The total synthesis of siphonazole, a structurally unusual bis-oxazole natural product

The first synthesis of the unusual bis-oxazole natural product siphonazole is reported, both oxazole rings being constructed using rhodium carbene chemistry.     

Solid-phase synthesis of oligourea peptidomimetics employing the Fmoc protection strategy.

A solid-phase-Fmoc-based-synthesis strategy is described for oligourea peptidomimetics as well as a convenient general synthesis approach for the preparation of the required building blocks 5a-j and 5k. These are suitable for use in peptide or robot synthesizers, which is illustrated by the synthesis of oligourea peptidomimetics of part of Leu-enkephalin (10) and a neurotensin derivative (17).     

Conformational analysis of phorboxazole bis-oxazole oxane fragment analogs by NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling simulations

We present a detailed conformational study of a simplified synthetic analog of the bis-oxazole oxane fragment found in the cytostatic agents phorboxazole A and B based on results from NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling simulations. Complete 1H and 13C resonance assignments for the bis-oxazole oxane system were carried out through the use of COSY, HSQC, HMBC, TOCSY, and HSQC-TOCSY experiments, and its conformational preferences in solution were investigated by analysis of 3J(HH) coupling constants and NOE enhancements obtained from 1D and 2D NOESY experiments. In order to solve inconsistencies from our preliminary structural studies, simulated annealing studies were performed to thoroughly sample the phase space available to the molecule. Our results reveal that the six-membered oxane ring, which constitutes the most important moiety regarding the three-dimensional (3D) structure and flexibility of the analog, exists in rapid equilibrium between its two accessible chair conformers in an approximate ratio of 70:30. The information gathered from these studies will be of critical importance in our efforts to prepare novel compounds with phorboxazole-like structure and activity.     

New synthetic strategy for o-NBS protected amino acids and their use in synthesis of mono-benzylated peptides

A synthetic strategy to prepare o-NBS protected Fmoc-amino acids under mild conditions, in a rapid and efficient way, characterised by high yields and excellent purity of the final products has been developed. The o-NBS protected Fmoc-amino acids are employed in solid phase peptide synthesis to prepare peptidomimetics carrying mono-benzylated moieties on peptide side chains.     

Fluorinated peptidomimetics: synthesis, conformational and biological features

Peptides modified with fluoroalkyl functions in key backbone positions have been scarcely studied so far. Thus, little is known about their synthesis, their structural and physico-chemical properties, and their biological features. Our interest in this field of research led to the development of stereocontrolled synthetic protocols, both in solution and in solid phase, for many different fluoroalkyl peptidomimetics, some of which are overviewed in this paper: (a) ψ[CH(CF₃)NH]-peptide mimics holding a great potential as hybrids between natural peptides and hydrolytic transition state analogs; (b) trifluoromethyl (Tfm) malic peptidomimetics as micromolar inhibitors of some matrix metalloproteinases; (c) bis-Tfm analogs of Pepstatin A, that are nanomolar and selective inhibitors of the protozoal aspartyl protease Plasmepsin II.     

Synthesis and evaluation of substituted indolizidines as peptidomimetics of RGD tripeptide sequence

The synthesis of seven peptidomimetics of RGD is presented. The indolizidine building block was obtained by condensation of allylglycine with dimethoxydihydrofuran followed by an intermolecular cyclization. The bicyclic ring was functionalised with a carboxylic acid and a guanidinium appendage. The seven peptidomimetics were evaluated by cell-adhesion assays.     

A Novel Synthetic Approach to Phosphorylated Peptidomimetics

It has been shown that the derivatives of diethyl 5‐amino‐2‐phthalimidoalkyl‐1,3‐oxazol‐4‐ylphosphonates can be employed in the synthesis of phosphorylated peptidomimetics containing the phosphonoglycine residue. The reaction of diethyl 5‐alkylamino‐2‐aminoalkyl‐1,3‐oxazol‐4‐ylphosphonates with unsaturated azlactones was utilized to obtain phosphorylated peptidomimetics with dehydroamino acid moieties. The double bond in the latter was reduced with zinc in acetic acid to provide the corresponding saturated peptidomimetics containing a diethoxyphosphoryl group in the side chain.     

Small ring constrained peptidomimetics. Synthesis of epoxy peptidomimetics, inhibitors of cysteine proteases.

