Recent developments in oligosaccharide synthesis: tactics,solid-phase synthesis and library synthesis

Oligosaccharides, commonly found on the cell surfaces, are deeply involved in a variety of important biological functions, yet demanding difficulties synthesizing such structures limit the investigation of their functions. Technologies to chemically synthesize these oligosaccharides have dramatically advanced during the last two decades mainly due to the introduction of good anomeric leaving groups. In addition, tactical analyses have been addressed to enhance the overall efficiency of oligosaccharide synthesis. Based on the advancement of solution-phase chemistry, solid-phase technologies are being investigated in connection with the current trend of combinatorial chemistry and high throughput screening. This review summarizes the necessary solution-phase methodologies, the status of solid-phase synthesis of oligosaccharides, and combinatorial synthesis of oligosaccharide libraries.     

Biology-oriented synthesis

Which compound classes are best suited as probes and tools for chemical biology research and as inspiration for medicinal chemistry programs? Chemical space is enormously large and cannot be exploited conclusively by means of synthesis efforts. Methods are required that allow one to identify and map the biologically relevant subspaces of vast chemical space, and serve as hypothesis‐generating tools for inspiring synthesis programs. Biology‐oriented synthesis builds on structural conservatism in the evolution of proteins and natural products. It employs a hierarchical classification of bioactive compounds according to structural relationships and type of bioactivity, and selects the scaffolds of bioactive molecule classes as starting points for the synthesis of compound collections with focused diversity. Navigation in chemical space is facilitated by Scaffold Hunter, an intuitively accessible and highly interactive software. Small molecules synthesized according to BIOS are enriched in bioactivity. They facilitate the analysis of complex biological phenomena by means of acute perturbation and may serve as novel starting points to inspire drug discovery programs.     

Anion-templated synthesis

In contrast to the well-studied templating properties of cationic and neutral species there are relatively few examples of anion-templated syntheses. This is attributed to some of the intrinsic properties of anions such as their diffuse nature, pH sensitivity, and their relative high solvation free energies. However, the increasing number of anion-templated assemblies reported over the past few years demonstrates that these limitations are not as critical as first thought. This review summarizes the most important results on the use of anions as directing agents for the syntheses of a wide range of inorganic and organic assemblies (such as macrocycles, cages, helicates, rotaxanes, and extended structures). It is hoped that this will stimulate a closer look into this emerging area of supramolecular chemistry.     

Computer-aided organic synthesis

It is tempting for those in the field of organic synthesis to liken the process of retrosynthesis to a game of chess. That the world chess champion was recently defeated by a computer leads us to think that perhaps new and powerful computing methods could be applied to synthetic problems. Here the analogy between synthesis and chess is outlined. Achievements in the 35-year history of computer-aided synthetic design are described, followed by some more recent developments.     

First synthesis of caerulomycin B. A new synthesis of caerulomycin C

Caerulomycins produced by Streptomyces caeruleus are bipyridinic molecules endowed with antibiotic properties. The first synthesis of caerulomycin B (1) as well as a new synthesis of caerulomycin C (2) are reported. Starting from 3-hydroxypyridine, the same methodology was used to prepare both compounds 1 and 2. Efficiently controlled reactions such as metalation to allow the synthesis of 2,6-diiodo-3,4-dialkoxypyridines, which are key intermediates, and further halogen-lithium exchange and cross-coupling to reach the targets molecules 1 and 2 have been developed.     

Organosilanes in synthesis: application to an enantioselective synthesis of methyl-l-callipeltose

[reaction: see text] Methyl-l-callipeltose, the carbohydrate associated with callipeltoside A, has been synthesized in eight steps and 23% overall yield from enantioenriched allylsilane 6 and acetaldehyde. The key steps are a highly diastereoselective formal [4 + 2] annulation and a Cr(VI)-catalyzed oxidative C-C bond cleavage to produce lactone 11.     

