Acid-labile protecting groups for the synthesis of lipidated peptides

Lipidated peptides and their neolipoprotein derivatives are efficient tools for the investigation of biological processes in molecular detail. These compounds are often acid- and base-labile, and their synthesis requires the use of a combination of blocking groups that can be removed under very mild conditions. In this article we demonstrate that the Boc urethane and different trityl-type protecting groups can be cleaved selectively under acidic conditions that are mild enough to be compatible with the demands of lipopeptide synthesis. Thus, the Boc group was cleaved with TMS triflate in the presence of lutidine, and the methyltrityl (Mtt) and the methoxytrityl (Mmt) group were removed with 1% TFA in dichloromethane in the presence of triethylsilane as cation scavenger. Removal of the phenylfluorenyl group was achieved with up to 3% TFA in dichloromethane in the presence of triethylsilane at 0 degrees C. These protecting-group techniques were successfully applied in the synthesis of differently lipidated H-Ras peptides.     

Reduction of pentafluorophenyl esters to the corresponding primary alcohols using sodium borohydride

Primary alcohols and chiral N-protected 2-amino alcohols can be obtained in high yields from the reaction of pentafluorophenyl esters of the corresponding carboxylic acids with sodium borohydride in THF under mild conditions. This reductive method is rapid and compatible with various functional groups as well as with the most common N-protective groups Z, Boc and Fmoc.     

p-Nitromandelic acid as a highly acid-stable safety-catch linker for solid-phase synthesis of peptide and depsipeptide acids

[reaction: see text] p-Nitromandelic acid as a safety-catch linker for Boc/Bzl-SPPS of base-labile compounds like peptides and depsipeptides is described. This linker permits acidic removal of side-chain protection groups from the resin. For cleavage from the solid support, the p-nitro group was reduced with tin(II) chloride. After washing off the reducing agents, the (depsi)peptide acids with or without the side-chain protection schemes were obtained by microwave irradiation at 50 degrees C with 5% TFA in dioxane.     

Stereoselective acylation of 20-(S)-camptothecin with amino acid derivatives using scandium triflate/DMAP

Facile esterification of the hindered 3° alcohol 20-(S)-camptothecin with Boc protected chiral amino acids or derivatives under mild conditions has been achieved in high yield using the combination of Sc(OTf)₃ and DMAP. The isomeric purity of the product was maintained under these conditions.     

Lewis Acidic Guanidinium Ionic Liquids:Novel,Efficient and Recyclable Catalysts for Aminolysis of Epoxides

Lewis acidic guanidinium ionic liquid(LAGIL) 2c was used as a novel, efficient and recyclable catalyst for aminolysis of epoxides under solvent-free and room temperature conditions, giving the corresponding β-amino alcohols with moderate to excellent regioselectivity(up to 91:9) in high yields(up to 97%). In addition, LAGIL 2c was recycled three times without any loss of catalytic activity and selectivity to the product.     

Base-promoted regioselective synthesis of 1,2,3,4-terahydroquinolines and quinolines from N-boc-3-piperidone

An efficient synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines with donor and acceptor group has been delineated by base mediated ring transformation of 6-aryl-4-substituted-2H-pyran-2-one-3-carbonitriles by N-boc-3-piperidone followed by consecutive deprotection of Boc group under acidic conditions. This reaction involves 2 new bond formations namely C4a-C5 and C8a-C8 in order to create the nucleus. Various donor and acceptor functional groups like aryl, heteroaryl, nitrile, methylsulfanyl and secondary amine were installed in 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines. We extended our approach to synthesize the fused 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines by using 2-oxobenzo[h]chromenes as precursor. Further, we synthesized fused and isolated quinolines through aromatization of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines by DDQ in excellent yields. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of the Boc protected tetrahydroisoquinoline 6t showed the steric hindrance between N-Boc and aryl group.     

Copper nanoparticles catalyzed N-H functionalization: An efficient solvent-free N-tert-butyloxycarbonylation strategy

A chemoselective transformation of amines to their tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) protected derivatives (NBoc) is described using Cu-NPs under solvent-free conditions. Simple method, rapid reaction rate, mild conditions, tolerance of a wide range of functional groups, excellent yield, ease recovery and high catalytic turnover are the salient features of this approach. tert-Butyloxycarbonylation of chiral amino acid esters and amino alcohols were performed without racemization.     

