Recent developments in the stereoselective synthesis of α-aminoacids

Asymmetric synthesis of Boc-N-methyl-p-benzoyl-phenylalanine. Preparation of a photoreactive antagonist of substance P

The asymmetric synthesis of (S)-Boc-N-methyl-p-benzoyl-phenylalanine was performed by alkylation of sultam Boc-sarcosinate. The levorotatory sultam led to (S)-Boc-N-methyl amino acids with high optical purity. This photoreactive amino acid was incorporated into the sequence of a Substance P peptide antagonist. Comparison of the affinity and antagonistic properties of Biotinyl-apa-[D-Pro9, MePhe(pBz)10, Trp11]SP for human tachykinin NK-1 receptor demonstrated that this photoreactive antagonist should be a suitable tool for photolabelling studies.

Synthesis of constrained alpha-amino acid derivatives via ring-closing olefin metathesis

Five and seven membered constrained alpha-amino acid derivatives were synthesized using ring-closing metathesis reaction as a key step.

Design and Enantioselective Synthesis of a Peptidomimetic of the Turn in the Helix-Turn-Helix DNA-Binding Protein Motif

A peptidomimetic of the turn in the helix-turn-helix (HTH) motif of DNA-binding proteins was designed and synthesized. Conformational constraint was achieved by an unusual linking of two amino acids with a side chain carbon-carbon bond. A phenyl ring provides the potential for new hydrophobic contacts with the hydrophobic core of the HTH motif. In the mimic, the peptide backbone and the central residue were retained in native form within a 12-membered cyclic tripeptide. The target compound 1b was synthesized by two sequential Horner-Wittig couplings followed by enantioselective hydrogenation with Rh(MeDuPHOS) in eight steps and 35% overall yield. The stereochemical outcome of the key hydrogenation was determined by aromatic ring oxidation with RuO(2)/NaIO(4) to give 2 equiv of Boc-Asp-OMe.