Highly diastereoselective preparation of anti-α,β-dialkyl β-amino acids containing natural α-amino acid side chains

An efficient synthesis of anti-2-alkyl β³-amino acids was developed starting from the fully protected β³-amino acids. The strategy allows the introduction of the side chain of natural α-amino acids such as Ala, Phe and Ser at the C-2 position, with high diastereoselectivity. The preparation of 2-methyliden-β³-amino acids is also reported. This methodology does not need the use of expensive chiral reagents and/or chiral auxiliaries, and leads to compounds with orthogonal protecting groups.     

Asymmetric synthesis of syn and anti methyl 2,3-diamino-3-phenylpropanoate derivatives from N-substituted imines and Schöllkopf's bislactim ether

The reaction between differently N-substituted benzaldimines and (2R)-Schöllkopf's bislactim ether was studied: the azaenolate addition to imines followed by hydrolysis of the resulting adducts gave syn-(2S,3R) and anti-(2S,3S)-methyl 2,3-diamino-3-phenylpropanoate derivatives in good yields. The configurations of the newly formed stereocenters of α,β-diamino acids were assigned on the basis of the ¹H NMR analysis and by comparison with known products. The diastereoisomeric ratios were explained taking into account the effect of the substituent present on the imine nitrogen on the transition state stability. This method represents a new approach for stereoselective synthesis of α,β-diamino acids.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-β-arylvinyl bromides by microwave-induced reaction of anti-3-aryl-2,3-dibromopropanoic acids using an AgOAc-AcOH system

(E)-β-Arylvinyl bromides were stereoselectively prepared in high yields by microwave irradiation of the corresponding anti-3-aryl-2,3-dibromopropanoic acids in AcOH in the presence of AgOAc for 0.5-3.0 min.     

An efficient synthetic approach towards trans-β-amino acids and demonstration of their utility in the design of therapeutically important β-peptides and α,β-peptide aldehydes

An efficient synthetic approach towards trans-β^2,3-amino acids involving anti-selective aldol, azidation and controlled hydrolysis as key steps is discussed. Apart from structural elaboration of these building blocks to homo- and hetero-dipeptides, possibility of selective endocyclic cleavage of the chiral auxiliary was advantageously used in the preparation of α,β-hybrid peptide alcohols and corresponding aldehydes, which are promising candidates for biological evaluation against proteases of therapeutic interest.     

Synthesis of (Z)-1-bromo-1-alkenes and terminal alkynes from anti-2,3-dibromoalkanoic acids by microwave-induced reaction

(Z)-1-Bromo-1-alkenes were stereoselectively prepared in high yields in a short reaction time by microwave irradiation of the corresponding anti-2,3-dibromoalkanoic acids in a Et₃N/DMF system. A one-pot synthesis of terminal alkynes and enynes from 2,3-dibromoalkanoic acids were also developed by microwave-induced reaction.     

Asymmetric synthesis of α-amino aldehydes from sulfinimine (N-sulfinyl imine)-derived α-amino 1,3-dithianes. Formal synthesis of (−)-2,3-trans-3,4-cis-dihydroxyproline

Hydrolysis of sulfinimine-derived N-sulfinyl α-amino 1,3-dithianes with aqueous 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin affords the corresponding N-tosyl α-amino aldehydes in good yield and high enantiomeric purity. These aldehydes can be reduced to amino alcohols and undergo the Wittig reaction to give allylic amines without epimerization. The utility of this methodology is illustrated in a formal synthesis of (−)-2,3-trans-3,4-cis-dihydroxyproline.     

Stereoselective synthesis of hydroxylated β-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acids

A simple synthetic approach has been developed for the regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of hydroxylated 2-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid stereoisomers from 1,4-cyclohexadiene by the reductive opening of appropriate epoxide intermediates derived from the corresponding bicyclic β-lactams. This method has been extended to the synthesis of these hydroxylated β-amino acids in enantiomerically pure form.     

Stereoselective synthesis of fluorine-containing analogues of anti-bacterial sanfetrinem and LK-157

The synthesis of (1′S,3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-(1′-trimethylsilyloxy-2′,2′,2′-trifluoroethyl)-2-azetidinone (10) precursor of modified carbapenems is described relying upon [Ru(C₆Me₆)(S,S)-(CH₂)₅NSO₂DPEN]-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation under dynamic kinetic resolution using HCO₂H-Et₃N. This fluorine-containing precursor yielded the targeted trinems 1 and 2 via a stereoselective key step condensation with lithium (S)-6-methoxy-cyclohexenolate.     

Amino alcohol catalyzed direct asymmetric aldol reactions: enantioselective synthesis of anti-α-fluoro-β-hydroxy ketones

Prolinol but not proline-(a recently established catalyst of simple intermolecular aldol reactions) was found to be an efficient catalyst for fluoroaldol reactions providing anti-α-fluoro-β-hydroxy ketones with good regio-, diasterio-, and enantioselectivities.     

Efficient enantioselective synthesis of orthogonally protected (R)-α-alkylserines compatible with the solid phase peptide synthesis

The Schöllkopf methodology for the asymmetric synthesis of α-amino acids, which was previously not applicable to the construction of quaternary α-amino acids, has been rendered not only suitable but also practical for this purpose and applied to a highly efficient enantioselective synthesis of orthogonally protected (R)-α-alkylserines suitable for the solid phase synthesis.     

