Saccharin sulfonic acid catalyzed N-Boc protection of amines and formation of tert-butyl ethers from alcohols

Saccharin sulfonic acid (SaSA), as a stable reagent is easily prepared by the reaction of saccharin with neat chlorosulfonic acid at room temperature. This compound is able to catalyze conversion of amines to their corresponding N-Boc protected amines with (Boc)₂O. Alcohols were also converted to their corresponding tert-butyl ethers. All reactions took place under mild conditions giving the desired products in good to high yields.     

Synthesis and characterization of new N-phenylmaleimide thioglycosides

Thioglycosides derivatives of N-phenylmaleimide have been prepared by the reaction of derivatives of 1-thio-d-glucopyranose, d-galactopyranose, d-lactose, and d-maltose with 3,4-dichloro-N-phenylmaleimide. The reaction of 3,4-dichloro-N-phenyl maleimide with sugar thiols (protected or unprotected) took place by displacement of both chlorine atoms by sulfide nucleophile giving the corresponding bis-thioglycoside products.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the defluorination of 8-fluoropurine nucleosides in basic and acidic media

For investigating the stability of C(8)-fluorine bond in 8-fluoropurine nucleosides some protected 8-fluoroguanosine, 8-fluoroinosine and 8-fluoroadenosine derivatives were prepared by direct fluorination of acetyl-protected purine nucleosides with elemental fluorine in solvents such as chloroform, acetonitrile and nitromethane. Fluorination reactions conducted in chloroform medium gave better yields of 8-fluoropurines. The fluorination yields were slightly lower when acetonitrile or nitromethane was used as solvent, but the product purification was found to be much easier. When the synthesized, protected fluoronucleosides were subjected to standard basic (NH₃ in methanol or 2-propanol) and acidic (HCl in methanol) deprotection conditions relevant to nucleoside chemistry, an efficient defluorination reaction took place. The kinetics of these defluorination reactions were conveniently followed, under pseudo-first-order reaction conditions, using ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. ¹H NMR, LC-MS and mass spectroscopy identified the products of the kinetic reaction mixtures. The defluorination reaction rate constants (k_obs) in basic media depended upon the electron density at C(8) while the k_obs data in acidic medium were determined by the pK_a of N⁷. An addition-elimination based mechanism (S_NAr) has been proposed for the defluorination reactions of these 8-fluoropurine nucleosides.     

An ultramicro assay for human plasma prekallikrein activity by phosphorimetry

A highly sensitive method for the phosphorimetric assay of prekallikrein in human blood plasma is described. Prekallikrein is converted to kallikrein (active form) by reaction at 0°C with actin. p-Nitroaniline, formed enzymatically from H-d-prolyl-l-phenylalanyl-l-arginyl-p-nitroanilide, is extracted with ether and determined phosphorimetrically in a mixture of ether and ethanol. The method is precise and highly sensitive, requiring as little as 0.25 μl of human blood plasma. The limit of detection for p-nitroaniline formed enzymatically is 5 pmol.     

Ring-opening of tertiary cyclopropanols derived from β-diketones

The ring-opening reaction of 1,2-disubstituted cyclopropanols, prepared from β-diketones, mediated by Cu(NO₃)₂, p-TsOH, and NaOH is reported. The Cu(II)-mediated ring-opening of cyclopropanols gave α-methylene-γ-diketones in good yields. The reaction took place at the less substituted carbon of the cyclopropanols, involving mild conditions and a simple procedure. The reaction induced by p-TsOH in CH₂Cl₂ afforded α-methyl-γ-diketones as the major product with minor amounts of δ-diketones. The 2,3,5-trisubstituted furans were obtained in high yields when the ring-opening reaction was mediated by p-TsOH in methanol under reflux conditions. In the presence of sodium hydroxide the reaction proceeded smoothly in preference to the formation of δ-diketones, particularly for substrates with an aromatic group on the cyclopropane.     

A Molecular Probe with Both Chromogenic and Fluorescent Units for Detecting Serine Proteases

A molecular probe with l-phenylalanine p-nitroanilide and l-lysin 4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide, in which these amino acid derivatives are connected through a succinic-acid spacer, was prepared. Trypsin and papain were detected by blue-fluorescence emission of generated 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC). α-Chymotrypsin and nattokinase were detected from both the blue-fluorescence emission of AMC and the UV absorbance of p-nitroaniline. In addition, different time courses of p-nitroaniline and AMC were observed between the reaction of P1 with α-chymotrypsin and that with nattokinase. In the case of nattokinase, both the fluorescence emission and UV absorbance slowly increased. In contrast, the increasing UV absorbance was saturated at the early stage of the reaction of the present probe with chymotrypsin, whereas the fluorescence emission continuously increased in the following stages.     

