), 2.73–2.57 (m, 2H, CH2) and 1.49 (s, 9H, 3 CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 171.3, 150.0, 147.3, 126.5 (2C), 123.6 (2C), 82.1, 69.4, 43.8 and 28.0. IR (neat): v(cm−1) 3438, 2941, 2977, 2903, 1700, 1510, 1343, 1148, 843. HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calcd for C13H18NO5+ [M+H+]: 268.1185, found: 268.1189.
tert-Butyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propanoate ((S)-2f) [69]. Yellow oil (26.0 mg, 41% yield); ee 99% after acetylation with DMAP, Chiralpak AD, n-hexane/i-PrOH = 90:10, 0.5 mL/min, 220 nm, tR[(S)/(R)] = 24.8/11.9 min. Molecules 19 14273 i014: −34.5 (c 1.6, CHCl3) (Lit. value for the (R)-enantiomer [46] Molecules 19 14273 i014: +28.0 (c 0.15, CHCl3)). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.29 (d, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, ArH), 6.86 (d, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, ArH), 5.01 (dd, J = 8.8, 4.0 Hz, 1H, CH), 3.78 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.15 (bs, 1H, OH), 2.71–2.54 (m, 2H, CH2) and 1.44 (s, 9H, 3 CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 171.9, 159.1, 134.9, 127.0 (2C), 113.8 (2C), 81.4, 70.0, 55.2, 44.3, and 28.0.
tert-Butyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-(2-naphthyl)propanoate ((S)-2g) [70]. Yellow oil (30.3 mg, 45% yield); ee 96%, Kromasil 5-CellCoat, n-hexane/i-PrOH = 99:01, 1.0 mL/min, 220 nm, tR[(S)/(R)] = 26.4/29.6 min. Molecules 19 14273 i014: −36.9 (c 0.42, CHCl3) (Lit. [21] Molecules 19 14273 i014: −24.8 (c 1.1, CHCl3)). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.85–7.81 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.50–7.26 (m, 3H, ArH), 5.26 (dd, J = 7.3, 5.5 Hz, 1H, CH), 2.76–2.74 (m, 2H, CH2) and 1.46 (s, 9H, 3 CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 171.9, 140.1, 133.3, 133.0, 128.3, 128.0, 127.7, 126.1, 125.9, 124.5, 123.9, 81.6, 70.5, 44.3 and 28.1.
tert-Butyl (S)-3-(4-chlorophenyl) 3-hydroxypropanoate ((S)-2h) [69]. Colorless oil (22.0 mg, 33% yield); ee 99%, Reprosil Chiral NR, n-hexane/i-PrOH = 90:10, 0.5 mL/min, 220 nm, tR[(S)/(R)] = 10.7/12.2 min. Molecules 19 14273 i014: −34.1 (c 1.9, CHCl3) (Lit. [21] Molecules 19 14273 i016: −25.4 (c 2.0, CHCl3)). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.34–7.31 (m, 4H, ArH), 5.09–5.05 (m, 1H, CH), 2.63–2.60 (m, 2H, CH2) and 1.45 (s, 9H, 3 CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 171.7, 141.1, 133.3, 128.6 (2C), 127.1 (2C), 81.7, 69.7, 44.1 and 28.0.
tert-Butyl (S)-3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl) 3-hydroxypropanoate ((S)-2i). Colorless oil (23.0 mg, 31% yield); ee 99%, Kromasil 5-CellCoat, n-hexane/i-PrOH = 99.5:0.5, 1.0 mL/min, 220 nm, tR[(S)/(R)] = 10.7/16.1 min. Molecules 19 14273 i014: +21.8 (c 2.0, CHCl3). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.32–7.12 (m, 3H, ArH), 5.90 (dd, 1H, J = 10.5, J = 4.2 Hz, 1H, CH), 3.23–2.62 (m, 2H, CH2) and 1.46 (s, 9H, 3 CH3). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 170.5, 136.2, 134.6, 129.4 (2C), 129.2 (2C), 81.3, 68.2, 40.7 and 28.0. IR (neat): v(cm−1) 3514, 2987, 2938, 1700, 1561, 1144, 766. HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calcd for C13H17Cl2O3+ [M+H+]: 291.0555, found: 291.0551.

