Improved Access to Chiral Tetranaphthoazepinium-Based Organocatalysts Using Aqueous Ammonia as Nitrogen Source

Abstract

The class of 3,3′-diaryl substituted tetranaphthobisazepinium bromides has found wide application as highly efficient C₂-symmetrical phase-transfer catalysts (PTCs, Maruoka type catalysts). Unfortunately, the synthesis requires a large number of steps and hampers the build-up of catalyst libraries which are often desired for screening experiments. Here, we present a more economic strategy using dinaphthoazepine 7 as the common key intermediate. Only at this stage various aryl substituents are introduced, and only two individual steps are required to access target structures. This protocol was applied to synthesize ten tetranaphthobisazepinium compounds 1a–1j. Their efficiency as PTCs was tested in the asymmetric substitution of tert-butyl 2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)acetate. Enantioselectivities up to 92% have been observed with new catalysts.

1. Introduction

In many asymmetric transformations the atropisomeric 1,1’-binaphthyl moiety serves as a highly efficient chiral backbone [1]. The possibility to introduce suitable functional groups, particularly at C-2 and C-2’, as well as at C-3 and C-3’ has made the binaphthyl group an indispensable chiral modifyer in stoichiometric and catalytic asymmetric synthesis [2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. While functionalities at C-2 and C-2′ serve particularly as sites for primary interaction in organocatalysis or coordination in transition metal catalysis, substituents at C-3 and C-3′ are introduced for secondary substrate or reagent activation or to tune steric interaction.

One particularly successful subgroup are N-spiro-di- and tetranaphthoazepinium salts 1 (Figure 1) which found application as efficient phase-transfer catalysts (PTCs) [9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24]. Several strategies for their synthetic access have been developed, particularly by Maruoka’s group. All are based on non-racemic 2,2’-dihydroxy-1,1’-binaphthol or 1,1’-binaphthyl-2,2’-dicarboxylic acid or corresponding biphenyl precursors and comprise ortho-metallation steps, introduction of aryl groups at C-3 and C-3’, and manipulation of functional groups at C-2/C-2’ to end up with 2,2′-bromomethyl groups suitable for cyclization with allylamine. Cleavage of the N-allyl substituent is required before dibenzylation with a second 2,2’-bis(bromo)methyl-1,1’-binaphthyl moiety forms the ammonium salts of general structure 1. When starting from non-racemic binaphthol, typically 13 to 15 steps are required to obtain the ammonium salt [25] or in an alternative approach six steps from diacid 2 to obtain the 3,3’ substituted subunit [26]. Although the yields are satisfying, the expenditure of time is still high.

With the aim to facilitate the built-up of ligand libraries [27,28] we recently developed a strategy introducing 3,3′-aryl substituents at a late stage of the synthesis, and replacing allylamine with ammonia. Among others spiro-ammonium salts 1a–1c containing electron donating aryl groups were synthesized in good yield (Scheme 1) [29].

In the present paper we further extend this protocol to the introduction of electron withdrawing or more bulky aryl substituents to give amines 9d–9j. Subsequent cyclisation with 2,2’-bis(bromo)methyl-1,1’-binaphthyl afforded seven tetranaphthobisazepinium bromides 1d–1j which were tested in prototypical organocatalyzed reactions. Moreover, an optical resolution procedure of key intermediate 7 is provided.

2. Results and Discussion

With the intention to introduce various aryl groups at C-3/3′ of the binaphthyl core but at a late stage of the synthesis, diiodoazepine 7 was chosen as key intermediate. Its synthesis started from 1,1’-binaphthyl-2,2’-dicarboxylic acid 2 which is accessible in enantiomerically pure form on the multigram scale from non-racemic 2,2′-dimethyl-1,1′-binaphthyl [30] or 2,2’-binaphthol in two to four steps [31,32,33], respectively or as a racemate applying various procedures from the literature [34]. As we noticed that 1 (R = H, X = Br) can be conveniently prepared from non-racemic 2,2’-bis(bromomethyl)-1,1’-binaphthyl and aqueous ammonia in 94% yield [35], it was easy to apply similar conditions for 3,3’-substituted substrates with the expectation that steric hindrance might stop the reaction at the stage of the secondary amine. (For use of ammonia in the synthesis of symmetrical N-spiroazepine compounds, see [36,37,38].) As precursors 3 and 6 were prepared from 2 in three or four steps (overall yield: 47% for 3, 48% for 6) according to literature [39]. Treatment of dibromides 3 and 6 with aqueous ammonia (25%) in acetonitrile at 60 °C overnight afforded 4 and 7 in 85% and 88% [29], respectively. An alternative approach to 7 via the bis(trimethylsilyl)azepine 4 gave lower yield. An attempted spiro-cyclisation of 4 to 5 failed; only minor amounts of rearranged products could be identified (see Supplementary Materials). Non-racemic 4 and 7 can be prepared from enantiomerically pure precursors (R)- and (S)-2 but requires optical resolution of the diacid. Applying published procedures, this step is quite time consuming and uses toxic or expensive amines as resolving agents, which are often difficult to recycle. Consequently alternatives were considered (see also comments in Supporting Materials of [29]). Instead we found it more economic to work out an optical resolution procedure for the secondary amine 7 preferably using some cheap chiral acid as resolving agent. This seemed most appropriate as it is the common key intermediate for all catalysts and at the end of the synthetic path.

Optical resolution of7: A procedure similar to that published for the enantioseparation of the unsubstituted analogue 3,5-dihydro-4H-dinaphth[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepine was applied [40]. A 2:1 mixture of rac-7 and (S,S)-di-O-benzoyltartaric acid in dichloromethane (DCM)/MeOH-deposited colourless needles upon standing for several hours at r.t. An X-ray structure analyses of a single crystal showed a di-(R)-azepium tartrate with local C₂-symmetry and one molecule of DCM in the asymmetric unit (Figure 2). After removal of the auxiliary and one recrystallisation (R)- and (S)-7 were isolated in approximately 40% yield. The enantiomeric purity was determined by chiral high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to be ≥99% (see Experimental section) [41].

For the synthesis of azepinium compounds 1 arylation of 7 followed by reaction with non-racemic 2,2′-bisbromomethyl-1,1′-binaphthyl worked well [42]. A practicable route to target structures 1 might be therefore 2 → 6 → 7 (optical resolution) → 9 → 1. The general feasability was previously testet in the synthesis of 1a–1c [29] and was now extended to spiro ammonium compounds 1d–1j from enantiomerically pure 7. Suzuki-Miyaura reactions with appropriate boronic acids or tetramethyldioxaborolanes afforded 9d, 9e, 9i, and 9j in fair to good yield. Only for electron-withdrawing aryl groups the yields for Suzuki coupling were low (49% and 29% for 9f and 9h, respectively). In those cases N-Boc protected diiodide 8 was a proper intermediate (60%–80% for 9f–9h). In contrast, coupling of 7 or 8 with ferroceneboronic acid or bisborolane 11 with 1-bromoferrocene failed to give 9k. The final step, the formation of spiro-ammonium compounds 1, proceeded under standard conditions with satisfying yields except for 1e which gave a bad mixture. The target compound was isolated by only 7% after repeated chromatography. We speculate that, similarly to 4, steric strain in 1e might facilitate subsequent Stevens rearrangement under slightly basic conditions. Two side products with correct high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) multiplets (two AB and one ABX systems corresponding to Ar-CH₂-N and Ar-CH₂-CH(N)-Ar) have been detected in the product mixture (See Supplementary Materials). To lower steric repulsion within the target molecule we cyclized azepines 4 and 9e with 2,2′-bisbromomethyl-1,1′-biphenyl yielding 5′ and 1e’ in good yield.

Organocatalysis: With this catalyst library in hand we next wanted to create a reactivity/selectivity profile for application in phase-transfer reactions (PTC) under strictly standardised conditions using the well known α-benzylation of tert-butyl 2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)acetate 12 with benzylbromide 13A, one of the most popular conversions to test a new PTC (Scheme 2). Further on, with promising catalysts we were also interested to introduce substituents with functional groups to extend the scope for application.

