N-Glycosylation of 2,3-dideoxyfuranose derivatives having a (diethoxyphosphorothioyl)difluoromethyl group at the 3α-position

Lewis acid-mediated N-glycosylation of 2,3-dideoxyribofunanosides having a (diethoxyphosphorothioyl)difluoromethyl group at the 3α-position with silylated nucleobases was examined. The phosphorothioyldifluoromethyl was found to be an effective functional group for the diastereoselective synthesis of β-N¹-pyrimidine-nucleotide analogues 26 and 28-30. However, the method was not useful for the diastereoselective synthesis of adenine nucleotide analogues. The nucleotide analogue 26 was transformed to the difluoromethylenephosphonate analogue 31 of thymidine-3′-phosphate by oxidation with m-CPBA, followed by aqueous work-up.     

New pyrophosphate analogues: a facile access to N-(O-alkyl-sulfamoyl)phosphoramidic acids via a simple and quantitative reaction of N-(O-alkylsulfamoyl)trimethylphospha-λ-azene with bromotrimethylsilane and water

A new strategy to prepare pyrophosphate analogues through selective and quantitative cleavage of N-(O-alkylsulfamoyl)trialkylphospha-λ⁵-azene esters (R-O-SO₂-NP(OR′)₃) has been developed. Using pure bromotrimethylsilane, N-(O-alkyl-sulfamoyl)tristrimethylsilylphospha-λ⁵-azenes (R-O-SO₂-NP(OSiMe₃)₃) have been easily obtained as intermediates. N-(O-Alkyl-sulfamoyl)phosphoramidic acids (R-O-SO₂-NH-P(O)(OH)₂) have been formed quantitatively by hydrolysis of the silylated intermediates.     

Prolinol-based nucleoside phosphonic acids: new isosteric conformationally flexible nucleotide analogues

trans-4-Hydroxy-l-proline has been used as a starting material for the synthesis of prolinol-based nucleotide analogues with an N-phosphonomethyl moiety attached to the prolinol ring nitrogen atom. The synthetic methodology based on the inversion of configuration at both 1- and 4-position led to all diastereoisomeric O-protected 4-mesyloxyprolinol-N-phosphonates. Alkylation of nucleobases using the synthons in the l-series afforded the nucleotide analogues corresponding to α-l- and β-l-nucleotide. The NMR-based conformational study of these compounds in aqueous solution performed at two different pH values, showing either N-fully protonated or deprotonated forms, revealed the occurrence of the same mostly populated conformer in both cases. All final l-prolinol-based nucleoside phosphonic acids were tested for cytotoxic and antiviral properties, but no significant activity was found.     

Cyclization versus oligomerization of SP- and RP-5′-OH-N-benzoyl-2′-deoxycytidine-3′-O-(2-thio-4,4-pentamethylene-1,3,2-oxathiaphospholane)s

The S_P-isomer of 5′-OH-N⁴-benzoyl-2′-deoxycytidine-3′-O-(2-thio-4,4-pentamethylene-1,3,2-oxathiaphospholane) undergoes DBU-promoted intramolecular cyclization providing as a sole product S_P-deoxycytidine cyclic 3′,5′-O,O-phosphorothioate. Unexpectedly, the R_P-counterpart yields a mixture of products consisting of R_P-deoxycytidine cyclic 3′,5′-O,O-phosphorothioate and macrocyclic oligo(deoxycytidine phosphorothioate)s. The results of molecular modeling indicate that the dychotomy observed for the R_P substrate may result from remarkably higher energy of the corresponding transition states, caused by the presence of bulky ‘spiro’ pentamethylene substituent at the position C4 in the oxathiaphospholane ring.     

Substituted 2,5-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes and their application as general piperazine surrogates: synthesis and biological activity of a Ciprofloxacin analogue

Piperazines and modified piperazines, such as homopiperazines and 2-methylpiperazines, are found in a wide range of pharmaceutical substances and biologically active molecules. In this study 2,5-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes, in which a cyclopropane ring is fused onto a piperazine ring, are described as modified piperazine analogues. Differentially N,N′-disubstituted and N-monosubstituted compounds can be readily prepared from 2-ketopiperazine in a few steps, using a Simmons-Smith reaction of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrazines with diethylzinc and diiodomethane for the key cyclopropane ring formation. An analogue of the fluoroquinolone antibacterial Ciprofloxacin was synthesized using a palladium-catalyzed Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling to attach the diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane core to the 7-position of the fluoroquinolone core. The resultant analogue was demonstrated to have similar antibacterial activity to the parent drug Ciprofloxacin. X-ray crystallographic analysis of this analogue reveals a distorted piperazine ring in the diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane core. The pK_a of the conjugate acid of N-Cbz-monoprotected 2,5-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane was determined to be 6.74±0.05, which is 1.3 pK_a units lower than the corresponding N-Cbz-monoprotected piperazine compound. The lower basicity of diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes is due to the electron-withdrawing character of the adjacent cyclopropane rings. The modified physicochemical and structural properties of diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes relative to piperazines are expected to lead to interesting changes in the pharmacokinetic and biological activity profile of these molecules.     