Different dipeptide analogues containing an oxirane ring in the place of the peptidic bond were prepared starting from naturally occurring amino acids. N-Fmoc-amino aldehydes were transformed into the corresponding methoxyvinyl derivatives through a Wittig reaction, and the addition of PhSeCl gave a series of different alpha-phenylselenyl aldehydes. Mukajiama reaction with silylketene acetals gave an intermediate product that was finally transformed into the desired oxiranyl peptidomimetics. Following this strategy we were able to control three new contiguous stereocenters starting from the enantiomerically pure amino acid. The dipeptide analogues could be used in SPPS on a SASRIN resin as the final epoxides were relatively unstable under acidic conditions. Moreover the synthesis of the single dipeptide mimetics was carried out on solid phase to generate a small library of epoxy peptidomimetics. Some of the products prepared in this work resulted as time-dependent reversible inhibitors of cysteine protease.     

Biomimetic approaches to diazonamide A. Direct synthesis of the indole bis-oxazole fragment by oxidation of a TyrValTrpTrp tetrapeptide

Oxidation of a protected TyrValTrpTrp tetrapeptide results in direct formation of the indole bis-oxazole core of diazonamide A.     

The synthetic challenge of diazonamide A, a macrocyclic indole bis-oxazole marine natural product

The complex structure of the marine metabolic diazonamide A comprises a dichlorinated indole bis-oxazole heteroaromatic fragment, and a [b]-fused dihydrobenzofuran-dihydroindole unit containing an animal carbon, all incorporated within a strained double macrocyclic array. This review details the synthetic studies on this fascinating natural product starting from early studies on the original structure (1991-2001), through the synthesis of the originally proposed structure and the subsequent structural revision, to the eventual successful syntheses of the natural product itself. Throughout we focus on the innovative ways in which synthetic chemists have approached the challenges posed by this natural product.     

Ultrasound-assisted green one-pot synthesis of linked bis-heterocycle peptidomimetics via IMCR/post-transformation/tandem strategy

The sequential aligning of two eco-friendly and powerful tools for the synthesis of peptidomimetics resulted in the rapid generation of molecular complexity in target molecules. We herein report a versatile IMCR/post-transformation/tandem synthetic strategy that emphasizes the special role of orthogonal bifunctional reagents in isocyanide based multicomponent reactions (IMCR) to generate a synthetic platform for subsequent heterocyclization reactions. This is the first one-pot synthesis of a 2,5-diketopiperazine linked to a 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole. The Ugi-4CR/lactamization/click sequence is facile, mild, atom-economical, and green. The present work contributes to the green and one-pot synthesis of bis-heterocycle peptidomimetics and design of new bioactive molecules.     

Utilization of the p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl (pNZ) amine protecting group and pentafluorophenyl (Pfp) esters for the solid phase synthesis of spiroligomers

Spiroligomers are a class of peptidomimetics that connect interchangeable, stereochemically pure, cyclic monomers through pairs of amide bonds to form diketopiperazines between the monomers. This enables them to adopt predictable and programmable structure due to the rigidity of the final molecule. We present a new method for the solid phase synthesis of highly functionalized spiroligomers that incorporates the use of the p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl (pNZ) as a temporary amine protecting group and the pentafluorophenyl ester for monomer activation. This new method allows for the synthesis of spiroligomers with higher purity and increased yields when compared to previous methods. This improved method of synthesis of functionalized spiroligomers will facilitate the development of applications as catalysts, therapeutics and membrane channels.     

Structure-based design of conformationally constrained cyclic peptidomimetics to target the MLL1-WDR5 protein–protein interaction as inhibitors of the MLL1 methyltransferase activity

We described herein structure-based design,synthesis and evaluation of conformationally constrained,cyclic peptidomimetics to block the MLL1-WDR5 protein–protein interaction as inhibitors of the MLL1 histone methyltransferase activity.Our study has yielded cyclic peptidomimetics with very high binding affinities to WDR5(Kivalues 1 nmol/L) and function as antagonists of the MLL1 histone methyltransferase activity.     

Total synthesis of siphonazole and its O-methyl derivative, structurally unusual bis-oxazole natural products

The details of the first syntheses of the unusual bis-oxazole natural products siphonazole and its O-methyl derivative are reported. The cinnamyl substituted oxazole was constructed using diazocarbonyl chemistry, whereby the cinnamamide was reacted with the rhodium carbene derived from methyl 2-diazo-3-oxobutanoate to give a beta-ketoamide that was cyclodehydrated to the corresponding oxazole-4-ester. Reduction to the corresponding aldehyde was followed by coupling with a zinc reagent derived from methyl 2-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole-4-carboxylate, also prepared using rhodium carbene chemistry, to give, after oxidation of the resulting secondary alcohol, the desired bis-oxazole ketone. The syntheses were completed by hydrolysis of the ester and coupling of the 2,4-pentadienylamine side chain.     

