Development of chiral heteroleptic magnesium amides; Asymmetric deprotonations mediated by six-membered metallocyclic amidomagnesium naphtholates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tet.2014.06.052

A series of enantioenriched six-membered metallocyclic amidomagnesium naphtholates were prepared and used to probe the structure-reactivity/selectivity relationships of heteroleptic magnesium base complexes within asymmetric deprotonation reactions. An ef

Full text of DOI:10.1016/j.tet.2014.06.052

Accepted Manuscript
Development of chiral heteroleptic magnesium amides; asymmetric deprotonations
mediated by 6-membered metallocyclic amidomagnesium naphtholates
Emma L. Carswell, William J. Kerr, Duncan McArthur, Marek Pažický, Allan J. B
Watson
PII:
S0040-4020(14)00912-0
10.1016/j.tet.2014.06.052
TET 25718
DOI:
Reference:
To appear in: Tetrahedron
Received Date: 1 May 2014
Revised Date: 11 June 2014
Accepted Date: 13 June 2014
Please cite this article as: Carswell EL, Kerr WJ, McArthur D, Pažický M, Watson AJB, Development
of chiral heteroleptic magnesium amides; asymmetric deprotonations mediated by 6-membered
metallocyclic amidomagnesium naphtholates, Tetrahedron (2014), doi: 10.1016/j.tet.2014.06.052.
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Development of chiral heteroleptic
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magnesium amides; asymmetric
deprotonations mediated by 6-membered
metallocyclic amidomagnesium naphtholates
Emma L. Carswell, William J. Kerr*, Duncan McArthur, Marek Pažický and Allan J. B. Watson
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry
WestCHEM
University of Strathclyde
295 Cathedral Street
Glasgow G1 1XL
Scotland
UK

1
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Tetrahedron
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com
Development of chiral heteroleptic magnesium amides; asymmetric deprotonations
mediated by 6-membered metallocyclic amidomagnesium naphtholates
Emma L. Carswella, William J. Kerra, , Duncan McArthurb¶, Marek Pažickýa and Allan J. B. Watsona
a Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, WestCHEM, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G1 1XL, Scotland, UK.
b Organon Research Scotland, Newhouse, Lanarkshire, ML1 5SH, UK.
In memory of Professor Sandy McKillop – an inspiring organic chemist and educator of international impact.
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Article history:
Received
Received in revised form
Accepted
A series of enantioenriched 6-membered metallocyclic amidomagnesium naphtholates were
prepared and used to probe the structure-reactivity/selectivity relationships of heteroleptic
magnesium base complexes within asymmetric deprotonation reactions. An effective complex
was identified and applied within enantioselective enolisation processes, delivering good levels
of enantioselectivity and also revealing key structural requirements for achieving such
selectivity.
Available online
Keywords:
Enantioselective deprotonation
Heteroleptic magnesium bases
Enolate
2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
.
Asymmetric synthesis
Amidonaphtholate
1. Introduction
Inspired
by
the
preliminary
investigations
with
amidomagnesium alkoxides, we became intrigued by
aminoalcohols which, when derivatised to the magnesium
complex, would generate a conformationally rigid metallocycle
that may deliver modified selectivity profiles and potentially
enable effective asymmetric induction at more accessible reaction
temperatures. Towards this end, we envisaged utilising a series of
chiral aminonaphthols that could be expediently prepared
following the diastereoselective Mannich processes detailed by
the groups of Cimarelli and Gong.4 We anticipated that exposure
to n-Bu2Mg5 would result in the formation of a 6-membered
Over recent years chiral magnesium amide complexes have
been shown to be highly selective reagents for the asymmetric
deprotonation of prochiral ketones.1-3 In particular, homoleptic
magnesium bisamides have demonstrated very good levels of
asymmetric efficiency.1a-e,g-i Additionally, the divalency of
magnesium enables the exploration of heteroleptic complexes
within enantioselective enolisation processes.1f In this regard,
some initial investigations have been conducted with two classes
of chiral heteroleptic base. Alkylmagnesium amides,1f comprising
a chiral amide and achiral alkyl ligand, demonstrated that good
levels of asymmetric induction may be obtained while using only
half the quantity of parent amine relative to that required by the
homochiral bisamide system. Additionally, it was shown that the
key deprotonation event was mediated by the amide and not by
the alkyl ligand.1f In the second heteroleptic base approach, chiral
amidomagnesium phenolate complexes,1f revealed that
replacement of the achiral spectator ligand can generate an
unusual reactivity/selectivity profile: in this case, both a reversal
in the sense of enantioselectivity was observed and, further, the
maximum levels of asymmetric induction were achieved at the
Fig. 1. Structural development of amidomagnesium phenolates.
unusually high reaction temperature of 40 °C (Figure 1).1f
———
Corresponding author. Tel.: +44-141-548-2959; fax: +44-141-548-4822; e-mail: w.kerr@strath.ac.uk
¶ Present address: The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK.

2
Tetrahedron
ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
amidomagnesium naphtholate that could then be used to probe
these results, it was apparent that this new base category did not
the effectiveness of such cyclic analogues (Figure 1).
display the unusual temperature/performance profile as shown by
complex 1. Indeed, 2a exhibited reactivity that was much more
analogous to magnesium bisamides and alkylmagnesium
amides,1a-i where increasing the reaction temperature was
generally detrimental to the levels of enantioselectivity observed
within the asymmetric enolisation process (Entries 1-7). On the
other hand, 2a did display good levels of asymmetric induction at
temperatures up to –20 °C, coupled with excellent reactivity
between –60 and –20 °C (Entries 2-4). Accordingly, this
establishes the first example of an amidomagnesium naphtholate
displaying such enantioselectivity within an asymmetric
deprotonation process, with an optimal efficiency balance
conveniently achieved at the more accessible temperature of –40
°C (Entry 3).