In a preliminary study new ammonium salts (S,S)-1a–1j, (S)-1e’, and (S)-5′ were tested in the asymmetric benzylation of tert-butyl 2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)acetate 12 under standard PTC conditions (Table 1) [43,44]. For all experiments we compared “expected yields” based on integration and “isolated yields” after chromatography to demonstrate equivalence of methods (Table 1, row 3 and 4). Typically a loss of 1%–5% of product after chromatography was observed. We attribute this to variing quality of column packing, incomplete separation, and changes in adsorbent activity. In addition, interaction of the substrate and product with silicagel resulting in partial cleavage of the imino group might be responsible for reduced isolated yields after purification [45]. Therefore, we considered reporting of the “chemical yield” by comparison of NMR signals of product and added internal standard more reliable and moreover, time-saving than an “isolated yield”.

In agreement with previous findings 1b, 1f, and 1g were most efficient [25]. Literature results could be reproduced in most cases, although reported conditions were in part different from our’s (see notes in Table 1). Elongation of 3,3′-substituents (1c, 1d, see also X-ray structure Figure 3) did not further increase selectivity or activity, in several cases even reduced the asymmetric induction (entry 3,4). Particularly remarkable was the failure of 1e’ yielding an almost racemic product in moderate yield (entry 5). This is also in line with the low ee obtained with 5′ (entry 11). We suspect that two effects might be responsible for destroying the asymmetric induction: (1) the strong predominance of the biphenyl atropomer with a configuration opposite to that of the binaphthyl as it was also found in the X-ray structure of 1e’ (Figure 4), overriding eventually even a higher reactivity of the minor species with “homo-chirality”; and (2) the presence of more spherical and not distinctly directed substituents which might disguise the C₂ symmetry of the catalyst. Also, the introduction of hetero aromates (1i, 1j) gave lower ee (entry 9,10).

After this preliminary estimation of reactivity and enantioselectivity of new spiro-ammonium catalysts we choose the more promising candidates 1c and 1d for next investigations and compared their efficiency with known catalysts with different reactivity 1g [25] and 1h [47]. Activated benzylic bromides (13B–F, Scheme 2) were tested under same conditions as in Table 1 to make results comparable (0 °C, 20 h, 1 mol % of catalyst in toluene with 50% KOH, 0.25 mmol scale). In addition, also electrophiles 13G–I with functional groups, eventually of interest for subsequent transformations, were included. As before, in all cases chemical yields based on NMR integration with IS were slightly higher (1%–4%) than those calculated from weighted products, isolated after chromatography (Table 2). Products 14B–F were formed in good to excellent yield and enantioselectivity particularly with 1g. Merely, 1h showed pronounced low reactivity and in two cases unusual poor ee which can be attributed to a significant degree of background reaction. For sterically less demanding electrophiles 13B, 13C, and 13F new ligands 1c and 1d were also effective, very similar to each other and also to the known 3,3′-bis(2-naphthyl) substituted analogue. Using more bulky/less reactive bromides 13D, 13E yields and/or enantioselectivity were lower in some cases. Also a pyridyl substituent could be introduced (14G) with use of catalysts 1c, 1d, 1g, and 1h. In all cases the reaction proceded smoothly giving comparable yield (81%–91%) and up to 83% ee. A more challenging electrophile was 13H which formed only 13% of 14H with 62% ee using the most reactive catalyst 1g under standard conditions. As a side product cyclopropane 15 was produced as a single stereoisomer from a Michael addition followed by cyclisation. To accelerate the reaction KOH was replaced with CsOH. With these conditions complete conversion was achieved yielding 61% of 14H (79% ee) and only 8% of 15. While nearly the same result was obtained with 1h, the enantioselectivtity with 1c and 1d remained low. Also the use of 4-iodocrotonate did not improve the results (for details see Supplementary Materials, Table S2). Finally, we aimed to introduce a N-protected alkenylamino substituent to obtain 14I. In pre-experiments we noticed that use of strongly alkaline media resulted in considerable loss of product through ring opening of the phthalimide. Therefore, solid Cs₂CO₃ was used instead (33% yield, 88% ee). But even with the more reactive iodide (13I with I replacing Br) the yield was still low (20%–33%) and asymmetric induction moderate (51%–83% ee).

Summarising, we presented an alternative route to non-racemic 3,3′-aryl substituted tetranaphtho-spiro-bisazepinium bromides as demonstrated in the synthesis of 1a–1j in seven to eight steps via 3,3′-substituted dinaphthoazepines 9a–9j [48] using 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-dicarboxylic acid as starting material and 3,3′-diiodo-dinaphthoazepine 7 as the common key intermediate. This scalable synthesis required only two chromatographic purification steps and target structures have been isolated in 23%–25% overall yield. A preliminary study on their use in PTC was conducted using a simplified screening protocol. Moderate to good asymmetric induction of 41%–92% ee has been observed with new catalysts.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. General Information

Melting points: Kofler melting point apparatus (Reichert Thermovar, Reichert Technologies, Depew, NY, USA), uncorrected. NMR: Bruker AV III 400 spectrometer) at 400.27 MHz (¹H) and 100.66 MHz (¹³C), and Bruker AV III 600 at 600.25 MHz (¹H) and 150.95 MHz (¹³C), respectively (Bruker Biospin, Billerica, MA, USA); chemical shifts δ are reported in ppm rel. to solvent signals (7.26 and 77.00 ppm for CHCl₃ and CDCl₃, respectively). Coupling patterns are designated as s(inglet), d(oublet), t(riplet), q(uartet), m(ultiplet), ps(eudo), and br(oad). ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra are recorded in a J-modulated mode; signals are assigned as C, CH, CH₂, and CH₃. HRMS spectra were obtained on a maXis ESI-Qq-TOF mass spectrometer (Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany) in the positive-ion mode by direct infusion. For HPLC determination of chiral products, an Agilent 1200 chromatograph (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) equipped with a diode array detector and autosampler was used. Optical rotations were measured with a Perkin Elmer polarimeter 243 (PerkinElmer, Inc. Waltham, MA, USA) using a 1 dm thermostated cell. Column chromatography (MPLC) was performed on a Isolera One system (Biotage, Uppsala, Sweden) with self-packed columns, SiO₂, 40–63 µm.

Heptane, dichloromethane (DCM), and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) were distilled, absolute THF from sodium benzophenone ketyl, Et₂O from LiAlH₄; acetonitrile, DCM, and triethylamine from CaH₂; n-BuLi was used as 1.6 M solution in n-hexane (Aldrich). All the other chemicals were analytical grade and used without further purification.

Reported procedures have been followed to obtain non-racemic 2,2′-bis(bromomethyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl [49], azepine 7 [29], racemic and non-racemic 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-dicarboxylic acid (required for the synthesis of 7) [31,32,33,50,51], 2-([1,1’:4’,1’’-terphenyl]-4-yl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane, and 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4-tritylphenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane [52]. Syntheses of 9a [29,53], 9b [29], 9c [29], 1a [25,29,46], 1b [29,46], and 1c [25,29] have been published.

3.2. Synthesis

Spiro cyclisation of (S)-9a–9k with (S)-2,2′-bis(bromomethyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl yielding (S,S)-1a–1k, respectively. (General procedure A): A Schlenk tube, equipped with magnetic stirring bar and glass stopper, was charged with a solution of substrate (0.3 mmol) in MeCN (6 mL) and K₂CO₃ (83 mg, 2 eq) followed by (S)-2,2′-bis(bromomethyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl (132 mg, 0.3 mmol) and the mixture was degassed. The reaction was left stirring at 85–90 °C (bath) for 24 h. After cooling to r.t., DCM (30 mL) and H₂O (30 mL) were added and the phases were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with DCM (3 × 15 mL). The combined organic extracts were evaporated under reduced pressure and the crude material was purified by MPLC using a solvent gradient (MeOH(0→8%)/DCM).

Synthesis of 1a (76%), 1b (88%), and 1c (81%) was published recently applying the same protocol [29].