3.3.3. Methods Used to Determine Enantiomeric Excess

The enantiomeric separations of β-hydroxy esters 2a–i were performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a Young Lin 9100 instrument using the appropriate chiral column at 25 °C with n-hexane and isopropanol as eluents. The enantiomeric separation of 2f was achieved converting the alcohol to the corresponding acetate using DMAP and triethylamine in DCM. The selectivity (S)-factors were calculated with the equation: S = ln[(1 − c)(1 − eeROH)]/ln[(1 − c)(1 + eeROH)].

3.4. Synthesis of (S)-3-Hydroxy-N-methyl-3-phenylpropanamide ((S)-4)

Catalyst (−)-1 (37 mg, 0.0056 mmol), racemic substrate 2a (2.8 mmol) and tert-amyl alcohol (11 mL) were sequentially added to a vial. The vial was capped and stirred at room temperature to help dissolve the catalyst. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C, and then acetic anhydride (200 μL, 2.1 mmol) was added. After 24 h, the reaction mixture was quenched by the addition of a large excess of methanol. The resulting solution was concentrated, and the unreactive alcohol was separated from the acetate and the catalyst by flash chromatography using increasing polarity mixtures of pentane/ethyl acetate as eluent (175 mg, 32% yield, 99% ee). The β-hydroxy ester (S)-2a was treated with a 40% aqueous solution of methylamine (1.56 mL, 18 mmol) at r.t. during 3 h. Beige solid was obtained (137.8 mg, 85.3% yield, 99% ee). Chemical shifts and literature NMR shifts were used as references in identification and characterization of the optically pure synthesized compound (S)-4 [36]. Beige solid (138 mg, 85% yield); ee 99%, Chiralpak AD, n-hexane/i-PrOH = 98:02, 1.0 mL/min, 220 nm, tR[(R)/(S)] = 41/51 min. Molecules 19 14273 i014: −26.7 (c 1.0, CH3OH) (Lit. [36] Molecules 19 14273 i016: −26.2 (c 1.25, CH3OH)). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.49–7.14 (m, 5H, ArH), 5.82 (br s, 1H, NH), 5.16-5.05 (m, 1H, CHOH), 2.82 (d, J = 4.5 Hz, 3H, NHCH3), 2.59–2.52 (m, 2H, CH2). 13C{1H}-NMR (CDCl3) δ 172.56, 143.16, 128.67, 127.84, 125.71, 71.07, 44.72, 26.37.

4. Conclusions

In summary, we have demonstrated that the planar-chiral DMAP derivative catalyst (−)-1 catalyzes the kinetic resolution for a range of aromatic β-hydroxy esters with excellent selectivities (selectivity factor up to 107) and high enantiomeric excess (up to 99% ee) of the remaining alcohol. To the best of our knowledge, these results represent the first example of the kinetic resolution of this family of substrates employing a chiral DMAP derivative as catalyst.

Supplementary Materials

Supplementary materials can be accessed at: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/19/9/14273/s1.

Supplementary Files

Supplementary File 1

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Vetenskapsrådet and The Carl Trygger Foundation.

