Synthesis of 5-fluoro N-acetylglucosamine glycosides and pyrophosphates via epoxide fluoridolysis: versatile reagents for the study of glycoconjugate biochemistry

Numerous carbohydrate-processing enzymes facilitate catalysis via stabilization of positive charges on or near the C-1, C-4, C-5, or C-6 positions. Substrate analogues differing only in the substitution of a fluorine for the axial C-5 hydrogen would possess reduced electron density at these positions and could be useful mechanistic probes of these enzymes. Introduction of this 5-fluoro substituent after radical halogenation was problematic because of the incompatibility of many protecting groups to the radical halogenation and the instability of the subsequent 5-fluoro hexosamines. Thus, to allow easy access to a wide variety of 5-fluoro glycosides and glycosyl phosphates, a versatile method for the introduction of the 5-fluoro group has been developed, the key step being the fluoridolysis of C-5, 6 epoxides. By use of this method, two fluorinated carbohydrates, uridine 5'-diphospho-5-fluoro-N-acetylglucosamine and octyl 5-fluoro-N-acetylglucosamine, have been synthesized. Initial biochemical investigations of these compounds show that 5-fluoro analogues are useful probes of transition-state charge development in several enzyme-catalyzed reactions.     

Syntheses of fluorine-containing mucin core 2/core 6 structures using novel fluorinated glucosaminyl donors

Syntheses of fluorinated mucin core 6 disaccharides and core 2 trisaccharides modified at the C-3 or C-4 position of the pertinent glucosamine residue required for mechanistic study of glycosyltransferases and sulfotransferases involved in the biosynthesis of O-glycans are reported. Novel fluorinated glucosaminyl donors were synthesized from 2-naphthylmethyl β-d-N-acetylglucosamine (β-O-NAP-GlcNAc) via double inversion of the C-3 or C-4 configuration. A one-step β-alkylation of GlcNAc was reported for the first time to afford β-O-NAP-GlcNAc in high yield, which constitutes the cornerstone of the synthetic strategy based on NAP-glycosides in oligosaccharides synthesis.     

Synthesis of 5,6-dimodified open-chain d-fructose derivatives and their properties as substrates of bacterial polyol dehydrogenase

5-Deoxy-5-fluoro-d-xylulose as well as a range of new 5,6-dimodified open-chain analogues of d-fructose, namely the 5,6-diazido-5,6-dideoxy, 6-azido-5,6-dideoxy, 6-azido-5,6-dideoxy-5-fluoro, 5,6-dideoxy-5-fluoro, 5,6-dideoxy-6-fluoro and 5,6-dideoxy-5,6-difluoro derivatives, were synthesised employing glucose isomerase catalysed isomerisation of the corresponding d-xylo- and d-glucofuranoses as a key step. New compounds as well as some previously reported analogues such as 5-azido-5,6-dideoxy-6-fluoro-d-fructose were shown to be excellent substrates of polyol dehydrogenase from Burkholderia cepacia DSM 50181 with K_m values two orders of magnitude smaller than the corresponding natural substrates.     

A One-Step Procedure for Facile Preparation of D-Glucopyranosides with a free 2-OH from O-Peracetylated β-D-Glucopyranose

ABSTRACT

Glycosylations and deacetylations of 2-O-acetyl of O-peracetylated β-D-glucopyranose were realized in one step by reactions with 4.0 equivalents of alcohols and 1.5 equivalents of trifluoroborane etherate. Thus, various β-D-glucopyranosides with a free hydroxyl group on C-2 were conveniently prepared and applied for synthesis of Glcl → 2 linked disaccharides.

     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of N-glycolylneuraminic acid derivatives

A rapid, efficient and scalable synthesis of biologically-relevant N-glycolylneuraminic acid derivatives from the natural N-acetyl (Neu5Ac) precursors has been developed. Microwave irradiation provides accelerated de-N-acetylation compared to more traditional methods, with optimised NaOH-promoted de-N-acetylation in only 15 min. The prepared amines were readily re-N-acylated to afford the corresponding N-glycolyl (Neu5Gc) analogues.     

