Hetero-calix[4]pyrroles: incorporation of furans, thiophenes, thiazoles or fluorenes as a part of the macrocycle

Furans, thiazoles, fluorene or thiophene incorporated calix[4]pyrrole analogues were synthesized and characterized. The synthesis was achieved by utilization of various building blocks such as 7, 13, 14, 18 and 21. Acid catalyzed condensation of those building blocks with acetone or meso-disubstituted dipyrromethanes afforded desired macrocycles.     

Synthesis of soluble oligo- and polymeric pentacene-based materials

Functionalization of pentacene at the 6- and 13-positions affords versatile building blocks for oligomer and polymer formation. Di- and trimeric materials are synthesized using unsymmetrical building block 18, while symmetrical diol monomer 17 allows for the synthesis of polymers. The materials reported herein are soluble in common organic solvents and air-stable. UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopic properties have been investigated. Solid-state X-ray crystallography of building blocks 17 and 19 shows that these derivatives can π-stack with significant acene face-to-face interactions with spacing of less than 3.5 Å.     

Synthesis of novel piperazine based building blocks: 3,7,9-triazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, 3,6,8-triazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane, 3-oxa-7,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane and 3-oxa-6,8-diazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane

The preparation of four novel bridged piperazine building blocks is described: 3,7,9-triazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane 1, 3-oxa-7,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane 2, 3,6,8-triazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane 3 and 3-oxa-6,8-diazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane 4. The scaffold of 1 was synthesized from N,N′-dibromobenzenesulfonamide and ethyl acrylate. Compound 2 may be prepared from identical starting materials or alternatively from α,α′-diglycerol. Compounds 3 and 4 were identified as side products from possible aziridinium intermediates.     

Mononuclear zinc(II) and mercury(II) complexes of Schiff bases derived from pyrrolealdehyde and cysteamine containing intramolecular NH?S hydrogen bonds

Two neutral group 12 metal complexes, bis(pyrrol-2-ylmethyleneaminoethylthio)zinc(II) (1) and bis(pyrrol-2-ylmethyleneaminoethylthio)mercury(II) (2), with the (N_imine)₂S₂ coordination mode were synthesized by using metal-templated Schiff base condensation, and their molecular structures were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 exhibits a distorted tetrahedral geometry around the metal, whereas the metal center has a bisphenoidal configuration in complex 2. Both mononuclear complexes possess intramolecular NH?S hydrogen bonds, as evidenced by IR, ¹H NMR and X-ray crystallography. The hydrogen-bond donor (H-N_pyrrole) and acceptor (S atom) are coming from different ligands within a single molecule. Complex 2 represents the first example of a mercury complex in the N₂S₂ coordination mode with intramolecular NH?S hydrogen-bond interactions. An investigation of the effects of the NH?S hydrogen bonding on the stability of 1 and 2, using an N-methyl pyrrolyl analogue, demonstrated that the N-H hydrogen-bond donor from the pyrrolyl moiety probably played a role in the stability of 1, but not 2.     

Can a consecutive double turn conformation be considered as a peptide based molecular scaffold for supramolecular helix in the solid state?

Helices and sheets are ubiquitous in nature. However, there are also some examples of self-assembling molecules forming supramolecular helices and sheets in unnatural systems. Unlike supramolecular sheets there are a very few examples of peptide sub-units that can be used to construct supramolecular helical architectures using the backbone hydrogen bonding functionalities of peptides. In this report we describe the design and synthesis of two single turn/bend forming peptides (Boc-Phe-Aib-Ile-OMe 1 and Boc-Ala-Leu-Aib-OMe 2) (Aib: α-aminoisobutyric acid) and a series of double-turn forming peptides (Boc-Phe-Aib-Ile-Aib-OMe 3, Boc-Leu-Aib-Gly-Aib-OMe 4 and Boc-γ-Abu-Aib-Leu-Aib-OMe 5) (γ-Abu: γ-aminobutyric acid). It has been found that, in crystals, on self-assembly, single turn/bend forming peptides form either a supramolecular sheet (peptide 1) or a supramolecular helix (peptide 2), unlike self-associating double turn forming peptides, which have only the option of forming supramolecular helical assemblages.     

Sulfolenoporphyrins: synthons for refunctionalization of porphyrins

Using sulfolenopyrroles (4) and (11) methods are developed for the synthesis of opp- (15,18,19) and adj- (25) bis-sulfolenoporphyrins; such compounds are useful building blocks for the refunctionalization of the porphyrin system, and readily undergo Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions.     

Synthesis of cyclopentane building blocks via an intramolecular CH insertion reaction of a chiral pool derived α-diazo-γ-hydroxy-β-ketosulfone

A highly functionalized cyclopentanone building block 13 was prepared by a facile Rh-catalyzed intramolecular CH insertion reaction of an enantiopure α-diazo-γ-hydroxy-β-ketosulfone 12, in turn derived from an α-hydroxy acid 2. A cyclic γ-hydroxy vinyl sulfone 16 was also prepared from 13.     

