Lewis Acid‐Mediated Addition of Amino Acid‐Substituted α‐Allylsilanes to Aromatic Acetals

Unnatural amino acids extend the pharmacological formulator's toolkit. Strategies to prepare unnatural amino acid derivatives using Lewis acid‐activated allylsilane reactions are few. In this regard, we examined the utility of allylsilanes bearing an amino acid substituent in the reaction. Diastereoselective addition of methyl 2‐(N‐PG‐amino)‐3‐(trimethylsilyl)pent‐4‐enoate and methyl (E)‐2‐(N‐PG‐amino)‐3‐(trimethylsilyl)hex‐4‐enoate (PG=protecting group), 2 and 13 , respectively, to aromatic acetals in the presence of Lewis acids is described. Of those examined, TiCl₄ was found to be the most effective Lewis acid for promoting the addition. At least 1 equiv. of TiCl₄ was required to achieve high yields, whereas 2 equiv. of BF₃?OEt₂ were required for comparable outcomes. Excellent selectivity (>99% syn/anti) and high yield (up to 89%) were obtained with halo‐substituted aromatic acetals, while more electron‐rich electrophiles led to both lower yields and diastereoselectivities.     

Four oxoindole‐linked α‐alkoxy‐β‐amino acid derivatives

Four structures of oxoindolyl α‐hydroxy‐β‐amino acid derivatives, namely, methyl 2‐{3‐[(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)amino]‐1‐methyl‐2‐oxoindolin‐3‐yl}‐2‐methoxy‐2‐phenylacetate, C₂₄H₂₈N₂O₆, (I), methyl 2‐{3‐[(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)amino]‐1‐methyl‐2‐oxoindolin‐3‐yl}‐2‐ethoxy‐2‐phenylacetate, C₂₅H₃₀N₂O₆, (II), methyl 2‐{3‐[(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)amino]‐1‐methyl‐2‐oxoindolin‐3‐yl}‐2‐[(4‐methoxybenzyl)oxy]‐2‐phenylacetate, C₃₁H₃₄N₂O₇, (III), and methyl 2‐[(anthracen‐9‐yl)methoxy]‐2‐{3‐[(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)amino]‐1‐methyl‐2‐oxoindolin‐3‐yl}‐2‐phenylacetate, C₃₈H₃₆N₂O₆, (IV), have been determined. The diastereoselectivity of the chemical reaction involving α‐diazoesters and isatin imines in the presence of benzyl alcohol is confirmed through the relative configuration of the two stereogenic centres. In esters (I) and (III), the amide group adopts an anti conformation, whereas the conformation is syn in esters (II) and (IV). Nevertheless, the amide group forms intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds with the ester and ether O atoms in all four structures. The ether‐linked substituents are in the extended conformation in all four structures. Ester (II) is dominated by intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen‐bond interactions. In contrast, the remaining three structures are sustained by C—H...O hydrogen‐bond interactions.     

Trifluoromethylthiolation and Trifluoromethylselenolation of α‐Diazo Esters Catalyzed by Copper

α‐Diazo esters are smoothly converted into the corresponding trifluoromethyl thio‐ or selenoethers by reaction with Me₄NSCF₃ or Me₄NSeCF₃, respectively, in the presence of catalytic amounts of copper thiocyanate. This straightforward method gives high yields under neutral conditions at room temperature and is applicable to a wide range of functionalized molecules, including diverse α‐amino acid derivatives. It is well‐suited for the late‐stage introduction of trifluoromethylthio or ‐seleno groups into drug‐like molecules.     

One‐Pot Three‐Component Synthesis of α‐Amino Nitriles Catalyzed by 2,4,6‐Trichloro‐1,3,5‐triazine (Cyanuric Acid)

A simple and efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of α‐amino nitriles from aldehydes, amines and trimethylsilyl cyanide (Me₃SiCN) in the presence of a catalytic amount of cyanuric acid at room temperature.     