Enantioselective synthesis of β-amino alcohols and α-amino acids via a copper catalyzed addition of diorganozinc reagents to N-phosphinoylimines

Enantioenriched β-amino alcohols were prepared via an asymmetric addition of diethylzinc, catalyzed by the BozPHOS·Cu(I) complex, on in situ formed N-phosphinoylimines. The nature of the hydroxyl protecting groups was found to affect the enantioselectivities. Subsequent deprotection and oxidation of N-phosphinoyl β-amino alcohols afforded optically active α-amino acids (97% ee).     

First asymmetric synthesis of an acyclic β,β-dialkylated-γ-aminobutyric acid

Enantiomerically pure (R)-γ-amino-β-benzyl-β-methylbutyric acid, an acyclic β,β-dialkyl GABA derivative, is efficiently synthesised from (1S,2R,4R)-10-dicyclohexylsulfamoylisobornyl 2-cyanopropanoate by a sequence based on benzylation, Arndt-Eistert homologation and nitrile reduction. Benzylation of (1S,2R,4R)-10-dicyclohexylsulfamoylisobornyl 2-cyanopropanoate using potassium carbonate under not strictly anhydrous conditions occurs diastereoselectively to afford (1S,2R,4R)-10-dicyclohexylsulfamoylisobornyl (S)-2-cyano-2-methyl-3-phenylpropanoate, the key chiral intermediate from which the desired γ-amino acid is obtained in five steps in 65% overall yield.     

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to 2-nitroacrylates: a facile route to β-homophenylglycines

Asymmetric conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to 2-nitroacrylamide in the presence of cationic palladium–Chiraphos complex proceeds with high yield and enantioselectivity (73–89% ee) using as low as 0.05–0.25 mol % of the catalyst. The adducts can be smoothly transformed into the corresponding β²-homophenylglycines in two simple steps.     

Stereoselective synthesis and moulting activity of 2,3-diepi-20-hydroxyecdysone and 2,3-diepi-5α-20-hydroxyecdysone

The ecdysteroid analogues 2,3-diepi-20-hydroxyecdysone and 2,3-diepi-5α-20-hydroxyecdysone have been synthesized from the readily available ecdysteroid, 20-hydroxyecdysone, and moulting activity has been determined using the Musca bioassay. As expected, the 2,3-diepi-analogue was less active than the parent ecdysteroid, 20-hydroxyecdysone. However, the 2,3-diepi-5α-analogue, which was expected to be inactive in the assay, exhibited moulting activity though it was approximately 1.5-fold less active than its 5β-analogue. The activity of the 5α-analogue could possibly result from the ability of this compound to bind to the ecdysteroid receptor. Alternatively, a possible in vivo C-5 epimerization of the 2,3-diepi-5α-analogue to the corresponding 5β-analogue could account for its activity.     

Asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of syn-(3-trifluoromethyl)cysteine derivatives

The use of several chiral trifluoromethylated building blocks 1a, 1b, 9a and 9b was attempted to synthesize of syn-(3-trifluoromethyl)cysteine. A novel and efficient enantioselective synthesis of both enantiomers of syn-(3-trifluoromethyl)cysteine derivatives 12a and 12b was successfully achieved.     

Serendipitous synthesis of 2-amino-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivatives starting from Baylis-Hillman adducts

Serendipitous synthesis of 2-amino-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivatives 4a-g was achieved starting from the Baylis-Hillman adducts. In the reaction sequence, intramolecular oxygen atom transfer from nitrogen atom to arene moiety was observed.     

A synthesis of novel N-sulfonylated β-amino acids

Novel N-sulfonyl β-amino acids were efficiently prepared in a seven-step synthesis starting from Boc protected methanesulfonamide and terminal epoxides. A zinc-mediated allylation of cyclic N-sulfonyl imines readily derived from these building blocks served as a key operation of this sequence.     

Facile stereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-3-alkoxyazetidin-2-ones

A highly stereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-3-alkoxy-3-phenyl/benzylthioazetidin-2-ones is described. The reaction of α-chlorosulfide-β-lactams with various alcohols catalyzed by a Lewis acid such as ZnCl₂ in the presence of molecular sieves (3-4 Å) leads to cis-3-alkoxy-3-phenyl/benzylthio-β-lactams whereas treatment of potassium 2-alkoxy-2-phenylthioethanoate with appropriate Schiff's base using POCl₃ in the presence of triethylamine leads to the formation of trans-3-alkoxy-3-phenylthioazetidin-2-ones as major products.     

Stereoselective synthesis of orthogonally protected 2,3-disubstituted morpholines using a base-catalysed cascade reaction

The stereoselective synthesis of differentially protected [3-(hydroxymethyl)morpholin-2-yl]methanols is described, starting from chiral epoxides. The key step involves a one-pot oxazolidinone formation via intramolecular epoxide opening and concomitant cyclisation to form the morpholine ring. Selective deprotection reveals the free hydroxymethyl group at either the 2- or 3-position of the morpholine.     

A new and facile route for the synthesis of chiral 1,2-diamines and 2,3-diamino acids

The synthesis of chiral diamines and diamino acids has been achieved from the corresponding N-arylsulfonyl aziridines through reaction with a chiral isocyanate and subsequent hydrolysis of 2-imidazolidinones. The method appears to be general and of wide applicability.