A Multicatalytic Cascade for the Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,4-Chiral Nitro Alcohols

TL;DR

Scientists developed a new chemical process to efficiently create complex molecules with specific 3D shapes.

Contribution

A one-pot multicatalytic cascade combining metal, organo, and biocatalysis to synthesize chiral 1,4-nitro alcohols.

Findings

All four diastereomers of chiral 1,4-nitro alcohols were synthesized with excellent stereoselectivity.

The process achieved up to 97:3 diastereomer ratio and enantiomeric excess.

The method demonstrates the potential of multicatalytic cascades for stereochemically complex molecules.

Abstract

Artificial cascades
offer a powerful strategy to access high-value
chemicals efficiently. Here, we report the integration of metal catalysis,
organocatalysis, and biocatalysis in a one-pot stereodivergent process
to synthesize chiral 1,4-nitro alcohols bearing two stereocenters.
Optimization of each step enabled the efficient and selective formation
of all four diastereomers with excellent stereoselectivity (up to
97:3 dr and er) and good yields. This work highlights the potential
of multicatalytic cascades for the synthesis of stereochemically rich
molecules.

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