Cyanoketenes. Cycloadditions of chlorocyanoketene to α,β-unsaturated imines

Chlorocyanoketene cycloadds to cinnamylideneamines to give β-lactams, δ-lactams, and pyridones. The periselectivity and stereoselectivity of these cycloadditions is markedly influenced by the N-substituent as well as the βsubstituents of the imines.     

Determination of Enantiomeric Purity and Absolute Configuration of β-Lactams by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography on Chiral Columns

Enantiomers of β-lactams bearing aryl, furyl or styryl substituents in the 4-position were chromatographically separated by means of high-performance liquid chromatography on chiral column packed with amino acid-derived chiral stationary phase. Separation factors are generally modest. To improve further the resolution of enantiomers, the rings of these β-lactams were opened with octanol in acidic conditions and converted into N-3,5- dinitrobenzoyl ester derivatives of the resulting β-amino acids. Enantiomers of these derivatives are efficiently separated on an amide-derived chiral stationary phase. The chromatographic separations enable accurate determination of optical purity of the chiral β- lactams, prepared from homochiral ester enolate-imine condensation. The absolute configuration of the major enantiomer of the β-amino acid derivatives was determined from elution order on a chiral column.     

Stereoselective Ring Opening of Electronically Excited Cyclohexa-2, 4-dienones: Cause and effect

The two conformers of a cyclohexa-2, 4-dienone with different substituents at C(6) on irradiation are believed to undergo ring opening stereospecifically affording a mixture of two configurationally isomeric diene-ketenes (and descendents thereof)- Exceptions are generally found for those dienones with one C and one O substituent or even with two C substituents, if one of them carries a polar group at a site able to interact through space with the ring C?O group. In these cases, only one of the two anticipated diene-ketenes (and descendents thereof) is produced. A thorough investigation of the photochemistry of a series of structurally different cyclohexa-2, 4-dienones on analytical as well as on preparative scale extends our mechanistic knowledge of the various routes from diene-ketenes into a variety of compound classes. Novel compound classes accessible to diene-ketenes are seven-membered carbocycles (by intramolecular aldolization of the zwitterion of appropriately substituted, transiently formed diene-(N, O)-ketene acetals) and β-lactams (by Staudinger reaction).     

LC Enantioseparation of β-Lactam Stereoisomers through the Use of β-Cyclodextrin-Based Chiral Stationary Phases

Direct liquid chromatographic methods were developed to investigate the enantioseparation of 19 β-lactams on three cyclodextrin-bonded chiral stationary phases: permethyl-β-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin and R,S-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, prepared by a novel synthetic route. 17 of the 19 β-lactam stereoisomers were partially or baseline-separated on at least one of the tested chiral stationary phases. The influence of the structures of the β-lactams (the positions and types of the substituents, the size of the attached rings) on the enantiomer separation is discussed. The permethylated β-cyclodextrin selector proved to be the most effective one for the tested analytes.     

Preparation of fused β-lactams through Weinreb amide α-anions

Enantiomerically pure β-lactams bearing a Weinreb amide functionality at the C3 position have been shown to be excellent substrates for α-alkylation reactions, generating C3 quaternary centers with predictable absolute stereochemistry. In addition, oxidative coupling of C3/C4 dianions affords entry to fused β,γ-bislactam systems.     

Asymmetric synthesis of β-lactams. I. The reaction of dimethylketene silyl acetal with (S)-alkylidene(1-arylethyl)amines promoted by titanium tetrachloride

Asymmetric synthesis of β-lactams by means of the reaction of dimethylketene silyl acetal with (S)-alkylidene(1-arylethyl)amines in the presence of titanium tetrachloride was studied. The extent of the asymmetric induction was in the range of 44–78% (diastereomeric purity 72–89%) and the (S)-configuration was turned to be preferentially induced at the ⁴C position of the resulting β-lactams.     

The synthesis of optically pure β-lactams derived from sugars. High-pressure [2+2] cycloaddition of toluene-4-sulphonyl isocyanate to glycals.

[2+2] Cycloaddition of toluene-4-sulphonyl isocyanate to glycals 1 - 4 at room temperature under 10 kbar pressure gave respective β-lactams 5 - 8 in good yields. The reaction proceeds regio- and stereospecifically to afford the four-membered ring in position trans to the acetoxy group at C-3 of the glycal moiety.     

NMR spectral studies. XIV. Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance studies on β-lactams

Carbon-13 NMR spectra of a variety of mono- and bicyclic β-lactams have been measured and the chemical shifts of the ring carbon atoms have been assigned unambiguously. Effects of substituents on the chemical shifts of these carbons are also discussed.     

