Stereoselective synthesis of trans-threo-trans-oligopyrrolidines: potential agents for RNA cleavage

The 2,5-trans-substituted oligopyrrolidines constitute a promising class of novel RNA-binding agents as well as potential building blocks for artificial anion channels. A convergent synthesis of terpyrrolidine 1 and pyrrolidino-THF-pyrrolidine 2 is reported, relying upon convergent coupling of 2,5-trans-pyrrolidinecarboxaldehydes through bridging alkyne units under Felkin-Anh control and subsequent closure of the central ring. After complete deprotection, the free polyamine products were isolated in excellent yield and purity. Crystal structure analyses of a terpyrrolidine and a pyrrolidino-THF-pyrrolidine documented their helical privileged conformations. The compounds were then screened for RNA cleavage activity. Unlike the only weakly active simple polyamines, p-nitrosulfonamide 33 was found to induce cleavage at mM concentrations under physiologically relevant conditions.