Stereodivergent synthesis of cyclic γ-aminobutyric acid – GABA analogues

A novel synthetic route towards two series of enantiomerically pure cyclic analogues of 2,3-cis- and 2,3-trans-γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was developed. The route is based on the elongation and stereodivergent manipulation of a readily accessible enantiomerically pure γ-substituted α-aminolactone. The five-step route towards the 2,3-cis-substituted GABA analogues was achieved via straightforward carbon chain extension of the lactone using a non-classical Wittig reaction followed by chemoselective reduction and a protecting group switch. The five-step route towards the 2,3-trans-substituted GABA analogues employed elongation of the same aminolactone using a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction and highly stereoselective intramolecular oxa-Michael addition as the key synthetic manipulations. Altogether this chemistry has allowed the stereodivergent preparation of a novel class of GABA analogues in two diastereomeric series.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure inherently chiral calix[4]arenes using the meta-substitution strategy

A meta-substituted aminocalix[4]arene 4 immobilized in the cone conformation was prepared via mercuration of the starting tetra-propoxy derivative, followed by nitrosation and reduction reactions. Acylation of the amino group by chiral amino acid residues ((S)-N-trifluoroacetyl-Ala or (S)-N-trifluoroacetyl-Phe) allowed for the preparation of diastereomeric amides that were separated by preparative TLC on silica gel. Subsequent cyclization under Bischler-Napieralski reaction conditions yielded calixarenes 7b and 7c bearing an oxazole moiety in the meta position instead of the expected upper rim-bridged compounds. The reaction sequence represents a straightforward approach towards enantiomerically pure inherently chiral calix[4]arene derivatives (without HPLC separation steps). The absolute configuration of the enantiomers were confirmed by single crystal structure determination (X-ray).     

The first highly stereoselective approach to the mitotic kinesin Eg5 inhibitor HR22C16 and its analogues

A general method for the synthesis of the mitotic kinesin Eg5 inhibitor HR22C16 1 and its analogues based on protecting group (PG)-modulated highly diastereoselective Pictet–Spengler reaction of l-tryptophan methyl ester hydrochloride with meta-(RO)-benzaldehyde is described. By using the enantiomerically pure (1R,3S)-1,3-disubstituted tetrahydro-β-carboline trans-4c as a common chiral synthon, HR22C16 1 and its analogues 2 and 3 were synthesized in 90.1%, 90.2%, and 86.5% overall yields, respectively.     

Palladium-catalysed C–C coupling reactions in the enantioselective synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted 4,5-dehydropiperidines using galactosylamine as a stereodifferentiating auxiliary

Stereoselective synthesis of enantiomerically pure 2,4-disubstituted piperidine derivatives, which are considered interesting pharmacophoric structures, was achieved starting with a tandem Mannich–Michael reaction sequence on O-pivaloylated N-galactosyl aldimines. Subsequent conversion of the thus formed 2-substituted dehydropiperidinones into the corresponding enol triflates was carried out by conjugate hydride addition and trapping the enolate with N,N-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)aniline. Their Suzuki–Miyaura coupling with aryl and heteroaryl boronic acids was performed under conditions compatible with the carbohydrate structure, in particular, with the sensitive N-glycosidic bond.     

A practical enzymatic procedure for the resolution of N-substituted 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-one

A simple and efficient process for the enantioselective resolution of N-substituted 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-one has been developed using commercially available hydrolytic enzymes. This offers a practical approach for the preparation of enantiomerically pure N-substituted γ-lactams.     

Use of optically active cyclic diethyl sulfamidate 2-phosphonates as chiral synthons for the synthesis of β-substituted α-amino phosphonates

Optically active protected sulfamidate 2-phosphonates have been synthesized from either (R)- or (S)-N-benzyl-2-phosphonoserine for use as chiral synthons. These sulfamidates have been shown to undergo nucleophilic substitution with select nucleophiles, to afford following N-sulfate removal, the β-substituted α-amino-2-phosphonates. N-Sulfate removal was accomplished using boron trifluoride etherate in the presence of either n-propylthiol or N-hydroxysuccinimide allowing retention of the diethylphosphonate ester groups. Replacement of the unpleasant smelling n-propylthiol with N-hydroxysuccinimide provides higher yields of the desired products. Synthesis of β-S-substituted analogues required the use of cesium carbonate as a base. The sulfamidates described have excellent stability and have been demonstrated, using chiral HPLC, to be greater than 97% enantiomerically pure.     

