1,2-Disubstituted cyclohexane nucleosides: comparative study for the synthesis of cis and trans adenosine analogues

A new class of adenosine analogues with 1,2-disubstituted carbocycles (with cis and trans stereochemistry) have been synthesized. Construction of the base on the amino group of (±)-cis-(2-aminocyclohexyl)methanol was more efficient than the Mitsunobu condensation between the purine base and protected (±)-trans-(2-hydroxymethyl)cyclohexanol. The latter strategy gave the final compound with cis stereochemistry in a short number of steps with the overall yield depending on the nature of the protecting group on the hydroxymethyl group of the diol. However, Mitsunobu condensation between a purine base and the protected (±)-cis-(2-hydroxymethyl)cyclohexanol is not an ideal method to obtain trans purine derivatives because the elimination reaction is faster than the substitution reaction.     

Addition of difluorocarbene to 3',4'-unsaturated nucleosides: synthesis of 2'-deoxy analogues with a 2-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane framework

Treatment of protected 2'-deoxy-3',4'-unsaturated nucleosides derived from adenosine and uridine with difluorocarbene [generated from bis(trifluoromethyl)mercury and sodium iodide] gave fused-ring 2,2-difluorocyclopropane compounds. Stereoselective alpha-face addition to the dihydrofuran ring resulted from hindrance by the protected beta-anomeric nucleobases. A protected uracil compound was converted smoothly into the cytosine derivative via a 4-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) intermediate. Removal of the protecting groups gave new difluorocyclopropane-fused nucleoside analogues. The solid-state conformation of the nearly planar furanosyl ring in the uracil compound had a shallow 2E pucker, and a more pronounced 1E conformation was present in the furanosyl ring of the cytosine derivative.     

Synthesis of novel 1,2,3-triazolyl nucleoside analogues bearing uracil, 6-methyluracil, 3,6-dimethyluracil,thymine, and quinazoline-2,4-dione moieties

A series of novel 1,2,3-triazolyl nucleoside analogues was synthesized via the CuAAC reaction of N1-alkynyl uracil, 6-methyluracil, 3,6-dimethyl uracil, thymine and quinazolin-2,4-dione with protected azido β-d-ribofuranose. The obtained compounds differ in both the nature of the pyrimidine-2,4-dione fragment and the length of the polymethylene linker connecting it with the β-d-ribofuranosyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl moiety. The 1,2,3-triazolyl nucleoside analogues were evaluated for their cytotoxicity in vitro.     

Probing the reactivity of nebularine N1-oxide. A novel approach to C-6 C-substituted purine nucleosides

A novel approach to the synthesis of purine nucleoside analogues, featuring the reaction of the C6-N1-O⁻ aldonitrone moiety of 9-ribosyl-purine (nebularine) N1-oxide with some representative dipolarophiles, as well as Grignard reagents, is reported. Addition of Grignard reagents to the electrophilic C-6 carbon of the substrate allows a facile access to C-6 C-substituted purine nucleosides without using metal catalysts. 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition processes lead to novel nucleoside analogues via opening, degradation or ring-enlargement of the pyrimidine ring of the base system of the first-formed isoxazoline or isoxazolidine cycloadduct.     

Synthesis of 2′-O,3′-O bicyclic adenosine analogues using ring closing metathesis

The synthesis of 2′-O,3′-O bicyclic adenosine derivatives is presented as the first examples of a new family of 13-membered ring bicyclic nucleoside analogues. Cyclisation was achieved through ring closing metathesis (RCM) on a diene intermediate using Grubbs’ catalyst. The Z and E isomers were purified and characterised.     

Regioselective synthesis of O- and O-cyclopyrimidine nucleoside analogues

Regioselective synthesis of two new series of cyclonucleoside analogues from the 1,2-carbonucleoside of uracil 1a: O²,7′-cyclonucleosides (3a-c) and O⁶,7′-cyclonucleosides (4a-c), analogues of pyrimidine (cyclohexane derivatives) is reported. Synthesis of O²-cyclonucleoside analogues was performed by activation of the hydroxymethyl group of carbocyclic moiety and using the carbonyl group at position 2 of the heterocyclic base as a nucleophile. Synthesis of O⁶-cyclonucleoside analogues was achieved by nucleophilic attack of the 7′-hydroxyl group on the electron-deficient 6-position and subsequently dehydrohalogenation in basic conditions.     

