Asymmetric Synthesis Using Tartrate Ester Modified Allylboronates. 1. Factors Influencing Stereoselectivity

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00300a031

A detailed study of the factors that influence the enantio- and diastereoselectivity of the reactions of tartrate allylboronate 1 with chiral and achiral aldehydes is reported.The stereoselectivity of these reactions is sensitive to variables such as reaction temperature (best results invariably are obtained at -78 deg C), solvent (toluene is best for aliphatic aldehydes; THF is preferred for aromatic aldehydes), and moisture (use of molecular sieves is recommended to maintain an anhydrous reaction environment), but not on the structure of the tartrate ester.Tartrate allylboronate 1 has been found to be exceptionally reactive compared to other, previously studied allylboronates, and even the reactions of very hindered substrates (e.g., pivalaldehyde) are complete within several hours at -78 deg C.An improved method for synthesis of 1 is described that involves the reaction of allylmagnesium bromide with (iPrO)3B followed by aqueous hydrolysis and esterification with DIPT.Yields of 1 are considerably higher (65-76percent) by using this new procedure, and the crude reagent so prepared may be used directly in allylboration experiments.A simple method for standardizing solutions of 1 is described.Finally, the absolute stereochemistry of five homoallylic alcohols (5a-e) were assigned by correlation with epoxy alcohols prepared via the Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation.The results of these correlations are in complete agreement with the stereochemical picture presented in our 1985 publication.