Conformation of Peptides Containing a Chiral α‐Ethylated α,α‐Disubstituted α‐Amino Acid: (S)‐α‐Ethylleucine (=(2S)‐2‐Amino‐2‐ethyl‐4‐methylpentanoic Acid) within Sequences of Dimethylglycine and Diethylglycine Residues

An optically active (S)‐α‐ethylleucine ((S)‐αEtLeu) as a chiral α‐ethylated α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acid was synthesized by means of a chiral acetal auxiliary of (R,R)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diol. The chiral α‐ethylated α,α‐disubstituted amino acid (S)‐αEtLeu was introduced into the peptides constructed from 2‐aminoisobutyric acid (=dimethylglycine, Aib), and also into the peptide prepared from diethylglycine (Deg). The X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed that both right‐handed (P) and left‐handed (M) 3₁₀‐helical structures exist in the solid state of CF₃CO‐(Aib)₂‐[(S)‐αEtLeu]‐(Aib)₂‐OEt ( 14 ) and CF₃CO‐[(S)‐αEtLeu]‐(Deg)₄‐OEt ( 18 ), respectively. The IR, CD, and ¹H‐NMR spectra indicated that the dominant conformation of pentapeptides 14 and CF₃CO‐[(S)‐αEtLeu]‐(Aib)₄‐OEt ( 16 ) in solution is a 3₁₀‐helical structure, and that of 18 in solution is a planar C₅ conformation. The conformation of peptides was also studied by molecular‐mechanics calculations.     

Halbsandwich‐Komplexe von Ruthenium(II), Rhodium(III) und Iridium(III) mit Tripeptidestern aus α‐, β‐ und γ‐Aminosäuren als Liganden. — Peptidsynthese und Cyclisierung zu Cyclotripeptiden am Metallzentrum

Metal Complexes with Biological Important Ligands. CXLII. Half Sandwich Complexes of Ruthenium(II), Rhodium(III), and Iridium(III) with Tripeptide Esters from α‐, β‐, and γ‐Amino Acids as Ligands. — Peptide Synthesis and Cyclization to Cyclotripeptides at Metal Centers Halfsandwich complexes of ruthenium, rhodium and iridium with deprotonated N, N', N"‐tripeptide ester ligands were obtained from chloro bridged compounds and tripeptide methyl esters ( 1—6 ) or by peptide synthesis at a metal centre ( 9—15 ). For the peptide synthesis at the complex (C₆Me₆)Ru coordinated dipeptide methyl esters from glycine and β‐alanine or γ‐amino butyric acid were elongated by an a‐amino acid methylester. The tripeptide ester Ru(η⁶‐C₆Me₆) complexes with chiral amino acid components and an “asymmetric” metal atom are formed with high diastereoselectivity. The tripeptide esters Gly‐Gly‐β‐AlaOMe, Val‐Gly‐β‐AlaOMe and Phe‐Gly‐β‐AlaOMe can be condensated at the (C₆Me₆)Ru complex with sodium methanolate to give triple deprotonated cyclic tripeptides.     

Functional syndiotactic poly(β‐hydroxyalkanoate)s via stereoselective ring‐opening copolymerization of rac‐β‐butyrolactone and rac‐allyl‐β‐butyrolactone