NHC-catalyzed generation of difluorocarbene and its application to difluoromethylation of oxygen nucleophiles

Controlled generation of difluorocarbene was effected by an NHC catalyst under mild conditions starting from trimethylsilyl 2,2-difluoro-2-fluorosulfonylacetate (TFDA). Cyclohexenones and tetralones were treated with TFDA in the presence of catalytic amounts of N,N′-dimesitylimidazolium chloride and sodium carbonate. The ketones were difluoromethylated with the generated difluorocarbene to afford enol difluoromethyl ethers without difluorocyclopropanation. The ethers thus obtained were dehydrogenated with DDQ to furnish aryl difluoromethyl ethers in high yield. Under similar conditions, secondary amides underwent difluoromethylation selectively on the oxygen atom to give difluoromethyl imidates, which allows the formation of 2-difluoromethoxypyridines.     

Linear and convergent approaches to 2-substituted adenosine-5′-N-alkylcarboxamides

Herein we report both linear and convergent pathways for the preparation of 2-alkynyl substituted adenosine-5′-N-ethylcarboxamides via the versatile synthetic intermediate, 2-iodoadenosine-5′-N-ethylcarboxamide (13). The linear approach afforded 13 in an overall yield of 30% from guanosine over eight synthetic steps. The convergent approach was shorter, but proceeded in lower yield (five steps, 20% yield). Both approaches compare favourably with previously reported syntheses of 13, which has been prepared in 15% yield from guanosine over nine steps. 2-Iodoadenosine-5′-N-ethylcarboxamide (13) was subsequently converted to HENECA (2) and PHPNECA (3) to exemplify the utility of this approach for the preparation of potent A_2A adenosine receptor agonists. The linear approach was also amenable to the synthesis of 2-fluoropurine ribosides, which were subsequently elaborated into 2-alkylaminoadenosine-5′-N-ethylcarboxamides. Furthermore, both of these synthetic approaches are readily amenable to the synthesis of adenosine analogues with varied 2-, 6- and 5′-substitution patterns.     

Synthesis of 3'-deoxynucleosides with 2-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane sugar moieties: addition of difluorocarbene to a 3',4'-unsaturated uridine derivative and 1,2-dihydrofurans derived from D- and L-xylose1

Syntheses of 3'-deoxy analogues of adenosine, cytidine, and uridine with a 2,2-difluorocyclopropane ring fused at C3'-C4' are described. Treatment of a 2',5'-protected-3',4'-unsaturated derivative of uridine with difluorocarbene [generated from (CF3)2Hg and NaI] gave a diastereomeric mixture of the 3',4'-difluoromethylene compounds (alpha-L-arabino/beta-D-ribo, approximately 5:4). The limited stereoselectivity for addition at the beta face results from competitive steric hindrance by an allylic 4-methoxybenzyloxy group at C2' on the alpha face and a homoallylic nucleobase at C1' on the beta face. Protected uracil derivatives were converted into their cytosine counterparts via 4-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) intermediates. Treatment of 1,2-dihydrofurans derived from D- and L-xylose with difluorocarbene resulted in stereospecific addition at the beta face (anti to the 1,2-O-isopropylidene group on the alpha face). Glycosylations with activated enantiomeric sugar derivatives with the fused difluorocyclopropane ring on the beta face gave protected adenine nucleosides, whereas attempted glycosylation with an alpha-fused derivative gave multiple products. Removal of base- and sugar-protecting groups gave new difluoromethylene-bridged nucleoside analogues.     

An efficient convergent synthesis of adenosine-5′-N-alkyluronamides

Herein we report an efficient synthesis of adenosine-5′-N-alkyluronamides in which an enzyme-mediated deacetylation reaction is a key to the selective modification of the 5′-N-position, prior to coupling the ribose and purine components via a microwave-assisted Vorbrüggen coupling. This approach provides access to highly functionalised adenosines with 2- and N⁶-substitutents, which can be incorporated before or after the ribose-coupling step. In all cases the microwave-assisted Vorbrüggen coupling conditions afforded anomerically pure purine ribosides in good to excellent yields.     