An improved method for synthesizing antennary β-d-mannopyranosyl disaccharide units

The merits of an indirect protecting method for hydroxyl groups using allyl groups via allyloxycarbonyl groups in the synthesis of antennary β-d-mannopyranosyl disaccharides from β-d-galactopyranosyl disaccharides were studied. Regioselective allyloxycarbonylation and conversion reactions involving simultaneous double S_N2 nucleophilic substitution at C-2′ and C-4′ of benzyl O-[β-d-galactopyranosyl]-(1-4)-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-2-N-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranoside were examined for comparison with the direct allylation method. The required β-d-mannopyranosyl disaccharide having proper protecting groups was obtained using this indirect method in 52% yield. In contrast, the reported direct allylation method using methyl O-(β-d-galactopyranosyl) disaccharide gave the corresponding β-d-mannopyranosyl disaccharide in only 7.5% yield.     

A mild and efficient route to 2-benzyl tryptamine derivatives via ring-opening of β-carbolines

We described a mild and easy method, in two steps, by which various benzyl groups were introduced in the C-2 position of tryptamine. The first step consisted on the synthesis of β-carbolines, starting from tryptamine derivatives, by a Pictet-Spengler reaction. Ring-opening of the β-carbolines, by hydrogenation, led to the desired 2-substituted benzyl tryptamine indole products. A supplementary step of alkylation could be realized to give N-alkyl-2-substituted benzyl tryptamine. During these reactions, nitrogen atoms require no step of protection.     

Synthesis of (S)-5,6-dibromo-tryptophan derivatives as building blocks for peptide chemistry

5,6-Dibromo-tryptophan is an interesting amino acid whose derivatives and analogues are found in a variety of highly bioactive natural compounds. Notwithstanding its relevance no data concerning this compound are found in the literature. Here an efficient pathway for the synthesis of 5,6-dibromo-tryptophan derivatives is reported. The reaction is performed by using 6-Br-isatin as starting material. Selective bromination at position 5 was followed by BH₃ reduction of the intermediate α-keto-amide and alkylation with Ser-OH in Ac₂O/AcOH. Optical resolution was effected by enzymatic de-acetylation of the obtained racemic mixture. Finally, in situ N^α-Boc protection of the optically pure S form yielded the desired N^α-Boc-(S)-5,6-dibromo-tryptophan.     

Synthetic Studies Towards the O-Specific Polysaccharide of Shigella Sonnei

ABSTRACT

Synthetic routes are described to zwitter-ionic disaccharides that are diastereoisomerically related to frame-shifted repeating units of the title polysaccharide that contains 2-acetamido-4-amino-2,4,6-trideoxy-D-galactose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-L-altruronic acid. The intermediates corresponding to the trideoxygalactose residue feature acylamino functions at C-2 and an azido group at C-4. Best results were obtained with N-phthaloyl- and N-trichloroacetyl-protected derivatives. The intermediates corresponding to the uronic acid residue were either a D-altruronic acid-derived acceptor or a D-altrose-derived donor in which C-6 was oxidized after disaccharide formation.     

Synthesis of Selectively Protected Chitobiose and Chitotriose Derivatives from one Precursor. Versatile Building Blocks for Oligosaccharide Synthesis

Abstract

The inner core region of cell surface N-glycoproteins consists of a chitobiose substructure², containing β-(1,4)-linked disaccharides of glucosamine. Such carbohydrate structures are also found as repeating units of the bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan³ and in novel tetra- and pentasaccharide plant hormones, which are nodulation factors on legume roots.⁴ Since the first synthesis of a chitobiose derivative in 1966 by Paulsen,⁵ approaches to these compounds have relied mainly on the oxazoline method.⁶ The coupling reactions of aminosugar chlorides,⁷ bromides,⁸ acetates⁹ and trichloroacetimidates¹⁰ to suitable glycosyl acceptors have also been described. Most of these syntheses¹¹ require two completely different coupling partners; only in very few examples could the glycosyl donor and acceptor be obtained from the same starting material.¹² During our investigations into the stereocontrolled synthesis of glucosamine oligosaccharides, we required an economical synthetic route to protected derivatives of chitotriose. For the purpose of easy oligomerization, the anomeric protecting group of every building block had to be exchangeable selectively with the activating group for the next glycosylation. In this paper, we report an efficient approach to chitobiose and chitotriose from a single precursor. Furthermore, the hydroxyl groups at C-1, C-3, C-4, C-6 of these oligosaccharides are differentially protected. This protecting group scenario allows a specific access to any of these functionalities by regioselective deblocking. The N-phthalimide group was chosen out of several possible amino protecting groups to ensure β-selectivity and simultaneous activation in the coupling.¹³     

