Preparation of new monomers aza-β-aminoacids for solid-phase syntheses of aza-β-peptides

The preparation of new N^β-Fmoc-protected aza-β³-amino acids (aza-β³-aa) with proteinogenic side chains as well as their N^β-Fmoc, N^β-Cbz or N^β-Boc aza-β³-amino esters (from Pro, Asn, Asp, Glu, Gln) by successive nucleophilic substitutions will be described.     

Combinatorial synthesis of amino acid- and peptide-carbohydrate conjugates on solid phase

Carbohydrates are useful polyfunctional scaffold molecules which allow the selective attachment of a number of different side chains. The combinatorial solid phase synthesis of diverse amino acid or peptide conjugates of a polyfunctional glucose scaffold based on a set of selectively removable and orthogonally stable protecting groups is described. The resulting carbohydrate-peptide hybrids constitute potential turn mimetics.     

Improved synthesis of a [4.4]-spirolactam β-turn mimetic as surrogate of the didemnin side chain dipeptide Pro-N-Me-d-Leu

An efficient synthesis of [4.4]-spirolactam restricted derivatives of the didemnin side chain dipeptide l-Pro-N-Me-d-Leu is described. This methodology involves: (a) peptide coupling of N-Boc-2-allylproline with d-Leu-OBn; (b) OsO₄/NaIO₄ mediated allyl oxidation and intramolecular cyclization to the corresponding cyclic hemiaminals; and (c) NaBH₄ mediated reduction of an intermediate N-acyliminium ion. This synthetic strategy gave significant better results than the previously reported strategies for the synthesis of [4.4]-spirolactam β-turn mimetics.     

2-Alkyl-2-carboxy-azetidines as scaffolds for the induction of γ-turns

To investigate the ability of 2-alkyl-2-carboxy-azetidines (Azx) to induce reverse turns when incorporated into peptides, RCO-Azx-l-Ala-NHMe dipeptide derivatives were selected as simplified tetrapeptide models, in which the azetidine residue is incorporated at the i + 1 position. Molecular modelling, ¹H NMR and FTIR studies showed the high tendency of the model tetrapeptides to adopt γ-turn conformations, indicating that these azetidine-containing amino acids could serve as general γ-turn promoters.     

Synthesis and characterization of Boc-protected 4-amino- and 5-amino-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid methyl esters

Syntheses of Boc-protected 4-amino- and 5-amino-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid methyl esters have been achieved and the structures of these compounds have been fully characterized by detailed NMR studies.     

Synthesis and evaluation of stereopure α-trifluoromethyl-malic hydroxamates as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases

The total synthesis of trifluoromethyl (Tfm) analogs of known nanomolar matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) inhibitors has been performed. The synthetic protocol is based on a moderately stereoselective aldol reaction of trifluoropyruvate with an N-acyl-oxazolidin-2-thione for the construction of the core α-Tfm-malic unit. Both the diastereomeric forms of the target α-Tfm-malic hydroxamates showed micromolar inhibitory potency toward MMP-2 and 9, with a substantial drop with respect to the parent unfluorinated compounds.     

A hybrid foldamer with unique architecture from conformationally constrained aliphatic-aromatic amino acid conjugate

In this paper, we describe the design and synthesis of a novel hybrid foldamer, derived from a conformationally constrained aliphatic-aromatic amino acid conjugate that adopts a well-defined, compact, three-dimensional structure, governed by a combined conformational restriction imposed by the individual amino acids from which the foldamer is composed. Conformational investigations confirmed the prevalence of a unique doubly bent conformation for the foldamer, in both solid and solution states, as evidenced from single crystal X-ray and 2D NOESY studies, respectively. The findings suggest that constrained aliphatic-aromatic amino acid conjugates offer new avenues for the de novo design of hybrid foldamers with distinctive structural architectures. Furthermore, the de novo design strategy disclosed herein has the potential for significantly augmenting the ‘tool-box’ of the modern day peptidomimetic chemist, as well as providing a novel approach to the field of rational design.     

A novel series of oligomers from 4-aminomethyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylates with 2,4-cis and 2,4-trans stereochemistry

Two tetrahydrofuran-based γ-amino acids [2,4-cis and 2,4-trans] were subjected to iterative peptide-coupling procedures to afford dimeric, tetrameric and hexameric carbopeptoids in good yield. These homooligomers were prepared for secondary structural study—to ascertain the conformational preference inherent in the monomer units. The l-xylo oligomers were protected with triethylsilyl ethers to increase the range of solvents suitable for structural investigation. Initial secondary structure data indicate the presence of hydrogen-bonded conformations in the l-ribo series.     

Efficient syntheses of new chiral peptidomimetic macrocycles through a configurationally driven preorganization

A new family of 32-membered ring peptidomimetic macrocycles has been efficiently obtained in a simple one-pot two-step reductive amination reaction, from easily prepared precursors. The structural and stereochemical variables have been explored in order to rationalize the obtained selectivity. The formation of the [2A+2B] tetraimine intermediate has been explained in terms of a very favorable configurationally driven preorganization as detected by NMR, CD and molecular modeling.     

Stereocontrol in cycloadditions of (1Z,4R*,5R*)-1-arylmethylidene-4-benzoylamino-5-phenylpyrazolidin-3-on-1-azomethine imines

Cycloadditions of (1Z,4R*,5R*)-4-benzoylamino-5-phenylpyrazolidin-3-on-1-azomethine imines to olefinic dipolarophiles were studied. Stereochemistry of cycloadditions to azomethine imines 3 was found to be controlled by stereodirecting phenyl group at position 3, as well as by the ortho-substituents at the aromatic ring at position 1′. The structures of dipoles and products were confirmed by NMR and X-ray diffraction.