Synthesis of spirohydantoins and spiro-2,5-diketopiperazines via resin-bound cyclic alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino esters

A seven-step solid-phase synthesis of spirohydantoins and an eight-step solid-phase synthesis of spiro-2,5-diketopiperazines is reported. Key intermediate in the synthesis of both compound libraries is the resin-bound cyclic alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino ester, which can be obtained after selective homogeneous reduction of the aliphatic nitro ester using tin(II) chloride dihydrate. Nitro ester, in turn, is synthesized by a high-pressure-assisted [4 + 2] cycloaddition of resin-bound nitro alkene and butadiene, whereas nitro alkene is obtained by a Knoevenagel condensation of resin-bound nitro acetate with an imine. Novel spirohydantoins are obtained by isocyanate coupling with the resin-bound amino ester 5, followed by cyclization cleavage using a base. Novel spiro-2,5-diketopiperazines are obtained by PyBOP coupling of a Fmoc-protected amino acid with resin-bound amino ester, followed by Fmoc deprotection and an acid-assisted cyclization cleavage. After preparation of seven different resin-bound alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino esters, a 7 x 8 compound library of spirohydantoins was synthesized using eight different isocyanates, and a 7 x 8 compound library of spiro-2,5-diketopiperazines was synthesized using eight different Fmoc amino acids.     

Fmoc-N-allyl Glycine Derived N-allyl-2,5-Diketopiperazines

The title compound was prepared from chloroacetic acid and elongated to dipeptides, which cyclized spontaneously upon Fmoc-deprotection to form N-allylated 2,5-diketopiperazines.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of spiro-2,5-diketopiperazines

A general and efficient method for the synthesis of spiro-2,5-diketopiperazines (spiro-DKPs) is described. Cyclization of Boc-protected dipeptides containing spiro-amino acids by microwave assisted heating in water furnished the corresponding spiro-DKPs. The spiro-amino acids were prepared by combining stereoselective alkylation reactions using the Schöllkopf methodology for amino acid construction with Grubbs ring-closing metathesis (RCM) methodology using ruthenium complexes. The RCM reactions and all subsequent transformations to the spiro-DKPs were run with microwave assisted heating, resulting in high yields and short reaction times for all steps.     

A new resin-bound universal isonitrile for the Ugi 4CC reaction: preparation and applications to the synthesis of 2,5-diketopiperazines and 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-diones

[reaction: see text] The preparation and synthetic applications of a novel resin-bound isonitrile are described. The resin is an example of a novel convertible isonitrile that can be utilized in the Ugi multicomponent reaction. Base-activation of the resin-bound Ugi product results in cleavage via formation of a N-acyloxazolidone that is then trapped as a carboxylic acid ester. This resin and the methodology described are suitable for synthesizing diversity libraries of 2,5-diketopiperazines and 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-diones.     

A comparison of electron impact and field ionization spectra of some 2,5-diketopiperazines

The mass spectra of cyclo-(Gly-Leu), cyclo-(Gly-Tyr), cyclo-(Ala-Tyr), cyclo-(Leu-Tyr), cyclo-(Val-Phe) and cyclo-(Leu-Phe) are presented. The use of high resolution mass measurements and metastable analysis allows the proposal of some general fragmentation mechanisms. The dominant features in the mass spectra of 2,5-diketopiperazines are fragments corresponding to cleavages of sidechains and the rupture of the piperazine-2,5-dione ring. The characteristic fragments may be used in the identification of any 2,5-diketopiperazines by mass spectrometry.     

Efficient synthesis of 2,5-diketopiperazines using microwave assisted heating

In this study a general, efficient and environmentally benign solution phase synthesis of 2,5-diketopiperazines (DKPs) using microwave assisted heating in water is described. A series of 11 structurally different DKPs have been synthesized from dipeptide methyl esters. A range of common laboratory solvents have been tested as well as different reaction times and temperatures. Both classic thermal and microwave assisted heating have been investigated. Microwave assisted heating for 10 min using water as solvent proved, by far, to be the most efficient method of cyclization giving moderate to excellent yields (63-97%) of DKPs. In contrast to other published procedures, this method seems independent of the amino acid sequence.     

Short and novel stereospecific synthesis of trisubstituted 2,5-diketopiperazines

Novel syntheses of chiral trisubstituted 2,5-diketopiperazines using multicomponent Ugi reactions were developed.     

Solid-phase synthesis and structural characterization of highly substituted hydroxyproline-based 2,5-diketopiperazines

Two general solid-phase methods for the synthesis of a new class of 2,5-diketopiperazines (DKPs) containing the trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline amino acid residue (Hyp) have been developed. An N-protected hydroxyproline methyl ester was linked through the hydroxyl function to the Ellman resin. The synthesis procedures were conceived to enable a sequence of Hyp alkylation, Hyp N-acylation, cyclization, and amide bond alkylation. Up to three different centers of molecular diversity were introduced around the DKP scaffold. Highly functionalized bicyclic compounds were obtained in good yield and purity. The alkylation of hydroxyproline alpha CH was performed without control of the diastereoselectivity. During the final alkylation of the backbone, amide bond epimerization at the alpha-carbon atoms of the two amino acid residues was observed. The structures of representative DKPs were elucidated with multidimensional NMR experiments. The described reaction pathways can be applied to the identification of heterocyclic molecule inhibitors to diverse enzyme targets.     

Acid catalyzed monodehydro-2,5-diketopiperazine formation from N-α-ketoacyl amino acid amides

We have developed a new synthetic method for monodehydro-2,5-diketopiperazines (monodehydroDKPs), which is based on an acid catalyzed cyclization of N-α-ketoacyl amino acid amides. Using this cyclization reaction, monodehydroDKP was formed with no or slight racemization in case that N-α-ketoacyl amino acid amides with β-aliphatic-α-ketoacyl groups and sterically unhindered N-substituting groups at the C-terminal amide nitrogen were used in the presence of catalytic amount of p-TsOH (3-5 mol %) or 10% TFA. In the case of β-aryl-α-ketoacyl amino acid derivatives, in which an enol form predominantly exists by conjugation with the aromatic ring, racemization could be minimized by optimizing the reaction conditions (5 mol % p-TsOH, reflux for 6 h), although the chemical yield could not be dramatically improved. However, this reaction condition was successfully applied to the synthesis of a tubulin depolymerization agent, (−)-tert-butyl-oxa-phenylahistin, with no racemization.     

Total Synthesis of Spirotryprostatins through Organomediated Intramolecular Umpolung Cyclization

Cyclodipeptide 2,5-diketopiperazines (DKP) are privileged structural units present in drugs and natural alkaloids. This work reports a new method for the synthesis of biologically important DKP scaffolds based on an intramolecular nucleophilic α-addition of general amides towards an alkynamide system. The utility of this umpolung cyclization mediated by trimethyl phosphine and l -glutamic acid is highlighted by its application to the concise total syntheses of 6-methoxyspirotryprostatin B (the first total synthesis), spirotryprostatin A, and spirotryprostatin B.     

Studies on asymmetric synthesis of bicyclomycin precursors. A chemoenzymatic route to chiral 2,5-diketopiperazines and 2-oxa-bicyclo[4.2.2]decane-8,10-diones

A novel asymmetric route to bicyclomycin analogues, 2-oxa-bicyclo[4.2.2]decane-8,10-diones, is described. The key chiral synthons 3-(ω-hydroxyalkyl)-2,5-diketopiperazines 3a-c were obtained via enzymatic kinetic resolution of their respective acetates 2a-c using hydrolases (up to >98% ee, E > 200). The chiral 2,5-diketopiperazines were then transformed into their bicyclic derivatives in a stereospecific manner. Circular dichroism and NMR studies were performed to determine the absolute and relative configuration of the obtained products. The biocatalytic approach gave high stereoselectivities in comparison to the chiral pool synthesis from glutamic acid (58% ee) and thus demonstrated the ability of hydrolases to discriminate a remote stereocenter.     

