Papain-induced Oligomerization of α-Amino Acid Esters

Oligomers of leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine were prepared enzymatically (using papain) from the respective methyl esters, with yields ranging from 51–96%. The effect of pH, buffer and salt concentration, and addition of alcohol on the oligomerization of leucine methyl ester was examined. The limits and potentialities of the enzymatic reaction as a method for obtaining monodisperse oligomers are discussed.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of α-Amino Acids from Glycine

Enantioselective synthesis of optically active α-amino acids from glycine via Schiff base employing (+)-N,N-diisopropyl-10-camphorsulfonamide as a chiral template is described.     

Poly(β-Amino acids). V. Synthesis and conformation of oligomeric α-isobutyl-L-aspartate

α-Isobutyl-L -aspartate oligomers, Z-(α-i-Bu-Asp)_2n–OEt (n = 1–5), where Z = benzyloxycarbonyl and OEt = ethyl ester, were prepared stepwise, and their conformation in solution was investigated by optical rotation, circular dichroism (CD), and NMR spectroscopy. The oligomers up to hexamer existed only in a disordered form. An ordered structure began to appear at octamer and decamer in chloroform and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol. The ordered structure was more favorable for N-unprotected oligomers, H-(α-i-Bu-Asp)_2n–OEt, in comparison with the corresponding Z-(α-i-Bu-Asp)_2n–OEt. The effects of oligomer concentration and temperature on the structure were slightly observed. The most likely ordered structure was a β form caused by intramolecular association.     

Preparation of α-Bromo- and α-Chlorocarboxylic Acids from α-Amino Acids

Diazotization of α-amino acids in 48:52 (w/w) hydrogen fluoride/pyridine along with excess of potassium halide results in the corresponding α-halocarboxylic acids in good to excellent yields (Table 1 and 2).     

Synthesis and Structure of η4-Enone Complexes of Ruthenium(0)

A variety of [Ru(CO)₂L(η⁴enone)] complexes (L = phosphines, phosphites, and arsines, enone = (E)-4-phenylbut-3-en-2-one) have been synthesized. ¹H-, ¹³C-, and ³¹P-NMR spectra are reported and the X-ray structures of two Ru complexes with L ? Ph₃P(7), Et₃P ( 10 ) and one Fe complex with L ? Ph₃P ( 14 ) are presented. All three compounds crystallize in the same monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 10.575(2) Å, b =9.213(2) Å, and c = 27.608(5) Å, β = 100.04(2)°, Z = 4 for 7 , a = 10.276(3) Å, b = 12.935(3) Å, and c = 14.854(2) Å, β = 96.96(2)°, Z = 4 for 10 , and a = 10.492(2) Å, b = 9.232(3) Å, and c = 27.129(3) Å, β = 98.67(2)°, Z = 4 for 14 . The structures of the Ru complexes are compared with the Fe analogues. In the case of M ? Ru and L ? (EtO)₃P, (MeO)₃P, and (i-PrO)₃P ( 9 , 11 , and 13 , respectively) stereoisomers could be detected by ³¹P-NMR at room temperature, wich arise from rotation at the coordinated metal centre.     

Bioorganometallic Chemistry - Transition Metal Complexes with α-Amino Acids and Peptides

A new, interdisciplinary research area has emerged known as bioorganometallic chemistry. It focuses on the introduction of organometallic fragments into biomolecules (see, for example, structure on the right). “Classical” α-amino acid and peptide ligands have proven particularly versatile, and provide access to compounds that display interesting stereochemistry. α-Amino acids and peptides can be synthesized, labeled, stabilized, or activated by organometallic fragments.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activity of Diorganotin（IV） Complexes of N-（3,5-Dibromosalicylidene）-α-amino Acid

The diorganotin（Ⅳ） complexes of N-（3,5-dibromosalicylidene）-α-amino acid, R2Sn（2-O-3,5-Br2C6H2CH= NCHRCOO）（where R=H, Me, i-Pr, Bz; R＇=n-Bu, Cy）, were synthesized by the reactions of diorganotin dichlorides with in situ formed potassium salt of N-（3,5-dibromosalicylidene）-α-amino acid and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR （^1H, ^13C and ^119Sn） spectra. The crystal structures of n-Bu2Sn（2-O-3,5-Br2C6H2CH= NCHRCOO）（R=i-Pr, Bz） and Cy2Sn（2-O-3,5-Br2C6H2CH=NCHRCOO）（R=Me, Bz） were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction and showed that the tin atoms are in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry to form five- and six-membered chelate rings with the tridentate ligand. Bioassay results indicated that the compounds possess better in vitro antitumour activity against three human tumour cell lines, HeLa, CoLo205 and MCF-7, than cis-platin and moderate anti-bacterial activity against two bacteria, E. coli and S. aureus.     

Versatile Stereoselective Synthesis of Completely Protected Trifunctional α-Methylated α-Amino Acids Starting from Alanine

A new route to completely protected α-methylated α-amino acids starting from alanine is described (see Scheme). These derivatives, which are obtained via base-catalyzed opening of the oxazolidinones (2S,4R)- and (2R,4S)- 2 , can be directly employed in peptide synthesis. The synthesis of both enantiomers of Z-protected α-methylaspartic acid β-(tert-butyl)ester (O⁴-(tert-butyl) hydrogen 2-methylaspartates (R) or (S)- 4a ), α-methyl-glutamic acid γ-(tert-butyl) ester (O⁵-(tert-butyl) hydrogen 2-methylglutamate (R)- or (S)- 4b ), and of N^ε-bis-Boc-protected α-methyllysine (N⁶,N⁶-bis[(tert-butyloxy)carbonyl]-2-methyllysine (R)- or (S)- 4c ) is described in full detail.