Synthese von Humaninsulin. II. Aufbau des cyclischen Fragments A(1–13)

Synthesis of human insulin. II. Preparation of the A(1–13) fragment. The present report gives a detailed account of the synthesis of the protected tridecapeptide A(1–13), Boc? Gly? Ile? Val? Glu(OBu^t)? Gln Ser(Bu^t)? Leu? OH ( 20 ), an essential intermediate in the recently published total synthesis of human insulin [1]. The main feature in the synthesis of 20 was the specific formation of a disulfide bond between A6 and A11 in the presence of an additional cysteine residue (A7). The selective ring closure was accomplished with the segment A(6–13), H? Cys(Trt)? Cys(Acm)? Thr(Bu^t)? Ser(Bu^t)? Ile? Cys(Trt)? Ser(Bu^t)? Leu? OH ( 18 ), which was obtained by way of conventional synthesis routes. Treatment of 18 with iodine in trifluoroethanol formed the desired disulfide bridge from the two S-trityl-cysteine residues without affecting the S-acetamidomethyl-protected cysteine A7. A final azide coupling with the N-terminal derivative A(1–5) ( 3 ) provided the tridecapeptide fragment 20 as a crystalline compound.     

Total synthesis of human insulin under directed formation of the disulfide bonds

A preliminary account is given of a total synthesis of human insulin involving directed formation of the three disulfide bonds at different stages of the fragment-condensation approach. The synthesis was facilitated by the application of two new methods for the selective removal of protecting groups. In the first, two S-Trt-protected cysteine residues are converted to the disulfide without affecting S-Acm-protected cysteine residues. The second new method consists in a very mild, pH-controlled, acidolysis of N(α)-Trt, leaving intact N(α)-Bpoc and other acid-labile protecting groups. The last step of the synthesis was the formation of the disulfide bridge between the Acm-protected cysteine residues A7 and B7 by iodine. Extensive counter-current distribution yielded the synthetic hormone in pure form. It was compared and found to be identical with natural human insulin. Identification was achieved by means of thinlayer chromatography and electrophoretic procedures, as well as by comparing the pattern of break-down by enzymes (finger-printing). The natural and synthetic hormones were crystallized under identical conditions. The synthetic human insulin was found to possess full biological activity in an in vitro system.     

Total Synthesis,Stereochemical Assignment,and Biological Activity of Chamuvarinin and Structural Analogues

A highly stereocontrolled synthesis of (+)‐chamuvarinin has been completed in 1.5 % overall yield over 20 steps. The key fragment coupling reactions were the addition of alkyne 8 to aldehyde 7 (under Felkin–Anh control), followed by the two step activation/cyclization to close the C20–C23 2,5‐cis‐substituted tetrahydrofuran ring and a Julia–Kocienski olefination at C8–C9 to introduce the terminal butenolide. The inherent flexibility of our coupling strategy led to a streamlined synthesis with 17 steps in the longest sequence (2.2 % overall yield), in which the key bond couplings are reversed. In addition, a series of structural analogues of chamuvarinin have been prepared and screened for activity against HeLa cancer cell lines and both the bloodstream and insect forms of Trypanosoma brucei, the parasitic agent responsible for African sleeping sickness.     

Highly stereoselective total synthesis of fully hydroxy-protected mycolactones A and B and their stereoisomerization upon deprotection

Unprecedentedly efficient and highly (≥98 %) stereoselective syntheses of mycolactones A and B side chains relied heavily on Pd‐catalyzed alkenylation (Negishi version) and were completed in 11 longest linear steps from ethyl (S)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate in 12 % and 11 % overall yield, respectively, roughly corresponding to an average of 82 % yield per step. The synthesis of mycolactone core was realized by using Pd‐catalyzed alkenyl? allyl coupling and an epoxide‐opening reaction with a trialkylalkenylaluminate as key steps. Fully hydroxy‐protected mycolactones A and B of ≥98 % isomeric purity were synthesized successfully for the first time. However, unexpected 4:3–5:4 inseparable mixtures of mycolactones A and B were obtained upon deprotection.     

Synthesis of human insulin. III. Preparation of the A(14-21) - B(17-30) fragment (author's transl)]

Synthesis of human insulin. III. Preparation of the A(14-21) - B(17-30) fragment. In the recently published total synthesis of human insulin [1], one of the three principal intermediates is the protected fragment in which sequence 14-21 of the A chain is linked to sequence 17-30 of the B chain by the disulfide bridge between A 20 and B 19. The synthesis of this fragment, and its characterization are described in detail in the present report. This open-chain asymmetrical cystine peptide was prepared by elongating the two chains in the already published intermediate first with fragment A(14–19), Bpoc-Tyr(Bu^t)-Gln-Leu-Glu(OBu^t)-Asn-Tyr(Bu^t)-NH-NH₂ (azide coupling), and secondly with fragment B(21–30), H-Glu(OBu^t)-Arg-Gly-Phe-Phe-Tyr(Bu^t)-Thr(Bu^t)-Pro-Lys(Boc)-Thr(Bu^t)-OBu^t (DCCI/HOBt).     

