General method for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure β-hydroxy-α-amino acids, containing fluorine atoms in the side chains. Case of stereochemical distinction between methyl and trifluoromethyl groups. X-Ray crystal and molecular structure of the nickel(II) complex of (2S,3S)-2(trifluoromethyl)threonine

Abstract

The chiral Ni^II complex 1 of a Schiff's base derived from (S)-o-[N-(N-benzylprolyl)amino] benzophenone (BPB) and glycine was treated with fluoro-substituted aldehydes (aliphatic and aromatic)in MeOH or CHCl₃. The addition proceeds with high diastereoselectivity to give, if catalysed by MeONa in MeOH, the corresponding complexes of syn-(2R)-3-fluorophenylserines (84–100% d.e.) and syn-(2S)-fluoroalkylserines (90% d.e.), and, if catalysed by NEt₃ or DABCO (MeOH or CHCl₃), the corresponding complexes of syn-(2S)-, and anti-(2S)-3-fluorophenylserines and fluoroalkylserines. The second-order asymmetric transformation may be successfully employed to obtain diastereoisomerically pure complexes of anti-(2R)-3-fluorophenylserines. Condensation of trifluoroacetone with complex 1, catalysed by MeONa, gave predominantly (at least >95% d.e.) the diastereoisomeric complex, containing (2S,3S)-β-(trifluoromethyl)threonine, as shown by an X-ray diffraction structural study. Diastereoisomerically and enantiomerically pure fluorine-containing 3-phenyl- and 3-alkyl-serines were obtained from the corresponding diastereoisomerically pure complexes, separated by chromatography or crystallization. The initial chiral auxiliary BPS was recovered (80–98%). The influence of the reaction's conditions and the nature of the corresponding fluoro-substituted aldehydes on the diastereoselectivity of the reactions is discussed.