Preparation of diamines by lithiation-substitution of imidazolidines and pyrimidines

The synthesis of chiral 1,2-diamines and 1,3-diamines was achieved from the unsubstituted diamines by way of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) substituted imidazolidines (tetrahydroimidazoles) and pyrimidines (hexahydro-1,3-diazines), which were treated with sec-butyllithium to effect deprotonation alpha- to the N-Boc group, followed by addition of an electrophile to give substituted products that could be hydrolysed under acidic conditions to give the substituted 1,2- or 1,3-diamines. Use of the chiral ligand (-)-sparteine promoted asymmetric deprotonation of the imidazolidine substrates to give, after hydrolysis, enantiomerically enriched 1,2-diamines.     

Organogel-hydrogel transformation by simple removal or inclusion of N-Boc-protection

Development of organo- and hydrogelators is on the rise because of their extensive applications, from advanced materials to biomedicine. However, designing both types of gelator from a common structural scaffold is challenging, and becomes more significant if transformation between them can be achieved by a simple method. The present work reports the design and synthesis of both organo- and hydrogelators from amino acid/peptide-based amphiphilic precursors with a naphthyl group at the N terminus and a primary amine-containing hydrophilic ethyleneoxy unit at the C terminus. In alkaline medium, tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) protection at the primary amine of the amphiphiles resulted in efficient organogelators (minimum-gelation concentration (MGC)=0.075-1.5% w/v). Interestingly, removal of the Boc protection from the ethyleneoxy unit, under acidic conditions, yielded amphiphiles capable of gelating water (MGC=0.9-3.0% w/v). Simple protection and deprotection chemistry was used to achieve transformation between the organogel and hydrogel by alteration of the pH. Combinations of different aliphatic and aromatic amino acids were investigated to discover their cumulative effect on the gelation properties. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to investigate the supramolecular morphology of the thermoreversible gels. Spectroscopic investigations (FTIR, photoluminescence, XRD) revealed that noncovalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and van der Waals interactions play a decisive role in self-assembled gelation.     

Solid-phase synthesis of asymmetrically branched sequence-defined poly/oligo(amidoamines)

We present for the first time the synthesis of asymmetrically branched sequence-defined poly/oligo(amidoamines) (PAAs) using solid-phase synthesis with the capability of introducing diversity at the side chains. We introduce two new versatile (diethylenetriamine) building blocks for solid-phase synthesis bearing Fmoc/Boc and Fmoc/Alloc protecting groups expanding recently used Fmoc/Boc protecting group strategy for linear PAAs to an Fmoc/Alloc/Boc strategy. This allows for orthogonal on-resin cleavage of Fmoc and Alloc protecting groups during solid-phase synthesis of PAAs with backbones differing in chain length and sequence. With these structures we then demonstrate the potential for generating asymmetrical branching by automated multiple on-resin cleavage of Alloc protecting groups as well as the introduction of side chains varying in length and number. Such systems have high potential as nonviral vectors for gene delivery and will allow for more detailed studies on the correlation between the degree of branching of PAAs and their resulting biological properties.     

Guanidinium receptors as enantioselective amino acid membrane carriers

A number of artificial carriers for the transport of zwitterionic aromatic amino acids across bulk model membranes (U-tube type) have been prepared and evaluated. 1,2-Dichloroethane and dichloromethane were employed in the organic phase. All compounds are based on a bicyclic chiral guanidinium scaffold that ideally complements the carboxylate function. The guanidinium central moiety was attached to crown ethers or lasalocid A as specific subunits for ammonium recognition as well as to aromatic or hydrophobic residues to evaluate their potential interaction with the side chains of the guest amino acids. The subunits were linked to the guanidinium through ester or amide connectors. Amides were found to be better carriers than esters, though less enantioselective. On the other hand, crown ethers were superior to lasalocid derivatives. As expected, transport rates were dependent on the carrier concentration in the liquid membrane. Reciprocally, enantioselectivities were much higher at lower carrier concentrations. The results show that our previously proposed three-point binding model (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 1511-1512), involving the participation of the aromatic or hydrophobic residue to interact with the side chains of the amino acid guest, is unnecessary to explain the high enantioselectivities observed. Molecular dynamics fully support a two-point model involving only the guanidinium and crown ether moieties. These molecules constitute the first examples of chiral selectors for underivatized amino acids acting as carriers under neutral conditions.     