2. Results and Discussion
Intially, we employed the synthetically flexible solvent-free
procedure described by Cimarelli to prepare alkyl- and aryl-
substituted aminonaphthols 3a-g,4a,b and the convenient
procedure of Gong to access the fluorinated derivative 3h.4c
Utilising (R)-1-phenylethylamine as the requisite chiral amine,
alongside variation of the aldehyde component, provided a range
of functionalised diastereomerically-enriched aminonaphthols
after fractional recrystallisation (Table 1).
Table 1
Synthesis of aminonaphthols using the Cimarelli/Gong
method4
Table 2
Temperature/performance profile of complex 2a
Entry
R
Conv.
(%)a
91
67
59
86
69
57
D.r.
(R,R):(S,R)a
99:1
85:15
83:17
98:2
Yield
(%)b
73
32
20
63
59
27
Entry
Conv. (%)a
E.r. (S:R)a
89:11
85:15
84:16
81:19
71:29
68:32
56:44
Temp. (°C)
1
2
3
4
5
Ph
4-Me-C6H4
4-MeO-C6H4
4-Cl-C6H4
c-Hex
3a
3b
3c
3d
3e
3f
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
–78
–60
–40
–20
0
13
77
87
89
69
45
23
99:1
6
i-Pr
n-Pent
CF3
79:21
75:25
26:74
7
3g
3h
61
12
20
40
8c
44d
18e
aDetermined by 1H NMR. bIsolated yield of (R,R)-diastereomer. cSee
Experimental section for full details. dYield of diastereomeric mixture.
eIsolated yield of (S,R)-diastereomer.
aDetermined by G. C. analysis.
Having developed reaction conditions that derive the best
possible performance from complex 2a, we focused our attention
on appraising the remaining members of the set of
amidomagnesium naphtholates, 2b-h, within this benchmark
reaction (Table 3). Based on that established to this stage, a
reaction temperature of –40 °C was adopted throughout this
extended base study.
With these components in hand, we now required suitable
conditions for the preparation of the corresponding
amidomagnesium naphtholate complexes. Our previously
disclosed system, 1, required preparation at reflux in THF,1f
however, 1H NMR analysis confirmed that simply stirring
equimolar quantities of n-Bu2Mg and aminonaphthol at room
temperature in THF was adequate to completely form the desired
complex (Scheme 1).6
Table 3
Evaluation of complexes 2a-h under optimised conditions.
Conv. (%)a
E.r. (S:R)a
84:16
84:16
85:15
83:17
82:18
83:17
86:14
84:16
Scheme 1. Preparation of complexes 2a-2h from aminonaphthols 3a-3h.
Entry
R
Ph
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2a
2b
2c
2d
2e
2f
87
87
84
85
77
84
74
82
4-Me-C6H4
4-MeO-C6H4
4-Cl-C6H4
c-Hex
With straightforward access to these novel complexes, we
began to assess their ability to function as chiral base reagents.
Utilising complex 2a as a representative member of this class, we
initially evaluated the impact of several Lewis basic additives,
which revealed that DMPU was optimum for reactivity and
selectivity at –78 °C, as had been observed with several
preceding magnesium bases.1a-d,f-i Bearing in mind that base
reagent 1 had demonstrated its greatest selectivity at the less
conventional, and unexpected, reaction temperature of 40 °C,1f
we next moved to establish the operating temperature for the new
amidomagnesium naphtholate systems in benchmark asymmetric
deprotonations of 4-tert-butylcyclohexanone 4a (Table 2). From
i-Pr
n-Pent
CF3
2g
2h
aDetermined by G. C. analysis.
In all cases, the overall performance of complexes 2a-h were
very similar, with selectivities at c.a. 84:16 (S:R) and reaction
conversions generally above 80% (Entries 1-8). Since the range
of R groups employed was diverse in stereoelectronic nature,

3
these results seem to suggest that the stereocentre at this position
has little effect on the overall reactivity and selectivity of the
individual base species. In order to assess this hypothesis, we
prepared the formaldehyde-derived aminonaphthol 3i as well as
the benzylamine-derived aminonaphthol 3j, each lacking one of
the stereocentres of 3a (Figure 2). Subsequent application of the
corresponding amidomagnesium naphtholate derivatives, 2i and
2j, within the benchmark asymmetric deprotonation reaction
conversely demonstrated that the stereogenic centre at a is crucial
for selectivity and that it is, in fact, the stereocentre at b that is
significantly less influential. Indeed, the stereocentre at b serves
only to bolster the selectivity very slightly and has little effect on
the base reactivity (Figure 2). Accordingly, it does now appear
that the stereocentre at a, while essential, is exceptionally tolerant
of variations in the installed functionality.
levels of selectivity being observed (Entries 1-5). Additionally,
ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
efficient deprotonation was achieved, with conversions being
generally good (Entries 1-4) or more moderate when applied
towards the sterically encumbered 2,6-disubstituted ketone
(Entry 5). Based on the outcomes from this range of substrates,
we believe that this new class of heteroleptic magnesium base
has considerable potential for structural exploration and
optimisation with a view to enhancing the reactivity and
selectivity profile within asymmetric enolisation processes.