The copolymerization of racemic β‐butyrolactone (rac‐BL^Me) with racemic “allyl‐β‐butyrolactone” (rac‐BL^allyl) in toluene, catalyzed by the discrete amino‐alkoxy‐bis(phenolate) yttrium‐amido complex 1 , gave new poly(β‐hydroxyalkanoate)s with unsaturated side chains. The poly(BL^Me‐co‐BL^allyl) copolymers produced have a highly syndiotactic backbone structure (P_r = 0.80–0.84) with a random enchainment of monomer units, as evidenced by ¹³C NMR, and high molecular weight (M_n up to 58,000 g mol^?1) with a narrow polydispersity (M_w/M_n = 1.07–1.37), as determined by GPC. The comonomer incorporation (5–50 mol % rac‐BL^allyl) was a linear function of the feed ratio. The pendant vinyl bond of the side‐chains in those poly(BL^Me‐co‐BL^allyl) copolymers allowed the effective introduction of hydroxy or epoxy groups via dihydroxylation, hydroboration‐oxidation or epoxidation reactions. NMR studies indicated that all of these transformations proceed in an essentially quantitative conversion and do not affect the macromolecular architecture. Some thermal properties (T_m, ΔH_m, T_g) of the prepared polymers have been also evaluated. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3177–3189, 2009     

Solid‐state conformations of linear depsipeptide amides with an alternating sequence of α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acid and α‐hydroxy acid

Depsipeptides and cyclodepsipeptides are analogues of the corresponding peptides in which one or more amide groups are replaced by ester functions. Reports of crystal structures of linear depsipeptides are rare. The crystal structures and conformational analyses of four depsipeptides with an alternating sequence of an α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acid and an α‐hydroxy acid are reported. The molecules in the linear hexadepsipeptide amide in (S)‐Pms‐Acp‐(S)‐Pms‐Acp‐(S)‐Pms‐Acp‐NMe₂ acetonitrile solvate, C₄₇H₅₈N₄O₉·C₂H₃N, ( 3b ), as well as in the related linear tetradepsipeptide amide (S)‐Pms‐Aib‐(S)‐Pms‐Aib‐NMe₂, C₂₈H₃₇N₃O₆, ( 5a ), the diastereoisomeric mixture (S,R)‐Pms‐Acp‐(R,S)‐Pms‐Acp‐NMe₂/(R,S)‐Pms‐Acp‐(R,S)‐Pms‐Acp‐NMe₂ (1:1), C₃₂H₄₁N₃O₆, ( 5b ), and (R,S)‐Mns‐Acp‐(S,R)‐Mns‐Acp‐NMe₂, C₃₀H₃₇N₃O₆, ( 5c ) (Pms is phenyllactic acid, Acp is 1‐aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid and Mns is mandelic acid), generally adopt a β‐turn conformation in the solid state, which is stabilized by intramolecular N—H…O hydrogen bonds. Whereas β‐turns of type I (or I′) are formed in the cases of ( 3b ), ( 5a ) and ( 5b ), which contain phenyllactic acid, the torsion angles for ( 5c ), which incorporates mandelic acid, indicate a β‐turn in between type I and type III. Intermolecular N—H…O and O—H…O hydrogen bonds link the molecules of ( 3a ) and ( 5b ) into extended chains, and those of ( 5a ) and ( 5c ) into two‐dimensional networks.     

The effect of amino acid backbone length on molecular packing: crystalline tartrates of glycine, β‐alanine, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dl‐α‐aminobutyric acid (AABA)

