Abstract
Wynbergs report from 1977 that natural cinchona alkaloids catalyze the asymmetric conjugate addition of aromatic thiols to cycloalkenones is a landmark discovery in hydrogen bonding organocatalysis. Wynberg proposed that this reaction proceeded via the formation of a thiolate-alkylammonium tight ion pair and activation of the enone electrophile by a hydrogen bond from the catalysts hydroxyl group. This reaction model provided the mechanistic basis for understanding Wynbergs reaction and many other asymmetric transformations since. Our quantum mechanical calculations reveal a different model should be used to explain the results: the alkylammonium ion activates the enone by Brønsted acid catalysis, and the catalysts hydroxyl group orients the thiolate nucleophile. The new model rationalizes the stereoselective outcome of Wynbergs reaction and provides a new, general model for asymmetric cinchona organocatalysis.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1170-1173 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of the American Chemical Society |
Volume | 138 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 19 Jan 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 3 Feb 2016 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Catalysis
- General Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry
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Dive into the research topics of 'Cinchona Alkaloid-Catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate Additions: The Bifunctional Brønsted Acid-Hydrogen Bonding Model'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
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Matt Grayson
- Department of Chemistry - Senior Lecturer
- Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change
Person: Research & Teaching, Affiliate staff
Equipment
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High Performance Computing (HPC) Facility
Chapman, S. (Manager)
University of BathFacility/equipment: Facility