Enantioselective synthesis of unsaturated amino acids using p-methoxybenzylamine as an ammonia equivalent

A versatile, non-alkylative enantioselective synthesis of unsaturated α-amino acids based on the Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation has been developed. Enantiomerically enriched trans epoxy alcohols bearing unsaturated substituents were prepared and submitted to regio- and stereospecific ring-opening with p-methoxybenzylamine as a nucleophile, leading to anti-3-(p-methoxybenzylamino)-1,2-diols which were further protected by reaction with Boc₂O. The 1,2-diol fragment was then oxidatively cleaved by a sequential treatment with sodium periodate and sodium chlorite to afford the corresponding amino acid. Using this methodology, doubly N-protected (p-methoxybenzyl and Boc) allyl glycine, 3-butenyl glycine and 4-pentenyl glycine have been prepared in three synthetic steps from the corresponding allyl alcohols. As a demonstration of the orthogonal nature of the nitrogen protection, both protecting groups have been selectively removed from the fully protected amino ester.     

Enantioselective synthesis of orthogonally protected (2R,3R)-(−)-epicatechin derivatives,key intermediates in the de novo chemical synthesis of (−)-epicatechin glucuronides and sulfates

Ten orthogonally protected (?)-epicatechin and 3′- or 4′-O-methyl-(?)-epicatechin derivatives were prepared in a regiospecific and enantioselective manner. For each orthogonally protected (?)-epicatechin derivative, one specific phenolic hydroxyl was protected with a methoxymethyl (MOM) or p-methoxybenyzl (PMB) group and the remainder were protected as benzyl ethers. These uniquely protected (?)-epicatechin derivatives were designed to facilitate the regiospecific installation of a glucuronic acid or sulfate unit onto (?)-epicatechin after selective removal of the MOM or PMB protecting group to provide authentic standards of (?)-epicatechin glucuronides and sulfates.     

Homometathesis and cross-metathesis coupling of phosphine-borane templates with electron-rich and electron-poor olefins

Ruthenium-catalysed olefin cross-metathesis can be used to synthesise structurally diverse acyclic phosphines protected as their borane complexes. Homodimerisations have been investigated and proved successful only for the allyl-substituted borane-protected phosphines. In the presence of various olefinic partners, allyl-substituted P templates reacted in cross-couplings to give predominantly the E products but traces of the Z isomers were always detected in the crude reaction mixtures. In contrast, cross-metathesis of vinyl-substituted phosphine boranes took place with exclusive E-selectivity. Although the conversions were consistently very good to excellent, the yields of purified products were often significantly lower suggesting that some of the newly formed compounds are prone to decompose upon purification.     

Molecular Cloning and Heterologous Expression in Pichia pastoris of X-Prolyl-dipeptidyl Aminopeptidase from Basidiomycete Ustilago maydis

Dipeptidyl aminopeptidases are enzymes involved in the posttranslational control of bioactive peptides. Here we identified the gene dapUm in Ustilago maydis by homology with other fungal dipeptidyl aminopeptidases. Analysis of the dapUm-deduced amino acid sequence indicated that it encodes for membrane-type serine protease with a characteristic prolyl oligopeptidase catalytic motif triad: Ser, Asp, His. In order to overexpress the DapUm, the gene encoding for it was cloned and transformed into Pichia. Using this system, we observed a ～125-kDa recombinant protein with an optimal enzymatic activity at pH 6.0 and at 40 °C for the Ala-Pro-p-nitroanilide substrate and an experimental pH of 6.9. U. maydis DapUm was specifically inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and Pefabloc, confirming the presence of a serine residue in the active site. To our knowledge, this study is the first report on the cloning and expression of a DPP IV dipeptidyl aminopeptidase from a basidiomycete organism. Moreover, the use of recombinant DapUm will allow us to further study and characterize this enzyme, in addition to testing chemical compounds for pharmaceutical purposes.     

Groupements protecteurs benzyloxycarbonyles substitues alcalinolabiles

Esters, carbonates, thiocarbonates and carbamates of p-hydroxybenzylcarbonylglycine have been prepared. Free glycine is regenerated in weak alkaline medium by hydrolysis of the acyloxy group followed by an 1–6 elimination. Generally, these compounds are more stable than Z-glycine in trifluoroacetic acid. A series of protected aminoacids and dipeptides has been prepared too. Dilute soda or hydrogen peroxide in ammonia rapidly cleave the protecting group.     

Synthesis of conjugated enynes by assembly of three components, ketones, chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and acetylenes, with the magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion as the key reaction

The reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium acetylides gave adducts in moderate to good yields. Treatment of the adducts with Grignard reagents resulted in the formation of magnesium carbenoids by the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction. 1,2-Carbon-carbon insertion (1,2-CC insertion) reaction of the generated magnesium carbenoids took place to afford conjugated enynes in good to high yields. This procedure provides a good method for the synthesis of multi-substituted conjugated enynes.     