We report a novel 1:1 cocrystal of β‐alanine with dl ‐tartaric acid, C₃H₇NO₂·C₄H₆O₆, (II), and three new molecular salts of dl ‐tartaric acid with β‐alanine {3‐azaniumylpropanoic acid–3‐azaniumylpropanoate dl ‐tartaric acid–dl ‐tartrate, [H(C₃H₇NO₂)₂]⁺·[H(C₄H₅O₆)₂]⁻, (III)}, γ‐aminobutyric acid [3‐carboxypropanaminium dl ‐tartrate, C₄H₁₀NO₂⁺·C₄H₅O₆⁻, (IV)] and dl ‐α‐aminobutyric acid {dl ‐2‐azaniumylbutanoic acid–dl ‐2‐azaniumylbutanoate dl ‐tartaric acid–dl ‐tartrate, [H(C₄H₉NO₂)₂]⁺·[H(C₄H₅O₆)₂]⁻, (V)}. The crystal structures of binary crystals of dl ‐tartaric acid with glycine, (I), β‐alanine, (II) and (III), GABA, (IV), and dl ‐AABA, (V), have similar molecular packing and crystallographic motifs. The shortest amino acid (i.e. glycine) forms a cocrystal, (I), with dl ‐tartaric acid, whereas the larger amino acids form molecular salts, viz. (IV) and (V). β‐Alanine is the only amino acid capable of forming both a cocrystal [i.e. (II)] and a molecular salt [i.e. (III)] with dl ‐tartaric acid. The cocrystals of glycine and β‐alanine with dl ‐tartaric acid, i.e. (I) and (II), respectively, contain chains of amino acid zwitterions, similar to the structure of pure glycine. In the structures of the molecular salts of amino acids, the amino acid cations form isolated dimers [of β‐alanine in (III), GABA in (IV) and dl ‐AABA in (V)], which are linked by strong O—H…O hydrogen bonds. Moreover, the three crystal structures comprise different types of dimeric cations, i.e. (A…A)⁺ in (III) and (V), and A⁺…A⁺ in (IV). Molecular salts (IV) and (V) are the first examples of molecular salts of GABA and dl ‐AABA that contain dimers of amino acid cations. The geometry of each investigated amino acid (except dl ‐AABA) correlates with the melting point of its mixed crystal.     

Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of Bolaamphiphiles Based on β‐Amino Acids or an Alcohol

The synthesis of bolaamphiphiles from unusual β‐amino acids or an alcohol and C₁₂ or C₂₀ spacers is described. Unusual β‐amino acids such as a sugar amino acid, an AZT‐derived amino acid, a norbornene amino acid, and an AZT‐derived amino alcohol were coupled with spacers under standard conditions to get the novel bolaamphiphiles 5 – 8 (Scheme 1), 12 and 13 (Scheme 2), and 17 and 20 (Scheme 3). Some of these compounds, on precipitation from MeOH/H₂O, self‐assembled into organized molecular structures.     

A Novel Method for the Asymmetric Synthesis of α,β‐Diamino Acids by a Glucose‐Mediated Stereoselective Strecker Reaction

A novel method for the asymmetric synthesis of α,β‐diamino acids by using the 2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐pivaloyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl group (Piv₄Glc) as chiral auxiliary was developed (Table and Scheme). The reaction was promoted by CuBr?Me₂S as Lewis acid, and high yields and good diastereoselectivities were achieved.     

2,2‐Difluor‐1,3‐diaza‐2‐sila‐cyclopenten – Synthese und Reaktionen

2,2‐Difluor‐1,3‐diaza‐2‐sila‐cyclopentene – Synthesis and Reactions N,N′‐Di‐tert‐butyl‐1,4‐diaza‐1,3‐butadiene reacts with elemental lithium under reduction to give a dilithium salt, which forms with fluorosilanes the diazasilacyclopentenes 1 – 4 ; (HCNCMe₃)₂SiFR, R = F ( 1 ), Me ( 2 ), Me₃C ( 3 ), N(CMe₃)SiMe₃ ( 4 ). As by‐product in the synthesis of 1 , the tert‐butyl‐amino‐methylene‐tert‐butyliminomethine substituted compound 5 was isolated, R = N(CMe₃)‐CH₂‐CH = NCMe₃. 5 is formed in the reaction of 1 with the monolithium salt of the 1,4‐diaza‐1,3‐butadiene in an enamine‐imine‐tautomerism. 1 reacts with lithium amides to give (HCNCMe₃)₂SiFNHR, 6 – 12 , R = H ( 6 ), Me ( 7 ), Me₂CH ( 8 ), Me₃C ( 9 ), H₅C₆ ( 10 ), 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃ ( 11 ), 2,6‐(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃ ( 12 ). The reaction of 12 with LiNH‐2.6‐(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃ leads to the formation of (HCNCMe₃)₂Si(NHR)₂, ( 13 ). In the presence of n‐BuLi, 12 forms a lithium salt which looses LiF in boiling toluene. Lithiated 12 adds this LiF and generates a spirocyclic tetramer with a central eight‐membered LiF‐ring ( 14 ), [(HCNCMe₃)₂Si(FLiFLiNR)]₄, R = 2,6‐(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃. ClSiMe₃ reacts with lithiated 12 to yield the substitution product (HCNCMe₃)₂SiFN(SiMe₃) R, ( 15 ). The crystal structures of 1 , 5 , 6 , 9 , 11 , 13 , 14 are reported.     

