Synthesis of 5′-O-and 3′-O-nucleoside carbamates

Protection of 5'-hydroxy functions of nucleosides

The 5-hydroxy group is the primary hydroxy group of nucleosides. It is mandatory to protect 5-hydroxyls in all methods of oligonucleotide synthesis that require nucleoside synthons. This unit discusses a wide variety of acid-labile and base-labile protecting groups, as well as enzymatic methods for 5-protection and deprotection.

Simple and efficient solid support scavenging of excess acyl donors after enzymatic acylations in organic solvents

A simple and efficient method for removing excess acyl donors following enzymatic acylations in organic solvents was developed. This method is based on selective chemical scavenging of acyl donors using an amino-functionalized solid support, and does not affect the desired acylated product. A wide variety of different acyl donors, including vinyl and trifluoroethyl esters and vinyl carbonates, can be quantitatively removed by this method, thus providing a simple and highly efficient tool for purification of reaction products after enzymatic acylation.

Difficulties in the deprotection of 1,2-ketals in nucleosides containing alkylidencarbazoyl groups

The synthesis of unprotected alkylidencarbazoyl nucleoside derivatives 8a-8d is shown. A direct deprotection route from readily available 2',3'-isopropylidene protected nucleosides 5a-5d. prepared from a chemoenzymatic procedure, did not give the selective cleavage of the ketal function without affecting the C=N bond. The next option tried was to look at the previous compound in the retrosynthetic route: 2',3'-protected carbazoyl nucleoside 4. However, in all cases we obtained unsatisfactory results. Stepping further back, the hydrolysis of compound 3a led us to unprotected carbonate nucleoside 9 in quantitative yield. With this compound available, the synthesis towards derivatives 8 was accomplished through a known procedure.

Lipases and (R)-oxynitrilases: useful tools in organic synthesis

The use of enzymes in organic solvents is currently of special relevance for the preparation of products of high added value. Lipases are the enzymes that have shown the greatest utility through enzymatic transesterification reactions. Over the last few years, we have shown the value of the enzymatic aminolysis and ammonolysis reactions for the preparation of amides and for the resolution of esters and amines. We have shown that the enzymatic alkoxycarbonylation is also of great utility in chemoselective reactions of natural products. Lyases, enzymes much less exploited in organic synthesis, are proving increasingly interesting, especially the use of (R)-oxynitrilases for the synthesis of optically active cyanohydrins.

Enzymatic synthesis of carbonate monomers and polycarbonates

Diphenyl carbonate is an attractive monomer for copolymerization with Bisphenol-A to produce the strong, high melting polycarbonate, Bisphenol-A Polycarbonate. Diphenyl carbonate is an ideal candidate for this polymerization as the phenols constitute good leaving groups during polymerization. Industrially, diphenyl carbonate is produced via the phosgenation of a phenolic sodium salt. Using phosgene creates additional safety hazards as well as concerns in treating or disposing of the reaction by-products. The enzymatic synthesis of diphenyl carbonate via alcoholysis of dimethyl carbonate by phenol is presented. While the process is environmentally benign and eliminates the considerable safety issues related to the use of phosgene, phenol is a poor nucleophile and conversion to diphenyl carbonate is limited. Enzyme catalyzed condensation polymerization of carbonate monomers and diols is a more feasible and direct enzymatic route to polycarbonate. We describe an AA-BB condensation polymerization to make polycarbonates using enzymes at ambient conditions. Molecular weights of up to 8, 500 MW are achieved. Unlike the industrial polymerization, this process is performed without the use of acid catalysts, significant energy input, or high temperature or pressure.

Synthesis of Purine and Pyrimidine 3'-Amino-3'-deoxy- and 3'-Amino-2',3'-dideoxyxylonucleosides

A general procedure to obtain the 3'-aminoxylonucleosides 13a,b and 17a,b is presented. The synthetic scheme is based on the 5' directed intramolecular nucleophilic substitution at the 3'-activated position of the nucleoside. The approach of the incoming group to this position takes place regio- and stereoselectively from the most hindered face of the nucleoside. The methodology presented is applicable to ribonucleosides and 2'-deoxyribonucleosides, regardless of their nitrogenated base.