Synthesis of new bicyclic lactam peptidomimetics by ring-closing metathesis reactions

Synthesis of Variously Functionalized Azabicycloalkane Scaffolds by Domino Metathesis Reactions

7,5-Fused azabicycloalkane scaffolds, carrying a quaternary stereocenter at C3 position of the lactam ring, can act as effective reverse-turn mimics and have proven to be useful intermediates for the preparation of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-based cyclopentapeptides (cRGD) with nanomolar activity as α_vβ₃/α_vβ₅ integrin antagonists. Here, we report the synthesis of new azabicycloalkane scaffolds endowed at the C6 position with a para-substituted phenethyl side chain, which could be exploited to obtain cRGD-based bioconjugates that may find promising applications in anticancer therapy. By performing a domino cross enyne metathesis/ring-closing metathesis (CEYM/RCM) in the presence of styrene derivatives, followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the diene system, we easily converted a dipeptide precursor into the desired C6-functionalized azabicycloalkane scaffolds. The presence of a suitably protected p-amino group on the styrene moiety could be exploited, after deprotection, either to directly conjugate a bioactive compound or to introduce a suitable spacer between the cRGD unit and the bioactive compound.

Synthesis and evaluation of a (3R,6S,9S)-2-oxo-1-azabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane scaffold as a mimic of Xaa-trans-Pro in poly-l-proline type II helix conformation

Stereoselective synthesis of a (3R,6S,9S)-2-oxo-1-azabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane mimic of Xaa-trans-Pro in poly-l-proline type II helix conformation is reported.

Intramolecular hydroamination of dithioketene acetals: an easy route to cyclic amino acid derivatives

Catalytic intramolecular hydroamination of dithioketene acetals was developed for the synthesis of cyclic amino acid derivatives. Triggered by the addition of a catalytical amount of n-BuLi, the reaction proceeds to give proline and pipecolic acid derivatives in excellent yields and diastereoselectivity.

Intramolecular anodic olefin coupling reactions and the synthesis of cyclic amines

Anodic olefin coupling reactions using a tosylamine trapping group have been studied. The cyclizations are favored by the use of a less-polar radical cation and more basic reaction conditions. The most significant factor for obtaining good yields of cyclic product is the use of the more basic reaction conditions. However, a number of factors including the nature of both the solvent and the electrolyte used can influence the yield of the cyclizations. The cyclizations allow for the rapid synthesis of both substituted proline and pipecolic acid type derivatives.

Diverging chemoselective reactions of separable amide rotational isomers

Diverging chemoselective reactions of a pair of amide rotamers have been observed by separating the rotamers and then reacting them individually. Reduction of (Z)-N-allyl-2-(phenylselanyl)-N-(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)acetamide with tributyltin hydride at room temperature provides only the product of 5-exo cyclization, 4-methyl-1-(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)pyrrolidin-2-one. In contrast, reduction of the corresponding (E) amide rotational isomer under identical conditions provides only the reduced product, (E)-N-allyl-N-(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)acetamide. Such diverging reactions of rotamers may be common in transformations involving reactive intermediates (carbenes, radicals, organometallic intermediates) that have low barriers to onward reactions relative to amide rotation.

Bradykinin antagonists modified with dipeptide mimetic β-turn inducers

Bradykinin (BK) is involved in a wide variety of pathophysiological processes. Potent BK peptide antagonists can be developed introducing constrained unnatural amino acids, necessary to force the secondary structure of the molecule. In this paper, we report a structure-activity relationship study of two peptide analogues of the potent B2 antagonist HOE 140 by replacing the D-Tic-Oic dipeptide with conformationally constrained dipeptide mimetic beta-turn inducers.

Synthesis of macrocyclic analogues of the neuroprotective agent glycyl-l-prolyl-l-glutamic acid (GPE)

The syntheses of seven macrocyclic analogues of the neuroprotective tripeptide glycyl-L-prolyl-L-glutamic acid (GPE) are described. Macrocycles 6 and 7 mimic the cis conformer of GPE whereas macrocycles 2-5, 8, and 9 mimic the trans conformer of GPE. The macrocyclic peptides of well-defined geometry were prepared via Grubbs ring closing metathesis of an appropriate diene precursor. In turn each of the diene precursors were prepared from the readily available allyl-substituted amino acid building blocks 12, 13, 14, 27, 36 and 51.

Synthetic studies in the intramolecular carbocyclization of N-acyloxyiminium ions. Stereoelectronic and steric implications of nucleophilic alkene, alkyne, and allene tethers

N-Acyloxyiminium ions generated from 4-substituted l-pyroglutamic esters with 4-(3-butenyl), 4-(3-butynyl), 4-(3-cinnamylmethyl), and 4-allenic tethers undergo rapid Lewis acid mediated carbocyclization to give stereodefined azacyclic compounds depending on the nature of the nucleophilic tether. In general, reactions of alkenes and alkynes with terminal alkyl or aryl substituents, as well as allenes, proceed through transient vinylic carbocations that are attacked internally by the N-Boc group to give tricyclic dihydrooxazinones. Diastereotopic bis-4-(3-butenyl) and 4-(3-butynyl) tethers undergo stereochemically controlled attack favoring an antiperiplanar rather than synclinal approach to give enantiopure 6-halo octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acids and 6-halo hexahydroindole-2-carboxylic acids as their methyl esters, respectively. The aza bicyclic and tricyclic compounds are excellent scaffolds for diversification.

Design, synthesis, and application of azabicyclo[X.Y.0]alkanone amino acids as constrained dipeptide surrogates and peptide mimics

Azabicyclo[X.Y.0]alkanone amino acids are challenging synthetic targets and useful tools for studying structure-activity relationships of native peptide ligands. They have been employed to increase potency and stability in conformationally rigid enzyme inhibitors and receptor ligands. Since last reviewed in 1997, activity in their synthesis and application has increased significantly and access is now available to a wider diversity of these peptide mimics. This review focuses on recent syntheses of these heterocyclic amino acids and their application in the investigation of biologically active peptides and peptide mimics.