Preparation of (S,S)‐Fmoc‐β2hIle‐OH, (S)‐Fmoc‐β2hMet‐OH,and (S)‐Fmoc‐β2hTyr(tBu)‐OH for Solid‐Phase Syntheses of β2‐ and β2/β3‐Peptides

The preparation of three new N‐Fmoc‐protected (Fmoc=[(9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)methoxy]carbonyl) β²‐homoamino acids with proteinogenic side chains (from Ile, Tyr, and Met) is described, the key step being a diastereoselective amidomethylation of the corresponding Ti‐enolates of 3‐acyl‐4‐isopropyl‐5,5‐diphenyloxazolidin‐2‐ones with CbzNHCH₂OMe/TiCl₄ (Cbz=(benzyloxy)carbonyl) in yields of 60–70% and with diastereoselectivities of >90%. Removal of the chiral auxiliary with LiOH or NaOH gives the N‐Cbz‐protected β‐amino acids, which were subjected to an N‐Cbz/N‐Fmoc (Fmoc=[(9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)methoxy]carbonyl) protective‐group exchange. The method is suitable for large‐scale preparation of Fmoc‐β²hXaa‐OH for solid‐phase syntheses of β‐peptides. The Fmoc‐amino acids and all compounds leading to them have been fully characterized by melting points, optical rotations, IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and mass spectra, as well as by elemental analyses.     

β‐Peptide Conjugates: Syntheses and CD and NMR Investigations of β/α‐Chimeric Peptides,of a DPA‐β‐Decapeptide,and of a PEGylated β‐Heptapeptide

β³‐Peptides consisting of six, seven, and ten homologated proteinogenic amino acid residues have been attached to an α‐heptapeptide (all d‐ amino acid residues; 4 ), to a hexaethylene glycol chain (PEGylation; 5c ), and to dipicolinic acid (DPA derivative 6 ), respectively. The conjugation of the β‐peptides with the second component was carried out through the N‐termini in all three cases. According to NMR analysis (CD₃OH solutions), the (M)‐3₁₄‐helical structure of the β‐peptidic segments was unscathed in all three chimeric compounds (Figs. 2, 4, and 5). The α‐peptidic section of the α/β‐peptide was unstructured, and so was the oligoethylene glycol chain in the PEGylated compound. Thus, neither does the appendage influence the β‐peptidic secondary structure, nor does the latter cause any order in the attached oligomers to be observed by this method of analysis. A similar conclusion may be drawn from CD spectra (Figs. 1, 3, and 5). These results bode well for the development of delivery systems involving β‐peptides.     

Mononuclear Complexes of Platinum Group Metals Containing η6‐ and η5‐Cyclic Π‐Perimeter Hydrocarbon and Pyridylpyrazolyl Derivatives: Syntheses and Structural Studies

Piano‐stool‐shaped platinum group metal compounds, stable in the solid state and in solution, which are based on 2‐(5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine ( L ) with the formulas [(η⁶‐arene)Ru( L )Cl]PF₆ {arene = C₆H₆ ( 1 ), p‐cymene ( 2 ), and C₆Me₆, ( 3 )}, [(η⁶‐C₅Me₅)M( L )Cl]PF₆ {M = Rh ( 4 ), Ir ( 5 )}, and [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Ru(PPh₃)( L )]PF₆ ( 6 ), [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Os(PPh₃)( L )]PF₆ ( 7 ), [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Ru(PPh₃)( L )]PF₆ ( 8 ), and [(η⁵‐C₉H₇)Ru(PPh₃)( L )]PF₆ ( 9 ) were prepared by a general method and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The molecular structures of compounds 4 and 5 were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In each compound the metal is connected to N1 and N11 in a k² manner.     