Automated oligosaccharide synthesis

Peptides and oligonucleotides are prepared by automated synthesizers that can be operated by non-specialists. Carbohydrates have been hard to assemble, but the increasing awareness of the biological importance of this class of complex repeating biopolymers has prompted efforts to accelerate their synthesis. This tutorial review defines the state of the art of automated solid phase oligosaccharide synthesis and identifies areas in need of further innovation. Application of the automated synthesis method to prepare a malaria vaccine candidate is briefly highlighted.     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of functionalized 1-azaspirans : Efficient synthesis of perhydrohistrionicotoxin

A formal total synthesis of perhydrohistrionicotoxin (H₁₂-HTX) is described based on a stereocontrolled α-acyliminium ion-olefin cyclisation. In the key step of the synthesis three asymmetric C atoms (C₆ C₇ and C₈) are introduced in a single operation leading to the formation of the spiro formate ester 15. Compound 15 is converted to the spirothiolactam alcohol 17, a known precursor of H₁₂-HTX.The versatility of the synthetic approach is further demonstrated by the stereocontrolled syntheses of other functionalized 1-azaspirans, viz the 6-Endo-Trig products 20 and 24 and the 5-Exo-Trig products 26 and 28. The formation of the latter two compounds is remarkable with respect to the mechanism.¹³C NMR data of a series of 1-azaspirans are provided, which inter alia show the existence of a conformational equilibrium in 1-azaspiro alcohol 16,Mass spectral criteria are used for assignment 5-Exo-or 6-Endo-cyclisation products.     

Selective synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis and annealing process

Four types of BN nanotubes are selectively synthesized by annealing porous precursor in flowing NH₃ and NH₃/H₂ atmosphere at temperature ranging from 1000 to 1200 °C in a vertical furnace. The as-synthesized BN nanotubes, including cylinder, wave-like, bamboo-like and bubble-chain, are characterized by XRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM, TEM and HRTEM. Three phenomenological growth models are proposed to interpret growth scenario and structure features of the four types of BN nanotubes. Selectivity of nanotubes formation is estimated as approximately 80-95%. The precursor containing B, Mg, Fe and O prepared by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis (SHS) method plays a key role in selective synthesis of the as-synthesized BN nanotubes. Chemical reactions are also discussed.     

A novel pyrrole synthesis

The silver(I)-promoted oxidative cyclization of homopropargylamines at room temperature provides a novel access to pyrroles. Homopropargylamines are readily available by the addition of a propargyl Grignard reagent to Schiff bases.     

Ribosomal synthesis of N-methyl peptides

N-methyl amino acids (N-Me AAs) are a common component of nonribosomal peptides (NRPs), a class of natural products from which many clinically important therapeutics are obtained. N-Me AAs confer peptides with increased conformational rigidity, membrane permeability, and protease resistance. Hence, these analogues are highly desirable building blocks in the ribosomal synthesis of unnatural peptide libraries, from which functional, NRP-like molecules may be identified. By supplementing a reconstituted Escherichia coli translation system with specifically aminoacylated total tRNA that has been chemically methylated, we have identified three N-Me AAs (N-Me Leu, N-Me Thr, and N-Me Val) that are efficiently incorporated into peptides by the ribosome. Moreover, we have demonstrated the synthesis of peptides containing up to three N-Me AAs, a number comparable to that found in many NRP drugs. With improved incorporation efficiency and translational fidelity, it may be possible to synthesize combinatorial libraries of peptides that contain multiple N-Me AAs. Such libraries could be subjected to in vitro selection methods to identify drug-like, high-affinity ligands for protein targets of interest.     

Efficient synthesis of scutellarein

Scutellarein is a component of Scutellaria, recently known as a potent cytotoxic agent on human leukaemia cells. The aim of this study was the synthesis of scutellarein and its methylated derivative. The new features are the innovating method to afford flavones from flavanones and the A-ring regioselective bromination step that lead to the target molecule by a facile and high-yielding pathway.     

Diversity-oriented synthesis of azaspirocycles

Multicomponent condensation of N-diphenylphosphinoylimines, alkynes, zirconocene hydrochloride, and diiodomethane provides a rapid access to omega-unsaturated dicyclopropylmethylamines. These novel building blocks are converted into heterocyclic 5-azaspiro[2.4]heptanes, 5-azaspiro-[2.5]octanes, and 5-azaspiro[2.6]nonanes by means of selective ring-closing metathesis, epoxide opening, or reductive amination. The resulting functionalized pyrrolidines, piperidines, and azepines are scaffolds of considerable relevance for chemistry-driven drug discovery.     