New derivatives of trifluoroacetyl acetaldehyde and trifluoroaldol

The reaction of β-ethoxyvinyl trifluoromethyl ketone 1 with O-nucleophiles such as alcohols and diols leads to various derivatives of trifluoroacetyl acetaldehyde, such as β-alkoxyvinyl trifluoromethyl ketones 3 and cyclic keto acetals 4. Several derivatives synthesized contain chiral auxiliaries. Reduction of the compounds 1, 3, 4 under various reaction conditions leads to the trifluoroaldol derivatives 6, 7, 9, 10 containing a protected aldehyde group. The compounds obtained are useful building blocks in fluoroorganic synthesis.     

Preparation of some angularly substituted and highly functionalized quinolizidines as building blocks for the synthesis of various alkaloids and related scaffolds of medicinal interest

The epimeric forms of the angularly substituted quinolizidine 6, representing potentially useful building blocks for the synthesis of various alkaloids, have been prepared via a pathway involving two consecutive ring-closing metathesis reactions. Variously hydroxy-protected derivatives (21, 22, and 26-29) of these compounds have also been generated.     

Halide binding and self-assembling behavior of Triazole-based acyclic and cyclic molecules

The present study demonstrates the use of triazole moiety in designing molecules endowed with the ability for self-assembly and molecular recognition. The receptors 7a and 9a having open structures bind to fluoride ion with good affinity. Various cyclophanes with 19-, 20-, 21-, 38-, and 40-membered rings containing triazole units were designed and synthesized. X-ray crystal structure of macrocycle 16 showed a tubular like architecture. Triazolophane 22 possesses bifurcated CH?N intramolecular hydrogen bonds and it further organizes in the solid state using CH?N interactions. Triazole based compounds are potential store house for exploiting CH?O and CH?N hydrogen bonding interactions for molecular self-assembly.     

Rational design of a nanoscale helical scaffold derived from self-assembly of a dimeric coiled coil motif

We describe a model for the design of synthetic α-helical peptides that are competent for self-assembly into structurally defined supramolecular fibrils on the basis of architectural features that have been programmed into the peptide sequence. In order to test the validity of this experimental model, we have synthesized an oligopeptide YZ1 that was designed to conform to this model and to self-assemble into an α-helical fibril in which the structural sub-units that comprise the fibril corresponded to coiled coil dimers. Peptide YZ1 was prepared via conventional solid-phase peptide synthesis and was composed of 42 amino acid residues such that the sequence defined six distinct heptad repeats of a coiled coil structure. The sequence of YZ1 was designed to adopt an α-helical conformation in which the helical protomers self-associate in a parallel orientation with a staggered orientation between adjacent peptides that corresponded to an axial displacement of three heptads. The self-assembly of peptide YZ1 was examined at varying levels of structural hierarchy for compliance of the observed structures with the experimental model. Circular dichroism spectroscopy provided evidence for an α-helical coiled coil structure for YZ1 in aqueous solution, which could be reversibly denatured through thermal methods. TEM measurements indicated the formation of long aspect-ratio fibers of uniform diameter from aqueous solutions of YZ1, however the dimensions of the fibers suggested that lateral association occurred between the fibrils corresponding to the 2-stranded helical bundles. The α-helical coiled coil structure was confirmed in the solid-state for fibers derived from self-assembly of YZ1 by a combination of wide-angle X-ray diffraction and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. SANS and synchrotron SAXS measurements on dilute aqueous solutions of YZ1 provided a fibril diameter that corresponded to the lateral dimensions estimated for a dimeric coiled coil assembly on the basis of structural determinations of model peptides.     

The synthesis, N-alkylation and epimerisation study of a phthaloyl derived thiazolidine

The synthesis of the phthaloyl protected thiazolidine, N-phthaloyl-methyl-2(R)-thiazolidine-4(R)-methyl ester, 2, and a study of its susceptibility to epimerise in a range of solvents, using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, are described. Compound 2 was further reacted to yield the thiazole amino acid derivative, 3, and an N-alkylated thiazolidine derivative, 6, as a single diastereoisomer. The N-alkylation of 2, using mild bases, resulted in the formation of a mixture of diastereoisomers of 2 (2R,4R) and (2S,4R). Successful cleavage of the methyl ester and the phthaloyl protecting groups was achieved, giving rise to the formation of the two heterocyclic building blocks, 4 and 5.     

Towards the catalytic formation of α,β-vinylesters and alkoxy substituted γ-lactones

A facile, one pot, high yield synthesis of α,β-vinylester (1-14) and alkoxy substituted γ-lactones (15-28) has been achieved by the photochemical reaction of terminal acetylene (ferrocenyl phenyl trimethylsillyl, hexyl and cyclohexyl) with alcohol (methanol, ethanol and isopropanol) and carbon monoxide in presence of iron pentacarbonyl as a catalyst. The selectivity of the compounds depends on the time of photolysis of the reaction as well as the solvent used. A stable reaction intermediate ferrole was isolated, and further photolysis with alcohols, resulted in the formation of α,β-vinylester. All the compounds were fully characterised by spectroscopic methods and the molecular structures of compounds 1, 16, 17 and 20 were established crystallographically.     