(11bS,11b’S)-2,6-Di([1,1’:4’,1’’-terphenyl]-4-yl)-3,3’,5,5’-tetrahydro-4,4’-spirobi[dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepin]-4-ium bromide (1d): 83% yield; mp: 255–260 °C (dec.), [α]_D²⁰ = +139 (c: 0.56, DCM). ¹H-NMR δ: 8.31 (s, 2H); 8.00 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.80–7.83 (m, 7H); 7.73–7.79 (m, 4H); 7.61 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.55 (m, 4H); 7.37–7.46 (m, 4H); 7.31 (br.m, 2H); 7.10–7.20 (m, 6H); 7.08 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H); 6.83 (br.m, 2H); 6.47 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H); 4.88 (br.d, J = 13.9 Hz, 2H); 4.32 (d, J = 13.8 Hz, 2H); 4.31 (d, J = 13.9 Hz, 2H); 3.43 (br.d, J = 14.0 Hz, 2H) ppm. Note: in addition a broad band was observed (6.6–8.7 ppm) corresponding to ~9H. ¹³C-NMR δ: 141.03 (C); 140.93 (C); 140.49 (C); 139.15 (C); 138.92 (C); 138.90 (C); 138.33 (C); 136.20 (C); 134.05 (C); 133.78 (C); 132.43 (CH); 131.06 (C); 131.05 (C); 128.96 (CH); 128.67 (CH); 128.64 (CH); 128.10 (CH); 127.90 (2 CH); 127.66 (CH); 127.59 (CH); 127.57 (CH); 127.38 (CH); 127.28 (CH); 127.14 (CH); 127.12 (CH); 126.67 (CH); 125.49 (C); 122.88 (C); 61.88 (CH₂); 56.89 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₈₀H₅₆N [M − Br]⁺: 1030.4407, found 1030.4412.

(11bS,11b’S)-2,6-Bis(4-tritylphenyl)-3,3’,5,5’-tetrahydro-4,4’-spirobi[dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepin]-4-ium bromide (1e): 7% yield. ¹H-NMR δ: 8.23 (s, 2H); 8.00 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.69 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.49–7.55 (m, 4H); 7.41 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H); 7.23-7.39 (m, ~40H); 7.17 (br.m, 2H); 7.16 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H); 7.04 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H); 6.86 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H); 4.97 (d, J = 13.7 Hz, 2H); 4.42 (d, J = 13.6 Hz, 4H); 3.73 (br.d, J = 13.6 Hz, 2H) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₉₄H₆₈N [M - Br]⁺: 1210.5347, found 1210.5327.

(S)-2’,6’-Bis(4-tritylphenyl)-3’,5,5’,7-tetrahydrospiro[dibenzo[c,e]azepine-6,4’-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepin]-6-ium bromide (1e’): 66% yield; mp: 260–270 °C (dec.), [α]_D²⁰ = -130 (c: 0.68, DCM). ¹H-NMR δ: 8.12 (s, 2H); 8.04 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H); 7.81 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H); 7.63 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H); 7.51–7.56 (m, 4H); 7.46 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H); 7.15–7.45 (br.m, ~12H); 7.10–7.18 (m, ~16H); 7.07 (dm, J = 8.6 Hz, 4H); 6.95 (dm, J = 7.6 Hz, 10H); 4.85 (d, J = 13.3 Hz, 2H); 4.65 (d, J = 13.3 Hz, 2H); 4.48 (d, J = 12.8 Hz, 2H); 2.76 (d, J = 12.8 Hz, 2H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 146.55 (C); 146.23 (C); 140.52 (C); 139.01 (C); 138.47 (C); 136.52 (C); 134.30 (C); 131.85 (CH); 131.16 (CH); 131.10 (C); 131.08 (CH); 130.96 (CH); 130.86 (CH); 128.98 (CH); 128.84 (CH); 128.03 (CH); 127.77 (CH); 127.45 (CH); 127.17 (CH); 127.07 (C); 126.01 (CH); 124.35 (C); 64.52 (C); 62.62 (CH₂); 59.23 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₈₆H₆₄N [M − Br]⁺: 1110.5033, found 1110.5033.

(S,S)-2,6-Bis(4-fluorophenyl)-3,3’,5,5’-tetrahydro-4,4’-spirobi[dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepin]-4-ium bromide (1f) [25]: 50% yield. ¹H-NMR δ: 8.28 (s, 2H); 8.08 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.87 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.59 (ddd, J = 8.0, 6.7, 1.1 Hz, 2H); 7.49 (ddd, J = 8.1, 6.7, 1.2 Hz, 2H); 7.41 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H); 7.28 (ddd, J = 8.2, 6.7, 1.2 Hz, 2H); 7.19 (ddd, J = 8.2, 6.7, 1.1 Hz, 2H); 7.10 (dd, J = 9.0, 0.9 Hz, 2H); 7.08 (dd, J = 8.6, 0.9 Hz, 2H); 6.33 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H); 4.93 (d, J = 14.0 Hz, 2H); 4.42 (dd, J = 14.0, 1.4 Hz, 2H); 4.24 (d, J = 13.6 Hz, 2H); 3.72 (dd, J = 13.5, 1.1 Hz, 2H) ppm; Note: in addition a broad band was observed (7.3–8.5 ppm) corresponding to ~8H. ¹³C-NMR δ: 163.25 (d, J_CF = 249.5 Hz, C); 139.31 (C); 138.05 (C); 136.32 (C); 135.50 (d, J_CF = 3.5 Hz, C); 133.92 (C); 132.85 (br.d, J_CF = 6.6 Hz, CH); 132.56 (CH); 131.11 (d, J_CF = 9.4 Hz, C); 128.70 (CH); 128.49 (CH); 128.37 (CH); 128.28 (CH); 127.54 (CH); 127.52 (CH); 127.41 (CH); 126.84 (CH); 126.67 (CH); 124.91 (C); 122.48 (C); 117.04 (d, J_CF = 21.7 Hz, CH); 62.46 (CH₂); 57.42 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₅₆H₃₈F₂N [M − Br]⁺: 762.2967, found 762.2951.

(11bS,11b’S)-2,6-Bis(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-3,3’,5,5’-tetrahydro-4,4’-spirobi[dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepin]-4-ium bromide (1g) [25]: 66% yield. ¹H-NMR δ: 8.26 (s, 2H); 8.09 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.93 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.63 (ddd, J = 8.0, 6.8, 1.1 Hz, 2H); 7.54 (ddd, J = 8.2, 6.8, 1.2 Hz, 2H); 7.53 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H); 7.33 (ddd, J = 8.4, 6.8, 1.2 Hz, 2H); 7.25 (ddd, J = 8.2, 6.7, 1.2 Hz, 2H); 7.13 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H); 7.09 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H); 6.53 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H); 4.81 (d, J = 14.0 Hz, 2H); 4.64 (d, J = 14.0 Hz, 2H); 4.45 (d, J = 13.8 Hz, 2H); 3.73 (d, J = 13.7 Hz, 2H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 151.98 (dm, J_CF = 251 Hz, C); 140.29 (dt, J_CF = 257, 15.2 Hz, C); 139.54 (C); 136.65 (C); 136.24 (C); 135.73 (m, C); 134.16 (C); 133.80 (C); 132.99 (CH); 131.62 (C); 131.26 (C); 128.72 (CH); 128.67 (CH); 128.53 (CH); 128.39 (CH); 128.16 (CH); 127.83 (CH); 127.50 (CH); 127.47 (CH); 127.20 (CH); 126.60 (CH); 124.85 (C); 122.11 (C); 115.35 (m, CH); 62.62 (CH₂); 57.31 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₅₆H₃₄F₆N [M − Br]⁺: 834.2590, found 834.2595.

(S,S)-2,6-Bis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,3’,5,5’-tetrahydro-4,4’-spirobi[dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepin]-4-ium bromide (1h) [47]: 62% yield. ¹H-NMR δ: ~8.4–9.4 (br.s, ~2H); 8.33 (s, 2H); 8.25 (s, 2H); 8.16 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H); 7.84 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H); 7.69 (ps.t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H); 7.51 (ps.t, J = 7.7 Hz, 2H); 7.41 (br.ddd, J = 8.3, 6.8, 1.0 Hz, 2H); 7.24 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 2H); 7.23 (br.ddd, J = 7.9, 6.6, 1.0 Hz, 2H); 7.19 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H); 7.08 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H); 6.24 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H); 4.83 (d, J = 13.9 Hz, 2H); 4.64 (d, J = 14.1 Hz, 2H); 4.54 (d, J = 13.9 Hz, 2H); 3.67 (d, J = 13.7 Hz, 2H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 141.96 (C); 139.76 (C); 136.52 (C); 136.06 (C); 134.00 (CH); 133.92 (C); 133.90 (C); 131.94 (C); 131.11 (C); 128.97 (CH); 128.80 (CH); 128.58 (CH); 128.54 (CH); 128.24 (CH); 127.86 (CH); 127.63 (CH); 127.42 (CH); 127.24 (CH); 125.91 (CH); 124.38 (C); 122.35 (br.CH); 121.76 (C); 62.77 (CH₂); 57.45 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₆₀H₃₆F₁₂N [M − Br]⁺: 998.2651, found 998.2644.

