Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of 1,1-diarylethanes by transfer hydrogenation

J Am Chem Soc. 2015 Jan 14;137(1):383-9. doi: 10.1021/ja510980d. Epub 2014 Dec 23.

Abstract

A new organocatalytic transfer hydrogenation strategy for the asymmetric synthesis of 1,1-diarylethanes is described. Under mild conditions, a range of 1,1-diarylethanes substituted with an o-hydroxyphenyl or indole unit could be obtained with excellent efficiency and enantioselectivity. We also extended the protocol to an unprecedented asymmetric hydroarylation of 1,1-diarylalkenes with indoles for the synthesis of a range of highly enantioenriched 1,1,1-triarylethanes bearing acyclic all-carbon quaternary stereocenters. These diaryl- and triarylethanes exhibit impressive cytotoxicity against a number of human cancer cell lines. Preliminary mechanistic studies combined with DFT calculations provided important insight into the reaction mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Ethane / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ethane / chemical synthesis*
  • Ethane / chemistry
  • Ethane / pharmacology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogenation
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Molecular Structure
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / chemistry*
  • Pyridines / chemistry*
  • Quantum Theory
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Pyridines
  • Ethane