Highly convergent stereoselective synthesis of chiral key intermediates in the synthesis of Palinavir from imines derived from l-glyceraldehyde

Diastereoselective C-alkylation of aldimines, derived from chiral α-carbon heteroatom-substituted aldehydes, with triethylborane. Application to the synthesis of benzylisoquinolines

The one-pot reaction of a chiral aldehyde, p-methoxyaniline or p-fluoroaniline, and triethylborane produces the corresponding alkylated chiral amine with high yields and diastereoisomeric ratios. Stereocontrol is induced by the presence of a heteroatom in the α-position to the aldehyde. In the case of alkylation of imines derived from chiral aliphatic amines, good yields and moderate to high diastereoselectivity are obtained: yields are significantly better when the preformed imine is used in the reaction with triethyl borane, and diastereoselectivity of the reactions largely depends on the structure of the chiral aliphatic amine. The methodology is successfully applied to the synthesis of romneine, a natural benzylisoquinoline.

Tailor-made amino acids in the design of small-molecule blockbuster drugs

The role of amino acids (AAs) in modern health industry is well-appreciated. Residues of individual AAs, or their chemical modifications, such as diamines and amino alcohols, are frequently found in the structures of modern pharmaceuticals. The goal of this review article, is to emphasize that, currently, tailor-made AAs serve as key structural features in many most successful pharmaceuticals, so-called blockbuster drugs. In the present article, we profile 14 small-molecule drugs, underscoring the breadth of structural variety of AAs applications in numerous therapeutic areas. For each compound, we provide spectrum of biological activity, medicinal chemistry discovery, and synthetic approaches.

Debenzylative Cycloetherification as a Synthetic Tool in the Diastereoselective Synthesis of 3,6-Disubstituted Hexahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrroles, PDE1 Enzyme Inhibitors with an Antiproliferative Effect on Melanoma Cells

Two series of novel chiral hexahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrroles, 4-(7,8-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl) series A and 4-(6,7- dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl) series B, were synthesized in enantiomerically pure form and evaluated for their inhibitory effects on phosphodiesterase 1 (PDE1) and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) as well as for their inhibitory activity on cell proliferation in A375 melanoma and 3T3 fibroblast cells in vitro. Key steps of synthesis were (i) diastereoselective nucleophilic addition of vinylmagnesium bromide to N-allylimine derived from conveniently protected d-glyceraldehyde, (ii) ring-closing metathesis, (iii) debenzylative cycloetherification, and (iv) aromatic nucleophilic substitution. Some of the obtained compounds were proven to be active as inhibitors of PDE1 isoforms, with IC₅₀ values in the high nanomolar/low micromolar concentration range, and showed antiproliferative activity on A375 melanoma cells.

Reactions of Allylmagnesium Reagents with Carbonyl Compounds and Compounds with C═N Double Bonds: Their Diastereoselectivities Generally Cannot Be Analyzed Using the Felkin-Anh and Chelation-Control Models

This review describes the additions of allylmagnesium reagents to carbonyl compounds and to imines, focusing on the differences in reactivity between allylmagnesium halides and other Grignard reagents. In many cases, allylmagnesium reagents either react with low stereoselectivity when other Grignard reagents react with high selectivity, or allylmagnesium reagents react with the opposite stereoselectivity. This review collects hundreds of examples, discusses the origins of stereoselectivities or the lack of stereoselectivity, and evaluates why selectivity may not occur and when it will likely occur.

Catalytic Allylic Oxidation of Cyclic Enamides and 3,4-Dihydro-2H-Pyrans by TBHP

Allylic oxidation of heteroatom substituted cyclic alkenes by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (70% TBHP in water) using catalytic dirhodium caprolactamate [Rh₂(cap)₄] forms enone products with a variety of 2-substituted cyclic enamides and 3,4-dihyro-2H-pyrans. These reactions occur under mild reaction conditions, are operationally convenient to execute, and are effective for product formation with as low as 0.25 mol% catalyst loading. With heteroatom stabilization of the intermediate allylic free radical two sites for oxidative product formation are possible, and the selectivity of the oxidative process varies with the heteroatom when R = H. Cyclic enamides produce 4-piperidones in good yields when R = alkyl or aryl, but oxidation of 2H-pyrans also gives alkyl cleavage products. Alternative catalysts for TBHP oxidations show comparable selectivities but give lower product yields.

Building polyfunctional piperidines: a stereoselective strategy of a three-component Mannich reaction inspired by biosynthesis and applications in the synthesis of natural alkaloids (+)-241D; (−)-241D; isosolenopsin A and (−)-epimyrtine

A stereoselective strategy for building polyfunctional piperidines by a three-component Mannich reaction and applications in the stereoselective synthesis of natural alkaloids.

Synthesis of 6- and 7-membered cyclic enaminones: scope and mechanism

Six- and seven-membered cyclic enaminones can be prepared using common, environmentally benign reagents. Amino acids are used as synthetic precursors allowing diversification and the incorporation of chirality. The key reaction in this multistep process involves deprotection of Boc-amino ynones and subsequent treatment with methanolic K(2)CO(3) to induce cyclization. A β-amino elimination side reaction was identified in a few labile substrates that led to either loss of stereochemical purity or degradation. This process can be mitigated in specific cases using mild deprotection conditions. NMR and deuterium-labeling experiments provided valuable insight into the workings and limitations of this reaction. Although disguised as a 6-endo-dig cyclization, the reagents employed in the transformation play a direct role in bond-making and bond-breaking, thus changing the mode of addition to a 6-endo-trig cyclization. This method can be used to construct an array of monocyclic and bicyclic scaffolds, many of which are found in well-known natural products (e.g., indolizidine, quinolizidine, and Stemona alkaloids).

Unexpected epimerization at C2in the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction of chiral 2-substituted-4-oxopiperidines

The observed epimerization at C2 in the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction of chiral 2-substituted-4-oxopiperidines has been investigated and, on the basis of the experimental results, a mechanism for this unexpected process has been proposed.

Recent advances in asymmetric synthesis of pipecolic acid and derivatives

This review covers the literature relating to asymmetric syntheses of pipecolic acid derivatives from 1997 to present. This review is organized according to the position and the degree of substitution of the piperidinic cycle. In a first section, syntheses of pipecolic acid itself are described. Then, successively, syntheses of C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6 substituted pipecolic acid derivatives are reported. Finally, syntheses of unsaturated pipecolic acid derivatives are presented before the last part devoted to the polysubstituted pipecolic acid derivatives.