Author Contributions

P.D. conceived the project. A.E.D.A. and L.M.S. designed the experiments and executed the chemical synthesis. All authors wrote the paper, discussed the results and commented on the manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Noyori, R. Asymmetric catalysis: Science and opportunities (Nobel Lecture). Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 2008–2022. [Google Scholar]
  2. Thomassigny, C.; Sineriz, F.; Greck, C.; Lou, J.-D. β-Hydroxy esters as synthetic precursors of natural compounds and analogues. Recent Res. Dev. Org. Chem. 2004, 8, 377–400. [Google Scholar]
  3. Mori, K. Synthesis of optically active pheromones. Tetrahedron 1989, 45, 3233–3298. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  4. Cui, J.; Zhang, M.J.; Wang, X.Q.; Cui, N.J. The stereoselective preparation of β-keto esters using baker’s yeast in the presence of rice wine koji. Chin. Chem. Lett. 2008, 19, 311–313. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Wong, D.T.; Bymaster, F.P.; Reid, L.R.; Fuller, R.W.; Perry, K.W. Inhibition of serotonin uptake by optical isomers of fluoxetine. Drug Dev. Res. 1985, 6, 397–403. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  6. Robertson, D.W.; Krushinski, J.H.; Fuller, R.W.; Leander, J.D. The absolute configurations and pharmacological activities of the optical isomers of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin-uptake inhibitor. J. Med. Chem. 1988, 31, 1412–1417. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Fuller, R.W.; Snoddy, H.D. Fluoxetine enantiomers as antagonists of p-chloroamphetamine effects in rats. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 1986, 24, 281–284. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Chai, L.; Chen, H.; Li, Z.; Wang, Q.; Tao, F. Enantioselective hydrogenation of β-keto esters using a MeO-PEG-supported Biphep ligand under atmospheric pressure: A practical synthesis of (S)-fluoxetine. Synlett 2006, 2395–2398. [Google Scholar]
  9. Chea, H.; Sim, H.-S.; Yun, J. Copper-catalyzed conjugate addition of diboron reagents to α,β-unsaturated amides: Highly reactive copper-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene catalyst system. Adv. Synth. Catal. 2009, 351, 855–858. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Kakei, H.; Nemoto, T.; Ohshima, T.; Shibasaki, M. Efficient synthesis of chiral α- and β-hydroxy amides: Application to the synthesis of (R)-fluoxetine. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2004, 43, 317–320. [Google Scholar]
  11. Khatik, G.L.; Kumar, V.; Nair, V.A. Reversal of selectivity in acetate aldol reactions of N-acetyl-(S)-4-isopropyl-1-[(R)-1-phenylethyl]imidazolidin-2-one. Org. Lett. 2012, 14, 2442–2445. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Kumar, A.; Ner, D.H.Y.; Dike, S. A new chemoenzymatic enantioselective synthesis of R-(−)-tomoxetine, (R)- and (S)-fluoxetine. Tetrahedron Lett. 1991, 32, 1901–1904. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  13. Mukaiyama, T. Organic Reactions; John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New York, NY, USA, 1982; Volume 28. [Google Scholar]
  14. Braun, M. Stereoselective aldol reactions with α-unsubstituted chiral enolates. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1987, 26, 24–37. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Solladié, G.; Bauder, C.; Arce-Dubois, E.; Pasturel-Jacopé, Y. Asymmetric synthesis of β-hydroxyesters by aldol type condensation of enantiomerically pure t-butyl p-tolyl sulfinyl acetate: Unexpected substituent effect on the absolute configuration of the product. Tetrahedron Lett. 2001, 42, 2923–2925. [Google Scholar]
  16. Howell, G.P.; Fletcher, S.P. Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of acyclic arrays by tandem 1,4-addition-aldol reactions. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 14977–14985. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Guetté, M.; Capillon, J.; Guetté, J.P. Synthese asymetrique de β-hydroxyesters par reaction de reformatsky en presence de (−) sparteine. Tetrahedron 1973, 29, 3659–3667. [Google Scholar]
  18. Soai, K.; Kawase, Y. Asymmetric synthesis of β-hydroxyesters by the enantioselective Reformatsky reaction in the presence of chiral aminoalcohols. Tetrahedron Asymmetry 1991, 2, 781–784. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  19. Mi, A.; Wang, Z.; Zhang, J.; Jiang, Y. Asymmetric Syntheses XXVI: Catalytic enantioselective syntheses of β-hydroxy esters via double chiral induction in asymmetric Reformatsky reactions. Synth. Commun. 1997, 27, 1469–1473. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Zhang, Y.; Wu, W. Enantioselective synthesis of β-hydroxy esters by Reformatsky reactions in chiral micelles. Tetrahedron Asymmetry 1997, 8, 3575–3578. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Andrés, J.M.; Martín, Y.; Pedrosa, R.; Pérez-Encabo, A. Enantioselective Reformatsky reaction induced by chiral β-amino alcohols. Tetrahedron 1997, 53, 3787–3794. [Google Scholar]