Enamines of 3-acyltetramic acids from β-enamino amides and amino acids

A novel approach for the synthesis of enamine derivatives of N-protected 3-acyltetramic acids is described. The synthetic procedure relies on α-C-acylation of β-enamino amides with N-protected α-amino acids and subsequent cyclisation of the obtained intermediates in refluxing TFA. The tetramic derivatives are obtained with very good enantiopurity (e.r. ≥95:5). Ring-enlarged analogues (piperidine-2,4-diones) can also be obtained from β-amino acids.     

The Allyl Ester as Carboxy-Protecting Group in the Stereoselective Construction of Neuraminic-Acid Glycosides

The application of the allyl-ester moiety as protecting principle for the carboxy group of N-acetylneuraminic acid is described. Peracetylated allyl neuraminate 2 is synthesized by reacting the caesium salt of the acid 1 with allyl bromide. Treatment of 2 with HCl in AcCl or with HF/pyridine gives the corresponding 2-chloro or 2-fluoro derivatives 3 and 4 , respectively (Scheme 1). In the presence of Ag₂CO₃, the 2-chloro carbohydrate 3 reacts with di-O-isopropylidene-protected galactose 5 to give the 2–6 linked disaccharide with the α-D -anomer 6a predominating (α-D /β-D = 6:1; Scheme 2). Upon activation of the 2-fluoro derivative 4 with BF₃ · Et₂O, the β-D -anomer 6b is formed preferentially (α-D /β-D = 1:5). In further glycosylations of 4 with long-chain alcohols, the β-D -anomers are formed exclusively (see 10 and 11 ; Scheme 4). The allyl-ester moiety can be removed selectively and quantitatively from the neuraminyl derivatives and the neuraminyl disaccharides by Pd(0)-catalyzed allyl transfer to morpholine as the accepting nucleophile (see Scheme 5).     

Synthesis of chiral β2-amino acids by asymmetric hydrogenation

The synthesis of chiral β²-amino acids by homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation is discussed. Prochiral β-aryl- or β-hetaryl-α-N-benzyl/N-acetyl/N-Boc substituted α-aminomethylacrylates used as substrates were prepared by a Baylis–Hillman reaction, followed by acylation and amination. For the asymmetric hydrogenation, a large variety of chiral, preferentially rhodium catalysts bearing commercially available phosphorus ligands were tested. Conversions and enantioselectivities were dependent on the reaction conditions and varied strongly between the substrates used. A chiral N-α-phenylethyl group supports the stereoface discriminating ability of the chiral catalysts and thus a matching pair effect could be realized. In strong contrast, a chiral ester group has almost no effect in this respect. In some cases the use of the corresponding substrate acid was better in comparison to the use of its ester. After optimization of the hydrogenation conditions (chiral catalyst, H₂-pressure, temperature, solvent), full conversions and products with up to 99% ee were achieved.     

Homodimerization of hyaluronan and heparan sulfate derivatives by olefin metathesis reaction

Hyaluronan and heparan sulfate disaccharides of the type β-d-glucuronic acid-(1→3)-N-acetyl-β-d-glucosamine and α-l-iduronic acid-(1→4)-N-acetyl-β-d-glucosamine, respectively, with an n-pentenyl group at the reducing end have been synthesized. Homodimerization of these derivatives using Grubbs catalyst furnished dimerized disaccharides separated by a C₈ spacer arm.     