Synthesis and Characterization of 11‐Amino‐3‐methoxy‐8‐substituted‐12‐aryl‐8,9‐dihydro‐7H‐chromeno[2,3‐b]quinolin‐10(12H)‐one Derivatives

A series of 2‐amino‐7‐methoxy‐4‐aryl‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carbonitrile compounds 2 were obtained by condensation of 3‐methoxyphenol with β‐dicyanostyrenes 1 in absolute ethanol containing piperidine. The intermediate enamines 3 were prepared by compounds 2 with 5‐substituted‐1,3‐cyclohexanedione using p‐toluenesuflonic acid (TsOH) as catalyst. The title compounds 11‐amino‐3‐methoxy‐8‐substituted‐12‐aryl‐8,9‐dihydro‐7H‐chromeno[2,3‐b]quinolin‐10(12H)‐one 4 were synthesized by cyclization of the intermediate enamines 3 in THF with K₂CO₃ /Cu₂Cl₂ as catalyst. The structures of all compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, MS, and ¹H NMR spectra. The crystal structure of compound 4i was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Use of Neodymium Diiodide in the Synthesis of Organosilicon, ‐Germanium and ‐Tin Compounds

The reactivity of neodymium diiodide, NdI₂ ( 1 ), towards organosilicon, ‐germanium and ‐tin halides has been investigated. Compound 1 readily reacts with Me₃SiCl in DME to give trimethylsilane (6 %), hexamethyldisilane (4 %) and (Me₃Si)₂O (19 %). The reaction with Et₃SiBr in THF results in formation of Et₃SiSiEt₃ (17 %) and Et₃SiOBuⁿ (34 %). Alkylation of Me₃SiCl with PrⁿCl in the presence of 1 in THF affords Me₃SiPrⁿ (10 %), Me₃SiOBuⁿ (52 %) and Me₃SiSiMe₃ (1 %). The main product identified in the reaction mixture formed upon interaction of 1 with dichlorodimethylsilane Me₂SiCl₂ in THF is di‐n‐butoxydimethylsilane Me₂Si(OBuⁿ)₂ (54 %) together with minor amounts of Me₂Si(OBuⁿ)Cl. The reaction of 1 with Me₃GeBr under the same conditions produces Me₃GeGeMe₃ (44 %), Me₃GeH (3 %), and Me₃GeI (7 %). An analogous set of products was obtained in the reaction with Et₃GeBr. Treatment of trimethyltin chloride with 1 causes reduction of the former to tin metal (74 %). Me₃SnH (7 %) and hexamethyldistannane (11 %) were identified in the volatile products. The reaction of 1 with Me₃SiI provides straightforward access to hepta‐coordinated NdI₃(THF)₄ ( 2 ), the structure of which was determined by X‐ray diffraction.     

The First Fully Planar C5‐Conformation of Homooligopeptides Prepared from a Chiral α‐Ethylated α,α‐Disubstituted Amino Acid: (S)‐Butylethylglycine (=(2S)‐2‐Amino‐2‐ethylhexanoic Acid)

