Enantioselective allylation of nitro group-stabilized carbanions catalyzed by chiral crown ether phosphine-palladium complexes

Enantioselective allylations of alpha-nitro ketones (3) and alpha-nitro esters (15) with allyl acetate were carried out in the presence of 2 equiv of alkali metal fluorides (KF, RbF, CsF) and 1 mol % of palladium catalysts prepared in situ from Pd-2(dba)(3) . CHCl3 and chiral phosphine ligands. Moderate enantioselectivities were observed in the reaction of nitro ketones 3, giving products 4 (4a, 49% ee; 4b, 58% ee; 4c, 44% ee) when rubidium fluoride and ferrocenylphosphine ligands bearing monoaza-15-crown-5 (Ib) or monoaza-18-crown-6 (Ic) moieties were used as a base and a chiral ligand, respectively. Optically active allylation product 4a was converted into 1-methyl-1-azaspiro[4.5]-decan-10-amine (13), a precursor to opioid receptor binding agents. Enantioselectivity in the reaction of nitro esters 15 increased in accord with increasing steric demand of the ester alkyl group (Me < Et < t-Bu). The highest selectivity (80% eel for the reaction of tert-butyl ester 15c was observed when the reaction was carried out at -40 degrees C in the presence of the palladium catalyst with the ligand (Ic) bearing a monoaza-18-crown-6 moiety, RbF (2 equiv), and RbClO4 (1 equiv). The pronounced effect of the crown ether moiety for both enantioselection and rate acceleration can be explained by assuming the formation of a ternary complex involving the crown ether, rubidium cation, and enolate anion at the stereodifferentiating transition state. Optically active nitro ester (R)-16c was converted into (R)-alpha-methylglutamic acid (20).