A novel conformationally restricted analogue of 3-methylaspartic acid via stereoselective methylation of chiral pyrrolidin-2-ones

Conformationally restricted analogues of β-methylaspartic acid were easily prepared starting from chiral N-protected trans-3-amino-4-methoxycarbonyl pyrrolidin-2-ones. The key step of the synthesis was the methylation reaction at C-4, proceeding with high diastereoselection syn to the protected amino group lying at C-3 of the pyrrolidin-2-one ring.     

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.     

Asymmetric synthesis of fluorine-containing amines, amino alcohols, α- and β-amino acids mediated by chiral sulfinyl group

This review article provides a critical overview of several different synthetic approaches developed for asymmetric preparation of fluorine-containing amines, amino alcohols, α- and β-amino acids. The common feature of these methods is the application of sulfinyl group as a chiral auxiliary to control the stereochemical outcome of the reactions under study. In particular, the following general methods are critically discussed: diastereoselective methylene transfer from diazomethane to the carbonyl of β-keto-γ-fluoroalkyl sulfoxides as a general approach for preparation of various α-fluoroalkyl α-sulfinylalkyl oxiranes. The resulting compounds were used as true chiral synthons for their further elaboration via oxidative or reductive desulfurization, to numerous fluorine-containing and biologically relevant amino- and hydroxy-containing derivatives. Another general approaches discussed here are asymmetric additions to CN double bond. One of them is addition of chiral sulfoxide stabilized carbon nucleophiles to fluorine-containing imines, leading to convenient preparation of alpha-fluoroalkyl derivatives of alpha amino acids and amines. Another approach is asymmetric Reformatsky reaction between N-sulfinyl imines and ethyl bromodifluoroacetate allowing operationally convenient preparation of α,α-difluoro-β-amino acids in enantiomerically pure form. Finally, structurally similar but mechanistically different addition reactions of diethyl difluoromethylphosphonate to N-sulfinyl imines, as a general approach to asymmetric synthesis of α,α-difluoro-β-aminophosphonates and phosphonic acids, are discussed. Effect of fluorine on the mechanism and stereochemical outcome of these reactions is discussed in detail and compared, where it is possible, with that of the analogous reactions of fluorine-free substrates.     

Synthesis of 1-fluoro-substituted codeine derivatives

Syntheses of new N-demethyl-N-substituted analogues (propyl, allyl) of 1-fluorocodeine and their 7,8-dihydro derivatives were described starting from codeine. 1-Fluoronorcodeine and 1-fluorodihydronorcodeine were prepared by N-demethylation with α-chloroethyl chloroformate from the corresponding 6-O-acetyl protected derivatives. 3-O-Demethylation of 1-fluorocodeine and 1-fluorodihydrocodeine with boron tribromide resulted in 1-fluoromorphine and 1-fluorodihydromorphine respectively. 1-Fluorodihydromorphine was acetylated to 3,6-di-O-acetyl-1-fluorodihydromorphine. 8-Fluoroapocodeine and N-propyl-8-fluoroapocodeine were synthesized from the appropriate 1-fluorocodeine derivatives by acid-catalyzed rearrangement.     

Fluoroalkyl substituted (Z)-dehydro α-amino ester as a building block for the fluorine-containing cyclopropyl α-amino esters and dihydrooxazole

Multi-functionalized β-trifluoromethyl and β-difluoromethyl substituted (Z)-α,β-dehydro α-amino esters have been successfully prepared from N-protected fluorinated threonine ester. Applications of this new fluorine-containing building block to the synthesis of biologically important fluorinated cylcopropyl α-amino esters and dihydrooxazole ester have also been reported.     

Regioselective iodination of flavonoids by N-iodosuccinimide under neutral conditions

Regioselective synthesis of C-6 and C-8 monoiodo flavonoids, which are important intermediates for the synthesis of flavonoid natural products and drug molecules, was achieved by iodination of suitably alkylated flavonoids with N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) in DMF. The iodination gives either a C-6 or C-8 iodo flavonoid in high yield, depending on the protection pattern of the C-5 and C-7 OH groups. The mild and neutral conditions render this novel protocol particularly useful for the regioselective iodination of acid-sensitive substrates.