Guanidinium groups act as general-acid catalysts in phosphoryl transfer reactions: a two-proton inventory on a model system

Cleavage/transesterification of phosphodiesters is catalyzed by various acidic groups in solution and with enzymes. General-acid catalysts can transfer protons to the developing phosphorane intermediate, resulting in a monoprotic-monoanionic intermediate, giving the so-called "triester mechanism". Using a proton inventory on a model compound (1) possessing an intramolecular hydrogen bond between a phosphodiester and a guanidinium group, we find that two protons move in the rate-determining step for cleavage/transesterification. In contrast, HPNP shows a single-proton inventory and is a substrate well accepted to react with the movement of only one proton at the transition state. We therefore propose a mechanism for 1 that involves general-acid catalysis by the guanidinium group. This leads one to conclude that other, more acidic groups, such as ammonium and imidazolium, would also act as general-acid catalysts.     

Synthesis of Glycopeptides,Partial Structures of Biological Recognition Components [New Synthetic Methods (67)]

Glycopeptides are partial structures of the connecting regions of glycoproteins and, like these, always contain glycosidic bonds between the carbohydrate and peptide parts. Glycoproteins are not only widely distributed but are also decisive factors in post-translational biological selectivity, especially in biological recognition. Targeted syntheses of glycopeptides require stereoselective formation of the glycosidic bonds between the carbohydrate and the peptide parts and protective group methods that enable selective deblocking of only one functional group in these polyfunctional molecules. These heavy demands have been met by the well-established use of benzylic protective groups, which can be removed by hydrogenolysis, combined with the use of base-labile 2-phosphonioethoxycarbonyl (Peoc) or 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) protective groups or of bromoethyl esters, which can be removed under neutral conditions. The acidolysis of tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) groups and of tert-butyl esters has also been successfully used, although, under acidic conditions, anomerization or rupture of the glycosidic bonds may occur, especially when nucleophiles are present. The stable, two-stage 2-(pyridyl)ethoxycarbonyl (Pyoc) protective groups allow a more reliable synthesis of complex glycopeptides since they can be removed, after modifications, under mild conditions. Particularly suitable for the synthesis of sensitive glycopeptides are the stable allyl protective groups. They can be removed from the complex glycopeptides in a highly selective and effective manner by means of noble-metal catalysts under practically neutral conditions. These methods have been employed to synthesize glycopeptides corresponding to partial structures of interesting glycoproteins. Deprotected glyopeptides representing tumor-associated antigen structures can be coupled to bovine serum albumin, which serves as a biological carrier molecule, without the necessity of using an artificial coupling component (spacer).     

One-pot synthesis of Weinreb amides employing 3,3-dichloro-1,2-diphenylcyclopropene (CPI-Cl) as a chlorinating agent

The synthesis of N^α-protected amino alkyl Weinreb amides starting from the corresponding α-amino acids as well as carboxylic acids has been delineated through the in situ generation of acid chlorides using CPI-Cl as a chlorinating agent. The protocol is simple; the reaction conditions employed were mild, and compatible with all the three commonly used urethane protecting groups namely, Boc, Cbz and Fmoc groups. The resulting Weinreb amides are obtained in good yields as optically pure products.     

点击化学法快速合成氨基酸功能化的环糊精聚轮烷

通过叠氮-炔环加成点击反应制备了各种氨基酸功能化的生物相容性β-环糊精封端的α-环糊精聚轮烷.利用FTIR和氢核磁共振谱对产物的结构进行了表征.结果证明对于空间位阻较小的分子,点击反应能够在很短的时间(几分钟)内达到近100%的转化率.点击化学为功能化聚轮烷的制备提供了快速有效的新途径.     

