Synlett 2003(11): 1651-1654
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41423
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

One-Pot Organocatalytic Direct Asymmetric Synthesis of γ-Amino Alcohol Derivatives

Armando Córdova*
The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
e-Mail: acordova1a@netscape.net;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 21 May 2003
Publication Date:
22 September 2003 (online)

Abstract

This report describes the unprecedented use of unmodified aldehydes as donors in catalytic three component one-pot asymmetric Mannich reactions. The Mannich-type reactions were also readily performed for the first time with both in situ generated and preformed N-PMP protected aromatic aldimines. The proline-catalyzed reactions provided an efficient and very mild entry to either enantiomer of γ-amino alcohol derivatives in high yield and stereoselectivity.

1

Current address: Department of Organic Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden. Fax: +46(8)154908

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We observed that Mannich product 1 was unstable and racemized if stored at room temperature or subjected to silica gel column chromatography. In addition, 1 is prone to epimerization that decreases the diastereomeric ratio.

13

The reaction proceeded in other solvents as well at 23 °C: Dioxane: 65% yield, dr>10:1, 99% ee; THF: 51% yield, dr>10:1, 99% ee; Et2O: 40% yield, dr>10:1, 99% ee; and at 4 °C: THF: 36% yield, dr>10:1, >99% ee; dioxane: 62% yield, dr>10:1, 99% ee.

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Anhydrous DMF (3 mL) was added to a vial containing the aldimine (0.5 mmol) and proline (30 mol%) and placed in a 4 °C cold room. The reaction was initiated by slow addition (0.2 mL/min) of a pree-cooled mixture of propionaldehyde (5.0 mmol) in anhyd DMF (2 mL) with syringe pump at 4 °C. After 15 h the reaction mixture was diluted with anhyd Et2O (2 mL) and the temperature decreased to at 0 °C followed by reduction with NaBH4 (400 mg) for 10 min. Next, the reaction mixture was poured into a vigorously stirred bi-phaseic solution of Et2O and 1 M aq HCl. The organic layer was separated and the aq phase was extracted thoroughly with EtOAc. The combined organic phases were dried (MgSO4), concentrated, and purified by flash column chromatography (silica gel, mixtures of hexanes/EtOAc) to afford 2. (2 S ,3 S )-2-Methyl-3-(4-methoxyphenylamino)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-propan-1-ol (2): 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ = 0.91 (d, 3 H, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.21 (m, 1 H), 3.64 (m, 2 H), 3.67 (s, 3 H, OMe), 4.65 (d, 1 H, J = 4.0 Hz), 6.42 (d, 2 H, J = 8.8 Hz), 6.68 (d, 2 H, J = 8.8 Hz), 7.51 (d, 2 H, J = 8.8 Hz), 8.17 (d, 2 H, J = 8.8 Hz). 13C NMR: δ = 11.9, 41.6, 56.0, 60.8, 66.0; 115.0, 115.1, 123.9, 128.3, 141.0, 147.3, 150.6, 152.6. HPLC (Daicel Chiralpak AD, hexanes/i-PrOH = 99:1, flow rate 1.0 mL/min, λ = 254 nm): major isomer: t R = 36.10 min; minor isomer: t R = 21.49 min; [α]D = -65.2 (c 0.2, MeOH). HRMS: 317.1496; C17H20N2O4 [(M + H+): calcd 317.1496]; C17H20N2O4 (316.1423).

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(1 S ,2 S )-1-(4-Methoxyphenylamino)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-hydroxymethylheptane: 1H NMR (CD3OD): δ = 0.83 (t, 3 H, J = 7.0 Hz), 1.22-1.55 (m, 8 H), 2.08 (m, 1 H), 3.54 (d, 1 H, J = 3.3 Hz), 3.68 (s, 3 H, OMe), 3.73 (d, J = 3.3 Hz), 4.71 (d, J = 3.3 Hz), 6.48 (d, 2 H, J = 8.8 Hz), 6.68 (d, 2 H, J = 8.8 Hz). 13C NMR: δ = 14.4, 22.9, 27.8, 29.7, 46.4, 56.1, 63.9, 96.6, 115.3, 124.1, 128.7, 147.5. HPLC (Daicel Chiralpak AD, hexanes/i-PrOH = 90:10, flow rate 1.0 mL/min, λ = 254 nm): major isomer: t R = 17.79 min; minor isomer: t R = 7.43 min; [α]D = -24.7 (c 0.2, MeOH). HRMS: 373.2120; C21H28N2O4 [(M + H+): calcd 373.2122); C21H28N2O4 (372.2048968).

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Anhydrous DMF (3 mL) was added to a vial containing p-nitrobenzaldehyde (0.5 mmol), p-anisidine (0.5 mmol) and proline (30 mol%) and placed in a 4 °C cold room. The reaction was initiated by slow addition (0.2 mL/min) of a pree-cooled mixture of propionaldehyde (5.0 mmol) in anhyd DMF (2 mL) with syringe pump at 4 °C. After 16 h of total reaction time the temperature was decreased to 0 °C followed by dilution with anhyd Et2O (2 mL) and reduction with NaBH4 (400 mg) for 10 min. Next, the reaction mixture was poured into a vigorously stirred bi-phaseic solution of Et2O and 1 M aq HCl. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous phase was extracted thoroughly with EtOAc. The combined organic phases were dried (MgSO4), concentrated, and purified by flash column chromatography (silica gel, mixtures of hexanes/EtOAc) to afford 2.

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(2 S ,3 S )-2-Methyl-3-(4-methoxyphenylamino)-3-phenylpropan-1-ol (6): 1H NMR (CD3OD): δ = 0.95 (d, 3 H, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.05 (m, 1 H), 3.38 (dd, 1 H), 3.56 (dd, 1 H), 3.62 (s, 3 H, OMe), 4.43 (d, 1 H, J = 4.0 Hz), 6.38 (d, 2 H, J = 8.8 Hz), 6.50 (d, 2 H, J = 8.8 Hz), 7.12 (m, 1 H), 7.24 (m, 2 H); 7.31 (d, 2 H, J = 7.7 Hz). 13C NMR: δ = 12.8, 43.7, 56.3, 61.4, 66.0, 115.7, 116.0, 127.7, 128.6, 129.3, 143.9, 144.6, 151.9, 153.1, 157.7. HPLC (Daicel Chiralpak AD, hexanes/i-PrOH = 99:1, flow rate 1.0 mL/min, λ = 254 nm): major isomer: t R = 14.02 min; minor isomer: t R = 12.18; [α]D = -6.2. (c 1, MeOH). HRMS: 272.1647; C17H21NO2 [(M + H+): calcd 272.1645); C17H21NO2 (271.172206).