Linear free energy relationships and kinetic isotope effects reveal the chemistry of the Ado 2′-OH group

Using kinetic isotope effects (KIE) and Hammett correlations, we show that the main role of the adenosine 2′-OH group on deprotonation by the non nucleophilic base DBU during external acyl group transfer is to generate enhanced electron density on the attacking nucleophile through ionization. The small primary KIEs (1.2 and 1.6) and the large Hammett reaction constants (+2.25 and +3.19) obtained for the ethanolysis of 2′/3′-O-p-substituted benzoyl 5′-O-trityl adenosines and 2′-deoxyadenosines are consistent with an A_N + D_N reaction mechanism. The implications of our results are discussed in terms of chemical contributions of the 2′-OH group in the ribosome catalysis of peptide bond formation.     

Versatile, convenient synthesis of pyrimido[1,2,3-cd]purinediones

The alkylation of 3-substituted cycloalkylcarboxamido-6-aminouracil derivatives with 3-bromo-1-propanol followed by ring closure yields 1,3,8-trisubstituted xanthine derivatives bearing a polar hydroxyl group. Use of the more reactive 1,3-dibromopropane or homologous dibromoalkanes for the alkylation reaction results in simultaneous alkylation at N1 and the exocyclic amino group (N⁶) yielding imidazo-, pyrimido- and diazepino-pyrimidine derivatives. The pyrimidopyrimidine derivatives can subsequently be cyclised using hexamethyldisilazane at high temperature affording an easy, convenient and general access to tricyclic pyrimido[1,2,3-cd]purinediones. Alternatively, 3-substituted 6-amino-5-benzylideneaminouracil derivatives can be reacted with 1,3-dibromopropane followed by an oxidative cyclisation using thionyl chloride to obtain the desired tricyclic pyrimido[1,2,3-cd]purinediones, which are sterically fixed analogues of pharmacologically active purine derivatives.     

Synthesis of 4-N-alkyl and ribose-modified AICAR analogues on solid support

Herein, we report the solid-phase synthesis of several 5-aminoimidazole-4-(N-alkyl)carboxamide-1-ribosides (4-N-alkyl AICARs) and the corresponding 2′,3′-secoriboside derivatives. The method uses the N-1-dinitrophenyl-inosine 5′-bonded to a solid support. This inosine derivative has the C-2 of the purine base strongly activated towards the attack of N-nucleophiles thus allowing the preparation of several N-1 alkylated inosine supports from which a small library of 4-N-alkyl AICAR derivatives has been synthesized. A set of new 4-N-alkyl AICA-2′,3′-secoriboside derivatives have also been obtained in high yields by solid-phase cleavage of the 2′,3′-ribose bond.     

Synthesis of chiral β-3-amino-2-hydroxyalkanoates and 3-alkyl-3-hydroxy-β-lactams by double asymmetric induction

Reactions of chiral (2S)-enolates of dioxolan-4-ones, derived from lactic, mandelic, and phenyllactic acids, with aliphatic (S_S)- and (S_R)-tert-butylsulfinyl aldimines afforded conformationally restrained C2-disubstituted N,O-orthogonally protected 3-amino-2-hydroxyalkanoates in the form of N-sulfinyl protected 1′-aminodioxolan-4-ones. The product distribution showed that there is significant kinetic selectivity, due to the presence of ‘matched’ and ‘mismatched’ components, between the (S)- or (R)-tert-butylsulfinyl aldimines and the (2S)-enolates of the 1,3-dioxolan-4-ones. Selective methoxide-induced removal of the acetal group of the N-sulfinyl-1′-aminodioxolanones yielded the corresponding N-sulfinyl protected methyl alkanoates. In addition, the selective acid-induced removal of the sulfinyl group of the N-sulfinyl-1′-aminodioxolanones provided the corresponding N-unprotected 1′-aminodioxolanones, whose base-induced cyclization afforded the corresponding β-lactams.     

Synthesis of a series of novel 2′,3′-dideoxy-6′,6′-difluoro-3′-thionucleosides

A series of novel 2′,3′-dideoxy-6′,6′-difluoro-3′-thionucleosides 1a-d, analogues of 3TC that has high biological activities against HIV and HBV, have been synthesized from the gem-difluorohomoallyl amine 7 in a straightforward fashion. Our synthesis featured the construction of thiofuranose skeleton through ring closure of key intermediates and installation of pyrimidine ring with amino group in compounds 13a,b.     

