The stereochemistry of non-enzyme catalyzed nucleophilic addition of GSH to 4'-hydroxychalcone 1 and its bis-Mannich derivative 2 was investigated at different pH values (pH 3.2, 6.1, 7.4, and 8.0). The stereochemical outcome of the reactions was evaluated by HPLC-UV-Vis method. Under strongly acidic conditions (pH 3.2), an unexpected diastereoselective addition of GSH onto the bis-Mannich derivative 2 was observed. Such a selectivity could not be observed in the similar reaction of 2 with N-acetylcysteine. The observed stereoselectivity can be rationalized by ion-pair formation between the protonated Mannich nitrogens and the deprotonated GSH(glutamate)-carboxylate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of reagent-induced asymmetric induction in Michael-type additions of thiols.
Keywords: Michael reaction; chalcones; glutathione; reagent-controlled asymmetric addition.
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