The ‘Azirine/Oxazolone Approach’ to the Synthesis of Aib‐Pro Endothiopeptides

The reaction of methyl N‐(2,2‐dimethyl‐2H‐azirin‐3‐yl)‐L ‐prolinate ( 2a ) with thiobenzoic acid at room temperature gave the endothiopeptide Bz‐AibΨ[CS]‐Pro‐OMe ( 7 ) in high yield. In an analogous manner, (benzyloxy)carbonyl (Z)‐protected proline was transformed into the thioacid, which was reacted with 2a to give the endothiotripeptide Z‐Pro‐AibΨ[CS]‐Pro‐OMe ( 12 ). The corresponding thioacid of 7 was prepared in situ via saponification, formation of a mixed anhydride, and treatment with H₂S. A second reaction with 2a led to the endodithiotetrapeptide 9 , but extensive epimerization at Pro² was observed. Similarly, saponification of 12 and coupling with either 2a or H‐Phe‐OMe and 2‐(1H‐benzotriazol‐1‐yl)‐1,1,3,3‐tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate/1‐hydroxy‐1H‐benzotriazole (TBTU/HOBt) gave the corresponding endothiopeptides as mixtures of two epimers. The synthesis of the pure diastereoisomer BzΨ[CS]‐Aib‐Pro‐AibΨ[CS]‐N(Me)Ph ( 21 ) was achieved via isomerization of 7 to BzΨ[CS]‐Aib‐Pro‐OMe ( 16 ), transformation into the corresponding thioacid, and reaction with N,2,2‐trimethyl‐N‐phenyl‐2H‐azirin‐3‐amine ( 1a ). The structures of 12 and 21 were established by X‐ray crystallography.     

Synthesis of Poly‐Aib Oligopeptides and Aib‐Containing Peptides via the ‘Azirine/Oxazolone Method’, and Their Crystal Structures

The protected poly‐Aib oligopeptides Z‐(Aib)_n‐N(Me)Ph with n=2–6 were prepared according to the ‘azirine/oxazolone method’, i.e., by coupling amino or peptide acids with 2,2,N‐trimethyl‐N‐phenyl‐2H‐azirin‐3‐amine ( 1a ) as an Aib synthon (Scheme 2). Following the same concept, the segments Z‐(Aib)₃‐OH ( 9 ) and H‐L ‐Pro‐(Aib)₃‐N(Me)Ph ( 20 ) were synthesized, and their subsequent coupling with N,N′‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC)/ZnCl₂ led to the protected heptapeptide Z‐(Aib)₃‐L ‐Pro‐(Aib)₃‐N(Me)Ph ( 21 ; Scheme 3). The crystal structures of the poly‐Aib oligopeptide amides were established by X‐ray crystallography confirming the 3₁₀‐helical conformation of Aib peptides.     

Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of Pentapeptides Containing Enantiomerically Pure 2,2‐Disubstituted Glycines

The synthesis and conformational analysis of model pentapeptides with the sequence Z‐Leu‐Aib‐Xaa‐Gln‐Valol is described. These peptides contain two 2,2‐disubstituted glycines (α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acids), i.e., Aib (aminoisobutyric acid), and a series of unsymmetrically substituted, enantiomerically pure amino acids Xaa. These disubstituted amino acids were incorporated into the model peptides via the ‘azirine/oxazolone method’. Conformational analysis was performed in solution by means of NMR techniques and, in the solid state, by X‐ray crystallography. Both methods show that the backbones of these model peptides adopt helical conformations, as expected for 2,2‐disubstitued glycine‐containing peptides.     

Synthesis of Aib‐ and Phe(2Me)‐Containing Cyclopentapeptides

Some recently described pentapeptides containing the α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acids Aib and Phe(2Me) have been cyclized in DMF solution using diphenyl phosphorazidate (DPPA), O‐(1H‐benzotriazol‐1‐yl)‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetamethyluronium tetrafluoroborate/1‐hydroxybenzotriazole (TBTU/HOBt), and diethyl phosphorocyanidate (DEPC), respectively, to give the corresponding cyclopentapeptides in fair‐to‐good yields. In the case of peptides with L ‐amino acids, and (R)‐ and (S)‐Phe(2Me), the yields differed significantly in favor of the L /(R) combination. The conformations in the crystals of cyclo(Gly‐Aib‐(R,S)‐Phe(2Me)‐Aib‐Gly) and cyclo(Gly‐(R)‐Phe(2Me)‐Pro‐Aib‐Gly) have been determined by X‐ray crystallography, leading to quite different results. In the latter case, the conformation in solution has been elucidated by NMR studies.     