3. Conclusion
Using the diastereoselective Mannich reaction of Cimarelli
and Gong, a series of enantiomerically-enriched aminonaphthols
have been accessed and employed in the preparation of a series of
chiral 6-membered metallocyclic amidomagnesium naphtholate
complexes. These novel reagents were then used to survey the
structural requirements and influences within this new category
of chiral magnesium-centred base. Subsequently, this revealed
the impact of both the various embedded substituents and, at least
as importantly, the individual stereocentres on the selectivity
within asymmetric deprotonations of prochiral ketone substrates.
Further, good levels of selectivity and reaction efficiency were
achieved at the more readily accessible and energy efficient1i
reaction temperature of –40 °C. Investigations are now underway
within our laboratory in order to further establish heteroleptic
magnesium amides as competent and widely applicable bases in
this arena.
Fig. 2. Selectivity and reactivity relevance of stereocentres a and b.
4. Experimental section
4.1. General information.
Considering the novel reactivity profile, relative to the
preceding series of amidomagnesium phenolates,1f and the
overall success of these new complexes within the benchmark
enolisation reaction, we sought to ascertain their generality
through application to a series of prochiral ketone substrates. Of
the complexes surveyed in this study, 2a was the most accessible,
largely due to the highly diastereoselective Mannich reaction and
efficient fractional recrystallisation employed in the synthesis of
the parent compound 3a.4a,b As such, 2a was used to probe the
applicability of this emerging chiral heteroleptic magnesium base
category (Table 4).
All reagents and solvents were obtained from commercial
suppliers and were used without further purification unless
otherwise stated. Purification was carried out according to
standard laboratory methods.7 Tetrahydrofuran and 1,4-dioxane
were dried by heating to reflux over sodium wire, using
benzophenone ketyl as an indicator, then distilled under nitrogen.
Diethyl ether and petroleum ether 30-40 °C were used as
obtained from suppliers without further purification. Di-n-
butylmagnesium, n-Bu2Mg,5 obtained as a 1 M solution in
heptane, was standardised using salicaldehyde phenylhydrazone
as indicator.8 Aminonaphthols were dried by (i) placing under
high vacuum for 18 h (if solid) or (ii) by heating to 100 °C under
vacuum (0.1 mbar) using a Kugelrohr apparatus for 2 h, before
being purged with, and stored under N2 over 4 Å molecular
sieves (if liquid). 1,3-Dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-
pyrimidinone (DMPU) was dried by heating to reflux over
calcium hydride and distilling under vacuum before being purged
Table 4
Enantioselective deprotonation of prochiral ketone substrates
using complex 2a.
with and stored under N2 over
4 Å molecular sieves.
Chlorotrimethylsilane was distilled under N2 and stored over 4 Å
molecular sieves. 4-t-Butylcyclohexanone 4a and 4-
phenylcyclohexanone 4d were recrystallised twice from dry
hexane at 4 °C, purged with, and stored under, N2. 4-n-
Propylcyclohexanone 4b, 4-methylcyclohexanone 4c, and cis-
2,6-dimethylcyclohexanone 4e, were dried by heating to reflux
over calcium chloride and distilled under vacuum before being
purged with and stored under N2 over 4 Å molecular sieves.
Entry
R1
H
H
H
H
Me
R2
t-Bu
n-Pr
Me
Ph
Conv. (%)a E.r. (S:R)b
1
2
3
4
5
a
b
c
d
e
87 (80)
90 (79)
87 (47)
81 (74)
56 (35)
84:16
82:18
78:22
74:26c
13:87
Me
aDetermined by G.C. analysis; values in parentheses are isolated yields of
products. bDetermined by G.C. analysis. cDetermined by HPLC analysis of
the corresponding cyclohexenone; see the Experimental section.
All deprotonation reactions were air sensitive and, as such,
were carried out using flame dried Schlenk apparatus; purging
refers to an evacuation/nitrogen refilling procedure carried out 3
1
times. H and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker DPX
Pleasingly, amidomagnesium naphtholate base 2a performed
effectively over the substrate range evaluated. Both 4-substituted
and cis-2,6-disubstituted cyclohexanones were applicable at the
conveniently accessed temperature of –40 °C, with comparable
400 spectrometer at 400 MHz and 100 MHz, respectively.
Chemical shifts are reported in ppm. Coupling constants are
3
reported in Hz and refer to JH-H interactions unless otherwise
specified. Note that CDCl3 is referenced at δ 7.26 and 77.16 ppm.

4
Tetrahedron
FTIR spectra were obtained on a Perkin Elmer Spectrum One
4.2.5
1-((R)-Cyclohexyl((R)-1-
phenylethylamino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol (R,R)-3e.4a 8.84 g,
59% (41.6 mmol reaction scale). Colourless crystals: M.Pt. 145-
147 °C (MeOH). νmax (CH2Cl2): 3335, 2670, 1621, 1517 cm–1. 1H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 0.90-1.30 (m, 6H), 1.47 (d, 3H, J =
7.0 Hz), 1.53-1.90 (m, 5H), 2.32 (br s, 1H), 3.69 (q, 1H, J = 7.0
Hz), 4.17 (d, 1H, J = 6.0), 7.06-7.76 (m, 11H), 13.04 (br s, 1H).
ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
instrument. High Performance Liquid Chromatography was
carried out on a Gilson Model 302 pump with a Milton Roy
spectromonitor 3100 detector using: Chiracel OD column; 1
mL/min flow rate; and a 254 nm detector. Gas Chromatography
was carried out using a Hewlett Packard 5890 Series 2 Gas
Chromatograph and data was interpreted using Peaknet computer
software. Optical rotation measurements were recorded using a
Perkin Elmer 341 polarimeter, using a cell with a path length of 1
dm; concentrations are expressed in g/100 cm3. High resolution
mass spectra were recorded on a Finnigan MAT 90XLT
instrument at the EPSRC UK National Mass Spectrometry
Facility at Swansea University (Wales). Thin layer
chromatography was carried out using Camlab silica plates
coated with indicator UV254. These were analysed using a
Mineralight UVGL-25 lamp or developed using vanillin. Flash
column chromatography was carried out using Prolabo silica gel
(230-400 mesh).
20
[α]D (R,R): –5.5 (c 2.1, CHCl3); Lit. (R,R):4a –5.93 (c 2.1,
CHCl3).
4.2.6
1-((R)-2-Methyl-1-((R)-1-
phenylethylamino)propyl)naphthalen-2-ol (R,R)-3f.4a 3.36 g,
27% (41.6 mmol reaction scale). Colourless crystals: M.Pt. 117-
119 °C (MeOH). νmax (CH2Cl2): 3335, 2747, 1621, 1517 cm–1. 1H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 0.75 (d, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz), 0.98 (d, 3H,
J = 7.0 Hz), 1.49 (d, 3H, J = 6.5), 2.14-2.23 (m, 1H), 2.27 (br s,
1H), 3.70 (q, 1H, J = 7.0 Hz), 4.16 (d, 1H, J = 6.5 Hz), 7.08-7.76
20
(m, 11H), 13.09 (br s, 1H). [α]D (R,R): –11.6 (c 2, CHCl3); Lit.
(R,R):4a –10.95 (c 2, CHCl3).
4.2. Typical procedure for the synthesis of aminonaphthols
3a-g and 3i.
4.2.7
1-((R)-1-((R)-1-Phenylethylamino)hexyl)naphthalen-2-ol
(R,R)-3g. Following the typical procedure (4.2) on a 41.6 mmol
scale, an oily diastereomeric mixture of 3g was obtained (75:25
d.r.; R,R:R,S; 5.24 g, 36%). This was salted with saturated
hydrochloric acid in ethereal solution and recrystallized from
MeOH/MTBE. The hydrochloride salt (2.64 g) was neutralised
with NaHCO3 resulting in the isolation of (R,R)-3g (1.8 g, 12%).
Using the procedure of Cimarelli,4a for example, synthesis of
(R,R)-3a: A mixture of 2-naphthol (1 equiv., 5 mmol, 0.72 g),
benzaldehyde (1.2 equiv.,
6 mmol, 0.64 g) and (R)-1-
phenylethylamine (1.05 equiv., 5.25 mmol, 0.64 g) was stirred at
60 °C under N2 for 8 h. After this time, the mixture was found to
have solidified. After cooling to room temperature, the solid was
dispersed with EtOH (50 mL) to afford a white crystalline solid.
The solid was isolated by filtration and recrystallised twice from
MeOH to provide the pure (R,R)-diastereomer, (R,R)-3a, as
colourless crystals (1.29 g, 73%).
Viscous oil. νmax (CH2Cl2): 3324, 2752, 1619, 1517 cm–1. H
1
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 0.81 (t, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz), 1.08-1.41
(m, 6H), 1.48 (d, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz), 1.67-1.86 (m, 2H), 2.17 (br s,
1H), 3.74 (q, 1H, J = 7.0 Hz), 4.38 (dd, 1H, J = 5.0 Hz, 8.5 Hz),
7.10-7.78 (m, 11H), 13.10 (br s, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz,
CDCl3) δ: 14.0, 22.5, 23.1, 25.7, 31.4, 34.9, 54.9, 55.5, 115.8,
119.8, 121.0, 122.2, 126.1, 126.6, 127.7, 128.7, 128.8, 128.9,
4.2.1 1-((R)-Phenyl((R)-1-phenylethylamino)methyl)naphthalen-
2-ol (R,R)-3a.4a Colourless crystals: M.Pt. 132-134 °C (MeOH).
νmax (CH2Cl2): 3319, 2747, 1621, 1523 cm–1. 1H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) δ: 1.52 (d, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.31 (br s, 1H), 3.92 (q, 1H, J
= 7.0 Hz), 5.47 (s, 1H), 7.18-7.76 (m, 16H), 13.65 (br s, 1H).
20
129.0, 132.7, 143.5, 156.5. [α]D (R,R): –5.9 (c 2, CHCl3). m/z
[M+H+] for C24H30NO requires 348.2322, found 348.2325.
4.2.8 (R)-1-((1-Phenylethylamino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol 3i.
2.08 g, 54% (13.87 mmol reaction scale, with a reaction
temperature of 65 °C). Colourless crystals. M.Pt. 67-69 °C
(EtOAc/Hexane). νmax (CH2Cl2): 3302, 2802, 1619, 1520 cm–1.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 1.53 (d, 3H, J = 6.5 Hz), 3.92 (q,
1H, J = 6.5 Hz), 4.24 (d, 1H, J = 14.5 Hz), 4.34 (d, 1H, J = 14.5
Hz), 7.12-7.76 (m, 11H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 23.4,
45.2, 57.7, 112.5, 119.6, 121.2, 121.3, 122.6, 126.4, 126.8, 127.9,
128.7, 129.0, 129.3, 132.5, 143.4, 157.1. [α]D20 (R,R): 43.6 (c 3.5,
CHCl3). m/z [M+H+] for C19H20NO requires 278.1539, found
278.1539.