  22. Fernández-Ibáñez, M.A.; Maciá, B.; Minnaard, A.J.; Feringa, B.L. Catalytic enantioselective Reformatsky reaction with aldehydes. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 1317–1319. [Google Scholar]
  23. Carlsen, P.H.J.; Katsuki, T.; Martín, V.S.; Sharpless, K.B. A greatly improved procedure for ruthenium tetroxide catalyzed oxidations of organic compounds. J. Org. Chem. 1981, 46, 3936–3938. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Chong, J.M.; Sharpless, K.B. Regioselective openings of 2,3-epoxy acids with organocuprates. Tetrahedron Lett. 1985, 26, 4683–4686. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  25. Otsubo, K.; Inanaga, J.; Yamaguchi, M. SmI2-induced highly regioselective reduction of α,β-epoxy esters and γ,δ-epoxy-α,β-insaturated esters. An efficient route to optically active β-hydroxy and γ-hydroxy esters. Tetrahedron Lett. 1987, 28, 4437–4440. [Google Scholar]
  26. Van der Baan, J.L.; Barnick, J.W.F.K.; Bickelhaupt, F. Synthesis of β-hydroxy esters by lithium/ammonia reduction of α,β-epoxy esters. Synthesis 1990, 897–899. [Google Scholar]
  27. Servi, S. Baker’s yeast as a reagent in organic synthesis. Synthesis 1990, 1990, 1–25. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Rodríguez, S.; Schroeder, K.T.; Kayser, M.M.; Stewart, J.D. Asymmetric synthesis of β-hydroxy esters and α-alkyl-β-hydroxy esters by recombinant Escherichia coli expressing enzymes from baker’s yeast. J. Org. Chem. 2000, 65, 2586–2587. [Google Scholar]
  29. Kalaitzakis, D.; Rozzell, J.D.; Kambourakis, S.; Smonou, I. Highly stereoselective reductions of α-alkyl-1,3-diketones and α-alkyl-β-keto esters catalyzed by isolated NADPH-dependent ketoreductases. Org. Lett. 2005, 7, 4799–4801. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Kaluzna, I.A.; Feske, B.D.; Wittayanan, W.; Ghiviriga, I.; Stewart, J.D. Stereoselective, biocatalytic reductions of α-chloro-β-keto esters. J. Org. Chem. 2005, 70, 342–345. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Noyori, R.; Ohkuma, T.; Kitamura, M.; Takaya, H.; Sayo, N.; Kumobayashi, H.; Akutagawa, S. Asymmetric hydrogenation of β-keto carboxylic esters. A practical, purely chemical access to β-hydroxy esters in high enantiomeric purity. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1987, 109, 5856–5858. [Google Scholar]
  32. Ager, D.J.; Laneman, S.A. Reductions of 1,3-dicarbonyl systems with ruthenium-biarylbisphosphine catalysts. Tetrahedron Asymmetry 1997, 8, 3327–3355. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Ohkuma, T.; Noyori, R. Enantioselective ketone and β-ketone ester hydrogenations (including mechanisms). In Handbook of Homogeneous Hydrogenation; De Vries, J.G., Elsevier, C.J., Eds.; Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH: Weinheim, Germany, 2006; Volume 3, pp. 1105–1163. [Google Scholar]
  34. Fan, W.; Li, W.; Ma, X.; Tao, X.; Li, X.; Yao, Y.; Xie, X.; Zhang, Z. Ru-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of γ-heteroatom substituted β-keto esters. J. Org. Chem. 2011, 76, 9444–9451. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. Ariger, M.A.; Carreira, E.M. pH-Independent transfer hydrogenation in water: Catalytic, enantioselective reduction of β-keto esters. Org. Lett. 2012, 14, 4522–4524. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  36. Xie, J.-H.; Liu, X.-Y.; Yang, X.-H.; Xie, J.-B.; Wang, L.-X.; Zhou, Q.-L. Chiral iridium catalysts bearing spiro pyridine-aminophosphine ligands enable highly efficient asymmetric hydrogenation of β-aryl β-ketoesters. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 201–203. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. b>Ribeiro, C.M.R.; Passaroto, E.N.; Brenelli, E.C.S. Enzymatic resolution of ethyl 3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoate and analogs using hydrolases. J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 2001, 12, 742–746. [Google Scholar]
  38. Ribeiro, C.M.R.; Passaroto, E.N.; Brenelli, E.C.S. Ultrasound in enzymatic resolution of ethyl 3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoate. Tetrahedron Lett. 2001, 42, 6477–6479. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  39. Chaubey, A.; Parshad, R.; Koul, S.; Taneja, S.C.; Qazi, G.N. Enantioselectivity modulation through immobilization of Arthrobacter sp. lipase: Kinetic resolution of fluoxetine intermediate. J. Mol. Catal. B: Enzym. 2006, 42, 39–44. [Google Scholar]