Anion binding by meta ureido-substituted thiacalix[4]arenes

The regioselective nitration of 25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxythiacalix[4]arene (1,3-alternate) led to the formation of mono- and dinitro derivatives bearing NO₂ groups in the meta positions at the same side of the molecule. Their reduction and subsequent condensation with arylisocyanates gave the new types of anion receptors with a so far unknown meta-substitution pattern. In a highly HB-competitive solvent like DMSO, the novel ligands showed good complexation abilities. Moreover, as can be documented by higher complexation constants, achiral receptors 9a, 9b are better preorganized for anion binding than corresponding stereoisomers 10a, 10b. Our results indicate that anion receptors based on meta-substituted thiacalixarenes possess complexation abilities fully comparable with common para-substituted analogues.     

Lipase catalyzed regio- and stereospecific hydrolysis: chemoenzymatic synthesis of both (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of α-lipoic acid

Native lipase of Candida rugosa (EC 3.1.1.3) enantioselectively and regiospecifically hydrolyses the n-butyl ester of 2,4-dithioacetyl butanoic acid either at the carboxylic acid terminus or at the α-thioacetate to provide enantiomerically pure (R)-2,4-dithioacetyl butyric acid and (S)-butyl 2-thio-4-thioacetyl butyrate (ee >98%) while the lipase modified by treatment with diethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate attacks only the α-thioacetate giving enantiomerically pure (S)-butyl 2-thio-4-thioacetyl butyrate. These enantiomerically pure intermediates can be used as chiral building blocks to obtain both (S)- and (R)-enantiomers of α-lipoic acid and their analogues.     

Pig liver esterase (PLE)-mediated resolution of N-substituted 4-benzoyloxy-3-carbomethoxypiperidines: a convenient preparation of 4-hydroxy- and 4-benzoyloxy-3-carbomethoxypiperidines in enantiomerically pure form

Pig liver esterase (PLE) afforded smooth chemical resolution of racemic N-substituted 4-(benzoyloxy)-3-carbomethoxypiperidines. The enzyme showed good chemo- and enantioselective properties, thus allowing discrimination between the carbomethoxy and benzoate ester groups, the latter being more easily hydrolyzed. The proposed methodology also represents a practical means for the procurement of N-substituted 4-hydroxy-3-carbomethoxypiperidines in enantiomerically pure form.     

Improved synthesis of structural analogues of (−)-epicatechin gallate for modulation of staphylococcal β-lactam resistance

The high-yielding synthesis of enantiomerically pure epicatechin gallate analogues where the A and/or B-ring hydroxylation is reduced or altered has been achieved by optimising routes to the catechin stereochemistry. The B-ring analogues were synthesised by using an electrophilic ring closure onto an enantiomerically enriched epoxide as a key step. The A and B-ring hydroxyl-deleted analogues were synthesised through a Mitsunobu cyclisation. For the B-ring analogues, the anti- (catechin) stereochemistry was converted to the syn- (epicatechin) stereochemistry by a known oxidation/reduction protocol. Absolute stereochemistry was derived from either a Sharpless epoxidation or asymmetric dihydroxylation.     

γ-Amino vinyl sulfoxides in asymmetric synthesis. Synthesis of optically pure α-substituted β-amino nitriles

The synthesis of optically pure (E)- and (Z)-γ-amino vinyl sulfoxides derived from commercially available protected α-amino esters is reported. Hydrocyanation of the double bond with Et₂AlCN is completely stereoselective and provides enantiomerically pure α-substituted β-amino nitriles with complete control of the configuration at the α-carbon being exerted by the sulfinyl group.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure 3-aryloxy-2-hydroxypropanoic acids,intermediate products in the synthesis of cis-4-Aminochroman-3-ols

Oxidation of accessible (R)-3-chloropropane-1,2-diol to (R)-3-chloro-2-hydroxypropanoic acid and subsequent reaction of the latter with ortho-substituted sodium phenoxide gave a number of enantiomerically pure 3-aryloxy-2-hydroxypropanoic acid which are intermediate products in the synthesis of nonracemic 4-aminochroman-3-ols.     