An optically active α‐ethylated α,α‐disubstituted amino acid, (S)‐butylethylglycine (=(2S)‐2‐amino‐2‐ethylhexanoic acid; (S)‐Beg; (S)‐ 2 ), was prepared starting from butyl ethyl ketone ( 1 ) by the Strecker method and enzymatic kinetic resolution of the racemic amino acid. Homooligopeptides containing (S)‐Beg (up to hexapeptide) were synthesized by conventional solution methods. An ethyl ester was used for the protection at the C‐terminus, and a trifluoroacetyl group was used for the N‐terminus of the peptides. The structures of tri‐ and tetrapeptides 5 and 6 in the solid state were solved by X‐ray crystallographic analysis, and were shown to have a bent planar C₅‐conformation (tripeptide) and a fully planar C₅‐conformation (tetrapeptide) (see Figs. 1 and 2, resp.). The IR and ¹H‐NMR spectra of hexapeptide 8 revealed that the dominant conformation in CDCl₃ solution was also a fully planar C₅‐conformation. These results show for the first time that the preferred conformation of homopeptides containing a chiral α‐ethylated α,α‐disubstituted amino acid is a planar C₅‐conformation.     

Preparation of β2‐Homotryptophan Derivatives for β‐Peptide Synthesis

In view of the prominent role of the 1H‐indol‐3‐yl side chain of tryptophan in peptides and proteins, it is important to have the appropriately protected homologs H‐β² HTrp OH and H‐β³ HTrp OH (Fig.) available for incorporation in β‐peptides. The β²‐HTrp building block is especially important, because β²‐amino acid residues cause β‐peptide chains to fold to the unusual 12/10 helix or to a hairpin turn. The preparation of Fmoc and Z β²‐HTrp(Boc) OH by Curtius degradation (Scheme 1) of a succinic acid derivative is described (Schemes 2–4). To this end, the (S)‐4‐isopropyl‐3‐[(N‐Boc‐indol‐3‐yl)propionyl]‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐2‐one enolate is alkylated with Br CH₂CO₂Bn (Scheme 3). Subsequent hydrogenolysis, Curtius degradation, and removal of the Evans auxiliary group gives the desired derivatives of (R)‐H β²‐HTrp OH (Scheme 4). Since the (R)‐form of the auxiliary is also available, access to (S)‐β²‐HTrp‐containing β‐peptides is provided as well.     

Bis(β‐diketiminato) lanthanide amides: synthesis,structure and catalysis for the polymerization of l‐lactide and ε‐caprolactone

Treatment of the chlorides (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph)₂LnCl (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph = [(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)CHC(Me)N(C₆H₅)]^?) with 1 equiv. of NaNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) afforded the monoamides (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph)₂LnNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (Ln = Y ( 1 ), Yb ( 2 )) in good yields. Anhydrous LnCl₃ reacted with 2 equiv. of NaL^2,6‐iPr2_Ph in THF, followed by treatment with 1 equiv. of NaNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃), giving the analogues (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph)₂LnNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (Ln = Sm ( 3 ), Nd ( 4 )). Two monoamido complexes stabilized by two L^2‐Me ligands, (L^2‐Me)₂LnNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (L^2‐Me = [N(2‐MeC₆H₄)C(Me)]₂CH)^?; Ln = Y ( 5 ), Yb ( 6 )), were also synthesized by the latter route. Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 were fully characterized, including X‐ray crystal structure analyses. Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 are isostructural. The central metal in each complex is ligated by two β‐diketiminato ligands and one amido group in a distorted trigonal bipyramid. All the complexes were found to be highly active in the ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide (L‐LA) and ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) to give polymers with relatively narrow molar mass distributions. The activity depends on both the central metal and the ligand (Yb < Y < Sm ≈ Nd and L^2‐Me < L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph). Remarkably, the binary 3/benzyl alcohol (BnOH) system exhibited a striking ‘immortal’ nature and proved able to quantitatively convert 5000 equiv. of L‐LA with up to 100 equiv. of BnOH per metal initiator. All the resulting PLAs showed monomodal, narrow distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.06 ? 1.08), with molar mass (M_n) decreasing proportionally with an increasing amount of BnOH. The binary 4/BnOH system also exhibited an ‘immortal’ nature in the polymerization of ε‐CL in toluene. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.