Amino acid-derived heterocycles as combinatorial library targets: bicyclic aminal lactones

The incorporation of alpha-amino acids into heterocyclic structures is an effective strategy for generating peptidomimetics and combinatorial library scaffolds. This report describes the synthesis of novel bicyclic aminal lactones 3 by base-catalyzed cyclization of N-(2-oxoalkyl)-dipeptide esters 8. Assembly of the acyclic precursor 8 can be carried out on solid phase, with variation at four positions; cyclative release ensures high product purity in the final step. Cyclization affords the exo isomer stereospecifically when one chiral center is present in the precursor, or when both amino acids have the same configuration.     

A two-stage iterative process for the synthesis of poly-oxazoles

[reaction: see text]. Methodology has been developed to prepare bis-oxazoles via a two-stage iterative process. The sequence begins with C(2)-chlorination of a lithiated oxazole using hexachloroethane. Generation of the C(2)-C(4)(') bond by S(N)Ar substitution with TosMIC anion, followed by conversion to the heterocycle in a one-pot reaction with glyoxylic acid monohydrate, affords the desired bis-oxazole in good yield and purity. The two-stage process allows for efficient synthesis of a tris-oxazole and the first iterative preparation of a tetra-oxazole.     

A facile route for the synthesis of novel S-linked 1,3,5-triazine tethered peptidomimetics

An efficient one-pot synthesis of N^α-protected S-linked 1,3,5-triazine tethered peptidomimetics is described. The protocol involves a three-component condensation reaction employing N^α-protected amino alkyl isothiouronium salt, formaldehyde and amino acid ester or aryl amine as reactants. Various aryl amines with substitutions and amino acids with simple as well as bifunctional side chains were employed to obtain triazine tethered peptidomimetics in good yield.     

The diazo route to diazonamide A. Studies on the indole bis-oxazole fragment

[structure: see text] Various approaches to the indole bis-oxazole fragment of the marine secondary metabolite diazonamide A are described, all of which feature dirhodium(II)-catalyzed reactions of diazocarbonyl compounds in key steps. Thus, 3-bromophenylacetaldehyde is converted into an alpha-diazo-beta-ketoester, dirhodium(II)-catalyzed reaction of which with N-Boc-valinamide resulted in N-H insertion of the intermediate rhodium carbene to give a ketoamide that readily underwent cyclodehydration to give (S)-2-(1-tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-2-methylpropyl]-5-(3-bromobenzyl)oxazole-4-carboxamide, after ammonolysis of the initially formed ester. This aryl bromide was then coupled to a 3-formyl-indole-4-boronate under Pd catalysis to give the expected biaryl. Subsequent conversion of the aldehyde group into a second alpha-diazo-beta-ketoester gave a substrate for an intramolecular carbene N-H insertion, although attempts to effect this cyclization were unsuccessful. A second approach to an indole bis-oxazole involved an intermolecular rhodium carbene N-H insertion, followed by oxazole formation to give (S)-2-[1-tert-(butoxycarbonylamino)-2-methylpropyl]-5-methyloxazole-4-carboxamide. A further N-H insertion of this carboxmide with the rhodium carbene derived from ethyl 2-diazo-3-[1-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)indol-3-yl]-3-oxopropanoate gave a ketoamide, cyclodehydration of which gave the desired indole bis-oxazole. Finally, the boronate formed from 4-bromotryptamine was coupled to another diazocarbonyl-derived oxazole to give the corresponding biaryl, deprotection and cyclization of which produced a macrocyclic indole-oxazole derivative. Subsequent oxidation and cyclodehydration incorporated the second oxazole and gave the macrocyclic indole bis-oxazole.     

A mild and efficient method for the synthesis of vinylogous carbamates from alkyl azides

A mild and efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of vinylogous carbamates is reported starting from alkyl azides under a hydrogen atmosphere using 10% Pd/C. The resulting products are useful intermediates for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, natural products, and in peptidomimetics.     

Synthesis of tetrasubstituted α-fluoroenones

We reported the synthesis of tetrasubstituted α-fluoroenones from tetrasubstituted gem-bromofluoroolefins in good yields. These compounds are scarcely studied in the literature, due to difficulty of synthesis, whereas they could serve as intermediates in the synthesis of biological relevant molecules and could also be envisioned to design new constrained peptidomimetics.