20
[α]D (R,R): –220.0 (c 2.1, CHCl3); Lit. (R,R):4a –220.7 (c 2.1,
CHCl3).
4.2.2
1-((R)-(4-Methylphenyl)((R)-1-
phenylethylamino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol (R,R)-3b.4a 4.93 g,
32% (41.6 mmol reaction scale). Colourless crystals: M.Pt.: 112-
114 °C (MeOH). νmax (CH2Cl2): 3319, 2742, 1621, 1517 cm–1. 1H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 1.51 (d, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz), 1.54 (br s,
1H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 3.90 (q, 1H, J = 7.0 Hz), 5.44 (s, 1H), 7.03-
20
7.55 (m, 15H), 13.68 (br s, 1H). [α]D (R,R): –184.9 (c 3,
CHCl3); Lit. (R,R):4a –191.9 (c 3.1, CHCl3).
4.3. 1-((S)-2,2,2-Trifluoro-1-((R)-1-
phenylethylamino)ethyl)naphthalen-2-ol (S,R)-3h.
4.2.3
1-((R)-(4-Methoxyphenyl)((R)-1-
phenylethylamino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol (R,R)-3c.4a 3.04 g,
20% (41.6 mmol reaction scale). Colourless crystals: M.Pt. 104-
106 °C (MeOH). νmax (CH2Cl2): 3319, 2747, 1619, 1509 cm–1. 1H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 1.51 (d, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.27 (br s,
1H), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.89 (q, 1H, J = 7.0 Hz), 5.43 (s, 1H), 6.74-
Prepared
following
the
procedure
of
Gong:4c
Trifluoroacetaldehyde ethylhemiacetal (6.00 g, 41.64 mmol, 1.2
equiv.) was added to a solution of (R)-1-phenylethylamine (4.20
g, 34.7 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) in dry PhMe (40 mL). The mixture was
stirred at room temperature for 15 min and then stirred at reflux
for 2 h. After cooling, the solvent was evaporated under reduced
pressure to afford a residue. A portion of the residue (3.49 g,
17.34 mmol) was dissolved in dry CH2Cl2 (50 mL) and 2-
naphthol (2.50 g, 17.34 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was added. The
mixture was cooled to 0 °C and BF3.Et2O (2.46 g, 17.34 mmol,
1.0 equiv.) was added. The reaction mixture was then stirred
overnight at room temperature before addition of H2O (40 mL).
The mixture was then neutralized with sat. aq. NaHCO3 solution.
The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was
extracted with EtOAc (2x30 mL). The combined organic extracts
were dried (MgSO4), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to a
20
7.75 (m, 15H), 13.71 (br s, 1H). [α]D (R,R): –188.6 (c 1.9,
CHCl3); Lit. (R,R):4a –190.4 (c 1.9, CHCl3).
4.2.4
1-((R)-(4-Chlorophenyl)((R)-1-
phenylethylamino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol (R,R)-3d.4a 10.11 g,
63% (41.6 mmol reaction scale). Colourless crystals: M.Pt. 122-
124 °C (MeOH). νmax (CH2Cl2): 3319, 2747, 1621, 1520 cm–1. 1H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 1.52 (d, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.25 (br s,
1H), 3.90 (q, 1H, J = 7.0 Hz), 5.44 (s, 1H), 7.11-7.77 (m, 15H),
13.50 (br s, 1H). [α]D20 (R,R): –193.5 (c 3.5, CHCl3); Lit.4a (R,R):
–192.0 (c 3.5, CHCl3).

5
residue that was purified by flash column chromatography
eluting with EtOAc:Hexane (1:10-1:5) to provide the product as
a mixture of diastereomers (2.64 g, 44%, 74:26 d.r. (S,R:R,R)).
Crystallisation from MeOH yielded white crystals of 95% purity
chiral HPLC to be 98% (S). Colourless crystals. M.Pt. 109-112
ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
°C (EtOAc/Hexane). νmax (CH2Cl2): 3324, 2742, 1621, 1520 cm–
1. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 2.34 (br s, 1H), 3.87 (d, 1H, J =
13.0 Hz), 4.09 (d, 1H, J = 13.0 Hz), 5.82 (s, 1H), 7.24-7.80 (m,
16H), 13.57 (br s, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 52.9,
63.0, 113.2, 120.3, 121.4, 122.7, 126.7, 127.8, 128.0, 128.3,
128.8, 129.0, 129.1, 129.2, 129.3, 130.1, 132.9, 138.1, 141.5,
157.0. HPLC (Chiracel OD, 10% i-PrOH/Hexane, flow rate 1
ml/min, 254 nm detector): tR(S) = 7.85 min, tR(R) = 9.38 min.
[α]D20 (S): –206.1 (c 1, C6H6), Lit. (S):11 –208 (c 1, C6H6).
1
for (S,R)-3h as determined by H NMR (1.18 g, 20% yield).
Further fractional recrystallisation from MeOH enriched the
mixture to 97% purity (1.07 g, 18% yield). Colourless crystals:
M.Pt. 114-116 °C (MeOH). νmax (CH2Cl2): 3324, 2929, 1621,
1523, 1185 cm–1. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 1.56 (d, 3H, J =
7.0 Hz), 2.49 (br s, 1H), 3.76 (q, 1H, J = 7.0 Hz), 4.88 (q, 1H,
20
3JH-F = 7.5 Hz), 7.01-7.83 (m, 11H), 11.89 (br s, 1H). [α]D
(S,R): –5.6 (c 1, CHCl3); Lit. (S,R):4c –2.3 (c 1, CHCl3).
