Radical migration-addition of N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines with organozinc reagents

J Org Chem. 2013 Nov 15;78(22):11229-37. doi: 10.1021/jo401640c. Epub 2013 Oct 25.

Abstract

A novel migration-addition sequence was discovered for the reaction of enantioenriched N-tert-butanesulfinyl iminoacetate 1a with functionalized benzylzinc bromide reagents, producing tert-leucine derivatives in excellent diastereoselectivity (dr 98:2). The absolute configurations of two new chiral centers were unambiguously assigned by chemical transformations and X-ray crystallography. In addition, the regio- and diastereoselectivities of this novel reaction were both explained through the key N-sulfinamine intermediate M6 generated by the tert-butyl radical attack on the imine. Computational analysis of this reaction process, which was performed at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31G*-LANL2DZ level, also supported our proposed two-stage mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Free Radicals / chemical synthesis
  • Free Radicals / chemistry
  • Leucine / analogs & derivatives
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Quantum Theory
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Sulfonium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Valine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Valine / chemical synthesis
  • Valine / chemistry
  • Zinc / chemistry*

Substances

  • Free Radicals
  • N-tert-butanesulfinylimino ester
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Sulfonium Compounds
  • 2-amino-3,3-dimethylbutanoic acid
  • Leucine
  • Valine
  • Zinc