Studies on the application of the Passerini reaction and enzymatic procedures to the synthesis of tripeptide mimetics

A new, efficient method for the multicomponent synthesis of tripeptide mimetics is presented. Simple, chemoenzymatic transformations of Passerini reaction products enable the introduction of varied amino acid moieties into the tripeptide scaffold, with control of the stereochemistry. Additionally, this method allows the convenient introduction of a methyl group to the amide nitrogen, leading to derivatives of N-methylated amino acids—compounds of interest for medicinal chemistry.     

Side chain-directed complementary cis-coordination of two pyridines on Pd(II): Selective multicomponent assembly of square-, rectangular-, and trigonal prism-shaped molecules

This paper describes a new strategy to regulate multicomponent assembly from two kinds of pyridine-based ligands and cis-protected Pd(II) ions. The introduction of sterically hindered substituents to only one of the two ligands directs the complementary cis-coordination of the two lingads on the Pd(II) center, leading to the selective multicomponent assembly of two- and three-dimensional polynuclear Pd(II) complexes (e.g., square-, rectangular-, and trigonal prism-shaped molecules).     

Selective palladium-catalyzed amination of the heterocyclic core of variolins

A new and selective palladium-catalyzed amination of the pyrido[3′,3′:4,5]pyrrolo[1,2-c]pyrimidine nucleus, the heterocyclic core of the variolin alkaloids, is described. The method allows the introduction of amino and aryl- and alkylamino substituents on the C9 position in advanced precursors of variolin B and deoxyvariolin.     

An effective C-C double bond formation via Cu(I)-catalyzed dehydrogenation

A dehydrogenation method using Cu(I) and either N,N-di-tert-butylthiadiaziridine 1,1-dioxide or N,N-di-tert-butyldiaziridinone is reported. The dehydrogenation allows a facile introduction of C-C double bond(s) into various carbocycles and heterocycles such as oxazolines and thiazolines.     

Synthesis of carborane analogues of γ-aminobutanoic acid

General method for preparation of high yields of novel N-protected carborane amino acid derivatives, 3-acylamino-1-carboxymethyl-2-R-o-carboranes (R = H, Me, Ph), is reported. The synthesis starts from readily available 3-amino-o-carboranes and includes the protection of amino group, introduction of carboxymethyl function to the carbon atom of polyhedron via the metallation of carborane CH bond with sodium amide in liquid ammonia, and treatment of corresponding sodium carboranes with sodium bromoacetate. Deprotection of N-acylated carborane amino acids is studied in acidic media. Depending on the procedure employed, closo- or nido-carborane amino acids were obtained.     

Appending aromatic moieties at the para- and meta-position of calixarene phenol rings via p-bromodienone route

The silver-mediated nucleophilic substitution on calixarene p-bromodienone derivatives (the ‘p-bromodienone route’) with activated aromatic substrates allows the introduction of aromatic moieties at the para- or meta-position of calixarene aromatic rings. Less reactive substrates mainly afford C-O para-coupled derivatives, while more activated ones mainly give inherently chiral, C-C meta-coupled products through a dienone-phenol rearrangement of the intermediate dienone derivative. Examples of C-C para-coupling and O-C coupling at the endo calixarene oxygen atom were also observed.     

N-Nosyl-α-amino acids in solution phase peptide synthesis

A highly efficient and practical synthesis of peptides in solution phase has been developed. The procedure is based on the use of p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl (nosyl) group for the protection of the amino function of α-amino acids. Every step of the procedure, protection of the amino function by the nosyl group, formation of the peptide bond, and removal of the sulfonamide group, is characterized by high yields and excellent purity of the final products. The described strategy allows the preparation of short peptide sequences keeping the chiral integrity of amino acid precursors. Compatibility of nosyl group with the side-chain protecting groups used in Fmoc-based strategy is demonstrated. The method here presented is an alternative strategy that could provide advantages for future peptide synthesis.     

Flow-injection cyclic voltammetry

A flow-injection cyclic voltammetry assembly is proposed which allows the performance of fast i-E scans and provides recordings similar to those obtained with photodiode array detectors. The arrangement is useful for qualitative and quantitative analysis, theoretical studies, and multicomponent determinations.     