Synthesis of 4-N-alkyl and ribose-modified AICAR analogues on solid support

Herein, we report the solid-phase synthesis of several 5-aminoimidazole-4-(N-alkyl)carboxamide-1-ribosides (4-N-alkyl AICARs) and the corresponding 2′,3′-secoriboside derivatives. The method uses the N-1-dinitrophenyl-inosine 5′-bonded to a solid support. This inosine derivative has the C-2 of the purine base strongly activated towards the attack of N-nucleophiles thus allowing the preparation of several N-1 alkylated inosine supports from which a small library of 4-N-alkyl AICAR derivatives has been synthesized. A set of new 4-N-alkyl AICA-2′,3′-secoriboside derivatives have also been obtained in high yields by solid-phase cleavage of the 2′,3′-ribose bond.     

Macrocyclic receptors containing sucrose skeleton

Crown ether analogues with incorporated sucrose unit were prepared by reaction of 1′,2,3,3′,4,4′-hexa-O-benzylsucrose with polyethylene ditosylates in up to 52% yield. Stability constants of their complexes with Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄⁺ were determined by the NMR titration method. The macrocycles were also tested as catalysts in the enantioselective Michael reaction, but with little success (ee up to only 22%). The macrocycle containing nitrogen in the ring was also prepared in good yield. All prepared macrocycles were easily converted into the free sucrose crowns (H₂/Pd/C) without destroying the (very labile) glycosidic bond. The crystal structure of the selected receptor was determined.     

The metathesis reaction for side chain construction in carbocyclic sinefungin analogue synthesis

The naturally occurring nucleoside sinefungin has found considerable use in biological investigations. More extensive sinefungin studies have been limited because few analogues have been reported due to the synthetic challenges associated with such studies. Reported herein are preparative ways to two carbocyclic sinefungin analogues: 6′-deaminocarbocyclic sinefungin and (S)-6′-hydroxy-6′-deaminocarbocyclic sinefungin. The synthetic routes were made efficient and practical by the application of two metathesis reactions employing second generation Grubbs catalyst.     

Application of intramolecular cycloaddition/retro cycloaddition reactions for the synthesis of unsymmetrical 2,2′-bipyridine and 2-benzofuropyrazin-2-ylpyridine analogues

1,2,4-Triazines bearing cycloalkeno[c]pyridine substituents at the 5-position, 2a-d, prepared by an intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction of bi-5,5-triazines with cyclic enamines, were provided with an alkynyloxy or a 2-cyanophenoxy group at the 3-position of the triazinyl unit. A subsequent intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of the former, followed by loss of N₂ leads to two new classes of 2,2′-bipyridine analogues containing different heterocyclic units, namely cycloalkeno[c]pyridine and 2,3-dihydrofuro- or 2,3-dihydropyrano[2,3-b]pyridine 8a-h; the intramolecular reaction of the 2-cyanophenoxy compound gives benzo[4,5]furo[2,3-b]pyrazine 10a-c.     

A general route to 5,6-seco-hexahydrodibenzopyrans and analogues: first total synthesis of (+)-Machaeridiol B and (+)-Machaeriol B

A general and efficient route for the synthesis of 5,6-seco-hexahydrodibenzopyran and trans-hexahydrodibenzopyran analogues was established, via a highly regio- and stereoselective S_N2′ reaction of arylcyanocuprates to enol silyl ether of α,β-epoxycyclohexanone. It was applied to the first facile total synthesis of (+)-Machaeridiol B and (+)-Machaeriol B.     

Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of Nucleoside Analogues Bearing One Pyrimidine Moiety and Two D-Ribofuranosyl Residues

