Synthesis 2023; 55(16): 2547-2553
DOI: 10.1055/a-2055-2313
paper

Pd-Catalyzed MIA-Directed Methoxylation of Phenylalanines: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

Wen-Jun Tang
a   School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University, No 666 Siming road, Fenghua District, Ningbo 315599, P. R. of China
b   State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, No.26 Yucai Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo 315016, P. R. of China
,
Shu-Min Dai
a   School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University, No 666 Siming road, Fenghua District, Ningbo 315599, P. R. of China
b   State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, No.26 Yucai Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo 315016, P. R. of China
,
Yue Yuan
a   School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University, No 666 Siming road, Fenghua District, Ningbo 315599, P. R. of China
b   State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, No.26 Yucai Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo 315016, P. R. of China
,
Shuai Wang
a   School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University, No 666 Siming road, Fenghua District, Ningbo 315599, P. R. of China
,
Yu-Peng He
a   School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University, No 666 Siming road, Fenghua District, Ningbo 315599, P. R. of China
b   State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, No.26 Yucai Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo 315016, P. R. of China
,
Fang Yu
a   School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University, No 666 Siming road, Fenghua District, Ningbo 315599, P. R. of China
b   State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, No.26 Yucai Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo 315016, P. R. of China
c   Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Catalytic Science and Technology, Liaoning Petrochemical University, Dandong Road West 1, Fushun 113001, Liaoning, P. R. of China
› Author Affiliations
We are grateful for the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant No. 21978124) and Key Projects of Ningbo Natural Science Foundation (grant No. 2022J003).


Abstract

The direct methoxylation of substituted phenylalanines has been accomplished via methoxyiminoacyl (MIA)-mediated Pd-catalyzed C–H functionalization. A diverse array of ortho-methoxylated phenylalanine derivatives are efficiently generated in good to high yields. KIE study has shown that the oxhydryl cleavage step is the rate-limiting step. The computational data show that the participation manner of methanol has a great influence on the energy barriers of transition states during the C(sp2)–O formation stage. The pathway containing stepwise deprotonation and reductive elimination is superior to that of a concerted deprotonation-methoxylation.

Supporting Information



Publication History

Received: 10 January 2023

Accepted after revision: 15 March 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
15 March 2023

Article published online:
20 April 2023

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