Use of N-trifluoroacetyl-protected amino acid chlorides in peptide coupling reactions with virtually complete preservation of stereochemistry

The use of protected amino acid chlorides for peptide coupling reactions has long been avoided due to the extensive racemization that commonly occurs during either the acid chloride formation or the coupling reaction itself. Conditions are described which allow N-trifluoroacetyl-protected amino acid chlorides to be generated in high purity and with high retention of stereochemical integrity. Control of temperature is the predominant factor in controlling racemization, and rapid formation of acid chlorides under low temperature can be conveniently achieved using Vilsmeier reagent. Stereochemical integrity is further maintained when coupling of N-trifluoroacetyl acid chlorides is carried out with amino acid esters under Schotten-Baumann conditions using specific controls on pH, temperature, and agitation. Second order rate constants for coupling and the azlactone formation associated with racemization were measured to be 4260 and 3.6 L/mol s, respectively. This high rate differential allows for the reaction to be run with a minimum excess of amine ester, and makes it suitable for continuous processing. The applicability of the preferred coupling conditions to a range of amino acid couplings is described.     

Scale-up synthesis of vinyl polymer-grafted nano-sized silica by radical polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by surface initiating groups in the solvent-free dry-system

For the purpose of the prevention of the environmental pollution and the simplification of reaction process, the scale-up radical graft polymerization of vinyl monomers onto nano-sized silica surface initiated by azo groups and peroxycarbonate groups previously introduced onto the surface in the solvent-free dry-system was investigated. The introduction of azo groups onto the silica surface was achieved by the reaction of surface amino groups with 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid chloride). On the other hand, the introduction of peroxycarbonate groups onto the silica surface was achieved by Michael addition of surface amino groups to t-butylperoxy-2-methacryloyloxyethylcarbonate. The graft polymerization of vinyl monomers onto the surface was successfully achieved by splaying monomers to nano-sized silica having azo and peroxycarbonate groups in solvent-free dry-system. It is interesting to note that the formation of ungrafted polymer was depressed in comparison with graft polymerization in solution: the grafting efficiency was 90-95%. In addition, in the solvent-free dry-system, the grafting of copolymer having pendant peroxycarbonate groups onto the nano-sized silica surface and the radical postgraft polymerization of styrene initiated by the pendant initiating groups of the grafted copolymer chain on the silica surface was investigated.     

Application of ortho-chloro-β-aroylthioamides in synthesis(II): an efficient one-pot, three-component synthesis of tricyclic thiochromeno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives

Tricyclic thiochromeno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives have been successfully synthesized in an unusual one-pot multicomponent cascade reaction from ortho-halo-β-aroylthioamides, Meldrum's acid, and aromatic aldehydes. The reaction presumably proceeds via Knoevenagel condensation-Michael addition-cyclocondensation-decarboxylation-rearrangement-intramolecular S_NAr reaction sequence. High bond forming efficiency of this reaction makes it attractive for the synthesis of thiochromeno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives in a single step operation.     

A versatile one-pot multicomponent synthesis of novel quinazolinon-2-yl-tetrasubstituted thiophenes

Here, we report a versatile multicomponent synthesis of novel quinazolinon-2-yl-tetrasubstituted thiophenes by a one-pot reaction using different alkyl-3-aminobutenoates, isothiocyanates and 2-halomethyl quinazolinones in good to excellent yields. The reaction probably proceeds by an intramolecular 5-exo-trig cyclisation.     

Novel heterocyclic β-nitroenamines-based on a one-pot three-component reaction: a facile synthesis of fully substituted 1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]-fused-1,3-diazaheterocycles

A one-pot multicomponent synthesis of a novel class of 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazoles, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidines, and 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,3]diazepines, starting from simple and readily available inputs including diveres diamines, l,l-bis(methylthio)-2-nitroethen and diaroylacetylene, in excellent yields is described.     

One-pot synthesis of polyfunctionalized 4H-pyran derivatives bearing fluorochloro pyridyl moiety

Polyfunctionalized 4H-pyran derivatives bearing fluorochloro pyridyl moiety were readily prepared in high yields via one-pot multicomponent reaction catalyzed by piperidine. This present protocol provides an efficient synthetic route to the target compounds with the characteristics of short reaction time, high yield, and easy separation of the products.     