Diversity-oriented synthesis and solid-phase organic synthesis under controlled microwave heating

Diversity-oriented organic synthesis (DOS) and solid-phase organic synthesis (SPOS) are proven technologies for generating small molecule libraries for chemical genetics studies. Integration of controlled microwave heating with DOS and SPOS not only speeds up the library preparation process but also offers unique opportunities in tackling issues which are hardly addressed by thermal heating. Microwave-assisted synthesis is illustrated for (a) highly regioselective Wittig olefination of cycloalkanones by accurate regulation of temperature; (b) tandem Wittig-IMDA sequence toward stereochemical diversity of gamma-butyrolactones; (c) one-pot alkylation-amidation approach toward appendage diversity through use of building blocks; and (d) one-pot U-4CR-annulation strategy toward skeletal diversity via careful reaction design. Microwave-assisted solid-phase organic synthesis (MASPOS) is highlighted by incorporating with split-pool combinatorial synthesis (SPCS) of indole sulfonamides via a key on-resin Cu(II)- or Pd(II)-catalyzed heteroannulation under microwave heating. Design and fabrication of a novel diglycine-derived catlinker are described and its role in facilitating on-resin reaction is evaluated. A traceless synthesis of indole sulfonamides via microwave-assisted Cu(II)-catalyzed heteroannulation of the catlinker-tethered substrates is also given.     

HPLC-assisted automated oligosaccharide synthesis

A standard HPLC was adapted to polymer supported oligosaccharide synthesis. Solution-based reagents are delivered using a software-controlled solvent delivery system. The reaction progress and completion can be monitored in real time using a standard UV detector. All steps of oligosaccharide assembly including loading, glycosylation, deprotection, and cleavage can be performed using this setup.     

Solid-phase synthesis of dibenzoxazepinones

Two novel solid-phase routes to the pharmaceutically relevant dibenzoxazepinone nucleus are described. In one, a key cyclisation step involves intramolecular phenolate displacement of an activated aryl fluoride. In the second, the tricyclic nucleus is prepared in solution prior to derivatisation on resin.     

Electrochemical synthesis of thiocarbamates

The possibility of indirect and direct electrosyntheses of thiocarbamates is studied. The indirect synthesis is based on producing monochloramines by the chlorination of an aqueous solution containing an amine and sodium chloride on a dimensionally stable anode (DSA) in diaphragm electrolysis and a subsequent interaction of monochloramines with potassium xanthate. Optimum synthesis conditions are found ensuring a current efficiency for thiocarbamates of 43-60%. These are:c _amine = 0.17-2 M, c_NaC1 = 4 M,j_a = 20-30 A dm^-2, electrolysis temperature 10‡C, the chloramine : potassium xanthate : amine molar ratio of 1 : 1.1 : 2, and the temperature of the reaction between chloramine and potassium xanthate of 8‡C. The direct synthesis of thiocarbamates is realized in diaphragm electrolysis when oxidizing an aqueous solution containing an amine, potassium xanthate, and sodium chloride on DSA. With the electrosynthesis of ethyl ester of methylthiocarbamic acid as an example, conditions are found that allow one to obtain a target product with a current efficiency of about 44%. However, the direct synthesis is accompanied by the destruction of the anode material.     

New synthesis of uracil derivatives

When N,N-dialkylamide dimethylsulfate adducts are reacted with cyanoacetyl urea or carbethoxy acetyl urea, the corresponding dialkylamino alkylidene derivatives are formed which cyclize to substituted uracils in the presence of a strong base. When the adducts of cyclic amides are used, the lactam ring is opened simultaneously on cyclisation.     

Asymmetric synthesis of furofurans

Furofurans are one of the largest sub-types of classical lignans which have been found to possess a broad range of important biological activities. Tremendous efforts have been directed to develop synthetic methodologies for the synthesis of furofurans, especially in a stereoselective manner, due to their interesting bioactivities associated with the structural and stereochemical complexity. This article summarizes the reports on asymmetric synthesis of furofurans disclosed during the period of 2004–2017.     

Total synthesis of streptonigrone

A total synthesis of streptonigrone, 1, is described, which incorporates a one-step synthesis of substituted pyridones devised in our laboratory. Other aspects of the synthesis that differentiate the present approach from previous ones are the use of a Conrad-Limpach reaction, rather than the customary Friedl?nder methodology, to assemble the quinoline segment of 1, and the implementation of an anionic sequence for the functionalization of a key pyridone intermediate.