Synthesis of Aib‐Pro Oligopeptides by Repeated Azirine Coupling with the Aib‐Pro Synthon

A new synthesis of (Aib‐Pro)_n oligopeptides (n=2, 3, and 4) via azirine coupling by using the dipeptide synthon methyl N‐(2,2‐dimethyl‐2H‐azirin‐3‐yl)‐L ‐prolinate ( 1b ; Fig. 1) is presented. The most important feature of the employed protocol is that no activation of the acid component is necessary, i.e., no additional reagents are required, and the coupling reaction is performed under mild conditions at room temperature. As an attempt to provide an answer to the question of the preferred conformation of the prepared molecules, we carried out experiments by using NMR techniques and X‐ray crystallography. For example, in the case of the hexapeptide 11 , it was possible to compare the conformations in the crystalline state and in solution. After the selective hydrolysis of the methyl ester p‐BrBz‐(Aib‐Pro)₄‐OMe ( 13 ) under basic conditions, the corresponding octapeptide acid was obtained, which was then converted into the octapeptide amide p‐BrBz‐(Aib‐Pro)₄‐NHC₆H₁₃ ( 15 ) by using standard coupling conditions and activating reagents (HOBt/TBTU/DIEA) of the peptide synthesis. The conformation of this compound, as well as those of the tetrapeptides 14 and 18 , was also established by X‐ray crystallography and in solution by NMR techniques. In the crystalline state, a β‐bend ribbon structure is the preferred conformation, and similar conformations are formed in solution.     

Synthesis of Enniatin‐like Cyclic Depsipeptides via ‘Direct Amide Cyclization’

The synthesis of several 18‐membered cyclodepsipeptides with an alternating sequence of α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acids and α‐hydroxy acids (compounds 14a – 14e ) is described. The ring closure via macrolactonization was accomplished by treatment of a diluted suspension of the corresponding linear precursors 12a – 12e in toluene with HCl gas, i.e., the so‐called ‘direct amide cyclization’. The incorporation of the α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acids was achieved via the ‘azirine/oxazolone method’ with 2H‐azirin‐3‐amines of type 6 and 9 as building blocks. The structure of the cyclic depsipeptide 14a was established by X‐ray crystallography.     

2‐Amino‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydro‐6‐oxocyclopenta[c]fluorene‐2‐carboxylic Acid (FlAib), a Completely Rigidified,Fluoren‐9‐one‐Based α‐Amino Acid

The synthesis, optical resolution, determination of absolute configuration and conformational preference, and spectroscopic characteristics of terminally protected (blocked) derivatives and short peptides of 2‐amino‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydro‐6‐oxocyclopenta[c]fluorene‐2‐carboxylic acid (FlAib), a novel, rigid, chiral, cyclized C^α,α‐disubstituted glycine are described.     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of β‐Lactams and Cyclo‐β‐dipeptides

Different cyclo‐β‐dipeptides were prepared from corresponding N‐substituted β‐alanine derivatives under mild conditions using PhPOCl₂ as activating agent in benzene and Et₃N as base. To evaluate β³‐substituent influence, the amino acids 7 – 26 were synthesized, and a β‐lactam formation reaction was carried out instead of cyclo‐β‐dipeptide formation. The crystal structures of three derivatives of cyclo‐β‐peptides and one β‐lactam are presented.     

Novel N‐(2,2‐Dimethyl‐2H‐azirin‐3‐yl)‐L‐prolinates as Aib‐Pro Synthons

The syntheses of phenacyl N‐(2,2‐dimethyl‐2H‐azirin‐3‐yl)‐L ‐prolinate and allyl N‐(2,2‐dimethyl‐2H‐azirin‐3‐yl)‐L ‐prolinate are reported. Reactions of these 2H‐azirin‐3‐amine derivatives with Z‐protected amino acids have shown them to be suitable synthons for the Aib‐Pro unit in peptide synthesis. After incorporation into the peptide by means of the ‘azirine/oxazolone method’, the C‐termini of the resulting peptides were deprotected selectively with Zn in AcOH or by a mild Pd⁰‐promoted procedure, respectively.     

cis‐trans Peptide‐Bond Isomerization in α‐Methylproline Derivatives

α‐Methyl‐L ‐proline is an α‐substituted analog of proline that has been previously employed to constrain prolyl peptide bonds in a trans conformation. Here, we revisit the cis‐trans prolyl peptide bond equilibrium in derivatives of α‐methyl‐L ‐proline, such as N‐Boc‐protected α‐methyl‐L ‐proline and the hexapeptide H‐Ala‐Tyr‐αMePro‐Tyr‐Asp‐Val‐OH. In Boc‐α‐methyl‐L ‐proline, we found that both cis and trans conformers were populated, whereas, in the short peptide, only the trans conformer was detected. The energy barrier for the cis‐trans isomerization in Boc‐α‐methyl‐L ‐proline was determined by line‐shape analysis of NMR spectra obtained at different temperatures and found to be 1.24 kcal/mol (at 298 K) higher than the corresponding value for Boc‐L ‐proline. These findings further illuminate the conformationally constraining properties of α‐methyl‐L ‐proline.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of O‐2′,3′‐Cyclic Cyclopentanone and Cyclohexanone Ketals of the Cytostatic 5‐Fluorouridine

