Improved methods of obtaining Nim-trityl-substituted histidine derivatives

Two variants are proposed for the synthesis of N^α-Boc-N^im-tritylhistidiine. The first variant starts from N^α,N^im-di-Boc-histidine, from which the N^im-Boc group is removed with hydrazine hydrate. The N^α-Boc-histidine formed is esterified with chlorotrimethylsilane, tritylated in the imidazole group, and, after the elimination of the trimethylsilyl protection from the carboxyl group, N^α-Boc-N^im-tritylglycine is obtained with a yield of 80%. The second variant starts from N^α,N^im-ditritylhistidine, which, by treatment with hydrochloric acid in acetone and then with dilute ammonia, is converted into N^im-tritylhistidine. From this, by acylation with di-tert-butyl pyrocarbonate, N^α-Boc-N^im-tritylhistidine is obtained with a yield of 91%. The acylation of N^im-tritylhistidine with other alkoxycarbonylating reagents leads to N^α-tert-amyl-, N^α-benzyl-, and N^α-4-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl derivatives of N^im-tritylhistidine.     

Low-cost and multi-gram scale synthesis of chiral Nβ-Boc protected α-Nα-hydrazino diesters

An efficient and general low-cost method is described to obtain chiral N^β-Boc protected α-N^α-hydrazino diester building-blocks (orthogonally and non-orthogonally protected diesters) on multi-gram scale (30 mmol) using two successive S_N2 reactions. This method is also convenient for the introduction of both polar and nonpolar side chains on the N^α-atom and represents an inexpensive and attractive alternative compared to the more expensive method using commercial oxaziridine reagents for N-amination of α-amino acids.     

Synthesis of α,α-disubstituted 4-phosphonophenylalanine analogues as conformationally-constrained phosphotyrosyl mimetics

Syntheses of N-Boc (S)-4-(diethylphosphono)-(α-methyl)phenylalanine [Boc-(α-Me)Phe(4-PO₃Et₂)-OH] (9) and N-Boc (S)-2-amino-6-(diethylphosphono)tetralin-2-carboxylic acid [Boc-Atc(6-PO₃Et₂)-OH] (18) are reported as conformationally-constrained phosphotyrosyl mimetics suitably protected for peptide synthesis. Both syntheses proceeded through chiral arylhalides that are converted to arylphosphonates by palladium-catalyzed cross coupling with diethylphosphite. These amino acid analogues may be useful in the study of cellular signal transduction processes.     

Synthesis of (S)-5,6-dibromo-tryptophan derivatives as building blocks for peptide chemistry

5,6-Dibromo-tryptophan is an interesting amino acid whose derivatives and analogues are found in a variety of highly bioactive natural compounds. Notwithstanding its relevance no data concerning this compound are found in the literature. Here an efficient pathway for the synthesis of 5,6-dibromo-tryptophan derivatives is reported. The reaction is performed by using 6-Br-isatin as starting material. Selective bromination at position 5 was followed by BH₃ reduction of the intermediate α-keto-amide and alkylation with Ser-OH in Ac₂O/AcOH. Optical resolution was effected by enzymatic de-acetylation of the obtained racemic mixture. Finally, in situ N^α-Boc protection of the optically pure S form yielded the desired N^α-Boc-(S)-5,6-dibromo-tryptophan.     

Synthesis of protected derivatives and short peptides of antAib, a novel C-tetrasubstituted α-amino acid of the Ac5c type possessing a fused anthracene fluorophore

The N^α-Boc and N^α-Fmoc protected derivatives of 2-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]anthracene-2-carboxylic acid (antAib), a novel fluorescent, achiral, α-amino acid, rigid analogue of the known 9-antAla and 2-antAla residues, and belonging to the class of C_i^α→C_i^α cyclized, C^α,α-disubstituted glycines (strong β-turn and helix inducers in peptides), were synthesized in seven steps from 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene. The UV absorption and fluorescence properties of Boc-antAib-OEt and Boc-antAib-OH are also described. Solution syntheses of the short peptides Boc-antAib-l-Ala-OMe, Fmoc-l-Ala-antAib-l-Ala-OMe, as well as Boc-Aib-antAib-l-Ala-OMe and the side product 2,5-dioxopiperazine cyclo-[antAib-l-Ala], are presented as examples of the coupling ability at both C- and N-termini of the antAib residue.     