4.7. Typical procedure for the asymmetric deprotonation of
prochiral ketones.
4.4 Preparation of (±)-1-(α-Aminobenzyl)naphthalen-2-ol.9
Prepared following the procedure of Betti:9 To a solution of 2-
naphthol (1 equiv, 100 mmol, 14.4 g) in EtOH (95%, 20 mL) was
added benzaldehyde (2 equiv, 21.2 g, 200 mmol) and saturated
ammonia aq. solution (20 mL). The reaction mixture was
stoppered and allowed to stand for 2 h at room temperature. The
solution became red and warmed up spontaneously. The stopper
was then removed and the excess ammonia allowed to escape.
After 12 h the precipitate was removed by filtration and aq. HCl
(20%, 120 mL) added. The mixture was then distilled to remove
benzaldehyde. The remaining hydrochloride salt was suspended
in water (45 mL) and stirred with aq. Na2CO3 (2 M, 240 mL)
before extracting with EtOAc (4x90 mL). The combined organic
extracts were dried (MgSO4), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo
to afford the title compound as a white powder (15.89 g, 68%).
For example, Table 4, Entry 1: A flame-dried Schlenk tube was
cooled, purged with N2 (x 3), and charged with n-Bu2Mg (1 M in
heptane, 1 equiv., 1 mmol, 1 mL). The heptane was then removed
in vacuo to give a white solid. A solution of aminonaphthol 3a (1
equiv., 1 mmol, 353 mg) in dry THF (10 mL) was added and the
mixture was stirred for 1 h at room temperature. The mixture was
then cooled to –40 °C before the addition of DMPU (0.5 equiv.,
0.5 mmol, 60 ꢀL) and Me3SiCl (4 equiv., 4 mmol, 0.5 mL). The
mixture was stirred for 20 min before the addition of 4-tert-
butylcyclohexanone, 4a (0.8 equiv., 0.8 mmol, 123 mg) as a
solution in THF (2 mL) over 1 h via syringe pump. The reaction
mixture was then stirred at –40 °C under N2 for 18 h before being
quenched with sat. aq. NaHCO3 solution (10 mL). The mixture
was allowed to warm to room temperature before being extracted
with Et2O (2 x 15 mL). The combined organic extracts were
dried (MgSO4) and a representative sample was analysed by
achiral G.C. to obtain the ketone to enol silane conversion (87%).
The solution was then filtered and concentrated in vacuo to
afford a residue that was purified by column chromatography
eluting (1% Et2O/petroleum ether 30-40 °C) to afford 5a as a
colourless oil (145 mg, 80%). A representative sample of the
product was analysed by chiral G.C. to obtain the enantiomeric
ratio (84:16 (S:R)).
4.5 Preparation of (S)-1-(α-Aminobenzyl)naphthalen-2-ol.9,10
Prepared following the procedure of Cardellicchio:11 A solution
of L-tartaric acid (1 equiv, 38.1 mmol, 5.72 g) in 95%
EtOH:MeOH (25 mL:13 mL) was added dropwise to a solution
of (±)-1-(α-aminobenzyl)-2-naphthalen-2-ol (1 equiv, 38.1 mmol,
9.5 g) in EtOH (95%, 300 mL). The reaction mixture was slowly
stirred for 6 h at room temperature. The formed tartarate salt was
removed by filtration and then slurried in methanol (40 mL),
dried in vacuo, and isolated as a white solid (6.51 g, 43% yield).
The tartarate salt (5.48 g, 13.72 mmol) was suspended in water
(55 mL) and aq. Na2CO3 (2 M, 55 mL) was added. The mixture
was stirred for 45 min then extracted with Et2O (4 x 90 mL). The
combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO4), filtered, and
concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound as a white
solid (2.90 g, 61% based on the maximum possible yield of the
(S)-isomer). Amorphous white powder. M.Pt. 110-113 °C (Et2O).
νmax (CH2Cl2): 3384, 2830, 1621, 1520 cm–1. 1H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) δ: 2.38 (br s, 2H), 6.18 (s, 1H), 7.17-7.75 (m, 11H),
Achiral G.C. analysis: (i) CP SIL-19CB column; (ii) carrier gas,
H2 (80 kPa): (i) injector/detector temperature, 200 °C; (ii) initial
oven temperature, 45 °C; (iii) temperature gradient, 20 °C min–1;
(iv) final oven temperature, 190 °C; and (v) detection method,
FID.
Chiral G.C. analysis: (i) CP Chirasil-DEX CB column; (ii) carrier
gas, H2 (80 kPa): (i) injector/detector temperature, 200 °C; (ii)
initial oven temperature, 70 °C; (iii) temperature gradient, 1.5 °C
min–1; (iv) final oven temperature, 120 °C; and (v) detection
method, FID.
20
13.07 (br s, 1H). [α]D (R,R): +55.7 (c 4.4, C6H6). Lit. (S):10
+58.84 (c 5, C6H6).
4.7.1 4-tert-Butyl-1-trimethylsilyloxy-1-cyclohexene 5a.12-16 νmax
4.6
Preparation
of
1-((S)-
1
(KBr): 1674 cm–1. H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 0.19 (s, 9H),
Phenyl(phenylmethylamino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol (S)-3j.11
0.90 (s, 9H), 1.21-1.29 (m, 2H), 1.78-1.85 (m, 2H), 1.98-2.09 (m,
3H), 4.84-4.86 (m, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 0.13,
24.7, 26.9, 27.0, 30.7, 31.8, 43.8, 103.6, 149.9. Achiral G.C.
analysis: tR (4a) = 5.27 min, tR (5a) = 5.49 min. Chiral G.C.
analysis: tR ((S)-5a) = 25.67 min, tR ((R)-5a) = 25.95 min.
