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Benjamin List

Publications and source records attributed to Benjamin List.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Catalytic asymmetric reductive amination of aldehydes via dynamic kinetic resolution.

A novel organocatalytic asymmetric reductive amination of aldehydes has been developed. Treating racemic alpha-branched aldehydes with p-anisidine and a Hantzsch ester in the presence of our previously developed phosphoric acid catalyst, TRIP, gave beta-branched secondary amines in excellent yields and enantioselectivities via an efficient dynamic kinetic resolution. The process is applicable to several different aromatic aldehydes and amines but gives slightly reduced enantiomeric ratios with aliphatic aldehydes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Catalytic asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction.

A catalytic asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction has been developed, wherein treating substituted tryptamines with an aldehyde in the presence of a catalytic amount of a chiral phosphoric acid provides the corresponding tetrahydro-beta-carboline derivatives in high yields and enantiomeric excesses. The reaction works well with both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed2006

The ying and yang of asymmetric aminocatalysis.

During the last six years the asymmetric catalysis of carbonyl transformations via iminium ion and enamine intermediates using chiral amines as organocatalysts has grown most remarkably. In this personal account an overview of this area is given. The field can be divided into two sub areas: (a) Iminium catalysis, which is typically used for cycloadditions and conjugate additions to enals and enones and (b) Enamine catalysis, which is commonly used in electrophilic alpha-substitution reactions of ketones and aldehydes. A common origin of the two catalysis principles is proposed and their recent merger in tandem sequences is discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Density functional study of enantioselectivity in the 2-methylproline-catalyzed alpha-alkylation of aldehydes.

[structure: see text] An organocatalytic asymmetric alpha-alkylation of aldehydes has recently been shown to provide cyclic aldehydes in high yields and enantioselectivities upon treating substituted acyclic halo-aldehydes with a catalytic amount of 2-methylproline in the presence of 1 equiv of triethylamine. Here, we report a density functional study on the mechanism of this reaction. The crucial step is an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution in the enamine intermediate. The added base accelerates the reaction through the electrostatic activation of the leaving group and affects the stereoselectivity by stabilizing anti and syn transition states to a different extent. On the basis of the computed barriers and transition states, we provide an explanation for the remarkable and unexpected increase in enantioselectivity that is observed when using 2-methylproline instead of proline as the catalyst. Calculated and observed enantiomeric excess values are in good agreement.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Catalytic asymmetric reductive Michael cyclization.

A highly efficient and chemo-, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective organocatalytic tandem conjugate reduction-Michael cyclization of enal enones has been developed. Accordingly, treating the enal enone with a Hantzsch dihydropyridine in the presence of a catalytic amount of an imidazolidinone organocatalyst provides cyclic keto aldehydes in high yields and enantiomeric excesses. The reaction works well with aliphatic and aromatic substrates in the synthesis of five- and six-membered carbacyclic derivatives.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Asymmetric organocatalysis.

The field of asymmetric organocatalysis is rapidly developing and attracts an increasing number of research groups around the world. Here we present a brief overview of this area, guided by a mechanistic classification. Accordingly, organocatalysts are categorized as either Lewis base, Lewis acid, Brønsted base, or Brønsted acid catalysts.

Acids↗
PubMed2004

New mechanistic studies on the proline-catalyzed aldol reaction.

The mechanism of the proline-catalyzed aldol reaction has stimulated considerable debate, and despite limited experimental data, at least five different mechanisms have been proposed. Complementary to recent theoretical studies we have initiated an experimental program with the goal of clarifying some of the basic mechanistic questions concerning the proline-catalyzed aldol reaction. Here we summarize our discoveries in this area and provide further evidence for the involvement of enamine intermediates.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed2004

Catalytic asymmetric intramolecular alpha-alkylation of aldehydes.

The development of a general catalytic asymmetric aldehyde alpha-alkylation reaction constitutes a major challenge in organic synthesis. Here, we report the first and successful approach toward its solution: (S)-alpha-methyl proline catalyzes the intramolecular alkylation of various halo aldehydes to the corresponding formyl cyclopentanes, -cyclopropanes, or -pyrrolidines in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Most remarkably, racemization, aldolization, or catalyst alkylation do not occur to any significant extend, further illustrating the power, mildness, and profound selectivity of enamine catalysis.

Journal Article↗