(S,S)-2,6-Di(furan-2-yl)-3,3’,5,5’-tetrahydro-4,4’-spirobi[dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepin]-4-ium bromide (1i): 81% yield; mp: >200 °C (dec.), [α]_D²⁰ = +288 (c: 0.58, DCM). ¹H-NMR δ: 8.50 (s, 2H); 8.11 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.95 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H); 7.72 (dd, J = 1.8, 0.4 Hz, 2H); 7.62 (ddd, J = 8.2, 6.9, 1.2 Hz, 2H); 7.54 (ddd, J = 8.0, 6.6, 1.3 Hz, 2H); 7.32 (ddd, J = 8.2, 6.7, 1.1 Hz, 2H); 7.25 (m, 4H); 7.19 (br.d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H); 7.10 (br.d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H); 6.90 (dd, J = 3.4, 1.8 Hz, 2H); 6.49 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H); 5.36 (d, J = 14.4 Hz, 2H); 4.20 (d, J = 14.4 Hz, 2H); 4.19 (d, J = 13.7 Hz, 2H); 3.91 (d, J = 13.7 Hz, 2H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 152.05 (C); 144.12 (CH); 138.96 (C); 136.28 (C); 134.01 (C); 133.88 (C); 131.20 (C); 130.95 (C); 130.85 (CH); 130.14 (CH); 128.72 (CH); 128.56 (CH); 128.32 (CH); 128.22 (C); 127.96 (CH); 127.69 (CH); 127.60 (CH); 127.29 (CH); 126.96 (CH); 126.94 (CH); 125.16 (C); 121.93 (C); 113.15 (CH); 112.11 (CH); 62.35 (CH₂); 57.13 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₅₂H₃₆NO₂ [M − Br]⁺: 706.2741, found: 706.2745.

(S,S)-2,6-Di(thiophen-2-yl)-3,3’,5,5’-tetrahydro-4,4’-spirobi[dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepin]-4-ium bromide (1j): 88% yield; mp: 245–247 °C; [α]_D²⁰ = +124 (c: 0.50, DCM). ¹H-NMR δ: 8.41 (s, 2H); 8.08 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.89 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.74 (dd, J = 5.3, 0.9 Hz, 2H); 7.62 (ddd, J = 7.9, 6.7, 0.9 Hz, 2H); 7.59 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H); 7.51 (ddd, J = 7.9, 6.7, 0.9 Hz, 2H); 7.50 (br.s, 2H); 7.38 (dd, J = 5.1, 3.7 Hz, 2H); 7.32 (ddd, J = 7.9, 6.7, 1.0 Hz, 2H); 7.22 (ddd, J = 7.9, 6.6, 1.0 Hz, 2H); 7.15 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H); 7.08 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H); 6.47 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H); 5.36 (d, J = 14.1 Hz, 2H); 4.36 (d, J = 14.0 Hz, 2H); 4.22 (d, J = 13.6 Hz, 2H); 3.90 (d, J = 13.4 Hz, 2H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 140.98 (C); 139.25 (C); 136.34 (C); 133.99 (C); 133.94 (C); 132.73 (CH); 131.77 (C); 131.12 (C); 131.00 (C); 130.59 (CH); 130.02 (CH); 129.30 (CH); 128.56 (CH); 128.51 (CH); 128.24 (CH); 127.80 (CH); 127.68 (CH); 127.48 (2CH); 127.45 (CH); 126.85 (CH); 126.76 (CH); 125.24 (C); 122.66 (C); 62.66 (CH₂); 56.92 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₅₂H₃₆NS₂ [M − Br]⁺: 738.2284, found: 738.2254.

(S)-2,6-Bis(trimethylsilyl)-4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1′,2′-e]azepine (4): To a suspension of dibromide 3 [39] (380 mg, 0.65 mmol) in acetonitrile (25 mL) was added aqueous ammonia (25%, 10 mL) and the mixture was stirred in a pressure tube at 65–70 °C (bath) overnight. The conversion was followed by TLC. Excess of ammonia was evaporated and DCM (40 mL) was added. The organic phase was washed with water and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄), and evaporated. Purification of the residual oil by column chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc (5→20)/heptane) afforded 243 mg (85%) of 4 as a colourless foam; [α]_D²⁰ = +416 (c: 1.00, DCM). ¹H-NMR δ: 8.15 (s, 2H); 7.93 (br.d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.43 (ddd, J = 8.1, 6.3, 1.2 Hz, 2H); 7.28 (br.d, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H); 7.22 (ddd, J = 8.1, 6.6, 1.2 Hz, 2H); 4.09 (d, J = 12.8 Hz, 2H); 3.47 (d, J = 12.8 Hz, 2H); 1.78 (br.s, 1H); 0.50 (s, 18 H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 138.77 (C); 136.50 (C); 136.11 (CH); 135.00 (C); 131.98 (C); 131.96 (C); 128.35 (CH); 127.31 (CH); 126.07 (CH); 125.20 (CH); 47.43 (CH₂); 0.55 (CH₃) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₂₈H₃₄NSi₂ [M + H]⁺: 440.2224, found: 440.2226.

(S)-2′,6′-Bis(trimethylsilyl)-3′,5,5′,7-tetrahydrospiro[dibenzo[c,e]azepine-6,4′-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1′,2′-e]azepin]-6-ium bromide (5′): 72% yield; [α]_D²⁰ = +62 (c: 1.00, DCM). ¹H-NMR δ: 8.29 (s, 2H); 8.02 (dm, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H); 7.71–7.76 (m, 4H); 7.57-7.63 (m, 4H); 7.34 (ddd, J = 8.5, 6.9, 1.3 Hz, 2H); 7.19 (dm, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H); 4.77 (d, J = 13.3 Hz, 2H); 4.70 (d, J = 13.3 Hz, 2H); 4.39 (d, J = 12.7 Hz, 2H); 3.99 (d, J = 12.6 Hz, 2H); 0.22 (s, 18H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 140.94 (C); 138.62 (CH); 138.05 (C); 136.88 (C); 133.42 (C); 131.96 (C); 131.86 (CH); 131.60 (CH); 129.75 (CH); 128.83 (CH); 128.79 (C); 128.75 (CH); 127.93 (CH); 127.78 (CH); 127.31 (CH); 126.72 (C); 63.74 (CH₂); 63.74 (CH₂); 1.72 (CH₃) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₄₂H₄₄NSi₂ [M − Br]⁺: 618.3007, found: 618.3020.

Optical resolution of rac-7: To a solution of 547 mg (1.0 mmol) of azepine (±)-7 [29] in 12 mL of DCM and 12 mL of MeOH was added slowly, with gentle mixing, a solution of 93 mg (0.26 mmol) of (+)-(S,S)-O,O-dibenzoyltartaric acid monohydrate in 5 mL of MeOH at room temperature. The mixture was left undisturbed for 6–8 h and then kept at +4 °C overnight. The crystalline material containing (S,S)-(R)_ax salt was separated from the mother liquor which was subsequently evaporated. The fractions were stirred in a mixture of DCM/NaOH (2M). The organic phases were separated and dried (Na₂SO₄) to yield 236 mg (43%) of (R)-7 with 89% ee from the less soluble salt and 290 mg (53%) of (S)-7 with 77%ee from the mother liquor. Enantiomerically enriched (R)-7 was recrystallized from DCM (10 mL)/MeOH (6 mL) to yield 210 mg (38%) of (R)-7 with >99%ee Combined mother liquors containing (S)-enriched 7 were evaporated and treated with 0.5 equiv. of (-)-(R,R)-O,O-dibenzoyltartaric acid monohydrate in MeOH/DCM as before to yield 68% of (S)-7 with 89% ee. Recrystallisation afforded enantiopure (S)-7. The enantiomeric excess was determined by chiral HPLC analysis (Chiralpak ADH, 2-PrOH/heptane (20:80), 20 °C, 0.5 mL min^-1; 14.3 min (R), 21.6 min (S)); mp: 261 °C for (S)-7.

