Optimisation of a lithium magnesiate for use in the non-cryogenic asymmetric deprotonation of prochiral ketones

A study has been conducted to determine whether lithium magnesiates are feasible candidates for the enantioselective deprotonation of 4-alkylcyclohexanones. The commercially available chiral amine (+)-bis[(R)-1-phenylethyl]amine (2-H) was utilised to induce enantioselection. When transformed to its lithium salt and combined with ⁿBu ₂Mg, improved enantioselective deprotonation of 4-tert- butylcyclohexanone (with respect to the monometallic lithium amide) at 20°C was observed. In an attempt to optimise the reaction further, different additives were added to the lithium amide. The best performing deprotonations at 0°C were those in which (Me₃SiCH₂)₂Mg (er pro-S 74:26) and (Me₃SiCH₂)₂Mn (er pro-S 72:28) were added, hence the lithium magnesiate "LiMg(2)(CH₂SiMe ₃)₂" was used in the remainder of the study. The optimum solvent for the reaction was found to be THF. NMR spectroscopic studies of a D₈-THF solution of "LiMg(2)(CH₂SiMe ₃)₂" appear to show that this mono-amide bis-alkyl species is in equilibrium with a bis-amide mono-alkyl compound (and a tris-alkyl lithium magnesiate). When a genuine bis-amide lithium magnesiate solution is used, the deprotonation results were essentially identical to those obtained for "LiMg(2)(CH₂SiMe₃)₂". By adding LiCl to "LiMg(2)(CH₂SiMe₃)₂" the er at 0°C improved to 81:19. At -78°C good yields and an er of 93:7 were obtained. This LiCl-containing base was used to successfully deprotonate other 4-alkylcyclohexanones.