First asymmetric syntheses of 6-substituted nipecotic acid derivatives

Various nipecotic acid derivatives are known to be potent GABA uptake inhibitors thus being useful in the treatment of a number of neurological and psychological disorders. In this paper, the first asymmetric syntheses of 6-substituted nipecotic acid derivatives are presented. The synthetic strategy was designed to provide access to a large variety of enantiomerically pure 6-substituted nipecotic acid derivatives. The synthesis starts from the chiral N-acyldihydropyridines 15 and 16 obtained via asymmetric electrophilic α-amidoalkylation reaction of a chiral N-acylpyridinium ion. These were utilized for the preparation of enantiomerically pure 6-(4,4-diphenylbutyl)nipecotic acids and 6-(4,4-diphenylbutenyl)nipecotic acids in a multistep synthesis, including the removal of the dimethylphenylsilyl blocking group from the dihydropyridine ring, the reduction of the dihydropyridine heterocycle, a Horner-Wittig reaction and the removal of the chiral auxiliary. The obtained target molecules, however, showed only negligible affinity to the GAT-1- and GAT-3 transport proteins.     

Synthesis of 4,5-fused tricyclic quinolines via an acid-promoted intramolecular Friedel–Crafts allenylation of aniline derivatives

A novel method for synthesizing 4,5-fused tricyclic quinoline derivatives based on an acid-promoted intramolecular Friedel–Crafts allenylation of anilines. Using aryl group-substituted propargyl alcohol derivatives with a meta-substituted N-Boc aniline unit as substrates, a four-step reaction sequence involving an acid-promoted intramolecular Friedel–Crafts allenylation of anilines, an acid-promoted intramolecular C–N bond formation, deprotection of the Boc group, and air oxidation proceeded in a single pot, producing the corresponding 4,5-fused tricyclic quinoline derivatives in 31–84% yield.     

Asymmetric michael additions of ester enolates to enantiomerically pure vinylic sulfoxides: Synthesis of 3-substituted glutarate esters in high enantiomeric purity

Various ester enolate ions add as Michael donors to enantiomerically pure Michael acceptor cycloalkenone sulfoxides 1a and 1b and unsaturated lactone sulfoxides 3a and 3b. The level of asymmetric induction in some cases is extraordinarily high (95% e.e. of final 1,5-dicarbonyl products). Adduct ester lactones 5 and 6 can be converted easily into some synthetically versatile, trifunctional, 3-substituted glutarate esters of high enantiomeric purity. An efficient route to enantiomerically pure pentenolide sulfoxide (S)-(+)-3b is presented.     

Diastereospecific synthesis of new 4-substituted l-theanine derivatives

Considering the biological activity of l-theanine as a potent agonist of NMDA receptors, impacting on glutamatergic synapse activity, we have developed an asymmetric synthesis of new enantiomerically pure 4-substituted l-theanine derivatives. The key step is a stereospecific alkylation on a previously synthesized and correctly protected (S)-pyroglutamate.     

Tetrathiafulvalene–oxazoline ligands in the iridium catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of arylimines

Cationic iridium complexes based on enantiomerically pure tetrathiafulvalene–oxazoline ligands have been used in the asymmetric hydrogenation of N-(phenylethylidene)aniline. Complete conversions with ee’s up to 68% could be reached in the case of the TTF–phosphinooxazoline (TTF–PHOX) ligands.     

Asymmetric Stereodivergent Strategy Towards Aminocyclitols

A concise asymmetric synthesis of aminocyclitols, such as diastereomeric 2‐deoxystreptamine analogues and conduramine A, is described. The Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric desymmetrization of meso 1,4‐dibenzolate enables the synthesis of highly oxidized cyclohexane architectures. These scaffolds can potentially be used to access new aminoglycoside antibiotics and enantiomerically pure α‐glucosidase inhibitors.     

Diastereoselective and enantioselective synthesis of 4′-aza analogues of 2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides

A diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of 4′-aza analogues of 2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides has been designed by the strategy of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of a Vasella-type nitrone. The reaction leads to (1′R)- and (1′S)-4′-aza analogues of 2′,3′-dideoxythimidine and fluorouridine, in enantiomerically pure forms.     

Asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones using Ir(III) complexes of N-alkyl-N’-tosyl-1,2-ethanediamine ligands

The combination of an enantiomerically pure N′-alkylated derivative of N-4-toluenesulfonyl-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine (TsDPEN) with iridium trichloride results in the formation of a catalyst with high selectivity for ketone hydrogenation. Products with enantiomeric excesses of up to 84% were formed. The best results were obtained using a ligand with an n-alkyl chain and ortho-substituted acetophenone derivatives and other hindered derivatives.