Recent Developments in the Field of β-Lactam Antibiotics

The era of β-lactam antibiotics, which represent the most important class of drugs against infectious diseases caused by bacteria, began more than fifty years ago with the discovery of penicillin G. Further improvements by isolation and structure elucidation of new natural compounds, and systematic chemical modification of these, is a striking example of to what extent chemistry can contribute to the progress of drug therapy. The complex relationship between structure and activity requires, even today, a largely empirical approach. The minimum structural unit for antibiotic activity had to be revised several times over decades. Both the activated β-lactam ring with an acidic group and the nature and spatial arrangement of the other substituents and rings decisively affect the potency, antibacterial spectrum, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity. Totally synthetic mono- and bicyclic compounds from the series of monobactams, penems, carbapenems, 1-oxacephems, and 1-carbacephems are increasingly joining the classic groups obtained by semisynthesis from 6-amino-penicillanic acid and 7-aminophalosporanic acid.     

Stereoselective synthesis and characterization of novel trans-4-(thiophenyl)pyrazolyl-β-lactams and their C–3 functionalization

A stereoselective synthesis and C–3 functionalization of a long series of novel hybrid 4-(thiophenyl)pyrazolyl-β-lactams have been carried out. The divergent substrate scope and mechanistic insights were examined to delineate the generality of reaction that favored trans-β-lactams 4a-q almost exclusively in all cases. The C–3 functionalization was achieved by Lewis acid assisted nucleophilic substitution reaction of cis-3-chloro-β-lactams 6a-e to afford cis-3-monosubstituted-β-lactams 7a-e. The cis stereochemistry of β-lactams 7a-e was further established by stereospecific desulfurization with Raney-nickel, in representative cases (7a,b), leading to the formation of cis-β-lactams 8a,b. The structures and stereochemical assignments for synthesized β-lactams have been unambiguously confirmed using FT-IR, 1D NMR (¹H and ¹³C), 2D NMR (¹H–¹H COSY, ¹H–¹³C HSQC and ¹³C DEPT–135), elemental analysis (CHN), mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and single crystal X-ray crystallography, in representative cases (4b,e). The cis and trans configuration of the hydrogen/chloro/nucleophile substituent at C–3 was assigned with respect C4–H of the β-lactam ring.     

3-Thiolated 2-azetidinones: synthesis and in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities

A series of 3-thiolated β-lactams were synthesized by [2+2] ketene-imine cycloaddition reaction from S-substituted mercaptoacetic acids and Schiff bases. Then, some of the 3-methylthio β-lactams were converted to 3-(methylsulfinyl) β-lactams and 3-(methylsulfonyl) β-lactams using m-CPBA under different reaction conditions. All the compounds were characterized by spectral data and elemental analyses and were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities against pathogenic strains including Staphylococcus aureus (Methicillin resistant strain). The preliminary screening results indicated that some of these compounds demonstrated moderate to very good antibacterial and antifungal activities.     

Structural insight into the inactivation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium tuberculosis</Emphasis> non-classical transpeptidase Ldt<Subscript>Mt2</Subscript> by biapenem and tebipenem

Background

The carbapenem subclass of β-lactams is among the most potent antibiotics available today. Emerging evidence shows that, unlike other subclasses of β-lactams, carbapenems bind to and inhibit non-classical transpeptidases (L,D-transpeptidases) that generate 3 → 3 linkages in bacterial peptidoglycan. The carbapenems biapenem and tebipenem exhibit therapeutically valuable potencies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).

Results

Here, we report the X-ray crystal structures of Mtb L,D-transpeptidase-2 (Ldt_Mt2) complexed with biapenem or tebipenem. Despite significant variations in carbapenem sulfur side chains, biapenem and tebipenem ultimately form an identical adduct that docks to the outer cavity of Ldt_Mt2. We propose that this common adduct is an enzyme catalyzed decomposition of the carbapenem adduct by a mechanism similar to S-conjugate elimination by β-lyases.

Conclusion

The results presented here demonstrate biapenem and tebipenem bind to the outer cavity of Ldt_Mt2, covalently inactivate the enzyme, and subsequently degrade via an S-conjugate elimination mechanism. We discuss structure based drug design based on the findings and propose that the S-conjugate elimination can be leveraged to design novel agents to deliver and locally release antimicrobial factors to act synergistically with the carbapenem carrier.