A three-component synthesis of pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines

A new, high yield multicomponent reaction providing multifunctionalized pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines in a microwave-assisted one-pot cyclocondensation of α,β-unsaturated esters, amidine systems and malononitrile (or ethyl cyanoacetate) is described (the ‘Victory’ reaction).     

A practical approach to non-natural or N-unsubstituted α-arylglycine derivatives: Hf(OTf)4-doped Me3SiCl system-catalyzed aminomethylation of electron-rich arenes with a new type of N,O-acetal

The authors have demonstrated the Hf(OTf)₄-doped Me₃SiCl system-catalyzed aminomethylation of electron-rich aromatic compounds, such as indoles and anilines, with new types of N,O-acetals having a variety of functional groups, such as cyano, ester, bis(trimethylsilyl)amino, diallylamino, and cyclic amino moieties, for the preparation of non-natural aromatic amino acid derivatives. Aminomethylation using an N,O-acetal with a bis(trimethylsilyl)amino group was particularly successful in the direct preparation of an N-unsubstituted α-indolylglycine derivative, which required only a standard aqueous workup.     

Dialkylzinc mediated radical additions to chiral N-enoyloxazolidinones in the presence of benzaldehyde. Mechanistic investigation, structural characterization of the resulting γ-lactones

Diethylzinc was used in the presence of oxygen to mediate radical additions to chiral N-enoyloxazolidinones derived from fumaric acid. The synthesis of sterically crowded trisubstituted γ-lactones was achieved through a multicomponent reaction involving t-butyl iodide and benzaldehyde in addition to the above mentioned reagents. The domino process includes successively: iodine atom transfer, radical addition, homolytic substitution at zinc, aldol condensation, and lactonization. The diastereoselectivity of the reaction and the structural features of the resulting lactones were investigated. A tentative rationalization is discussed. Comparative experiments carried out with diisopropylzinc were performed.     

A new and efficient one-pot synthesis of 2-hydroxy-1,4-dihydrobenzoxazines via a three-component Petasis reaction

The secondary amines synthesized by the reaction between 2-aminophenols and aromatic aldehydes, via the reduction of the corresponding imines, were employed in the synthesis of new 2-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazine derivatives through a one-pot Petasis multicomponent reaction in good to excellent yields.     

Isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions: synthesis of 3,3-dicyano-N-alkyl-2-arylpropanamide derivatives

A new isocyanide-based multicomponent reaction between an aromatic aldehyde, malononitrile, an isocyanide, and acetic acid efficiently provides 3,3-dicyano-N-alkyl-2-arylpropanamide derivatives in excellent yields in ethanol at 70 °C. This reaction led to the construction of two carbon-carbon bonds and one amide group in a single synthetic step.     

An immunoaffinity tandem mass spectrometry (iMALDI) assay for detection of Francisella tularensis

Francisella tularensis (F. tularensis) has been designated by the CDC as 1 of the 10 organisms most likely to be engineered for bioterrorism. Symptoms of tularemia in humans are non-specific, thus making the disease difficult to diagnose. If not quickly diagnosed and treated, the disease has a high mortality rate - thus methods for early and specific diagnosis are of critical importance.This immunoaffinity MALDI MS/MS (iMALDI) assay provides unambiguous detection of F. tularensis peptides at attomole levels from peptide solutions, and at low CFU levels from bacteria. The addition of stable-labeled versions of the peptide as internal standards allows absolute quantitation of F. tularensis peptides with a linear dynamic range spanning two orders of magnitude. The ability of mass spectrometry to obtain amino acid sequence data on affinity-captured peptides provides absolute specificity and avoids “false positives” from the non-specific binding. The F. tularensis iMALDI assay has been applied to different samples, such as nasal swabs.This novel quantitative diagnostic F. tularensis iMALDI assay allows the safe, sensitive, and specific detection of F. tularensis. The assay can be easily adapted to other target peptides and therefore has broad application potential in clinical diagnosis of other pathogens and diseases.