A series of 1,2,3-triazolyl nucleoside analogues in which 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl-β-d-ribofuranosyl fragments are attached via polymethylene linkers to both nitrogen atoms of the heterocycle moiety (uracil, 6-methyluracil, thymine, quinazoline-2,4-dione, alloxazine) or to the C-5 and N-3 atoms of the 6-methyluracil moiety was synthesized. All compounds synthesized were evaluated for antiviral activity against influenza virus A/PR/8/34/(H1N1) and coxsackievirus B3. Antiviral assays revealed three compounds, 2i, 5i, 11c, which showed moderate activity against influenza virus A H1N1 with IC₅₀ values of 57.5 µM, 24.3 µM, and 29.2 µM, respectively. In the first two nucleoside analogues, 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl-β-d-ribofuranosyl fragments are attached via butylene linkers to N-1 and N-3 atoms of the heterocycle moiety (6-methyluracil and alloxazine, respectively). In nucleoside analogue 11c, two 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl-2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-ribofuranose fragments are attached via propylene linkers to the C-5 and N-3 atoms of the 6-methyluracil moiety. Almost all synthesized 1,2,3-triazolyl nucleoside analogues showed no antiviral activity against the coxsackie B3 virus. Two exceptions are 1,2,3-triazolyl nucleoside analogs 2f and 5f, in which 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl-2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-ribofuranose fragments are attached to the C-5 and N-3 atoms of the heterocycle moiety (6-methyluracil and alloxazine respectively). These compounds exhibited high antiviral potency against the coxsackie B3 virus with IC₅₀ values of 12.4 and 11.3 µM, respectively, although both were inactive against influenza virus A H1N1. According to theoretical calculations, the antiviral activity of the 1,2,3-triazolyl nucleoside analogues 2i, 5i, and 11c against the H1N1 (A/PR/8/34) influenza virus can be explained by their influence on the functioning of the polymerase acidic protein (PA) of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). As to the antiviral activity of nucleoside analogs 2f and 5f against coxsackievirus B3, it can be explained by their interaction with the coat proteins VP1 and VP2.     

Analogues of nucleotides and oligonucleotides featuring difluorophosphonate, difluorophosphonothioate and difluorophosphinate functional groups

Efforts to stereoselectively install difluorophosphonyl, difluorophosphonothioyl and difluorophosphinyl groups in place of the phosphate linking positions 3′ and 5′ of two furanoses are reviewed. Two equally efficient approaches have been worked out based on either the ionic addition of difluorophosphonothioate reagents 17 or 33 onto a ketone, or on the addition of phosphorus-centered radicals onto gem-difluoroalkenes. These methodologies resulted in the successful preparation of 3′-phosphonodifluoromethyl analogues to nucleosides-3′-phosphates, and of key intermediate 83, featuring two ribofuranosyl nuclei linked by a difluorinated phosphonothioyl unit on positions 3′ and 5′. In addition, the groundwork for the synthesis of H-difluorophosphinates and difluorophosphinates has been laid.     

Reactions of trimethylsilyl fluorosulfonyldifluoroacetate with purine and pyrimidine nucleosides

Difluorocarbene, generated from trimethylsilyl fluorosulfonyldifluoroacetate (TFDA), reacts with the uridine and adenosine substrates preferentially at the enolizable amide moiety of the uracil ring and the 6-amino group of the purine ring. 2′,3′-Di-O-benzoyl-3′-deoxy-3′-methyleneuridine reacts with TFDA to produce 4-O-difluoromethyl product derived from an insertion of difluorocarbene into the 4-hydroxyl group of the enolizable uracil ring. Reaction of the difluorocarbene with the adenosine substrates having the unprotected 6-amino group in the purine ring produced the 6-N-difluoromethyl derivative, while reaction with 6-N-benzoyl protected adenosine analogues gave the difluoromethyl ether product derived from the insertion of difluorocarbene into the enol form of the 6-benzamido group. Treatment of the 6-N-phthaloyl protected adenosine analogues with TFDA resulted in the unexpected one-pot conversion of the imidazole ring of the purine into the corresponding N-difluoromethylthiourea derivatives. Treatment of the suitably protected pyrimidine and purine nucleosides bearing an exomethylene group at carbons 2′, 3′ or 4′ of the sugar rings with TFDA afforded the corresponding spirodifluorocyclopropyl analogues but in low yields.     

A simple synthesis of 4-(2-aminoethyl)-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazoles

A simple four-step synthesis of 4-(2-aminoethyl)-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazoles 8 (or their 1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one tautomers 8′) as the pyrazole analogues of histamine was developed. First, enamino lactam 3 was prepared as the key intermediate in two steps from 2-pyrrolidinone (1). Next, acid-catalysed ‘ring switching’ transformations of 3 with monosubstituted hydrazines 4 gave N-[(1-substituted 5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)ethyl]benzamides 7a-k and N-[2-(2-heteroaryl-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)ethyl]benzamides 7′l-o. Benzamides 7a-k and 7′l-o were finally hydrolysed by heating in 6 M hydrochloric acid to furnish 1-substituted 4-(2-aminoethyl)-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazoles 8a-k and 4-(2-aminoethyl)-2-heteroaryl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-ones 8′l-o in good overall yields.     