tert-Butyl (S)-2,6-diiodo-3,5-dihydro-4H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepine-4-carboxylate (8): A solution of (S)-7 (558 mg, 1 mmol) in DCM (6 mL) was added to a suspension of amberlyst-15 (56 mg) and boc-anhydride (436 mg, 1 mmol) in EtOH (3 mL) and stirred at r.t. for 10 min. The reaction mixture was filtered and evaporated. The remaining solid was repeatedly leached with pentane/ether to remove excess of boc-anhydride leaving 8 as an off-white solid, sufficiently pure for the next step (yield: 546 mg, 84%, purity 98% by NMR). ¹H-NMR (600 MHz) δ: 8.60 (br.s, 2H); 7.81 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H); 7.48 (ps.t, J ~7.5 Hz, 2H); 7.20–7.29 (m, 4H); 5.64 (br.d, J = 13.1 Hz, 1H); 5.49 (br.d, J = 13.5 Hz, 1H); 3.59 (br.d, J = 13.8 Hz, 1H); 3.50 (br.d, J = 13.8 Hz, 1H); 1.57 (s, 9H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 153.14 (C); 139.99 (CH); 136.11 (br.C); 136.00 (br.C); 134.98 (br.C); 134.62 (br.C); 134.27 (C); 130.76 (C); 127.38 (CH); 127.13 (CH); 126.84 (br.CH); 126.79 (br.CH); 97.90 (C); 97.63 (C); 80.28 (C); 51.60 (CH₂); 50.88 (CH₂); 28.49 (CH₃) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₂₃H₁₆I₂NO₂ [M − C₄H₈ + H]⁺: 591.9265, found: 591.9260.

Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of (S)-7yielding (S)-9 (General Procedure B): A Schlenk tube, equipped with magnetic stirring bar and glass stopper, was charged with a solution of diiodoazepine (274 mg, 0.50 mmol) in toluene (10 mL) and Na₂CO₃ solution (2 M in H₂O, 5.0 mL). Then arylboronic acid (2.00 mmol, 4 equiv.) was added and the mixture was degassed. After the addition of Pd(PPh₃)₄ (115 mg, 20 mol %), the reaction was left stirring at 80 °C for 6–48 h. The conversion was monitored by TLC (EtOAc/heptane, 30:70). After cooling to r.t., DCM (50 mL) and H₂O (30 mL) were added and the phases were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with DCM (3 × 20 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with KOH solution (10%, 20 mL) and sat. NaCl solution and dried (K₂CO₃). After evaporation of solvents, the crude material was purified by MPLC using a solvent gradient (EtOAc + 5% triethylamine (0→30%)/heptane).

Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of (S)-8yielding (S)-9(General Procedure C): A Schlenk tube, equipped with magnetic stirring bar, was charged with a solution of boc-protected diiodoazepine 8 (97 mg, 0.15 mmol) and tri-ortho-tolylphosphine (9.1 mg, 20 mol %) in toluene (3 mL) and a Na₂CO₃ solution (2 M in H₂O, 2 mL). Then, arylboronic acid (4 equiv.) was added and the mixture was degassed. After the addition of Pd(OAc)₂ (3.4 mg, 10 mol %), the mixture was left stirring at 80 °C for 12–48 h. The reaction was monitored by TLC (EtOAc/heptane, 30:70). After cooling to r.t., DCM (5 mL) and H₂O (3 mL) were added and the phases were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with DCM (3 × 3 mL) and the combined organic phases were washed with KOH solution (10%, 5 mL) and sat. NaCl solution and dried (Na₂SO₄). After evaporation of solvents DCM (1 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (1 mL) was added and the solution stirred at r.t. for 2 h. The reaction was carfully neutralized with solid NaHCO₃. Extractive work-up was followed by MPLC.

(S)-2,6-Diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1′,2′-e]azepine (9a) [53]: 77% yield [29] (General Procedure B).

(S)-2,6-Di(naphthalen-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1′,2′-e]azepine (9b): 68% yield [29] (General Procedure B).

(S)-2,6-Di([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1′,2′-e]azepine (9c): 68% yield [29] (General Procedure B).

(S)-2,6-Di([1,1’:4’,1’’-terphenyl]-4-yl)-4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepine (9d): 55% yield (General Procedure B was modified using (dppf)PdCl₂, 10 mol %); mp: >260 °C (dec.); [α]_D²⁰ = +247 (c: 0.60, DCM). ¹H-NMR δ: 8.02 (s, 2H); 7.98 (br.d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.65–7.79 (m, 20H); 7.44–7.53 (m, 8H); 7.37 (m, 2H); 7.33 (ddd, J = 8.6, 6.7, 1.3 Hz, 2H); 4.11 (d, J = 12.6 Hz, 2H); 3.43 (d, J = 12.6 Hz, 2H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 140.69 (C); 140.44 (C); 140.23 (C); 139.68 (C); 139.55 (C); 139.35 (C); 136.13 (C); 133.36 (C); 132.53 (C); 130.89 (C); 130.19 (CH); 129.67 (CH); 128.82 (CH); 128.32 (CH); 127.57 (CH); 127.55 (CH); 127.46 (CH); 127.36 (CH); 127.05 (CH); 126.83 (CH); 125.84 (CH); 125.79 (CH); 44.67 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₅₈H₄₂N [M + H]⁺: 752.3317, found: 752.3289.

(S)-2,6-Bis(4-tritylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepine (9e): 89% yield, white solid; (General Procedure B was modified using (dppf)PdCl₂, 10 mol %); mp: 280–290 °C; [α]_D²⁰ = +206 (c: 0.84, DCM). ¹H-NMR δ: 7.97 (s, 2H); 7.92 (br.d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H); 7.43–7.49 (m, 6H); 7.41 (br.d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H); 7.17–7.33 (m, ~36H); 4.03 (d, J = 12.4 Hz, 2H); 3.33 (d, J = 12.4 Hz, 2H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 146.76 (C); 145.78 (C); 139.41 (C); 138.81 (C); 136.02 (C); 133.36 (C); 132.47 (C); 131.19 (CH); 131.00 (CH); 130.79 (C); 129.62 (CH); 128.67 (CH); 128.22 (CH); 127.51 (2CH); 125.96 (CH); 125.74 (CH); 125.65 (CH); 64.86 (C); 44.63 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₇₂H₅₄N [M + H]⁺: 932.4251, found: 932.4217.

(S)-2,6-Bis(4-fluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepine (9f): 49% yield (General Procedure B); 60% (General Procedure C); solidifying oil, [α]_D²⁰ = +241 (c: 1.01, DCM). ¹H-NMR δ: 7.94 (dm, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H); 7.92 (s, 2H); 7.56 (m, 4H); 7.48 (ddd, J = 8.0, 6.7, 1.1 Hz, 2H); 7.42 (dm, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H); 7.28 (ddd, J = 8.3, 6.7, 1.3 Hz, 2H); 7.16 (m, 4H); 3.94 (d, J = 12.6, 2H); 3.33 (d, J = 12.6 Hz, 2H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 162.32 (d, J_CF = 245 Hz, CF); 138.64 (C); 137.22 (d, J_CF = 2.3 Hz, C); 136.03 (C); 133.20 (C); 132.40 (C); 131.20 (d, J_CF = 8.0 Hz, CH); 130.80 (C); 129.72 (CH); 128.24 (CH); 127.48 (CH); 125.88 (d, J_CF = 7.5 Hz, CH); 115.17 (CH); 115.03 (CH); 44.52 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₃₄H₂₄F₂N [M + H]⁺: 484.1877, found 484.1877.