Esterification reactions on syndiotactic poly(2-methallyl alcohol). II. Esterification with protected (L)-aspartic and (L)-glutamic acids

The esterification of syndiotactic poly(2-methallyl alcohol) by N^α- and O^ω- protected aspartic and glutamic acids by the DCC/HOBT method is described. Depending on the extent of conversion, either homopolymers or copolymers are obtained. Both homo- and copolymers are characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR. A second route to the homopolymers has been followed, whereby the poly(2-methallyl alcohol) is first esterified by N^α-protected aspartic or glutamic acid anhydrides and, in a second step, the resulting free carboxyl group on the side chain is esterified by alcohols which are the same as the alcohol moiety of the O^ω-protecting groups. Because the homopolymers were identical to those of the first route, the formation of α-esters with the acid anhydrides is indicated.     

Synthesis of chiral β2-amino acids by asymmetric hydrogenation

The synthesis of chiral β²-amino acids by homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation is discussed. Prochiral β-aryl- or β-hetaryl-α-N-benzyl/N-acetyl/N-Boc substituted α-aminomethylacrylates used as substrates were prepared by a Baylis–Hillman reaction, followed by acylation and amination. For the asymmetric hydrogenation, a large variety of chiral, preferentially rhodium catalysts bearing commercially available phosphorus ligands were tested. Conversions and enantioselectivities were dependent on the reaction conditions and varied strongly between the substrates used. A chiral N-α-phenylethyl group supports the stereoface discriminating ability of the chiral catalysts and thus a matching pair effect could be realized. In strong contrast, a chiral ester group has almost no effect in this respect. In some cases the use of the corresponding substrate acid was better in comparison to the use of its ester. After optimization of the hydrogenation conditions (chiral catalyst, H₂-pressure, temperature, solvent), full conversions and products with up to 99% ee were achieved.     

L-tert-Leucine derived urea-ammonium salts: Efficient bifunctional phase transfer catalysts for highly diastereo- and enantioselective aza-Henry reaction of isatin-derived N-Boc ketimines with α-aryl nitromethanes

An efficient way of aza-Henry reaction between isatin-derived N-Boc ketimines and α-aryl nitromethanes catalyzed by bifunctional phase transfer catalysts with a quaternary ammonium center derived from L-tert-Leucine has been developed. A series of 3-substituted 3-amino-oxindoles were constructed by this catalytic protocol in excellent yields (90–99%), with high enantioselectivities (83–95%) and diastereoselectivities (79:21–97:3). The asymmetric aza-Henry reaction of N-Boc amidosulfones and α-aryl nitromethanes were also investigated and gave the corresponding products in high to excellent yields (72–97%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 99%) and diastereoselectivities (up to >99:1).     

Amidation of syndiotactic poly(2-methylallyl hydrogen carboxylate)

The amidation of syndiotactic polyacids and the ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic characterization of the resulting polyamides are described. The polyacids have been derived from syndiotactic poly(2-methylallyl alcohol) by esterification with cyclic dicarboxylic acid anhydrides, including N^α-protected aspartic acid anhydrides and glutamic acid anhydrides. The poly(hydrogen carboxylate) were in turn condensed with a series of amines, some of which possessed additional functional groups, e.g. (L)-1-phenylethylamine, histamine, and glycine methylester.     

Synthesis of Boc-Amino Tetrazoles Derived from α-Amino Acids

A simple route for the synthesis of Boc-protected tetrazole analogs of amino acids starting from N ^α-Boc amino acids has been described. The [2 + 3] cycloaddition of Boc-α-amino nitrile and sodium azide in the presence of a catalytic amount of zinc bromide yielded the desired tetrazoles in good yields and purity. All the compounds obtained have been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C-NMR and mass spectral studies.     