The synthesis of two O‐2′,3′‐cyclic ketals, i.e., 5 and 6 , of the cytostatic 5‐fluorouridine ( 2 ), carrying a cyclopentane and/or a cyclohexane ring, respectively, is described. The novel compounds were characterized by ¹H‐, ¹⁹F‐, and ¹³C‐NMR, and UV spectroscopy, as well as by elemental analyses. Their crystal structures were determined by X‐ray analysis. Both compounds 5 and 6 show an anti‐conformation at the N‐glycosidic bond which is biased from +ac to +ap compared to the parent nucleoside 2 . The sugar puckering is changed from ^2′E to _3′E going along with a reduction of the puckering amplitude τ_m by ca. 10–13° due to the ketalization. The conformation about the sugar exocyclic bond C(4′)? C(5′) of 5 and 6 remains unchanged, i.e., g⁺, compared with compound 2 .     

Highly Constrained Linear Oligopeptides Containing Heterocyclic α‐Amino Carboxylic Acids

Two spiroheterocyclic 2H‐azirin‐3‐amines, 1f and 1g , were shown to be useful synthons for the dipeptides N‐(4‐aminotetrahydro‐2H‐pyran‐4‐yl)prolinate (Thp‐Pro) and the corresponding thiopyran derivative, Tht‐Pro, respectively. By coupling of 4‐bromobenzoic acid with 1f or 1g and saponification, followed by repeating the coupling and saponification steps, oligopeptides of type 4‐BrBz‐(Thp‐Pro)_n‐OMe and 4‐BrBz‐(Tht‐Pro)_n‐OMe were prepared, and their conformations were evaluated in solution by NMR techniques and in the crystalline state by X‐ray crystallography. All of these sterically highly congested oligopeptides adopt fairly rigid helical conformations. It is interesting to note that the hexapeptide with Thp forms a 3₁₀‐helix, whereas the Tht analog has a β‐bend ribbon spiral confirmation.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of the Molybdenum(II) Complexes with the N,N‐dimethylthiocarbamoyl Containing Ligand: Crystal Structures of β [Mo(CO)2{η2‐S2P(OEt)2}(η2‐SCNMe2)(PPh3)] and [Mo(CO)2(η3‐Tp)(η2‐SCNMe2)(PPh3)]

Reactions of the thiocarbamoyl‐molybdenum complex [Mo(CO)₂(η²‐SCNMe₂)(PPh₃)₂Cl] 1 , and ammonium diethyldithiophosphate, NH₄S₂P(OEt)₂, and potassium tris(pyrazoyl‐1‐yl)borate, KTp, in dichloromethane at room temperature yielded the seven coordinated diethyldithiophosphate thiocarbamoyl‐molybdenum complexe [Mo(CO)₂{η²‐S₂P(OEt)₂}(η²‐SCNMe₂)(PPh₃)] β‐3 , and tris(pyrazoyl‐1‐yl)borate thiocabamoyl‐molybdenum complex [Mo(CO)₂(η³‐Tp)(η²‐SCNMe₂)(PPh₃)] 4 , respectively. The geometry around the metal atom of compounds β‐3 and 4 are capped octahedrons. The α‐ and β‐isomers are defined to the dithio‐ligand and one of the carbonyl ligands in the trans position in former and two carbonyl ligands in the trans position in later. The thiocabamoyl and diethyldithiophosphate or tris(pyrazoyl‐1‐yl)borate ligands coordinate to the molybdenum metal center through the carbon and sulfur and two sulfur atoms, or three nitrogen atoms, respectively. Complexes β‐3 and 4 are characterized by X‐ray diffraction analyses.     

2H‐Azirines as Ligands: Structural Characterization of the First Neutral and Cationic (η5‐C5Me5)Rh(III) 2H‐Azirine Complexes

The synthesis and structural characterization of two azirine rhodium(III ) complexes are described. The stabilization, N‐coordination and phenylgroup π‐stacking of the highly reactive and strained 3‐phenyl‐2H‐azirine by transition metal coordination is observed. The reaction of the dimeric complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)RhCl₂]₂ with 3‐phenyl‐2H‐azirine (az) in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature in a 1:2 molar ratio afforded the neutral mono‐azirine complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)RhCl₂(az)]. The subsequent reaction of [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)RhCl₂]₂ with six equivalents of az and 4 equivalents of AgOTf yielded the cationic tris‐azirine complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Rh(az)₃](OTf)₂. After purification, all complexes have been fully characterized. The molecular structures of the novel rhodium(III ) complexes exhibit slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometries around the metal atoms.     