(S)-2,6-Bis(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepine (9g): 80% yield (General Procedure C); solidifying oil, [α]_D²⁰ = +244 (c: 0.95, DCM). ¹H-NMR δ: 7.96 (br.d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H); 7.92 (s, 2H); 7.52 (ddd, J = 8.0, 7.6, 1.3 Hz, 2H); 7.41 (dm, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H); 7.31 (ddd, J = 8.0, 6.8, 1.3 Hz, 2H); 7.29 (br.m, 4H); 3.94 (d, J = 12.8 Hz, 2H); 3.33 (d, J = 12.8 Hz, 2H); 7.79 (br.s, ~1H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 150.86 (ddd, J_CF = 250, 10, 4 Hz, C); 139.26 (dt, J_CF = 255, 15 Hz, C); 137.16 (td, J_CF = 8, 5 Hz, C); 136.74 (C); 136.18 (C); 132.46 (C); 132.30 (C); 131.03 (C); 129.85 (CH); 128.39 (CH); 127.40 (CH); 126.46 (CH); 126.30 (CH); 113.91 (m, CH); 44.43 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₃₄H₂₀F₆N [M + H]⁺: 556.1500, found: 556.1496.

(S)-2,6-Bis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl))phenyl)-4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepine (9h): 29% yield (General Procedure B); 75% yield (General Procedure C). solidifying oil, [α]_D²⁰ = +207 (c: 0.99, DCM). ¹H-NMR δ: 8.12 (br.s, 4H); 7.99 (dm, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H); 7.98 (s, 2H); 7.94 (m, 2H); 7.54 (ddd, J = 8.1, 6.7, 1.2 Hz, 2H); 7.44 (dm, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H); 7.34 (ddd, J = 8.5, 6.8, 1.4 Hz, 2H); 3.85 (d, J = 12.8 Hz, 2H); 3.39 (d, J = 12.9, 2H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 143.18 (C); 136.54 (C); 136.32 (C); 132.34 (C); 132.32 (C); 131.65 (q, J_CF = 33.4 Hz, CCF₃); 131.17 (C); 130.30 (CH); 129.88 (br.CH); 128.47 (CH); 127.38 (CH); 126.75 (CH); 126.47 (CH); 123.26 (q, J_CF = 274 Hz, CCF₃); 121.18 (m, CH); 44.48 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₃₈H₂₂F₁₂N [M + H]⁺: 720.1561, found 720.1553.

(S)-2,6-Di(furan-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepine (9i): 98% yield (General Procedure B); colorless foam. ¹H-NMR δ: 8.20 (s, 2H); 7.95 (br.d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.61 (dd, J = 1.8, 0.7 Hz, 2H); 7.47 (ddd, J = 8.0, 6.7, 1.2 Hz, 2H); 7.37 (dm, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H); 7.25 (ddd, J = 8.3, 6.7, 1.3 Hz, 2H); 6.77 (dd, J = 3.4, 0.7 Hz, 2H); 6.57 (dd, J = 3.3, 1.8 Hz, 2H); 4.34 (d, J = 12.6 Hz, 2H); 3.36 (d, J = 12.6 Hz, 2H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 153.69 (C); 142.59 (CH); 136.31 (C); 132.51 (C); 132.47 (C); 130.88 (C); 129.02 (CH); 128.49 (CH); 128.35 (C); 127.49 (CH); 126.18 (CH); 125.92 (CH); 111.46 (CH); 109.18 (CH); 44.80 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₃₀H₂₂NO₂ [M + H]⁺: 428.1651, found: 428.1647.

(S)-2,6-Di(thiophen-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1’,2’-e]azepine (9j): 84% yield (General Procedure B); colorless foam. ¹H-NMR δ: 8.09 (s, 2H); 7.94 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H); 7.48 (ddd, J = 8.0, 6.9, 1.0 Hz, 2H); 7.41 (m, 4 H); 7.31 (dd, J = 3.5, 1.1 Hz, 2H); 7.28 (ddd, J = 8.0, 6.7, 1.1 Hz, 2H); 7.15 (dd, J = 5.2, 3.5 Hz, 2H); 4.25, (d, J = 12.6 Hz); 3.34 (d, J = 12.6 Hz) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 142.22 (C); 136.08 (C); 133.68 (C); 132.29 (C); 131.90 (C); 130.92 (C); 130.87 (CH); 128.33 (CH); 127.46 (CH); 127.42 (CH); 127.38 (CH); 126.14 (CH); 125.98 (CH); 125.60 (CH); 44.56 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₃₀H₂₂NS₂ [M + H]⁺: 460.1194, found: 460.1185.

tert-Butyl (S)-2,6-bis(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-dinaphtho[2,1-c: 1’,2’-e]azepine-4-carboxylate (11): A suspension of 8 (324 mg, 0.5 mmol), B₂Pin₂ (508 mg, 2 mmol), and KOAc (295 mg, 3 mmol) in DMF was degassed. Pd(OAc)₂ (11 mg, 0.05 mmol) was added and the mixture was degassed once more and stirred for 20 h at 100 °C (bath). Solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was taken up in DCM (100 mL)/water (100 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with DCM and combined organics were washed with water and sat. NH₄Cl (50 mL). The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, concentrated and subjected to chromatography (EtOAc (0→20%)/heptane; yield 66%, pale yellow oil. The material contained 5–10% of B₂Pin₂ and was used without further purification. ¹H-NMR δ: 8.49 (br.s, 2H); 7.95 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H); 7.42 (m, 2H); 7.20–7.26 (m, 4H); 5.52–6.03 (br.m, 2H); 3.45 (br.d, J = 12.8 Hz, 2H); 1.47 (s, 12H); 1.46 (br.s, ~9H); 1.43 (s, 12H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 154.10 (C); 136.68 (C); 132.68 (br. C); 132.04 (C); 128.67 (CH); 127.24 (CH); 126.80 (CH); 125.48 (CH); 84.08 (br. CH₂); 83.43 (C); 78.69 (C); 28.47 (CH₃); 24.98 (CH₃); 24.89 (CH₃) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₃₉H₄₈B₂NO₆ [M + H]⁺: 648.3668, found: 648.3680.

Phase-transfer catalyzed α-substitution of tert-butyl 2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)acetate 12 (Typical procedure with benzylbromide 13A): Stock solution A: 0.025 mmol catalyst in 1 mL DCM, 2.5 × 10⁻² M; Stock solution B: 1.480 g of tert-butyl 2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)acetate 12 in 30 mL of toluene, 1.667 × 10⁻¹ M; Stock solution C: 10 g of solid KOH in 10 g distilled water. A 10 mL Schlenk tube with stirring bar was subsequently charged with 100 µL of solution A (0.0025 mmol, 1 mol %), 1.500 mL of solution B (1.310 g; d = 0.873, 0.25 mmol) and 0.5 mL of solution C. The mixture was degassed and cooled to 0 °C. Freshly distilled benzyl bromide was added with a microliter syringe (38 µL, 54 mg, 1.2 equiv.) and the reaction was vigorously stirred for 4 h. Et₂O (5 mL) and water (3 mL) was added with stirring and the phases were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with Et₂O (3× 5 mL) and the organic layer was washed with water (5 mL) and brine and dried (MgSO₄). Evaporation gave a clear oil to which solid bibenzyl (0.25 mmol, 45.6 mg) was added and the mixture was completely dissolved in CDCl₃ (approx. 1 mL). A ¹H-NMR spectrum was recorded (400 MHz). Integration gave %yield of product, substrate, and eventually benzophenone as a side product. An aliquot (20–30 µL) was transferred to a HPLC vial and diluted with 2-PrOH to 1 mL. Chiral HPLC analysis applying reported conditions (Chiralcel ODH (250 × 4.6 mm), 2-PrOH/heptane 1:99, 0.5 mL min⁻¹, 25 °C) gave satisfying separation of enantiomers (13.5 min (R)-14A, 23.6 min (S)-14A) without overlap with internal standard (10.7 min), substrate (19.8 min) or benzophenone (17.6 min). Alternatively, the reaction mixture was subjected to MPLC (10 g of SiO₂, solvent gradient EtOAc (0%→8%)/heptane) to yield a pure product.

tert-Butyl 2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)-3-(pyridin-2-yl)propanoate (14G): colorless oil. ¹H-NMR δ = 8.50 (dm, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H); 7.63 (m, 2H); 7.59 (td, J = 7.6, 1.9 Hz, 1H); 7.41–7.45 (m, 2H); 7.35–7.40 (m, 4 H); 7.25 (dm, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H); 7.15 (ddd, J = 7.5, 4.9, 1.2 Hz, 1H); 6.78 (br.d, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H); 4.53 (dd, J = 9.5, 3.9 Hz, 1H); 3.52 (dd, J = 13.4, 4.0 Hz, 1H); 3.45 (dd, J = 13.3, 9.4 Hz, 1H); 1.52 (s, 9 H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 170.66 (C); 170.64 (C); 158.61 (C); 149.12 (CH); 139.52 (C); 136.15 (C); 135.87 (CH); 130.03 (CH); 128.67 (CH); 128.34 (CH); 128.01 (CH); 127.83 (CH); 127.61 (CH); 124.50 (CH); 121.14 (CH); 81.08 (C); 66.28 (CH); 41.91 (CH₂); 27.95 (CH₃) ppm. HRMS: calcd for C₂₅H₂₇N₂O₂ [M + H]⁺: 387.2073; found: 387.2068. HPLC: Chiralpak ADH (250 × 4.6 mm), 2-PrOH/heptane (5:95), 0.5 mL min⁻¹, 25 °C, t_R = 13.93 min, 17.55 min.