Prepared following the procedure of Cardellicchio:11 A solution
of benzaldehyde (1 equiv, 11.63 mmol, 1.23 g) in EtOH (95%, 19
mL) was added dropwise to
a
solution of (S)-1-(a-
aminobenzyl)naphthalen-2-ol (1 equiv, 11.63 mmol, 2.90 g) and
the reaction mixture stirred overnight. The precipitate was
removed by filtration and dried under high vacuum giving a
white solid (3.19 g, 81% yield). The solid was suspended in
PhMe (80 mL) and hydrogenated using palladium on carbon
(10%) in a Parr hydrogenator under an atmosphere of H2 (45 psi).
The crude product was filtered through a plug of celite and
recrystallised from EtOAc/hexane to afford the title compound
(2.66 g, 89% yield). The enantiomeric excess was determined by
4.7.2 4-n-Propyl-1-trimethylsilyloxy-1-cyclohexene 5b.12 νmax
1
(KBr): 1671 cm–1. H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 0.19 (s, 9H),
0.90 (t, 3H, J = 7.1 Hz), 1.20-1.39 (m, 5H), 1.40-1.51 (m, 1H),
1.61-1.79 (m, 2H), 1.92-2.00 (m, 1H), 2.01-2.14 (m, 2H), 4.81-
4.85 (m, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 0.43, 14.5, 20.4,
29.4, 29.8, 30.5, 33.1, 38.4, 103.7, 150.3. Achiral G.C. analysis:
tR (4b) = 4.75 min, tR (5b) = 5.03 min. Chiral G.C. analysis: tR
((S)-5b) = 20.53 min, tR ((R)-5b) = 20.85 min.

6
Tetrahedron
ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
4.7.3 4-Methyl-1-trimethylsilyloxy-1-cyclohexene 5c.12-16 νmax
References and notes
(CH2Cl2): 1668 cm–1. H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 0.18 (s,
9H), 0.95 (d, 3H, J = 6.3 Hz), 1.25-1.37 (m, 2H), 1.57-1.73 (m,
3H), 1.92-2.15 (m, 2H), 4.81-4.85 (m, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz,
CDCl3) δ: 0.40, 21.3, 28.4, 29.7, 31.4, 32.4, 103.7, 150.2. Achiral
G.C. analysis: tR (4c) = 3.07 min, tR (5c) = 3.57 min. Chiral G.C.
analysis: tR ((S)-5c) = 9.23 min, tR ((R)-5c) = 9.40 min.
1
1. (a) Henderson, K. W.; Kerr, W. J.; Moir, J. H. Chem. Commun.
2000, 479; (b) Henderson, K. W.; Kerr, W. J.; Moir, J. H. Synlett,
2001, 1253; (c) Henderson, K. W.; Kerr, W. J.; Moir, J. H., Chem.
Commun. 2001, 1722; (d) Anderson, J. D.; García García, P.;
Hayes, D.; Henderson, K. W.; Kerr, W. J.; Moir, J. H.; Fondekar,
K. P. Tetrahedron Lett. 2001, 42, 7111; (e) Henderson, K. W.;
Kerr, W. J.; Moir, J. H. Tetrahedron 2002, 58, 4573; (f) Carswell,
E. L.; Hayes, D.; Henderson, K. W.; Kerr, W. J.; Russell, C. J.
Synlett 2003, 1017; (g) Bassindale, M. J.; Crawford, J. J.;
Henderson, K. W.; Kerr, W. J. Tetrahedron Lett. 2004, 45, 4175.
(h) Kerr, W. J.; Middleditch, M.; Watson, A. J. B. Synlett 2011,
177; (i) Bennie, L. S.; Kerr, W. J.; Middleditch, M.; Watson, A. J.
B. Chem. Commun. 2011, 47, 2264. For the development of
associated achiral carbon-centred magnesium base processes, see:
(j) Kerr, W. J.; Watson, A. J. B.; Hayes, D. Chem. Commun. 2007,
5049; (k) Kerr, W. J.; Watson, A. J. B.; Hayes, D. Synlett 2008,
1386; (l) Kerr, W. J.; Watson, A. J. B.; Hayes, D. Org. Biomol.
Chem. 2008, 6, 1238.
4.7.4 4-Phenyl-1-trimethylsilyloxy-1-cyclohexene 5d.12,13,16 νmax
(CH2Cl2): 1670 cm–1. H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 0.24 (s,
1
9H), 1.81-2.01 (m, 2H), 2.03-2.13 (m, 1H), 2.15-2.36 (m, 3H),
2.72-2.82 (m, 1H), 4.95-4.98 (m, 1H), 7.23-7.37 (m, 5H). 13C
NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 0.15, 29.6, 29.9, 31.6, 39.6, 103.3,
125.6, 126.5, 127.9, 146.3, 149.9. Achiral G.C. analysis: tR (4d)
= 7.83 min, tR (5d) = 7.93 min. [α]D20: –22.1 (c 2.3, CHCl3)
corresponding to 74:26 e.r. (S:R). Lit. [α]D (S):12 –33.5 (c 2.3,
20
CHCl3, 87:13 e.r. (S:R)).
2. For a review on the development and application of magnesium
amides, see: Henderson, K. W.; Kerr, W. J. Chem. Eur. J. 2001, 7,
3430.