α-Thiosubstituted chiral imines/secondary enamines: their use in the asymmetric Michael reaction

The asymmetric Michael reaction between 2-thiosubstituted chiral imines/secondary enamines derived from (S)-1-phenylethylamine and electrophilic alkenes (methyl acrylate, MVK) was investigated. 2-Phenylthio derivatives furnished the expected Michael adducts with excellent ee. By contrast, an in situ elimination of p-toluenesulfenic acid took place when using the p-toluenesulfinyl analogs.     

Regioselective reaction of quinones with Reformatsky reagent: (BrZnCH2CO2Et·THF)2

Reformatsky reactions of p-quinones with crystalline reagent (BrZnCH₂CO₂Et·THF)₂ were investigated and took place successfully, providing β-hydroxy esters in high yield. Notably, in the case of 2,6-disubstituted-p-quinones, regioselective Reformatsky reactions occurred to give corresponding β-hydroxy esters in good yields.     

Configurationally and conformationally homogeneous cyclic n-aryl sulfimides—IV : Synthesis,configuration and stereochemistry of the rearrangement of 1,3-di-thiane-1-N-p-chlorophenylimides

1,3-Dithiane-1-N-p-chlorophenylimides (1,4-9) were prepared and their configuration and conformation was determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The compounds were rearranged to the corresponding 2-(2'-amino-5'-chlorophenyl)-1, 3-dithianes (1U,4U,9U). The rearrangement reactions took place with ?95% stereospecifity. The mechanism of the reaction was investigated with the aid of analogs specifically deuterated at C-2.     

A facile synthesis of N-Z/Boc-protected 1,3,4-oxadiazole-based peptidomimetics employing peptidyl thiosemicarbazides

Synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazole containing peptidomimetics is described by a p-TsCl/pyridine-mediated cyclization of the corresponding dipeptidyl thiosemicarbazides, which are readily prepared by coupling N-protected amino acid hydrazides with amino acid-derived isothiocyanato esters. Further, the protocol has also been extended for the synthesis of orthogonally protected 1,3,4-oxadiazole tethered mimetics as well. The synthetic route is simple and mild conditions are used so that the chirality of the starting amino acids is retained.     

Synthesis of thiol-modified peptide nucleic acids designed for post-assembly conjugation reactions

Two orthogonally protected PNA monomers were prepared having the mercaptomethyl moiety attached to the PNA backbone. These building blocks were employed in solid-phase PNA synthesis and it was shown that Boc/S-p-methoxybenzyl protection scheme was only satisfactory for the introduction of N-terminal thiol modification while the Fmoc/S-butylthio protected monomer proved to be amenable to elongation. The mercaptomethyl modification did not influence the thermal stability of a PNA/RNA duplex. The feasibility of PNA-PNA native ligation was demonstrated.     

Synthesis of p-coumaroylquinic acids and analysis of their interconversion

The synthesis of four isomers of p-coumaroylquinic acids was performed by esterification of p-acetylcoumaroylchloride with a suitably protected (?)-quinic acid. All isomers have been characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy and circular dichroism. Acyl migration was observed in the synthesis of 3-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid and 4-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid. Calculations on the most stable conformations of all isomers have also been performed to explain the acyl migration observed during the synthesis procedure.     

Total synthesis of (+)-blastmycinone and formal synthesis of (+)-antimycin A3b

The formal synthesis of (+)-antimycin A_3b and the total synthesis of (+)-blastmycinone were achieved using, as a key step, a method developed by us for the synthesis of 2-methyl-1,3-diols via Ti(III)-mediated diastereo- and regioselective opening of trisubstituted 2,3-epoxy alcohols, to carry out the stereoselective construction of the hydroxy-acid segment. An interesting intramolecular radical translocation took place during the epoxide opening process transforming its vicinal PMB-ether in situ, into an ‘1,2-O-(p-methoxy)benzylidene’ ring.     

A new synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis, of alkylidenecyclopropanes by 1,2-CC insertion of cyclobutylmagnesium carbenoides as the key reaction

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium enolate of carboxylic acid tert-butyl esters gave adducts in high yields. The adducts were converted to 1-chlorocyclobutyl p-tolyl sulfoxides in four steps in high overall yields. Treatment of the 1-chlorocyclobutyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with cyclopentylmagnesium chloride in THF at −40 °C resulted in the formation of cyclobutylmagnesium carbenoids. The magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion reaction took place smoothly from the cyclobutylmagnesium carbenoids to afford alkylidenecyclopropanes in good to high yields. An asymmetric synthesis of optically active alkylidenecyclopropane was successfully achieved starting from optically active 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxide.