Synfacts 2011(11): 1195-1195  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1289218
Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis and Stereoselective Reactions
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Gold-Catalyzed Enantioselective Protonation

Rezensent(en):Mark Lautens, Lei Zhang
C. H. Cheon, O. Kanno, F. D. Toste*
University of California, Berkeley, USA
Chiral Brønsted Acid from a Cationic Gold(I) Complex: Catalytic Enantioselective Protonation of Silyl Enol Ethers of Ketones
J. Am. Chem. Soc.  2011,  133:  13248-13251  
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
19. Oktober 2011 (online)


Significance

The catalytic enantioselective protonation of silyl enol ethers was realized via a cationic gold-activated Brønsted acid. While enantio­selective protonations of cyclic silyl enol ethers of ketones are known (see Review below), no prior precedents on Brønsted acid catalyzed protonation existed for the acyclic variants.

Review: J. T. Mohr, A. Y. Hong, B. M. Stoltz Nat. Chem. 2009, 1, 359-369.

Comment

The cationic gold(I) is proposed to complex with the alcohol and acidify the hydroxyl proton forming a Brønsted acid. The possibility of AgBF4˙BINAP-mediated protonation was ruled out as the silver complex was unreactive. However, excellent yields and ee values were achieved regardless of the E/Z ratio of the silyl enol ethers 2 and 3. Mechanistic investigations suggest that the catalyst approaches the substrate from the same prochiral face with respect to each geometric isomer.