The enantiomeric ratio was further confirmed by HPLC analysis
of the corresponding cyclohexenone obtained via palladium-
catalysed oxidation (Saegusa-Ito) of 5d in the following manner:
(S)-4-Phenylcyclohexenone17
3. For reviews on asymmetric deprotonations, see: (a) Simpkins, N.
S. Chem. Soc. Rev. 1990, 19, 335; (b) Cox, P. J.; Simpkins, N. S.
Tetrahedron: Asymm. 1991, 2, 1; (c) Simpkins, N. S. Pure Appl.
Chem. 1996, 68, 691; (d) O’Brien, P. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans.
1 1998, 1439; (e) O’Brien, P. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1 2001,
95; (f) Jones, S. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1 2002, 1; (g)
Plaquevent, J.-C.; Perrard, T. and Cahard, D. Chem. Eur. J. 2002,
8, 3300; (h) Eames, J. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2002, 393; (i) Simpkins,
N. S. Top. Stereochem. 2010, 26, 1.
4. (a) Cimarelli, C.; Mazzanti, A.; Palmieri, G.; Volpini, E. J. Org.
Chem. 2001, 66, 4759; (b) Cimarelli, C.; Palmieri, G.; Volpini, E.
Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 2002, 13, 2417; (c) Gong, Y.; Kato, K.
Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 2001, 12, 2121.
To a stirred solution of 5d (120 mg, 0.49 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in dry
MeCN (2 mL) was added Pd(OAc)2 (55 mg, 0.24 mmol, 0.5
equiv) and 1,4-benzoquinone (26 mg, 0.24 mmol, 0.5 equiv)
under N2. The reaction was stirred for 3 h at room temperature
then concentrated in vacuo to give a residue that was purified by
flash chromatography (10% Et2O:petrol 30-40 °C) to afford the
title compound as a colourless solid (60 mg, 72% yield). νmax
(CH2Cl2): 2934, 1679, 1492 cm–1. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ:
2.02-2.11 (m, 1H), 2.34-2.42 (m, 1H), 2.45-2.60 (m, 2H), 3.72-
3.77 (m, 1H), 6.18 (ddd, 1H, J = 10.0, 2.5, 0.5 Hz), 7.00 (ddd,
1H, J = 10.0, 3.0, 1.5 Hz), 7.22-7.39 (m, 5H). [α]D20: +152.8 (c
5. Commercially available from Aldrich Chemical Co., CAS# [1191-
47-5], catalogue no. 345113.
6. 1H NMR analysis of 3a in C6D6 showed complete disappearance
of NH and OH signals after 1 hour reaction time.
20
1.0, CHCl3). Lit. [α]D (S):17 +195.0 (c 1.0, C6H6). HPLC
7. Perrin, D. D; Armarego, W. L. F. Purification of Laboratory
Chemicals, 3rd Ed.; Pergamon Press: Oxford, 1998.
8. Love, B. E.; Jones, E. G. J. Org. Chem. 1999, 64, 3755.
9. Betti, M. Organic Syntheses Collective Vol., 1941, 1, 381.
10. Betti, M. Gazz. Chim. Ital., 1906, 36 II, 392.
11. Cardellicchio, C.; Ciccarella, G.; Naso, F.; Schingaro, E.;
Scordari, F. Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 1998, 9, 3667.
12. Henderson, K. W.; Kerr, W. J.; Moir, J. H. Tetrahedron 2002, 58,
4573.
13. Graf, C.-D.; Malan, C.; Harms, K.; Knochel, P. J. Org. Chem.
1999, 64, 5581.
14. Cain, C. M.; Cousins, R. P. C.; Coumbarides, G.; Simpkins, N. S.
Tetrahedron, 1990, 46, 523.
(Chiracel AD, 10% EtOH/Isohexane, flow rate 1 ml/min, 254 nm
detector): tR(S) = 7.40 min, tR(R) = 7.96 min. (74:26 e.r (S:R)).
4.7.5 2,6-Dimethyl-1-trimethylsilyloxy-1-cyclohexene 5e.14,18 νmax
1
(CH2Cl2): 1679 cm–1. H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 0.18 (s,
9H), 1.05 (d, 3H, J = 6.9 Hz), 1.35-1.43 (m, 2H), 1.56 (s, 3H),
1.57-1.67 (m, 1H), 1.74-1.82 (m, 1H), 1.94 (t, 2H, J = 6.1 Hz),
1.98-2.19 (m, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 0.72, 16.9,
19.0, 20.5, 30.8, 32.3, 34.1, 112.1, 147.1. Achiral G.C. analysis:
tR (4e) = 3.23 min, tR (5e) = 3.88 min. Chiral G.C. analysis: tR
((S)-5e) = 9.96 min, tR ((R)-5e) = 9.67 min.
15. Cousins, R. P. C.; Simpkins, N. S. Tetrahedron Lett. 1989, 30,
7241.
16. Graf, C.-D.; Malan, C.; Knochel, P. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 1998,
37, 3014.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the EPSRC for studentship support
(E.L.C. and M.P.) and Organon Research Scotland for additional
funding. Mass spectrometry data were acquired at the EPSRC
UK National Mass Spectrometry Facility at Swansea University.
17. Aoki, K.; Nakajima, M.; Tomioka K.; Koga, K. Chem. Pharm.
Bull. 1993, 41, 994.
18. Kim, H.; Shirai, R.; Kawasaki, H.; Nakajima, M.; Koga, K.
Heterocycles 1990, 30, 307.
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