Rapid Photolysis-Mediated Folding of Disulfide-Rich Peptides

Structure–activity relationship studies are a highly time-consuming aspect of peptide-based drug development, particularly in the assembly of disulfide-rich peptides, which often requires multiple synthetic steps and purifications. Therefore, it is vital to develop rapid and efficient chemical methods to readily access the desired peptides. We have developed a photolysis-mediated “one-pot” strategy for regioselective disulfide bond formation. The new pairing system utilises two ortho-nitroveratryl protected cysteines to generate two disulfide bridges in less than one hour in good yield. This strategy was applied to the synthesis of complex disulfide-rich peptides such as Rho-conotoxin ρ-TIA and native human insulin.     

Total Synthesis of (+)-Erogorgiaene and the Pseudopterosin A−F Aglycone via Enantioselective Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydrovinylation

Due to their pronounced bioactivity and limited availability from natural resources, metabolites of the soft coral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae, such as erogorgiaene and the pseudopterosines, represent important target molecules for chemical synthesis. We have now developed a particularly short and efficient route towards these marine diterpenes exploiting an operationally convenient enantioselective cobalt-catalyzed hydrovinylation as the chirogenic step. Other noteworthy C−C bond forming transformations include diastereoselective Lewis acid-mediated cyclizations, a Suzuki coupling and a carbonyl ene reaction. Starting from 4-methyl-styrene the anti-tubercular agent (+)-erogorgiaene (>98 % ee) was prepared in only 7 steps with 46 % overall yield. In addition, the synthesis of the pseudopterosin A aglycone was achieved in 12 steps with 30 % overall yield and, surprisingly, was found to exhibit a similar anti-inflammatory activity (inhibition of LPS-induced NF-κB activation) as a natural mixture of pseudopterosins A−D or iso-pseudopterosin A, prepared by β-D-xylosylation of the synthetic aglycone.     

Synthesis of Aristotelia-Type Alkaloids. Part VIBiomimetic Synthesis of (+)-Aristofruticosine

(S)-Perilla alcohol ( 5 ) was transformed into (S)-7-(phenylthio)-p-menth-1-en-8-amine ( 11 ) in five steps. Condensation of this building block with 1-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole-3-acetaldehyde ( 12 ) led to the expected imine 15 which cyclized in 54% yield to protected 20-(phenylthio)hobartine 16 upon exposure to anh. HCOOH. Treatment of this intermediate with an alkylating reagent led to (+)-aristofruticosine protected in the indole moiety via an intramolecular, allylic nucleophilic displacement reaction. Subsequent reductive removal of the protecting group completed the first synthesis of the Aristotelia alkaloid (+)-aristofruticosine ((+)- 4 ). This straightforward synthesis confirmed the tentative structure (+)- 4 , proposed by Bick and Hai, and established the hitherto unknown absolute configuration of this metabolite.     

Formale Totalsynthese von (±)-Isocomen durch Anwendung der α-Alkinon-Cyclisierung

Formal Total Synthesis of (±)-Isocomen by Application of the α-Alkinon Cyclization A total synthesis of the racemic form of the sesquiterpene isocomene ( A ) was accomplished by application of the cyclopentenone anellation B→D (Scheme 1) which includes the α-alkynone cyclization C→D , a gas-phase flow thermolytic process. Starting with the known product 2 (Scheme 3) of the anellation B→D , the elaboration of ring C of A proceeded in 9 steps to the α-alkynone 16 (Scheme 5) which was cyclized at 540° selectively to give the angularly fused triquinane 4 (77%). A two-step procedure then led to 5 (Scheme 6), a last but one intermediate in a known total synthesis of (±)- A . The conversion of 16 to 4 also demonstrated the compatibility of an acetoxy function with the anellation sequence B→D .     