Synthesis and conformation of a novel bridged nucleic acid having a trans-fused 3,5,8-trioxabicyclo[5.3.0]decane structure

A novel bridged nucleic acid analogue, 2′-deoxy-trans-3′,4′-BNA thymine monomer, was successfully synthesized. An ab initio calculation and X-ray structure analysis revealed that the trans-fused bicyclo[5.3.0]decane structure of the 2′-deoxy-trans-3′,4′-BNA effectively constrained the sugar puckering in C_2^′-endo with appropriate γ, δ and χ angles.     

Linear and convergent approaches to 2-substituted adenosine-5′-N-alkylcarboxamides

Herein we report both linear and convergent pathways for the preparation of 2-alkynyl substituted adenosine-5′-N-ethylcarboxamides via the versatile synthetic intermediate, 2-iodoadenosine-5′-N-ethylcarboxamide (13). The linear approach afforded 13 in an overall yield of 30% from guanosine over eight synthetic steps. The convergent approach was shorter, but proceeded in lower yield (five steps, 20% yield). Both approaches compare favourably with previously reported syntheses of 13, which has been prepared in 15% yield from guanosine over nine steps. 2-Iodoadenosine-5′-N-ethylcarboxamide (13) was subsequently converted to HENECA (2) and PHPNECA (3) to exemplify the utility of this approach for the preparation of potent A_2A adenosine receptor agonists. The linear approach was also amenable to the synthesis of 2-fluoropurine ribosides, which were subsequently elaborated into 2-alkylaminoadenosine-5′-N-ethylcarboxamides. Furthermore, both of these synthetic approaches are readily amenable to the synthesis of adenosine analogues with varied 2-, 6- and 5′-substitution patterns.     

A simple and rapid synthesis of nucleotide analogues containing a phosphorothioate moiety at the terminal position of the phosphate chain

A straightforward method for the synthesis of nucleotide analogues bearing a phosphorothioate moiety at the terminal position of the polyphosphate chain is described. Several nucleoside 5′-(2-thiodiphosphates) and 5′-(3-thiotriphosphates) were synthesized by treatment of the appropriate nucleotide imidazolide derivative with a ca. 4-fold excess of thiophosphate triethylammonium salt in DMF in the presence of zinc chloride. The HPLC reaction yields varied from 80% to 100%, in the majority of cases exceeding 90%. Separation was accomplished by Sephadex ion-exchange chromatography or reverse-phase HPLC with preparative yields of about 70%.     

A convenient synthesis of new α-aminoalkylphosphonates, aromatic analogues of arginine as inhibitors of trypsin-like enzymes

A simple and efficient protocol for the synthesis of new N-protected α-aminoalkylphosphonic diphenyl esters--aromatic analogues of arginine--is presented. The crucial, guanylating step was achieved using S-ethyl-N,N′-di(Boc)isothiourea in chloroform and in the presence of Et₃N and HgCl₂. Deprotection of the derivatives obtained was performed using trifluoroacetic acid in CH₂Cl₂ or hydrogenolysis over Pd/C. The products are potent inhibitors of trypsin.     

Synthesis of 1-C-linked diphosphate analogues of UDP-N-Ac-glucosamine and UDP-N-Ac-muramic acid

UDP-N-acetyl-glucosamine and UDP-N-acetyl-muramic acid are two important cytoplasmic precursors of bacterial peptidoglycan. The convergent synthesis of their analogues is reported. The α-1-C-linked-N-acetyl-glucosamine was synthesized using microwave-assisted Keck radical allylation. Oxidation of alkene derivatives to the corresponding carboxylic acids allowed attachment to O- and N-sulfamoyluridine giving stable diphosphate mimetics.     

Synthesis and liquid crystal properties of a novel family of oligothiophene derivatives

In order to develop novel oligothiophene-based liquid crystals capable of hydrogen bonding, new terthiophene derivatives containing an alkylamide group, N,N′-dialkyl-5,5″-dichloro-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene-4,4″-dicarboxamide (DNC_nDCl3T, n=8, 18), N,N′-dialkyl-5,5″-dibromo-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene-4,4″-dicarboxamide (DNC_nDBr3T, n=5, 8, 16, 18), or N,N′-dialkyl-5,5″-diiodo-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene-4,4″-dica-rboxamide (DNC_nDI3T, n=8, 18), were designed and synthesized, and their thermal behaviour was examined. It was found that DNC₁₈DCl3T, DNC₁₈DI3T and DNC_nDBr3T (n=8, 16, 18) form a smectic A phase and that the alkyl chain length greatly affects liquid crystal phase formation. The absence of liquid crystallinity in the corresponding ester derivatives suggests that intermolecular hydrogen bonding also plays a role in the formation of a liquid crystal phases in the DNC_nDBr3T system.