Amyloid‐Like Fibrillogenesis through Supramolecular Helix‐Mediated Self‐Assembly of Tetrapeptides Containing Non‐Coded α‐Aminoisobutyric Acid (Aib) and 3‐Aminobenzoic Acid (m‐ABA)

Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies of two terminally protected tetrapeptides Boc‐Ile‐Aib‐Val‐m‐ABA‐OMe ( I ) and Boc‐Ile‐Aib‐Phe‐m‐ABA‐OMe ( II ) (Aib=α‐aminoisobutyric acid; m‐ABA=meta‐aminobenzoic acid) reveal that they form continuous H‐bonded helices through the association of double‐bend (type III and I) building blocks. NMR Studies support the existence of the double‐bend (type III and I) structures of the peptides in solution also. Field emission scanning electron‐microscopic (FE‐SEM) and high‐resolution transmission electron‐microscopic (HR‐TEM) images of the peptides exhibit amyloid‐like fibrils in the solid state. The Congo red‐stained fibrils of peptide I and II , observed between crossed polarizers, show green‐gold birefringence, a characteristic of amyloid fibrils.     

Synthesis of 1,2,3‐Triazole Analogues of Lincomycin

In search for new antibiotics we replaced the amide moiety of lincomycin 1 by a 1,2,3‐triazole ring. The 1,2,3‐triazoles 10a – 10k were obtained as single regioisomers by ‘click reaction’ of azide 5 with the alkyne 9k , derived from propyl hygric acid, and the alkyl, aryl, or cycloalkyl alkynes ribosomes 9a – 9j . The new analogues proved inactive towards wild‐type and A2058G mutant.     

Benzyl N‐[(Benzyloxy)methyl]carbamate: An Improved Aminomethylation Electrophile for the Synthesis of (Benzyloxy)carbonyl (Cbz)‐Protected Chiral β2‐Amino Acids

α‐Aminomethylation of (R)‐DIOZ‐alkylated (DIOZ=4‐isopropyl‐5,5‐diphenyloxazolidin‐2‐one) substrates is a key step in the asymmetric synthesis of β²‐amino acids, but it is unfortunately often accompanied by formation of transcarbamation by‐products. Aminomethylation was tested using a range of electrophiles, and the amount of by‐product formation was assessed in each case. Benzyl N‐[(benzyloxy)methyl]carbamate electrophile 3d is unable to form this by‐product due to its inherent benzyl substitution. Use of electrophile 3d showed an improved impurity profile in aminomethylation, thus leading to easier intermediate purification.     

Synthesis of Cyclopentapeptides with Three to Five Aib Units

Four new Aib‐containing cyclopentapeptides have been synthesized by cyclization of the corresponding linear pentapeptides using the diethyl phosphorocyanidate (DEPC)/EtN(ⁱPr)₂ method. The linear precursors were prepared via the ‘azirine/oxazolone method’, i.e., the Aib units were introduced by the reaction of amino acids or peptide acids with a 2,2‐dimethyl‐2H‐azirin‐3‐amine, followed by selective hydrolysis of the terminal amide function. Most remarkably, cyclo[(Aib)₅] exists in CDCl₃ solution in a symmetrical conformation, i.e., no intramolecular H‐bonds are detectable.     

Synthesis of 1,4‐Diazabutadienes (=N,N′‐Ethane‐1,2‐diylidenebis[amines]) by Grinding

A simple and convenient method for the synthesis of 1,4‐diazabutadienes (=N,N′‐ethane‐1,2‐diylidenebis[amines]) by grinding glyoxal (=ethanedial) or an α‐diketone and anilines (=benzenamines) in the presence of TsOH in a mortar with a pestle is described. By this way, 1,4‐diazabutadienes were obtained in good to excellent yields.     

Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Orthogonally Protected (2S)‐2,3‐Diaminopropanoates through Catalytic Phase‐Transfer Aza‐Henry Reaction

The syntheses of enantiomer‐enriched orthogonally protected different (2S)‐2,3‐diaminopropanoates and unnatural furyl‐substituted (tert‐butoxy)carbonyl (Boc) as well as (benzyloxy)carbonyl (Cbz) protected amino acid esters are accomplished by means of an enantioselective aza‐Henry reaction. A key feature of this protocol is organocatalysis as a genesis of chirality to ensure high enantioselectivity.