Methylene C(sp3)−H Arylation Enables the Stereoselective Synthesis and Structure Revision of Indidene Natural Products

The divergent synthesis of two indane polyketides of the indidene family, namely (±)-indidene A (11 steps, 1.7 %) and (+)-indidene C (13 steps, 1.3 %), is reported. The synthesis of the trans-configured common indane intermediate was enabled by palladium(0)-catalyzed methylene C(sp³)−H arylation, which was performed in both racemic and enantioselective (e.r. 99 : 1) modes. Further elaboration of this common intermediate by nickel-catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling allowed the rapid installation of the aroyl moiety of (±)-indidene A. In parallel, the biphenyl system of (±)- and (+)-indidene C was constructed by Suzuki–Miyaura coupling. These investigations led us to revise the structures of indidenes B and C.     

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Short DNA Fragments

We demonstrate the first mechanochemical synthesis of DNA fragments by ball milling, enabling the synthesis of oligomers of controllable sequence and length using multi-step, one-pot reactions, without bulk solvent or the need to isolate intermediates. Mechanochemistry allowed for coupling of phosphoramidite monomers to the 5′-hydroxyl group of nucleosides, iodine/water oxidation of the resulting phosphite triester linkage, and removal of the 5′-dimethoxytrityl (DMTr) protecting group in situ in good yields (up to 60 % over three steps) to produce DNA dimers in a one-pot manner. H-Phosphonate chemistry under milling conditions enabled coupling and protection of the H-phosphonate linkage, as well as removal of the 5′-DMTr protecting group in situ, enabling a one-pot process with good yields (up to 65 % over three steps, or ca. 87 % per step). Sulfurization of the internucleotide linkage was possible using elemental sulfur (S8) or sulfur transfer reagents, yielding the target DNA phosphorothioate dimers in good yield (up to 80 % over two steps). This work opens the door to creation of solvent-free synthesis methodologies for DNA and RNA therapeutics.     

Significant Enhancement in the Efficiency and Selectivity of Iron‐Catalyzed Oxidative Cross‐Coupling of Phenols by Fluoroalcohols

Significant enhancement of both the rate and the chemoselectivity of iron‐catalyzed oxidative coupling of phenols can be achieved in fluorinated solvents, such as 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoropropan‐2‐ol (HFIP), 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE), and 1‐phenyl‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol. The generality of this effect was examined for the cross‐coupling of phenols with arenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and of phenol with β‐dicarbonyl compounds. The new conditions were utilized in the synthesis of 2′′′‐dehydroxycalodenin B in only four synthetic steps.     

Improved Synthesis of (–)-Agelastatin A

Optimization of key steps in the synthesis of the architecturally unique tetracyclic antitumor alkaloid (–)-agelastatin A (1) improved the overall yield of the 11-step process (eight operations) from 9% to 23%. Changing the solvent and using a more efficient N-benzyl deprotecting-group procedure enhanced the yields of the C-ring and D-ring intermediates, (–)-4 and (–)-7, respectively. Bromination of (–)-7 with 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, rather than N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), increased the yield of (–)-1 from 69% to more than 94% yield.     

Approaches to the synthesis of cytochalasans. Part 6. Synthesis of the C(14)–C(23) subunit of cytochalasins A,B. F and desoxaphomin

The synthesis of methyl (4R, 8R,)-10-bromo-8-methyl-4-(1,3,6-trioxaheptane)-2-deceneoate ( 5 ), a synthon for the construction of the macrocyclic moieties of the cytochalasins A ( 1), B. (2) F (3) and desoxaphomin ( 4 ) is described. (S)-Glutamic acid ( 6 ) was transformed to the C₅-epoxide 10 and 3-methylglutaric acid ( 11 ) to the C₅-bromide 15 . Coupling of both 10 and 15 by a CuI-catalyzed Grignard reaction gave the decanol 16 in very high yield. The latter was transformed by several steps to synthon 5 .     

Fit-for-Purpose Synthesis of CDK2 Inhibitor GNE-140

A six-step, stereoselective synthesis of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) inhibitor GNE-140 was developed. The key bonds were assembled through palladium-catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling and Buchwald–Hartwig C−N coupling steps. The stereodiad was established through a single-step, CuH-catalyzed enone reduction proceeding in >99 : 1 er and 89 : 11 dr. GNE-140 was obtained in 25 % overall yield with 98.6 A% HPLC purity.     

Practical Synthesis of (20S)‐10‐(3‐Aminopropyloxy)‐7‐ethylcamptothecin,a Water‐Soluble Analogue of Camptothecin

A robust, practical synthesis of (20S)‐10‐(3‐aminopropyloxy)‐7‐ethylcamptothecin (T‐2513, 5 ), which is a water‐soluble analogue of camptothecin, has been developed. The key step in this synthesis is a highly diastereoselective ethylation at the C20 position by using N‐arylsulfonyl‐(R)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline‐3‐carboxylic acid ester as a chiral auxiliary, which affords the key intermediate ethyl‐(S)‐2‐acyloxy‐2‐(6‐cyano‐5‐oxo‐1,2,3,5‐tetrahydroindolizin‐7‐yl)butanoate ( 8 k ) in 93 % yield and 87 % de. Optically pure compound 8 k was obtained by a single recrystallization from acetone and its further elaboration through Friedlander condensation afforded compound 5 . This synthesis does not require any chromatographic purification steps and can provide compound 5 on a multi‐gram scale in 6.3 % overall yield (16 steps).     