6-(tert-Butyl) 1-ethyl (E)-5-((diphenylmethylene)amino)hex-2-enedioate (14H): colorless oil. ¹H-NMR δ: 7.62–7.65 (m, 2H); 7.41–7.47 (m, 3H); 7.37–7.41 (m, 1H); 7.30–7.34 (m, 2H); 7.15–7.18 (m, 2H); 6.82 (dt, J = 15.6, 7.6 Hz, 1H); 5.84 (dm, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H); 4.16 (qm, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H); 4.07 (dd, J = 7.6, 5.2 Hz, 1H); 2.71–2.82 (m, 2H); 1.44 (s, 9H); 1.26 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ = 170.82 (C); 170.18 (C); 145.02 (CH); 139.37 (C); 136.39 (C); 130.35 (CH); 128.81 (CH); 128.63 (CH); 128.48 (CH); 128.00 (CH); 127.76 (CH); 123.58 (CH); 81.47 (C); 64.94 (CH); 60.13 (CH₂); 36.26 (CH₂); 28.00 (CH₃); 14.23 (CH₃) ppm. HRMS: calculated for C₂₅H₃₀NO₄ [M + H]⁺: 408.2175; found: 408.2171. HPLC: Chiralpak ADH (250 × 4.6 mm), 2-PrOH/heptane (5:95), 0.5 mL min⁻¹, 25 °C, t_R = 9.69 min, 12.42 min.

tert-Butyl (E)-6-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)hex-4-enoate (14I): colorless oil. ¹H-NMR δ: 7.73–7.78 (m, 2H); 7.64–7.69 (m, 2H); 7.53–7.57 (m, 2H); 7.38–7.44 (m, 3H); 7.26–7.30 (m, 1H); 7.16–7.23 (m, 4H); 5.59–5.62 (m, 2H); 4.15–4.25 (m, 2H); 3.94 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 1H); 2.62 (m, 2H); 1.41 (s, 9H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 170.66 (C); 170.37 (C); 167.79 (C); 139.59 (C); 136.69 (C); 133.78 (CH); 132.14 (C); 130.85 (CH); 130.04 (CH); 128.67 (CH); 128.47 (CH); 128.38 (CH); 127.95 (CH); 127.83 (CH); 126.14 (CH); 123.13 (CH); 81.06 (C); 65.63 (CH); 39.37 (CH₂); 36.51 (CH₂); 28.02 (CH₃) ppm. HRMS: calcd for C₃₁H₃₁N₂O₄ [M + H]⁺: 495.2284; found: 495.2283. HPLC: Chiralpak ADH (250 × 4.6 mm), 2-PrOH/heptane (5:95), 1.0 mL min⁻¹, 25 °C, t_R = 13.11 min, 15.45 min.

Ethyl 2-(2-(tert-butoxy)-1-((diphenylmethylene)amino)-2-oxoethyl)cyclopropane-1-carboxylate (15): colorless oil. ¹H-NMR δ: 7.61–7.63 (m, 2H); 7.42–7.47 (m, 3H); 7.37–7.41 (m, 1H); 7.30–7.34 (m, 2H); 7.15–7.18 (m, 2H); 4.13 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H); 3.79 (d, J = 5.8 Hz, 1H); 2.03 (dddd, J = 10.3, 6.4, 5.9, 4.2 Hz, 1H); 1.83 (ddd, J = 9.5, 5.1, 4.3 Hz, 1H); 1.44 (s, 9H); 1.26 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H); 1.18 (ddd, J = 9.5, 5.1, 4.3 Hz, 1H); 0.91 (ddd, J = 8.4, 6.4, 4.3 Hz, 1H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 174.06 (C); 170.77 (C); 170.24 (C); 139.33 (C); 136.27 (C); 130.38 (CH); 128.82 (CH); 128.64 (CH); 128.49 (CH); 127.97 (CH); 127.77 (CH); 81.28 (C); 65.44 (CH); 60.36 (CH₂); 27.98 (CH₃); 25.13 (CH); 17.03 (CH); 14.26 (CH₃); 12.02 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS: calculated for C₂₅H₃₀NO₄ [M + H]⁺: 408.2175; found: 408.2177.

2-([1,1’:4’,1’’-Terphenyl]-4-yl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane [54]: A literature procedure was followed [52]; 65% yield. ¹H-NMR δ: 7.93 (dm, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H); 7.64–7.75 (m, 8H); 7.48 (m, 2H); 7.37 (m, 1H); 1.39 (s, 12H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 143.32 (C); 140.66 (C); 140.43 (C); 139.88 (C); 135.31 (CH); 128.80 (CH); 127.55 (CH); 127.49 (CH); 127.36 (CH); 127.04 (CH); 126.30 (CH); 83.81 (C); 24.88 (CH₃) ppm. HRMS (ESI) calculated for C₂₄H₂₅BNaO₂ [M + Na]⁺: 379.1845, found 379.1843.

4,4,5,5-Tetramethyl-2-(4-tritylphenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane [52]: ¹H-NMR δ: 7.69 (dm, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H); 7.15–7.27 (m, ~17H); 1.33 (s, 12H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 150.00 (C); 146.64 (C); 133.94 (CH); 131.13 (CH); 130.54 (CH); 127.50 (CH); 125.89 (CH); 83.73 (C); 65.21 (C); 24.88 (CH₃) ppm.

Ethyl (E)-4-iodobut-2-enoate: A literature procedure reported for the methylester was applied [55]. Yield: 77% (pale yellow oil, 10 mmol scale) The compound decomposed slowly at r.t. and was stored at -20 °C. ¹H-NMR δ: 7.04 (dt, J = 15.3, 8.2 Hz, 1H); 5.93 (dt, J = 15.3, 1.0 Hz, 1H); 4.20 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H); 3.93 (dd, J = 8.3, 1.1 Hz, 2H); 1.29 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 143.44 (CH); 123.30 (CH); 60.67 (CH₂); 14.19 (CH₃); 0.72 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS calculated for C₆H₁₀IO₂ [M + H]⁺: 240.9725; found 240.9723.

(E)-2-(4-Bromobut-2-en-1-yl)isoindoline-1,3-dione: A literature procedure was applied [56]. ¹H-NMR δ: 7.83-7.87 (m, 2H); 7.70-7.74 (m, 2H); 5.94 (dm, J = 15.4 Hz, 2H); 5.83 (dm, J = 15.3 Hz, 2H); 4.30 (dm, J = 5.7 Hz, 2H); 3.90 (dm, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 167.70 (C); 134.03 (CH); 132.02 (C); 129.95 (CH), 128.33 (CH); 123.34 (CH); 38.57 (CH₂); 31.18 (CH₂) ppm.