Trading N and O: asymmetric syntheses of β-hydroxy-α-amino acids via α-hydroxy-β-amino esters

Both diastereoisomers of 2-amino-3-hydroxybutanoic acid and 2-amino-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoic acid have been prepared from enantiopure α-hydroxy-β-amino esters via the intermediacy of the corresponding cis- and trans-aziridines. Aminohydroxylation of two α,β-unsaturated esters produced enantiopure 2,3-anti-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters in >99:1 dr. Subsequent epimerisation at the C(2)-position via a sequential oxidation/diastereoselective reduction protocol gave the corresponding enantiopure 2,3-syn-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters in >99:1 dr. These syn- and anti-substrates were then converted into the corresponding N-Boc protected cis- and trans-aziridines, respectively, via a three step reaction sequence: (i) hydrogenolysis and in situ N-Boc protection; (ii) OH-activation; and (iii) aziridine formation. Subsequent regioselective ring-opening of the C(3)-methyl-aziridines with Cl₃CCO₂H proceeded with inversion of configuration to give the corresponding 2-amino-3-trichloroacetate esters, whereas the analogous reaction with the C(3)-phenyl-aziridines resulted in rearrangement to the corresponding oxazolidin-2-ones with retention of configuration. In each case, hydrolysis of the products from these ring-opening reactions produced the corresponding enantiopure β-hydroxy-α-amino acids as single diastereoisomers.     

Efficient, solventless N-Boc protection of amines carried out at room temperature using sulfamic acid as recyclable catalyst

A simple, rapid, and efficient protocol for the chemoselective N-Boc protection of amines using sulfamic acid as catalyst is described. N-Boc protection of various structurally diverse aliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic, and heterocyclic amines (1°, 2°, 3°) was carried out with (Boc)₂O using sulfamic acid as catalyst (5 mol %) at room temperature under solventless conditions. The advantages of this method are simplicity, shorter reaction times (1-15 min), a cost-effective catalyst, and excellent isolated yields (90-100%); it is also environmentally benign. Moreover, the combined use of ultrasound and sulfamic acid achieves a synergic effect that is especially marked in the N-Boc protection of deactivated (sterically hindered and electron-deficient) amines. The catalyst possesses distinct advantages: ease of handling, cleaner reactions, high activity, and excellent chemoselectivity.     

N-Carbamate α-aminoalkyl-p-tolylsulfones—convenient substrates in the nitro-Mannich synthesis of secondary N-carbamate protected syn-2-amino-1-nitroalkanephosphonates

An efficient one-pot synthesis of secondary N-carbamate protected syn-β-amino-α-nitroalkanephosphonates using diethyl nitromethanephosphonate and N-Boc or N-Cbz imines, generated in situ from stable N-Boc or N-Cbz α-aminoalkyl-p-tolylsulfones has been developed under PTC conditions. A model enantioselective version of this reaction is also described. Enantioselectivity up to 67% ee is achieved using a chiral thiourea catalyst derived from a cinchona alkaloid. Completely stereoselective conversion of the title compounds into partially N-carbamate protected syn-1,2-diaminoalkanephosphonates has also been elaborated.     

Synthesis of substituted 5-aminomethyl tetrahydro-isoquinolines and dihydro-isoindoles

The synthesis of ten substituted aminomethylene tetrahydro-isoquinolines is described, proceeding in eight steps from 5-hydroxyisoquinoline via reductive amination of N-Boc tetrahydro-isoquinoline 5-carboxaldehyde. Likewise, reductive amination was used to prepare four substituted dihydro-isoindoles from the corresponding aldehyde. The dihydro-isoindole ring system was conveniently accessed via a 2+2+2 cycloaddition reaction.     

Synthesis of Dye-Labeled Lysine Derivatives

The N′-dabcyl-N ^α-(9-fluorenylmethoxy)-carbonyllysine was prepared by reaction of lysine-Cu²⁺ complex with the N-hydroxysuccinimide (HOSu) activated ester of [4-(4'-dimethylamino)phenylazo]benzoic acid (dabcyl acid) followed by treatment with EDTA and acylation with Fmoc-OSu, and the N ^α-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-N′-dabcyllysine was prepared by reaction of N ^α-tert-butyloxycarbonyllysine with dabcyl-OSu.     