Self-assembly of a cavitand-based heteronuclear coordination cage

A new self-assembly protocol leading to the formation of heteronuclear coordination cage 10 is reported. Reaction of tetradentate cavitand ligand 1, bearing one ethynylpyridine and three benzonitriles at the apical positions, with Pt(dppp)OTf₂ and Pd(dppp)OTf₂ in a 1:3 ratio yields 10 as the thermodynamic product. Under the same conditions, the self-assembly of 1 with either Pt or Pd metal precursors gives a mixture of isomeric homonuclear cages 8a-c or 9a-c, respectively.     

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.     

Synthesis of conformationally constrained analogues of RGD tripeptide

Convergent syntheses of N-functionalized (3S,4S)-3-amino-4-vinyl-piperidin-2-one 10, trans-3-substituted proline 18 and (3S)-3-amino-piperidin-2-one 28 are developed. By incorporating these building blocks to an appropriate position, conformationally constrained analogues of RGD tripeptide (Arg-Gly-Asp) 2, 3 and 4 are designed and synthesized.     

Preparation of 1-aryl-2,2-difluoro enol esters via dehydrosulfonylation of α-(phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylated benzoates

1-Aryl-2,2-difluoro enol benzoates 4 has been prepared from α-(phenylsulfonyl)-difluoromethylated benzoates 3, which can be readily obtained from the reactions between simple aldehydes and PhSO₂CF₂H (or TMSCF₂SO₂Ph). 2,2-Difluoro enol esters 4 are relatively more stable compounds than 2,2-difluoro enol sily ethers, and they promise to act as interesting fluorinated building blocks for further elaborations.     

Preparation of glycoluril monomers for expanded cucurbit[n]uril synthesis

Glycoluril derivatives bearing free ureidyl groups (1) and bis(cyclic ethers) (2) are the fundamental building blocks for the synthesis of cucurbituril, its derivatives, and its congeners. The known derivatives of 1 and 2 fall into two main classes—those bearing alkyl or aryl functional groups on their convex face. In this paper we present a third class of glycolurils, namely those bearing substituents that are electron withdrawing in character. This class of compounds carries carboxylic acid derived functional groups on their convex face and are derived from diesters 1e and 2e. An improved synthesis of 1e and 2e is reported and their modification described. For example, 1e and 2e are converted into secondary amides (10-15) by heating in solutions of the neat primary amines. The secondary amides can be transformed into imides (19-22, 24, 25) by heating with PTSA in ClCH₂CH₂Cl. The isolation of these compounds in pure form in high yields is accomplished by simple and scalable washing or recrystallization procedures. We also present the X-ray crystallographic characterization of bis(cyclic ethers) 2e, 8, and 22. We anticipate that the ready availability of ester, carboxylate, acid, secondary amide, imide, and tertiary amide derivatives of 1 and 2 will expand the scope of the synthesis of cucurbituril derivatives by providing a new class of building blocks with electron withdrawing substituents.     

Organofluorine compounds and fluorinating agents : Part 28. New perfluoroalkyl substituted chiral mesogens

The perfluorohexyl-aryl-thioethers 3 and 4, building blocks for the synthesis of the chiral target mesogens 12-15, were prepared by dithionite-mediated S-perfluoroalkylation of the p-substituted thiophenols 1 and 2. The phenolic HO group of 3 was O-glucosylated with pentaacetyl-d-glucopyranose to 5 followed by deacetylation forming the tetrol 6 and by acetalizing with 4-(4-perfluorohexylsulfanyl-benzoyloxy)-benzaldehyde-dimethylacetal (8) generating the dihydroxy-intermediate 9. The latter contains two perfluorohexylthio chains. Alternatively, the dimethylacetal 8 was linked to p-octylphenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (10) giving the mixed octyl/perfluorohexyl substituted p-octylphenyl-4,6-O-[4′-(4″-perfluorohexylsulfanyl)-benzoyloxy]-benzylidene-β-d-glucopyranoside (11). Compound 8 was obtained via esterification of 4 with p-hydroxy-benzaldehyde to 4-(4-perfluorohexylsulfanyl-benzoyloxy)-benzaldehyde (7). Finally, the diols 9 and 11 were dehydroxylated to 12 and 13 followed by hydrogenation yielding 14 and 15, respectively. Tetrol 6, diols 9, 11 and the non-amphiphilic compounds 7, 12-15 are thermotropic liquid crystals.     

Synthesis of 12-aza analogs of epothilones and (E)-9,10-dehydroepothilones

N-Boc-12-aza-epothilone analog (azathilone) 1 is a potent inhibitor of human cancer cell growth and represents a structurally new class of natural product-derived microtubule-stabilizing agents. Compound 1 has been prepared employing a convergent strategy that is based on the consecutive assembly of building blocks 3, 4, and 19 into diene 20 and subsequent RCM-mediated macrocycle formation. The aldol reaction between aldehyde 3 and ketone 4 delivered the required 6R,7S diastereoisomer 5 with good selectivity and provided a reliable entry into the stereoselective synthesis of carboxylic acid 12. RCM with diene 20 was highly E-selective, thus giving efficient access to (E)-9,10-dehydro-1 (2). The latter is a key analog in SAR studies with 1.