  40. Wang, P.-Y.; Tsai, S.-W. Hydrolytic resolution of (R,S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionates by esterase from Klebsiella oxytoca: Effects of leaving alcohol, covalent immobilization and aqueous pH. J. Mol. Catal. B: Enzym. 2009, 59, 70–75. [Google Scholar]
  41. Ali, I.S.; Sudalai, A. Pd-catalyzed kinetic resolution of benzylic alcohols: A practical synthesis of (R)-tomoxetine and (S)-fluoxetine hydrochlorides. Tetrahedron Lett. 2002, 43, 5435–5436. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  42. Mandal, S.K.; Jensen, D.R. Scope of enantioselective palladium (II)-catalyzed aerobic alcohol oxidations with (−)-sparteine. J. Org. Chem. 2003, 68, 4600–4603. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  43. Xu, C.; Yuan, C. Candida Rugosa lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of β-hydroxy-β-arylpropionates and δ-hydroxy-δ-aryl-β-oxo-pentanoates. Tetrahedron 2005, 61, 2169–2186. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  44. Brem, J.; Naghi, M.; Toşa, M.-I.; Boros, Z.; Poppe, L.; Irimie, F.-D.; Paizs, C. Lipase mediated sequential resolution of aromatic β-hydroxy esters using fatty acid derivatives. Tetrahedron Asymmetry 2011, 22, 1672–1679. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  45. Brem, J.; Turcu, M.C.; Paizs, C.; Lundell, K.; Toşa, M.-I.; Irimie, F.-D.; Kanerva, L.T. Immobilization to improve the properties of Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase for the kinetic resolution of 3-aryl-3-hydroxy esters. Process Biochem. 2012, 47, 119–126. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  46. Choi, E.T.; Lee, M.H.; Kim, Y.; Park, Y.S. Asymmetric dehydration of β-hydroxy esters and application to the syntheses of flavane derivatives. Tetrahedron 2008, 64, 1515–1522. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  47. Müller, C.E.; Schreiner, P.R. Organocatalytic enantioselective acyl transfer onto racemic as well as meso alcohols, amines, and thiols. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 6012–6042. [Google Scholar]
  48. Vedejs, E.; Chen, X. Kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols. Enantioselective acylation mediated by a chiral (dimethylamino)pyridine derivative. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 1809–1810. [Google Scholar]
  49. Vedejs, E.; Chen, X. Parallel kinetic resolution. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 2584–2585. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  50. Ruble, J.C.; Latham, H.A.; Fu, G.C. Effective kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols with a planar-chiral analogue of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine. Use of the Fe(C5Ph5) group in asymmetric catalysis. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 1492–1493. [Google Scholar]
  51. Ruble, J.C.; Tweddell, J.; Fu, G.C. Kinetic resolution of arylalkylcarbinols catalyzed by a planar-chiral derivative of DMAP: A new benchmark for nonenzymatic acylation. J. Org. Chem. 1998, 63, 2794–2795. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  52. Bellemin-Laponnaz, S.; Tweddell, J.; Ruble, J.C.; Breitling, F.M.; Fu, G.C. The kinetic resolution of allylic alcohols by a non-enzymatic acylation catalyst; application to natural product synthesis. Chem. Commun. 2000, 1009–1010. [Google Scholar]
  53. Tao, B.; Ruble, J.C.; Hoic, D.A.; Fu, G.C. Nonenzymatic kinetic resolution of propargylic alcohols by a planar-chiral DMAP derivative: Crystallographic characterization of the acylated catalyst. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 5091–5092. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  54. Lee, S.Y.; Murphy, J.M.; Ukai, A.; Fu, G.C. Nonenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols via enantioselective acylation: synthetic and mechanistic studies. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 15149–15153. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  55. Díaz-Álvarez, A.E.; Mesas-Sánchez, L.; Dinér, P. Non-enzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary aryl alcohols: Planar chiral ferrocene and ruthenium catalysts in cooperation. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 502–504. [Google Scholar]
  56. Mesas-Sánchez, L.; Díaz-Álvarez, A.E.; Dinér, P. Non-enzymatic kinetic resolution of 1,2-azidoalcohols using a planar-chiral DMAP derivative catalyst. Tetrahedron 2013, 69, 753–757. [Google Scholar]
  57. Mesas-Sánchez, L.; Díaz-Álvarez, A.E.; Koukal, P.; Dinér, P. Kinetic resolution of 2-hydroxy-2-aryl-ethylphosphonates by a non-enzymatic acylation catalyst. Tetrahedron 2014, 70, 3807–3811. [Google Scholar]