Study of the oxidation of 3-hydroxypyrroloindoles to pyrrolobenzoxazine alkaloids

This report describes a detailed study of the oxidation-Meisenheimer rearrangement of N-methyl-3-hydroxy-7-chloropyrroloindoline ethyl ester and the corresponding O-Boc and N-Boc derivatives. Experimental conditions were found, which allowed the selective Boc protection of either the tertiary alcohol substituent or the NH group of the aminal function. It was shown that both the parent compound and its O-Boc derivative yielded a mixture of oxazines and, in some cases, N-oxides upon treatment with m-CPBA. MS fragmentation (APCI) clearly differentiates formation of N-oxides and oxazines. The N-Boc derivatives exclusively yielded the N-oxides showing that the Meisenheimer rearrangement requires the presence of a high energy lone pair on the neighbouring nitrogen atom. Both the parent compound and the O-Boc derivative gave a mixture of rearranged products and N-oxide depending on the reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of D-Erythro- and D-Threo-Sphingosine Derivatives From L-Serine

The protected serine aldehyde 10 was converted to the crystalline N-Boc-protected sphingosines 6 – 9 by a three-step reaction sequence. Compound 10 was transformed with high diastereoselectivity (95%) either to the erythro- or threo-alkynols, 17 and 18 , respectively. The erythro-isomer 17 is formed by the addition to 10 of lithium pentadecyne 16 in THF/HMPT at ?78°, whereas the corresponding threo-isomer 18 is produced in the presence of ZnBr² in Et₂O. Deprotection of the acetal moiety afforded 1,3-diols 19 and 20 . These diols were selectively reduced with Red-Al to the (E)-sphingosines 6 and 8 , or the (Z)-isomers 7 and 9 by partial hydrogenation over Lindlar's catalyst. Cleavage of the N-Boc group and further transformation to ceramides were readily achieved as demonstarted by the conversion of 6 to N-octadecanoyl-D -erythro-sphingosine 5 .     

Copper(II) tetrafluoroborate as a novel and highly efficient catalyst for N-tert-butoxycarbonylation of amines under solvent-free conditions at room temperature

Commercially available copper(II) tetrafluoroborate hydrate was found to be a highly efficient catalyst for chemoselective N-tert-butoxycarbonylation of amines with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate under solvent-free conditions and at room temperature. Various aromatic amines were protected as their N-tert-butyl carbamates in high yields and in short times. No competitive side reactions such as isocyanate, urea, and N,N-di-t-Boc formation was observed. Chemoselective N-tert-butoxycarbonylation was achieved with substrates bearing OH and SH groups. Chiral α-amino acid esters afforded the corresponding N-t-Boc derivatives in excellent yields.     

An efficient and chemoselective Brønsted acidic ionic liquid-catalyzed N-Boc protection of amines

The first report of a Brønsted acidic ionic liquid, 1-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [(HMIm)BF₄], catalyzed efficient and chemoselective N-Boc protection of various amines using (Boc)₂O is presented. Optically pure amino alcohols and amino acid esters were converted efficiently to their corresponding optically pure N-Boc derivatives. The reported method is mild, solvent-free and has the advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis with high product yields, selectivity and ease of product separation.     

Determination of kynurenic acid levels in rat brain microdialysis samples and changes in kynurenic acid levels induced by N‐acetylaspartic acid

The levels of kynurenic acid, an endogenous antagonist of α₇ nicotinic acetylcholine and N‐methyl‐D ‐aspartate receptors, were measured in microdialysis samples obtained from the prefrontal cortices of rats using column‐switching high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. When the perfusate was constantly infused at a rate of 1.0 μ/min, the in vitro recovery of kynurenic acid through the dialysis membrane was approximately 20.4%, and the precision was within 1.31%. Endogenous kynurenic acid in the microdialysis sample was clearly detected using column‐switching high‐performance liquid chromatography. As an application study, N‐acetyl‐L ‐aspartic acid, an endogenous metabolite and precursor of N‐acetyl‐L ‐aspartyl‐L ‐glutamic acid, which is an agonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors, was infused for 120 min through the microdialysis probe. The kynurenic acid level significantly increased during the infusion of N‐acetyl‐L ‐aspartic acid, suggesting that kynurenic acid might have some association with N‐acetyl‐L ‐aspartic acid in vivo. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.