(E)-2-(4-Iodobut-2-en-1-yl)isoindoline-1,3-dione [57]: To a solution of (E)-2-(4-bromobut-2-en-1-yl)isoindoline-1,3-dione (560 mg, 2 mmol) in acetone (10 mL) was added NaI (1.50 g, 10 mmol) and the reaction was stirred at r.t. for 20 h. The mixture was concentrated and the residue was partitioned between EtOAc and water (50 + 50 mL). The organic phase was separated, concentrated under reduced presure, and the crude material subjected to chromatography ((EtOAc (5→25%)/heptane) to yield 486 mg (74%) of product as crystalline solid. ¹H-NMR δ: 7.83–7.88 (m, 2H); 7.70–7.75 (m, 2H); 5.99 (dtt, J = 15.2, 7.8, 1.3 Hz, 1H); 5.76 (dtt, J = 15.2, 6.2, 1.0 Hz, 2H); 4.27 (dm, J = 6.2 Hz, 2H); 3.82 (dm, J = 7.9 Hz, 2H) ppm. ¹³C-NMR δ: 167.70 (C); 134.00 (CH); 131.99 (C); 131.63 (CH); 126.91 (CH); 123.31 (CH); 38.57 (CH₂); 3.61 (CH₂) ppm. HRMS calculatedfor C₁₂H₁₀INaNO₂ [M + Na]⁺: 349.9654; found: 349.9645.

3.3. X-ray Structure Analysis

Crystals suitable for structure determinations were grown from DCM/heptane (1d, 1e) or DCM/MeOH (during optical resolution of 7). The X-ray intensity data were measured on Bruker D8 Venture and X8 APEX2 diffractometer (Bruker AXS GmbH, Karlsruhe, BRD) equipped with multilayer monochromators, Mo K/α INCOATEC micro focus sealed tubes and Oxford and Cryoflex2 cooling systems at 150 K (1d, 1e) or 100 K (7 tartrate). Crystal data are collected in Table 3. Experimental data and CCDC codes can be found in Supplementary Materials.

Supplementary Materials

The following are available online: Comments on structure of side products upon rearrangements, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra of all new compounds, comments on screening experiments, UV traces of chiral HPLC separations of racemates of 14A-I, and details of X-ray structure determinations of 1d, 1e, and (S,S)-dibenzoyltartrate of 7.

Author Contributions

A.M. synthesised catalysts and worked out optical resolution of 7. S.T. synthesized catalysts and conducted PTC reactions. C.S. developed HPLC separations and new PTC reactions. A.R. performed X-ray structure analysis. M.W. conceived and designed the experiments and wrote the paper.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Acknowledgments

S.T. and A.M. are grateful to the Development and Promotion of Science and Technology Talents Project for a scholarship (Royal Government of Thailand scholarship). This work was generously supported by the ASEA-UNINET program. Open Access Funding by the University of Vienna is grateful acknowledged.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Footnotes

Sample Availability: Not available.

Figures, Schemes and Tables

Figure 1. N-spiro-di- and tetranaphthoazepinium salts (R = aryl).

Scheme 1. Synthesis of spiro-azepinium catalysts 1a–j. Legend: a. [39]; b. NH3, MeCN, 65–70 °C, overnight (85%); c. (S)-2,2′-bisbromomethyl-1,1′-binaphthyl or 2,2′-bisbromomethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (1e’, 5′), K2CO3, MeCN, 85–90 °C, overnight (50%–88%); d. [39]; e. [29]; f. Boc2O, Amberlyst-15, EtOH, 10 min (84%); g. ArB(OH)2, Na2CO3, Pd(Ph3P)4 or (dppf)PdCl2 (9d), toluene, 12–24 h, (55%–98%); h. ArB(OH)2, Na2CO3, Pd(OAc)2, tol3P, toluene, 12–24 h; i. B2Pin2, KOAc, Pd(OAc)2, DMF, 100 °C, 20 h (66%); k. trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), dichloromethane (DCM), r.t., 2 h (60%–80% over 2 steps).

Figure 2. X-ray structure of [(R)-7]2 (S,S)-O,O’-Dibenzoyltartrate. Cation [7]+ and counter ion form two independent hydrogen bonds constructing a rhombus. Bond length and rhombus visualized.

Scheme 2. Asymmetric substitution of 12 with 13A–I under phase-transfer catalysis (PTC) conditions.

Figure 3. Crystal structure of (R)(R)-1d. Solvent and counter ion omitted for clarity.

Figure 4. Crystal structure of (R)bina(S)biphe-1e’. Solvent, counter ion and hydrogens omitted for clarity.

Table 1

Asymmetric benzylation of tert-butyl 2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)acetate 12 with 13A under PTC conditions yielding 14A. ^a.

entry	cat.	yield/% b	yield/% c	ee/% d
1	1a e	78	74	86
2	1b f	91	89	94
3	1c	86	86	92
4	1d	92	88	91
5	1e’	72	69	rac.
6	1f g	82	79	94
7	1g h	90	85	99
8	1h	33	28	92
9	1i	67	67	88
10	1j	87	83	89
11	5′	92	91	61

^a 0.25 mmol substrate, 0.30 mmol benzylbromide, 1 mol % of catalyst with (S,S)-configuration, 1.5 mL toluene, 0.5 mL KOH (50%), vigorous stirring at 0 °C for 4 h. ^b Yield after extractive work-up based on ¹H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) integration of signals of product and methylene groups of bibenzyl as internal standard. ^c Isolated yield after extractive work-up and subsequent chromatography. ^d Determined by chiral high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC, Chiralcel ODH), products with (R)-configuration predominating. ^e 89% ee, 81% isol. yield at 0 °C, 0.5 h [25,46]. ^f 96% ee, 95% isol.yield at 0 °C, 0.5 h [25]. ^g 94% ee, 74% isol. yield at 0 °C, 2 h [25]. ^h 99% ee, 79% isol. yield at 0 °C, 2 h [25].

Table 2

Asymmetric substitution of tert-butyl 2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)acetate (12) with electrophiles 13B-13I under phase-transfer (PT) conditions. ^a.

	14B	14C	14D	14E	14F	14G	14H b	14I c
cat.	y/ee d	y/ee d	y/ee d	y/ee d	y/ee d	y/ee d	y/ee d	y/ee d
1c	89/88	80/91	90/75	51/83	92/89	88/72	62/51 e	33/57 f
1d	90/88	86/91	90/74	55/88	91/88	91/71	56/41 g	26/51 f
1g	89/98 h	71/95 i	87/93	72/68	90/90 j	81/83	61/79k	23/83 f(33/88)
1h	70/98	45/52	61/84	66/14	30/90	83/73	60/80	20/83 i

^a 0.25 mmol of substrate, 0.30 mmol of electrophile, 1 mol % of catalyst with (S,S)-configuration, 1.5 mL toluene, 0.5 mL KOH (50%), vigorous stirring at 0 °C for 20 h. ^b CsOH (50%) was used instead of KOH. ^c Solid Cs₂CO₃ (5 equiv.) was used instead of KOH. ^d Yield after extractive work-up based on ¹H-NMR integration of signals of product and bibenzyl added as internal standard. Ee determined by chiral HPLC (Chiralcel ODH or Chiralpak ADH), products with (R)-configuration predominating. ^e 12% of 15 formed. ^f Instead of 13I the corresponding iodo compound was used which gave higher yield and enantioselectivity with the excepion of cat. 1g where the bromide was superior (in paranthesis). ^g 13% of 15 formed. ^h 99% ee, 80% isolated yield, 0 °C, 24 h [25]. ⁱ 99% ee 86% over two steps, 0 °C, 24 h [25]. ^j 99% ee 89% isolated yield, 0 °C, 15 h [25]. ^k 8% of 15 formed.

Table 3

Crystal data for 1d, 1e, and the less soluble (S,S)-dibenzoyltartrate of 7.

	(R)(R)-1d	(R)bina(S)biphe-1e	(R)-7(S,S)-dibenzoyltartrate
M [g/mol]	1323.48	791.92	811.22
Space group	P212121	C2	C2
a [Å]	9.1716(8)	21.7990(14)	28.7403(11)
b [Å]	26.018(2)	23.2291(13)	12.0555(4)
c [Å]	30.298(3)	8.8684(5)	8.9062(3)
α [°]	90	90	90
ß [°]	90	94.251(2)	101.095(2)
γ [°]	90	90	90
V [Å3]	7229.8(11)	4478.3(5)	3028.14(18)
Z	4	4	4
Dcalc [g/cm3]	1.216	1.175	1.779
Rint	0.1022	0.0294	0.0359
Rsigma	0.0399	0.0300	0.0175
R1 (I > 2σ(I))	0.0812	0.0802	0.0362
wR2 (all data)	0.2433	0.2295	0.0897