  58. Kawabata, T.; Nagato, M.; Takasu, K.; Fuji, K. Nonenzymatic kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols through an “induced fit” process. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 3169–3170. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  59. Wei, Y.; Held, I.; Zipse, H. Stacking interactions as the principal design element in acyl-transfer catalysts. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2006, 4, 4223–4230. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  60. Li, X.; Liu, P.; Houk, K.N.; Birman, V.B. Origin of enantioselectivity in CF3−PIP-catalyzed kinetic resolution of secondary benzylic alcohols. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 13836–13837. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  61. Wenzel, T.J.; Chisholm, C.D. Assignment of absolute configuration using chiral reagents and NMR spectroscopy. Chirality 2011, 23, 190–214. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  62. Dale, J.A.; Mosher, H.S. Nuclear magnetic resonance enantiomer regents. Configurational correlations via nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of diastereomeric mandelate, O-methylmandelate, and α-methoxy-α-trifluoromethylphenylacetate (MTPA) esters. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1973, 95, 512–519. [Google Scholar]
  63. Baskar, B.; Pandian, N.G.; Priya, K.; Chadha, A. Asymmetric reduction of alkyl 2-oxo-4-arylbutanoates and -but-3-enoates by Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330: Assignment of the absolute configuration of ethyl 2-hydroxy-4-(p-methylphenyl)but-3-enoate by 1H-NMR. Tetrahedron Asymmetry 2004, 15, 3961–3966. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  64. Padhi, S.K.; Chadha, A. Deracemization of aromatic β-hydroxy esters using immobilized whole cells of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 and determination of absolute configuration by 1H-NMR. Tetrahedron Asymmetry 2005, 16, 2790–2798. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  65. Padhi, S.K.; Titu, D.; Pandian, N.G.; Chadha, A. Deracemisation of β-hydroxy esters using immobilised whole cells of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330: Substrate specificity and mechanistic investigation. Tetrahedron 2006, 62, 5133–5140. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  66. Silva, F.A.; Gouverneur, V. Elongation of β-hydroxyenones by cross-metathesis. Tetrahedron Lett. 2005, 46, 8705–8709. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  67. Uccello-Barretta, G.; Pini, D.; Mastantuono, A.; Salvadori, P. Direct NMR assay of enantiomeric purity of chiral β-hydroxy esters by using quinine as chiral solvating agent. Tetrahedron Asymmetry 1995, 6, 1965–1972. [Google Scholar]
  68. Iwasaki, G.; Saeki, S.; Hamana, M. A novel nucleophilic substitution of the formyl group in p-nitrobenzaldehyde with some carbanions. Chem. Lett. 1986, 173–176. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  69. Sgreccia, L.; Bandini, M.; Morganti, S.; Quintavalla, A.; Umani-Ronchi, A.; Cozzi, P.G. Titanium-catalyzed Reformatsky-type reaction. J. Organomet. Chem. 2007, 692, 3191–3197. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  70. Pini, D.; Mastantuosno, A.; Salvadori, P. New chiral ligand for optically active β-hydroxy esters synthesis by enantioselective Reformatsky reactions. Tetrahedron Asymmetry 1994, 5, 1875–1876. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  71. Shiomi, T.; Adachi, T.; Toribatake, K.; Zhou, L.; Nishiyama, H. Asymmetric β-boration of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds promoted by chiral rhodium-bisoxazolinylphenyl catalysts. Chem. Commun. 2009, 5987–5989. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  • Sample Availability: Samples of the compounds are not available from the authors.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Díazlvarez, A.E.; Mesas-Sánchez, L.; Dinér, P. Access to Optically Pure β-Hydroxy Esters via Non-Enzymatic Kinetic Resolution by a Planar-Chiral DMAP Catalyst. Molecules 2014, 19, 14273-14291. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules190914273

AMA Style

Díazlvarez AE, Mesas-Sánchez L, Dinér P. Access to Optically Pure β-Hydroxy Esters via Non-Enzymatic Kinetic Resolution by a Planar-Chiral DMAP Catalyst. Molecules. 2014; 19(9):14273-14291. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules190914273

Chicago/Turabian Style

Díazlvarez, Alba E., Laura Mesas-Sánchez, and Peter Dinér. 2014. "Access to Optically Pure β-Hydroxy Esters via Non-Enzymatic Kinetic Resolution by a Planar-Chiral DMAP Catalyst" Molecules 19, no. 9: 14273-14291. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules190914273

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop