Enzymatic Ugi Reaction with Amines and Cyclic Imines

The application of the Ugi reaction to the construction of new peptide scaffolds is an important goal of organic chemistry. To date, there are no examples of the Ugi reaction being performed with a cyclic imine and amine simultaneously. The application of 2‐substituted cyclic imines in an enzymatic three‐component Ugi‐type reaction provides an elegant and attractive synthesis of substituted pyrrolidine and piperidine derivatives in up to 60 % yield. Results on studies of the selection of an enzyme, amount of water, and solvent used in a novel three‐component Ugi reaction and the limitations thereof are reported herein. The presented methodology exploiting enzyme promiscuity in the multicomponent reaction fulfills the requirements associated with green chemistry. Several methods, such as isotope labeling and enzyme inhibition, were used to probe the possible mechanism of this complex synthesis. This research is the first example of an enzyme‐catalyzed Ugi‐type reaction with an imine, amine, and isocyanide.     

A Multiple Multicomponent Approach to Chimeric Peptide–Peptoid Podands

The success of multi‐armed, peptide‐based receptors in supramolecular chemistry traditionally is not only based on the sequence but equally on an appropriate positioning of various peptidic chains to create a multivalent array of binding elements. As a faster, more versatile and alternative access toward (pseudo)peptidic receptors, a new approach based on multiple Ugi four‐component reactions (Ugi‐4CR) is proposed as a means of simultaneously incorporating several binding and catalytic elements into organizing scaffolds. By employing α‐amino acids either as the amino or acid components of the Ugi‐4CRs, this multiple multicomponent process allows for the one‐pot assembly of podands bearing chimeric peptide–peptoid chains as appended arms. Tripodal, bowl‐shaped, and concave polyfunctional skeletons are employed as topologically varied platforms for positioning the multiple peptidic chains formed by Ugi‐4CRs. In a similar approach, steroidal building blocks with several axially‐oriented isocyano groups are synthesized and utilized to align the chimeric chains with conformational constrains, thus providing an alternative to the classical peptido‐steroidal receptors. The branched and hybrid peptide–peptoid appendages allow new possibilities for both rational design and combinatorial production of synthetic receptors. The concept is also expandable to other multicomponent reactions.     

Polymerization via the Ugi‐reaction using aromatic monomers

The highly modular Ugi four‐component reaction (Ugi‐4CR) was used to directly obtain polymers of high molar mass bearing aromatic residues in the backbone. By using at least two bifunctional monomers, the Ugi‐4CR can be employed to synthesize polymers through a polycondensation under mild conditions in the absence of catalysts. This highly versatile approach allows the creation of vast libraries of molecules by a comparably small pool of compounds. We investigated the six different possible types of the Ugi four‐component polymerization (Ugi‐4CP) to generate polyamides using commercially available monomers without further purification. After substantial adjustments of reaction parameters, we were able to obtain a polymer of high molar mass, albeit only for one out of the six types of the Ugi‐4CP. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1680–1686     

Synthesis of 2,5‐Diketopiperazine Derivatives Using 2‐Isocyanophenyl 4‐Methylbenzoate as a Fragrant Convertible Isocyanide

A new protocol in which 2‐isocyanophenyl 4‐methylbenzoate is used as a convertible isocyanide for Ugi/deprotection + activation/cyclization synthesis of 2,5‐diketopiperazine derivatives has been developed. This operational simple procedure displays good functional group tolerance and avoids treatment of typically known offensive isocyanides.     

Synthesis of Novel Tetrazole Containing Quinoline and 2,3,4,9‐Tetrahydro‐1H‐β‐Carboline Derivatives

This presentation describes the successful synthesis of novel tetrazole‐based quinoline and tetrahydro‐1H‐β‐carboline derivatives via one‐pot multicomponent reactions in moderate to good yields. These reactions have presumably proceeded through Ugi‐azide or Ugi‐azide/Pictet–Spengler processes, respectively.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Migratory Insertion of Isocyanides: An Emerging Platform in Cross‐Coupling Chemistry

Isocyanides have been important building blocks in organic synthesis since the discovery of the Ugi reaction and related isocyanide‐based multicomponent reactions. In the past decade isocyanides have found a new application as versatile C₁ building blocks in palladium catalysis. Palladium‐catalyzed reactions involving isocyanide insertion offer a vast potential for the synthesis of nitrogen‐containing fine chemicals. This Minireview discusses all the achievements in this emerging field.     

A Straightforward Approach towards Cyclic Photoactivatable Tubulysin Derivatives

The development of a new photolabile protecting group containing an additional allyl functionality allows the synthesis of cyclic photoactivatable natural products. Cyclization occurs between the allyl moiety in the protecting group and a second double bond in the target molecule by means of ring‐closing metathesis. Cyclization should increase the metabolic stability towards proteases. On the other hand, the conformational change should cause diminished biological activity. As illustrated for tubulysin derivatives, cyclic and photoactivatable drug candidates can easily be obtained in only two steps from simple building blocks through Ugi reaction and ring‐closing metathesis. The photolabile protecting group is introduced by means of the isocyanide component during the Ugi reaction.     

Synthesis of Novel 2‐Oxoquinoline Derivatives via Ugi‐Four‐Component‐Heck Reaction

The present study provides an efficient strategy for the preparation of novel N‐substituted‐4‐methyl‐quinolin‐1(2H)‐one derivatives via two‐step Ugi/Heck reaction. The procedure is based on the Ugi coupling between 2‐bromoanilines, various aromatic aldehydes, vinylacetic acid, and isocyanides, and then intramolecular Heck reaction, which leads to the formation of the title compounds in good yields.     

From simple Ugi adducts to indanes and delta-amidomalonates: new manganese(III)-induced radical cascades

A complete change of the traditional Ugi adducts framework has been obtained using new radical cascades as Ugi post-condensation reactions. Indanes and delta-amidomalonates were thus obtained in a one-pot procedure from aromatic aldehydes under a sequence involving Ugi addition followed by treatment of the adducts with Mn(III) and malonate or beta-ketoester. The radical step probably involves an intramolecular aryl transfer followed by an oxidative cleavage and final cyclization to indanes.     

Template Synthesis of Peptidomimetics Composed of Aspartic Acid Moiety by Ugi Four‐Component Condensation Reaction

Abstract

Caspase‐3 inhibitors were supposed to be of benefit to both acute and chronic neurodegenerative conditions. In this work, a CPP32‐peptidomimetic‐inhibitor library was designed. The necessary aspartate moiety was reserved at the C terminal. A facile and versatile method based on Ugi‐4CR was developed to build up the library. The aspartic acid–derived isocyanide 3, the most important component of the four, was effectively synthesized from protected aspartic acid. This Ugi procedure was tested by synthesizing a small library.     

Combining On‐Chip Synthesis of a Focused Combinatorial Library with Computational Target Prediction Reveals Imidazopyridine GPCR Ligands

Using the example of the Ugi three‐component reaction we report a fast and efficient microfluidic‐assisted entry into the imidazopyridine scaffold, where building block prioritization was coupled to a new computational method for predicting ligand–target associations. We identified an innovative GPCR‐modulating combinatorial chemotype featuring ligand‐efficient adenosine A_1/2B and adrenergic α_1A/B receptor antagonists. Our results suggest the tight integration of microfluidics‐assisted synthesis with computer‐based target prediction as a viable approach to rapidly generate bioactivity‐focused combinatorial compound libraries with high success rates.     

An asymmetric Ugi three-component reaction induced by chiral cyclic imines: synthesis of morpholin- or piperazine-keto-carboxamide derivatives

A series of chiral 5,6-dihydro-1,4-oxazin-2-one substrates, as preformed cyclic aldimines and ketoimines, were employed to develop a new asymmetric Ugi three-component reaction for the first time. The Ugi reaction of the imines, isocyanides, and carboxylic acids opens an efficient access to novel morpholin-2-one-3-carboxamide compounds. The chiral imines showed promising stereoinduction for the new chiral center of the Ugi products, and predominant trans-isomers were obtained in the most cases. Addition of some Lewis acids or proton acids could improve the diastereoselectivity further but usually led to a drop in total yield. The Ugi-3CR could be extended to the stereoselective synthesis of ketopiperazine-2-carboxamide derivatives.     

Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Asymmetric Ugi Reaction by Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of the Primary Multicomponent Adduct

Reaction of isonitriles with 3‐(arylamino)isobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐ones in the presence of a catalytic amount of an octahydro (R)‐binol‐derived chiral phosphoric acid afforded 3‐oxo‐2‐arylisoindoline‐1‐carboxamides in high yields with good to high enantioselectivities. An enantioselective Ugi four‐center three‐component reaction of 2‐formylbenzoic acids, anilines, and isonitriles was subsequently developed for the synthesis of the same heterocycle. Mechanistic studies indicate that the enantioselectivity results from the dynamic kinetic resolution of the primary Ugi adduct, rather than from the C?C bond‐forming process. The resulting heterocycle products are of significant medicinal importance.     

Rapid Assembly of Functionalised Spirocyclic Indolines by Palladium‐Catalysed Dearomatising Diallylation of Indoles with Allyl Acetate

Herein, we report the application of allyl acetate to the palladium‐catalysed dearomatising diallylation of indoles. The reaction can be carried out by using a readily available palladium catalyst at room temperature, and can be applied to a wide range of substituted indoles to provide access to the corresponding 3,3‐diallylindolinines. These compounds are versatile synthetic intermediates that readily undergo Ugi reactions or proline‐catalysed asymmetric Mannich reactions. Alternatively, acylation of the 3,3‐diallylindolinines with an acid chloride or a chloroformate, followed by treatment with aluminium chloride, enables 2,3‐diallylindoles to be prepared. By using ring‐closing metathesis, functionalised spirocyclic indoline scaffolds can be accessed from the Ugi products, and a dihydrocarbazole can be prepared from the corresponding 2,3‐diallylindole.     

Innovative macromolecular syntheses via isocyanide multicomponent reactions

Isocyanide multicomponent reactions assemble more than two reaction components by exploiting the reactivity of the isocyanide carbon atom toward addition of electrophiles and nucleophiles. Reactions such as the Passerini three‐component and Ugi four‐component coupling reactions have a long and successful history in organic synthesis, which has only recently been explored in polymer chemistry. In a short time, this class of multicomponent reactions has been established as a viable method for the synthesis of linear polymers as well as more complex architectures such as miktoarm star polymers and dendrimers. This highlight discusses the recent accomplishments made with regard to innovative syntheses of polymers and dendrimers via the Passerini and Ugi reactions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3985–3991     

Assembly of New Heterocycles through an Effective Use of Bisaldehydes by Using a Sequential GBB/Ugi Reaction

A facile route for the assembly of new bis‐heterocyclic imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3]thiazinyl/benzothiazoyl‐phenyl)benzamide scaffolds through a two‐step Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé (GBB)/Ugi reaction sequence is reported, which establishes multiple points of diversity in the final products. The highlights of this procedure are the survival of the aldehyde group following the GBB reaction without the need for additional protection/deprotection steps. Moreover, the reaction is operationally simple, with the absence of any catalyst, and exhibits excellent functional‐group tolerance under minutes of microwave irradiation.     

Challenging 50 years of established views on Ugi reaction: a theoretical approach

The Ugi reaction is one of the most famous multicomponent couplings, and its efficiency is still explained by the original mechanism suggested by Ugi in the 60s. This article aims to present a thorough theoretical study of this reaction. It describes how the imine is activated and how the new stereogenic center is formed. Our calculations strongly suggest alternatives to some commonly accepted features, such as the reversibility of the intermediate steps, and temper the nature of the driving force of the reaction.     

Investigation of the one-pot synthesis of quinolin-2-(1H)-ones and the discovery of a variation of the three-component Ugi reaction

Rapid access to the quinolin-2-(1H)-one scaffold is afforded by a sequential 4 component Ugi–Knoevenagel condensation of an aminophenylketone, an aromatic aldehyde possessing electron donating moieties, cyanoacetic acid and an aliphatic isocyanide, in moderate to good yields (49–71%). Interestingly, when the reaction is performed using aromatic aldehydes bearing electron withdrawing moieties or isocyanides containing aromatic or ester units, a mixture of a quinolin-2-(1H)-one and an α-amino amide (Ugi three-component adduct) is afforded in varying ratios. Further when the reaction is performed utilizing a combination of an isocyanide-containing aromatic or carbonyl unit, and an aldehyde possessing an electron withdrawing functionality, the Ugi three-component adduct is exclusively afforded. In our hands this new variation of the Ugi 3CR proved to be efficient and robust affording analogues in good yields (51–70%).     

5‐Hydroxyl Hydantoins via One‐Pot Microwave‐Assisted Air Oxidation of Ugi Products

The novel and one‐pot synthesis of 5‐hydroxyl hydantoins from Ugi five‐component condensation procedures is reported. The transformation was promoted via a microwave heating method and provided 5‐hydroxyl hydantoins in workable yields, representing a direct approach to this synthetically challenging and biologically interesting pharmacophore.     

Domino Carbopalladation/CH Functionalization Sequence: An Expedient Synthesis of Bis‐Heteroaryls through Transient Alkyl/Vinyl–Palladium Species Capture

A microwave‐assisted highly efficient intermolecular domino carbopalladation/C?H functionalization sequence has been developed to access bis‐heteroaryl frameworks in a single operation. The reaction involves carbopalladation of the halogenated acrylamides or phenylpropiolamides by the Pd(0) catalysis, followed by the direct (hetero)arylation to give products with good to excellent yields. The synthetic utility of this method was also extended towards the application of the Ugi‐adduct as the starting material.