Asymmetric synthesis of new beta,beta-difluorinated cyclic quaternary alpha-amino acid derivatives

The synthesis of new beta,beta-difluorinated cyclic quaternary alpha-amino acid derivatives 1 in which a ring-closing metathesis reaction (RCM) constitutes the key step is described. The approach employs imidoyl chlorides 3 as fluorinated building blocks, and the overall process involves the stereoselective creation of a quaternary stereocenter. Complete selectivity was achieved when (R)-phenylglycinol methyl ether was used as chiral auxiliary, allowing for the preparation of new six-membered cyclic fluorinated alpha-amino acids as single enantiomers.     

Solid-phase synthesis of N-nosyl- and N-Fmoc-N-methyl-alpha-amino acids

We report here a convenient and simple solid-phase synthesis of N-nosyl-N-methyl-alpha-amino acids and N-Fmoc-N-methyl-alpha-amino acids, important building blocks for the synthesis of conformationally restricted and protease-resistant natural peptides and peptide analogues. The methodology involves the use of 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin to temporarily protect the carboxylic group of alpha-amino acids and of diazomethane as the reagent to methylate the sulfonamidic function. The approach developed is particularly efficient also with alpha-amino acids bearing appropriately protected functionalized side chains.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of alpha-Amino Phosphonic Acids by Diastereoselective Addition of Trimethyl Phosphite onto Chiral Oxazolidines(1)

A simple and general asymmetric synthesis of alpha-amino phosphonic acids is described. The method involves the highly selective addition of trialkyl phosphite onto various chiral oxazolidines. Oxazaphosphorinanes thus obtained with an excellent diastereoselectivity furnish the corresponding (S)-alpha-substituted amino phosphonic acids in good overall yields and high ee (77-->97%) after simple deprotection.     

Stereoselective synthesis of γ-amino acids

γ-Amino acids have attracted considerable attention as biologically active compounds in the central nervous system (CNS) of mammals. Over the last few years, significant interest in the stereoselective synthesis and practical application of linear and cyclic chiral γ-amino acids in the synthesis and design of α,β- and β,γ-hybrid peptides with definite secondary structures and design of nanotubes has been reported, thus demonstrating the theoretical interest and the practical importance of γ-amino acids. An overview of synthetic approaches to linear and cyclic chiral γ-amino acids and derivatives is presented. Data on the practical applications of γ-amino acids are also discussed.     

A novel synthetic route to chiral gamma-lactams from alpha-amino acids via Rh-catalyzed intramolecular C-H insertion

Highly functionalized gamma-lactams are key intermediates for the synthesis of numerous biologically significant natural products. We herein described the synthesis of various chiral gamma-lactams via intramolecular C-H insertion of alpha-diazo-alpha-(phenylsulfonyl)acetamides derived from alpha-amino acids, which possess various functional groups. The cyclizations were highly regio- and stereoselective to afford chiral gamma-lactam motifs in high yields.     

Facile N-derivatization of alpha-amino esters and amides via benzotriazolylmethyl derivatives

Alpha-(N-substituted amino)esters were prepared in a two-step procedure from available unsubstituted alpha-amino esters. alpha-Amino esters are first converted into the corresponding N-benzotriazolylmethyl derivatives; in the second step, the benzotriazole group is substituted by various nucleophiles with or without the presence of a Lewis acid to give substituted alpha-amino esters in high overall yield under mild conditions with no signs of racemization. Boc-protected amino acids were converted into alpha-amino amides; subsequent deprotection allowed the conversion into N-substituted derivatives analogously to the alpha-amino esters, without racemization in high yields under mild conditions.     

Asymmetric cyclization via memory of chirality: a concise access to cyclic amino acids with a quaternary stereocenter

N-(omega-Bromoalkyl)-amino acid derivatives, readily prepared from natural alpha-amino acids, gave cyclic amino acids with a quaternary stereocenter by treatment with potassium hexamethyldisilazaide in DMF. The chirality of parent amino acids was almost completely preserved during an enolate-formation and cyclization process, giving aza-cyclic amino acids in up to 98% ee in retention of configuration. This method is applicable to the asymmetric synthesis of azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, and azepane derivatives. The asymmetric cyclization seems to proceed via an axially chiral enolate intermediate and not through a concerted SEi process.     

A diastereoselective Mannich reaction of α-fluoroketones with ketimines: Construction of β-fluoroamine motifs with vicinal tetrasubstituted stereocenters

A diastereoselective Mannich reaction has been developed for the synthesis of chiral β-fluoroamine motifs by the reaction of α-fluoroketones with ketimines, including isatin-derived ketimines and phenylglyoxylate-derived ketimines. This method provides a concise route to a variety of biologically important 3-aminooxindoles and α-amino acids featuring fluorine-containing vicinal tetrasubstituted stereocenters.     