Substitution of an Internal Disulfide Bridge with a Diselenide Enhances both Foldability and Stability of Human Insulin

Insulin analogues, mainstays in the modern treatment of diabetes mellitus, exemplify the utility of protein engineering in molecular pharmacology. Whereas chemical syntheses of the individual A and B chains were accomplished in the early 1960s, their combination to form native insulin remains inefficient because of competing disulfide pairing and aggregation. To overcome these limitations, we envisioned an alternative approach: pairwise substitution of cysteine residues with selenocysteine (Sec, U). To this end, Cys^A6 and Cys^A11 (which form the internal intrachain A6–A11 disulfide bridge) were each replaced with Sec. The A chain[C6U, C11U] variant was prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis; while sulfitolysis of biosynthetic human insulin provided wild-type B chain-di-S-sulfonate. The presence of selenium atoms at these sites markedly enhanced the rate and fidelity of chain combination, thus solving a long-standing challenge in chemical insulin synthesis. The affinity of the Se-insulin analogue for the lectin-purified insulin receptor was indistinguishable from that of WT-insulin. Remarkably, the thermodynamic stability of the analogue at 25 °C, as inferred from guanidine denaturation studies, was augmented (ΔΔG_u ≈0.8 kcal mol⁻¹). In accordance with such enhanced stability, reductive unfolding of the Se-insulin analogue and resistance to enzymatic cleavage by Glu-C protease occurred four times more slowly than that of WT-insulin. 2D-NMR and X-ray crystallographic studies demonstrated a native-like three-dimensional structure in which the diselenide bridge was accommodated in the hydrophobic core without steric clash.     

Total Synthesis of the Antiviral Natural Product Houttuynoid B

The first total synthesis of houttuynoid B, a powerful antiviral flavonoid glycoside from the Chinese plant Houttuynia cordata, is described. In a key step, a Baker–Venkataraman rearrangement employing an already glycosylated substrate was used to efficiently set up the fully functionalized carbon skeleton. The required benzofuran building block was prepared through a domino Sonogashira coupling/5‐endo‐dig cyclization and converted into a stable 1‐hydroxybenzotriazole‐derived active ester prior to linking with a galactosylated hydroxyacetophenone unit. The elaborated synthesis requires only nine steps (11 % overall yield) along the longest linear sequence and paves the way for the preparation of structurally related compounds for further biological evaluation.     

Short Total Synthesis of Ajoene, (E,Z)-4,5,9-Trithiadodeca-1,6,11-triene 9-oxide,in Batch and (E,Z)-4,5,9-Trithiadodeca-1,7,11-triene in Continuous Flow

A short total synthesis of ajoene, (E,Z)-4,5,9-trithiadodeca-1,6,11-triene 9-oxide, has been achieved over six steps. In addition, a continuous flow synthesis under mild reaction conditions to (E,Z)-4,5,9-trithiadodeca-1,7,11-triene is described starting from simple and easily accessible starting materials. Over four steps including propargylation, radical addition of thioacetate, deprotection, and disulfide formation/ allylation, the target product can be obtained at a rate of 0.26 g h⁻¹ in an overall yield of 12 %.     

Technische Verfahren zur Synthese von Carotinoiden und verwandten Verbindungen aus 6-Oxo-isophoron. VII. Synthese von Rhodoxanthin und (3RS,3RS)-Zeaxanthin aus der C15-Ringkomponente

Technical Procedures for the Synthesis of Carotenoids and Related Compounds from 6-Oxo-isophorone. VII. Synthesis of Rhodoxanthin and (3RS,3RS)-Zeaxanthin from the C₁₅-Ring Component¹ An efficient 7-step synthesis of (3RS,3RS)-zeaxanthin ( 3 ) in 20% overall yield starting from 6-oxo-isophorone ( 7 ) is described. Intermediates are 6,6′-dihydro-rhodoxanthin ( 4 ) and rhodoxanthin ( 1 ), which are now accessible in 4 and 5 steps, and 45 and 25% overall yield, respectively. Novel methods for the simultaneous removal of the hydroxy group and the partial reduction of the triple bond of a monoalkynylated 1,4-dioxo-2-ene system have been developed.