Synthesis of nucleoside aminooxy acids

First nucleoside aminooxy acids were synthesized from furanoid sugar phthalimidooxy acids by N-glycosylation with uracil, thymine, N-benzoylcytosine, 6-N-benzoyladenine and 2-N-acetyl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoylguanine. Boc or Fmoc protected uridine aminooxy acid derivatives have also been prepared. As oxyamine protecting group, the phthalimido group was shown to be instable in MeOH, leading to the imide ring-opening product in a reversible way. This reaction was accelerated under acid or basic conditions. A uridine dimer linked by N-oxy amide has also been prepared by coupling of uridine aminooxy ester with uridine phthalimidooxy acid. These nucleoside aminooxy acids might constitute useful building blocks for the development of novel RNA mimics and conjugates with other biomolecules or reporter compounds.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of novel adenosine carbanucleoside analogues containing a locked 3′-methyl-2′,3′-β-oxirane-fused system

Starting from a readily available enantiopure building block, a straightforward enantioselective approach to 3′-methyl-2′,3′-β-oxirane-fused carbanucleosides bearing adenosine analogues is detailed. The key steps in the syntheses involved a lipase-catalyzed regioselective monoacylation of a diol to obtain the key intermediate and direct coupling of this key intermediate with diversely substituted purine nucleobases under Mitsunobu reaction conditions providing only the N⁹ target molecules.     

Reactions of 1,4-bis(tetrazole)benzenes: formation of long chain alkyl halides

The reactions of 1,4-bis[2-(tributylstannyl)tetrazol-5-yl]benzene with α,ω-dibromoalkanes were carried out in order to synthesise pendant alkyl halide derivatives of the parent bis-tetrazole. This led to the formation of several alkyl halide derivatives, substituted variously at N1 or N2 on the tetrazole ring. The crystal structures of 1,4-bis[(2-(4-bromobutyl)tetrazol-5-yl)]benzene (2-N,2-N′), 1,4-bis[(2-(4-bromobutyl)tetrazol-5-yl)]benzene (1-N,2-N′) and 1,4-bis[(2-(8-bromooctyl)tetrazol-5-yl)]benzene (2-N,2-N′) are reported. Further discussion involves the structure of 1,4-bis[2-(6-bromohexyl)-2H-tetrazol-5-yl]benzene (2-N,2-N′) previously reported.     

Partially hydrogenated 2-amino[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines as synthons for the preparation of polycondensed heterocycles: reaction with chlorocarboxylic acid chlorides

Partially hydrogenated 2-amino[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and 2-amino[1,2,4]triazolo[5,1-b]quinazolines react with the chlorides of chloroacetic, 3-chloropropanoic, and 4-chlorobutanoic acids at 0–5 °C to give amides through acylation of the 2-amino group. Heating the corresponding 3-chloropropanoyl derivatives at 80–90 °C in DMF leads to selective intramolecular alkylation at N-3 to form the chlorides of partially hydrogenated [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a:4,3-a′]dipyrimidin-5-ones and pyrimido[2′,1′:3,4][1,2,4]triazolo[5,1-b]quinazolin-12-ones. It may be more convenient to prepare such compounds through one-pot processes. Some reactions of the synthesized chlorides of polycondensed heterocycles have been studied. Conditions have been found to effect the selective synthesis of free bases, oxidative aromatization or hydrolysis of the dihydropyrimidine cycle, and the selective hydrolytic cleavage or elimination of the pyrimidone ring. Some of the resulting compounds represent new mesoionic heterocycles.     

A short stereoselective synthesis of the protected uracil 3′-epi-polyoxin C

A short synthetic approach to the protected uracil 3′-epi-polyoxin C 20 has been developed. The stereoselective [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of the corresponding 7-thiocyanato-α-d-xylo-hept-5-enfuranose 6 was employed as the key step to construct the C-5 stereocentre in 5-isothiocyanato-α-d-gluco-hept-6-enfuranose 8 and the formal synthesis of uracil 3′-epi-polyoxin C has been accomplished for the first time. This synthesis provides a facile method for multigram scale preparation and thus is useful for the research into the polyoxins’ structure-activity relationship and to search for more potent and effective anticandidal agents.