Hydrogen Bond Assisted l to d Conversion of α-Amino Acids

l to d conversion of unactivated α-amino acids was achieved by solubility-induced diastereomer transformation (SIDT). Ternary complexes of an α-amino acid with 3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde and a chiral guanidine (derived from corresponding chiral vicinal diamine) were obtained in good yield as diastereomerically pure imino acid salt complexes and were hydrolysed to obtain enantiopure α-amino acids. A combination of DFT computation, NMR spectroscopy, and crystal structure provide detailed insight into how two types of strong hydrogen bonds assist in rapid epimerization of the complexes that is essential for SIDT.     

Asymmetric synthesis of fluorine-containing amines, amino alcohols, α- and β-amino acids mediated by chiral sulfinyl group

This review article provides a critical overview of several different synthetic approaches developed for asymmetric preparation of fluorine-containing amines, amino alcohols, α- and β-amino acids. The common feature of these methods is the application of sulfinyl group as a chiral auxiliary to control the stereochemical outcome of the reactions under study. In particular, the following general methods are critically discussed: diastereoselective methylene transfer from diazomethane to the carbonyl of β-keto-γ-fluoroalkyl sulfoxides as a general approach for preparation of various α-fluoroalkyl α-sulfinylalkyl oxiranes. The resulting compounds were used as true chiral synthons for their further elaboration via oxidative or reductive desulfurization, to numerous fluorine-containing and biologically relevant amino- and hydroxy-containing derivatives. Another general approaches discussed here are asymmetric additions to CN double bond. One of them is addition of chiral sulfoxide stabilized carbon nucleophiles to fluorine-containing imines, leading to convenient preparation of alpha-fluoroalkyl derivatives of alpha amino acids and amines. Another approach is asymmetric Reformatsky reaction between N-sulfinyl imines and ethyl bromodifluoroacetate allowing operationally convenient preparation of α,α-difluoro-β-amino acids in enantiomerically pure form. Finally, structurally similar but mechanistically different addition reactions of diethyl difluoromethylphosphonate to N-sulfinyl imines, as a general approach to asymmetric synthesis of α,α-difluoro-β-aminophosphonates and phosphonic acids, are discussed. Effect of fluorine on the mechanism and stereochemical outcome of these reactions is discussed in detail and compared, where it is possible, with that of the analogous reactions of fluorine-free substrates.     

Amino acid-derived heterocycles as combinatorial library targets: bicyclic aminal lactones

The incorporation of alpha-amino acids into heterocyclic structures is an effective strategy for generating peptidomimetics and combinatorial library scaffolds. This report describes the synthesis of novel bicyclic aminal lactones 3 by base-catalyzed cyclization of N-(2-oxoalkyl)-dipeptide esters 8. Assembly of the acyclic precursor 8 can be carried out on solid phase, with variation at four positions; cyclative release ensures high product purity in the final step. Cyclization affords the exo isomer stereospecifically when one chiral center is present in the precursor, or when both amino acids have the same configuration.     

A biomimetic approach to lanthionines

The asymmetric sulfa-Michael additions of appropriately protected L- and D-cysteine derivatives to new chiral dehydroamino acid derivatives have been developed as key steps in the synthesis of biologically important cysteine derivatives, such as lanthionine (Lan) and β-methyllanthionine (MeLan), which are unusual bis-α-amino acids found in the emerging lantibiotics such as nisin.     

Versatile synthons for optically pure alpha-amino aldehydes and alpha-amino acids: (+)- and (-)-4,5-dialkoxy-2-oxazolidinones

Both enantiomers of trans-5-benzyloxy-4-methoxy- (BMOx) and trans-4,5-dimethoxy-2-oxazolidinones (DMOx), which are readily accessible from simple 2-oxazolone heterocycles, represent good candidates for a new class of chiral synthons for use in the preparation of optically pure alpha-amino aldehydes and alpha-amino acids, respectively.     

Structural and NMR investigations of the ternary adducts of twenty alpha-amino acids and selected dipeptides with a chiral, diaqua-ytterbium complex

A detailed investigation of the nature of the binding of each of the 20 common alpha-amino acids and various selected dipeptides to a chiral, diaqua-ytterbium complex in aqueous solution has been carried out. Analysis of the dipolar 1H NMR paramagnetic shifts suggests that the alpha-amino acids form a common chelated structure within a nine-coordinate mono-capped square antiprismatic coordination environment, with the amine N axially disposed. Crystal structures of nine chelated YbL1-amino acid adducts (Gly, Ala, Ser, Thr, Met) confirm this. The ternary complexes with dipeptides (e.g. Gly-Ala, Gly-Ser, Gly-Met, Gly-Asp, Gly-Asn, Gly-His, Ser-Met, Asp-Phe, His-Gly) also favour the terminal amine as the axial donor with the proximate amide group binding to generate a five-ring chelate. Evidence for chelation through side-chain functionality was found only in the case of N-terminal Asp. The chiral environment about the ytterbium ion upon amino acid binding has also been probed using near-IR circular dichroism spectroscopy.     