A straightforward synthesis and partial hydrolysis of cysteine-derived 2,5-diketopiperazines

A mild and straightforward preparation of cysteine-derived 2,5-diketopiperazines (DKPs) is reported, by cyclization of (R)-2,2-dimethyltetrahydrothiazole-4-carboxylic acid hydrochloride or of (R)-tetrahydrothiazole-4-carboxylic acid hydrochloride, mediated by HBTU and DIEA. One DKP has been characterized by X-ray analysis, while the other has been hydrolyzed to cyclo-Cys-Cys. The preparation of this latter compound has been previously reported to be troublesome and low yielding.     

Study of intramolecular aminolysis in peptides containing N-alkylamino acids at position 2

Many peptides and proteins, containing N^α-alkylamino acids (including proline) at the second position, are prone to intramolecular aminolysis (IA) with elimination of N-terminal dipeptide sequence as 2,5-diketopiperazines (DKP). We synthesized a series of short peptides, containing N-alkylamino acids at position 2, and studied their stability in the presence of acetic acid and amines. The presence of side chains in the second and the third amino acid residues and alkylation at N^α of the third amino acid residue slowed down IA. N^α-Alkyl residue in the first amino acid residue impeded IA only in peptides, containing three or more residues. Side chains of the first amino acids did not affect significantly the cleavage rates. Acetic acid promoted IA more strongly than aqueous ammonia, while tertiary amines were less effective. Peptides with methionine-S-oxide residues were more labile than the unoxidized analogs, suggesting intramolecular assistance of the S-oxide group in aminolysis. Surprisingly, intermediate compounds of the formula Boc–Met-MeXaa-Sar–NHR underwent rapid cleavage (endopeptolysis) upon attempted acidolytic deprotection.     

Highly stereoselective synthesis of steroidal 2,5-diketopiperazines based on isocyanide chemistry

In this Letter we report that the Ugi reaction/cyclization sequence on a steroidal 17-carboxaldehyde leads to novel steroidal 2,5-diketopiperazines with a noteworthy stereoselectivity. A wide variety in the substitution pattern in the heterocyclic moiety was easily achieved by changing the components in the Ugi reaction.     

Multistep synthesis of 2,5-diketopiperazines on different solid supports monitored by high resolution magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy

The solid-phase synthesis of 2,5-diketopiperazines containing the trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline amino acid residue (Hyp) was performed on Ellman polystyrene, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene (POEPOP), polystyrene-polyoxyethylene NovaSyn, and Wang resins, respectively. The reaction pathway allowed the introduction of different functional groups around the bicyclic scaffold in a combinatorial approach, and it generated mixtures of isomers. A detailed characterization of the single reaction steps by high resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) NMR spectroscopy was performed. The NMR spectral resolution of the resin-bound intermediates and final products was greatly influenced by the polymer matrix. The POEPOP resin permitted to obtain HRMAS NMR spectra with a resolution comparable with that of the spectra of the molecules in solution. Moreover, configurational and conformational isomers formed during the solid-phase reaction steps could be detected and easily assigned. Therefore, the combination of the HRMAS NMR technique with the use of nonaromatic resins may become an extremely powerful tool in solid-phase organic synthesis. This approach will allow the monitoring of multistep reactions and the conception of on-bead structural studies either on small molecules or on natural and/or synthetic oligomers.     

Creating a Defined Chirality in Amino Acids and Cyclic Dipeptides by Photochemical Deracemization

2,5-Diketopiperazines are cyclic dipeptides displaying a wide range of applications. Their enantioselective preparation has now been found possible from the respective racemates by a photochemical deracemization (53 examples, 74 % to quantitative yield, 71–99 % ee). A chiral benzophenone catalyst in concert with irradiation at λ=366 nm enables to establish the configuration at the stereogenic carbon atom C6 at will. If other stereogenic centers are present in the diketopiperazines they remain unaffected and a stereochemical editing is possible at a single position. Consecutive reactions, including the conversion into N-aryl or N-alkyl amino acids or the reduction to piperazines, occur without compromising the newly created stereogenic center. Transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that the benzophenone catalyst processes one enantiomer of the 2,5-diketopiperazines preferentially and enables a reversible hydrogen atom transfer that is responsible for the deracemization process. The remarkably long lifetime of the protonated ketyl radical implies a yet unprecedented mode of action.     

Analytical pyrolysis of dipeptides containing proline and amino acids with polar side chains. Novel 2,5-diketopiperazine markers in the pyrolysates of proteins

The formation of cyclic dipeptides (DKPs, 2,5-diketopiperazines) from dipeptides having proline (Pro) as the fixed N-terminal amino acid was investigated by analytical pyrolysis with a heated platinum filament coil. Glutamic acid (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp), glutamine (Gln), lysine (Lys) or arginine (Arg) was the terminal amino acid. Products evolved from off-line pyrolysis at 500 °C were analysed by GC–MS as such or after trimethylsilylation. The structure of a novel DKP from the pyrolysis of Pro-Glu, namely hexahydrodipyrrolo[1,2-a:1′,2′-d]pyrazine-3,5,10(10aH)-trione, was established by ESI-MS/MS and extensive NMR analysis. This DKP could be identified in the pyrolysates of dipeptide Pro-Gln, tripeptide Pro-Glu-Leu, collagen and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Pyrolysis of Pro-Lys and Lys-Pro-Leu afforded the cyclo(Pro-Lys) tentatively identified by interpretation of its trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivative mass spectra and the DKPs resulting from the deamination of the lateral chain. The dipeptide Pro-Asp yielded isomeric cyclo(Pro-Asp) revealed as TMS derivatives and cyclo(Pro-Ala) from the decarboxylation of the side chain. Analytical pyrolysis of the above peptides as well as of Pro-Tyr, collagen and BSA enabled the compilation of GC (retention times relative to an internal standard) and MS data (characteristic ions) of over eighty DKPs including their TMS derivatives, the latter ones useful in the identification of thermal degradation products of proteinaceous materials in several matrices.     

A rapid, one-pot, microwave-influenced synthesis of spiro-2,5-diketopiperazines via a cascade Ugi/6-exo-trig aza-Michael reaction

A rapid, cascade reaction process has been developed to access biologically validated spiro-2,5-diketopiperazines. The facile and environmentally benign method capitalizes on commercially available starting reagents for a sequential Ugi/6-exo-trig aza-Michael reaction, water as a solvent, and microwave irradiation without any extraneous additives.     

Transannular rearrangement of activated 2,5-diketopiperazines: a key route to original scaffolds

An efficient and original stereocontrolled transannular rearrangement starting from activated 2,5-diketopiperazines has been developed, an opportunity for the medicinal chemistry field, which requests access to novel biological scaffolds. This powerful ring contraction, which can be related to a stereoselective aza-version of the Chan rearrangement, allows for example the one-step synthesis of various tetramic acids, access to 2-disubstituted statins, or the synthesis of relevant lactam-constrained dipeptide mimetics using a TRAL-RCM sequence.     

[N]-Isotopic labeling: a suitable tool to study the reactivity of bis lactams

The unexpected reactivity of 2,5-diketopiperazines under basic conditions, thanks to N-Boc activation, allows access to valuable pharmacological scaffolds, such as original statine derivatives. Toward this transannular rearrangement of activated lactams (TRAL), we report here the study of bis lactam reactivity using [¹⁵N]-isotopic labeling.