     

An entry to 7-amino- and to 2-ethoxycarbonyl-5-dethia-5-oxa-cephams from 1,3-alkylidene-l-erythritol

The alkoxyallene derived from 1,3-benzylidene-l-erythritol when treated with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate provided diastereomeric β-lactams with moderate stereoselectivity. After the intramolecular alkylation of the nitrogen atom, these afforded compounds having oxacepham skeletons. The exo-isopropylidene group enabled the introduction of a variety of substituents to the C-7 carbon atom of the cepham, whereas removal of the benzylidene protection followed by the oxidation of 3-OH to the ketone allowed carboxylation of the C-2 carbon atom.     

Synthesis of New N-Sulfonyl Monocyclic β-Lactams and the Investigation of Their Antibacterial Activities

New monocyclic β-lactams 4–6 were synthesized by a ketene-imine [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. The prepared monocyclic β-lactams 4–6 were cleaved by ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) to give NH-β-lactams 7–9. The NH-β-lactams were converted to N-sulfonyl β-lactams 10–21 by treatment with four different sulfonyl chlorides in the presence of Et₃N and 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). Some of these monocyclic β-lactams were active against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Syntheses of β-lactams from acetic acids and imines induced by phenyl dichlorophosphate reagent

The development of a practical method for the preparation of vinylamino-β -lactams from Dane salts and Schiff bases is described. Among the reagents known to produce β-lactams from imines and acetic acids, only phenyl dichlorophosphate and 1-methyl-2-chloropyridinium iodide are suitable for the synthesis of vinylamino- β-lactams. Reaction of acetic acids with ethanolimine derivatives promoted by phenyl dichlorophosphate affords oxazolidines instead β-lactams. Protection of the hydroxyl group as the trimethylsilyl ether in the starting Schiff bases provides a convenient route to the corresponding β-lactams instead oxazolidines. Some observations on the scope of the method are made.     

Comprehensive study towards the desulfonylation/desulfinylation of cis-3-functionalized 3-phenylsulfonyl/sulfinyl-β-lactams to access novel cis-3-monosubstituted-β-lactams

An inclusive study towards the stereospecific synthesis of novel cis-3-monosubstituted-β-lactams from cis-3-functionalized 3-phenylsulfonyl/sulfinyl-β-lactams is described. 3-Sulfinyl-β-lactams 5/5? successfully furnished stereospecific cis-3-monosubstituted-β-lactams 6, however 3-sulfonyl-β-lactams 2 failed to give the desulfurized product 6?. The final stereochemical and structural conformations of novel β-lactams were established by single crystal X-ray crystallographic study (5c). The cis configuration of the β-lactams 5/5? and 6 was assigned in relevance to E and C4-H and C3-H and C4-H respectively.     

Selenium dioxide oxidation of tetrahydro-β-carboline derivatives

The oxidation of some tetrahydro-β-carboline derivatives with selenium dioxide led to the formation of 1,4-dihydro or fully aromatic β-carbolines, depending on the nature and the number of substituents at 1 position. The oxidation of 2-acetyl derivatives followed a different course and the products originated by the attack at C-1 of the ring C of the tetrahydro-β-carboline were obtained.     

Cycloadditions of ketenes with cyclic carbodiimides

The cycloaddition of ketenes with cyclic carbodiimides yields β-lactams in good to excellent yields. The cycloaddition of equal molar amounts of diphenyl-, phenylethyl- and phenylketenes with cyclic carbodiimides produced a 1:1 cycloaddition product, the expected β-lactams. However, the cycloaddition of a 2:1 molar ratio of diphenyl- and phenylketenes with 1,3-diazacycloocta-1,2-diene respectively, gave the 2:1 cycloadducts, the tricyclodi-β-lactams. The cycloaddition of methylchloro- and dichloroketenes yielded β-lactams that were very susceptible to hydrolysis to the N-substituted cycloureas. A trapping experiment suggests that these reactions proceed through a stabilized dipolar intermediate.     

Substituent effects on the molecular and electronic structure of β-lactams

Calculations have been made of the molecular geometry and electron distribution for each of eight unfused β-lactams and thirteen fused β-Iactams, using MINDO/3: electron distributions for unfused β-lactams have been determined by ab initio calculations. Systematic variations with substituent are found in d(C-N) and d(C-O), and in the net atomic charges. The geometrical and electronic effects of imposed non-planarity at nitrogen have been investigated for the parent β-Iactam, azetidin-2-one.     

Chemical shift non-equivalence of ring protons in N-substituted β-lactams

A study is reported on the chemical shift non-equivalence of the diastereotopic protons at C-4 in identically 3,3-disubstituted β-lactams having an asymmetric carbon atom in positions ranging from β to ε of the chain attached to the nitrogen atom. The non-equivalence has been correlated with the nature of the substituents bonded to the chiral centre and to its distance from the C-4 protons.