New generation ionic liquids: cations derived from amino acids

Two families of a new generation of ionic liquids, in which the chiral cations are directly derived from naturally occurring alpha-amino acids and alpha-amino acid ester salts, have been obtained via very simple preparations.     

Synthesis of the kappa-agonist CJ-15,161 via a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction

Syntheses of CJ-15,161 (1) involving intermolecular N-arylation of an appropriately functionalized diamine, obtained from the precursor alpha-amino acids or, more conveniently, from the corresponding 1,2-amino alcohols via 1,2,3-oxathiazolidine-2,2-dioxide 22, are reported.     

Highly enantioselective phase-transfer-catalyzed alkylation of protected alpha-amino acid amides toward practical asymmetric synthesis of vicinal diamines, alpha-amino ketones, and alpha-amino alcohols

Highly enantioselective alkylation of protected glycine diphenylmethyl (Dpm) amide 1 and Weinreb amide 10 has been realized under phase-transfer conditions by the successful utilization of designer chiral quaternary ammonium salts of type 4 as catalyst. Particularly, remarkable reactivity of the chiral ammonium enolate derived from 1b and 4c allowed the reaction with less reactive simple secondary alkyl halides with high efficiency and enantioselectivity. An additional unique feature of this chiral ammonium enolate is its ability to recognize the chirality of beta-branched primary alkyl halides, which provides impressive levels of kinetic resolution and double stereodifferentiation during the alkylation, allowing for two alpha- and gamma-stereocenters to be controlled. Combined with the subsequent reduction using LiAlH4 in cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME), this system offers a facile access to structurally diverse optically active vicinal diamines. Furthermore, the optically active alpha-amino acid Weinreb amide 11 can be efficiently converted to the corresponding amino ketone by a simple treatment with Grignard reagents. In addition, reduction and alkylation of the optically active alpha-amino ketone into both syn and anti alpha-amino alcohols with almost complete relative and absolute stereochemical control have been achieved. With (S,S)- and (R,R)-4 in hand, the present approach renders both enantiomers of alpha-amino amides including Weinreb amides readily available with enormous structural variation and also establishes a general and practical route to vicinal diamines, alpha-amino ketones, and alpha-amino alcohols with the desired stereochemistry.     

2-(aminomethyl)-oxazolines: highly modular scaffolds for the preparation of novel asymmetric ligands

Highly modular chiral 2-(aminoalkyl)oxazolines have been prepared from alpha-amino acids and 1,2-amino alcohols. The amine-functionalized oxazolines were employed as scaffolds in the preparation of a number of different ligands with potential denticities varying from 2 to 5. The obtained ligands were employed and evaluated in the ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric transfer-hydrogenation of acetophenone and in the titanium-catalyzed addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes. In the latter process, enantioselectivity up to 97% was obtained.     

Metal-catalyzed one-step synthesis: towards direct alternatives to multistep heterocycle and amino acid derivative formation

The growing understanding of transition-metal catalysis has provided the opportunity to design reactions that convert simple, readily available building blocks in one step into an array of biologically relevant products. Described herein is the application of this approach to the construction of various biologically relevant products, including pyrroles, imidazoles, beta-lactams, oxazoles, alpha-amino acids, propargyl amides, functionalized pyridines, and others. These catalytic reactions rely upon several synthetic operations occurring in sequence, in which the reactivity of transition-metal complexes both activates basic building blocks towards reaction, and controls how multiple versions of these substrates come together. Overall, this allows the synthesis of each these products in one step, in high yield, with minimal waste, and with straightforward access to product diversity.     

Synthesis and application of single-isomer 6-mono(alkylimidazolium)-beta-cyclodextrins as chiral selectors in chiral capillary electrophoresis

Novel single isomers of positively charged beta-CDs were prepared via nucleophilic substitution of 6-monotosyl-beta-CD with alkylimidazoles to afford 6-mono(alkylimidazolium)-beta-CD tosylates and then 6-mono(alkylimidazolium)-beta-CD chlorides by anion exchange. The chiral resolution abilities of these cationic CDs were studied by CE using dansyl (Dns)-amino acids as model analytes. From the experimental results, it was found that both resolution and selectivity of these cationic CDs were dependent on the following parameters: concentration of chiral selectors, pH of the running buffer, counteranions of the CDs, side chain length of the n-alkyl-imidazolium cation, temperature of the capillary column, and organic modifier used. The concentration of chiral selectors required for enantioseparation varied from 3 to 30 mM. The BGE pH played an important role in the resolution of Dns-amino acids. For acidic BGEs, chiral resolution increased with pH (4.0-6.0) and reached a local maximum at pH 6.0. However, better resolutions were obtained with basic phosphate buffer at pH 9.6. Methanol was found to be an effective organic modifier for the resolution of Dns-amino acids by CE.