Transition states and origins of 1,4-asymmetric induction in alkylations of 2,2,6-trialkylpiperidine enamines.

The asymmetric C-alkylation of chiral enamines derived from terminal epoxides and lithium 2,2,6-trialkylpiperidides has previously been shown to provide alpha-alkylated aldehydes by intermolecular nucleophilic substitution in good levels of asymmetric induction. We now report a computational study o...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Um, J, Kaka, N, Hodgson, D, Houk, K
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2010
Description
Summary:The asymmetric C-alkylation of chiral enamines derived from terminal epoxides and lithium 2,2,6-trialkylpiperidides has previously been shown to provide alpha-alkylated aldehydes by intermolecular nucleophilic substitution in good levels of asymmetric induction. We now report a computational study of the origins of asymmetric induction in these reactions. Computational modeling with density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G(d)) agrees closely with the experimental observations. This stereoselectivity is attributed to a preferential conformation of the enamine and the piperidine ring that places the C-6 alkyl substituent in an axial position due to A(1, 3) strain. Preferential attack occurs away from the axial group, for steric reasons. The effects of changing the C-6 substituent from methyl to isopropyl were studied, and twist transition states were found to contribute significantly in the latter alkylations.