Trifluoroacetyl as an orthogonal protecting group for guanidines

The trifluoroacetyl moiety has been used as a new protecting group for guanidine functionality. The protecting group is easily cleaved under mild basic conditions and is complementary to the Boc, Cbz, and Ddpe protecting groups. The protecting group can be applied to peptide synthesis in solution as well as on a solid phase as it is orthogonal to a Boc and Cbz strategy and semiorthogonal to an Fmoc strategy.     

Arylboronic acids and arylpinacolboronate esters in Suzuki coupling reactions involving indoles. Partner role swapping and heterocycle protection

Yields of Suzuki couplings involving indoles depended upon (i) whether arylboronic acids or arylpinacolboronate esters were used, (ii) whether the heterocycle was the aryl halide or the arylboron coupling partner, and (iii) whether the heterocycle was protected or not. Highest yields, which were unaffected by incorporating Boc or Tos protection at the heterocyclic nitrogen, were obtained when indole bromides were reacted with phenylboronic acids. When indolylboronic acids were reacted with phenyl bromides, yields were somewhat lower and depended on the nitrogen substituent, being highest in the absence of protection, lower in the presence of the Boc group, and lowest of all with the Tos group. Arylpinacolboronate esters were less reactive than arylboronic acids. They required considerably longer reaction times and furnished generally lower yields of biaryl. Furthermore, irrespective of whether the heterocycle was the aryl bromide or the arylpinacolboronate ester, these yields were highest when it was protected with the Tos group. Yields were lower with the Boc group, and unprotected heterocycles gave only traces of biaryl. Careful selection of arylboron reagent, of coupling partner roles, and of protecting groups are essential to ensuring optimum results in these Suzuki couplings. These results may also be relevant to couplings involving other substrates.     

Synthesis and Applications of (ONO Pincer)Ruthenium‐Complex‐Bound Norvalines

Two (ONO pincer)ruthenium‐complex‐bound norvalines, Boc?[Ru(pydc)(terpy)]Nva?OMe ( 1 ; Boc=tert‐butyloxycarbonyl, terpy=terpyridyl, Nva=norvaline) and Boc?[Ru(pydc)(tBu‐terpy)]Nva?OMe ( 5 ), were successfully synthesized and their molecular structures and absolute configurations were unequivocally determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The robustness of the pincer Ru complexes and norvaline scaffolds against acidic/basic, oxidizing, and high‐temperature conditions enabled us to perform selective transformations of the N‐Boc and C?OMe termini into various functional groups, such as alkyl amide, alkyl urea, and polyether groups, without the loss of the Ru center or enantiomeric purity. The resulting dialkylated Ru‐bound norvaline, n‐C₁₁H₂₃CO?l ‐[Ru(pydc)(terpy)]Nva?NH‐n‐C₁₁H₂₃ (l ‐ 4 ) was found to have excellent self‐assembly properties in organic solvents, thereby affording the corresponding supramolecular gels. Ru‐bound norvaline l ‐ 1 exhibited a higher catalytic activity for the oxidation of alcohols by H₂O₂ than parent complex [Ru(pydc)(terpy)] ( 11 a ).     

Novel Brφnsted Acidic Ionic Liquid Based on a Cyclic Guanidinium Cation: a Green, Efficient, and Recyclable Dual Slovent-catalyst System for Fisher Esterification

A novel Brφnsted acidic ionic liquid(IL) based on the cyclic guanidinium cation has been synthesized. This IL,as a strong Brφnsted acid catalyst or solvent, shows high catalytic activity and biphsaic behavor in the esterifications of carboxylic acids and alcohols. The produced esters as a separate phase can be conveniently decanted out from the IL and the IL is recyclable without any loss of catalytic activity.     

dM-Dim for carboxylic acid protection

The 1,3-dithian-2-yl-methyl (Dim) and its analogous groups including dimethyl-Dim (dM-Dim) can provide a new dimension of orthogonality for carboxylic acid protection. They can be deprotected under nearly neutral oxidative conditions. In this paper, the protection of carboxylic acid with dM-Dim, deprotection of dM-Dim ester with sodium periodate, stability of dM-Dim protected carboxylic acid under acidic and basic conditions, and selective deprotection of dM-Dim protected carboxylic acids in the presence of tertiary butyl and methyl esters are presented.