Stereoselective synthesis of (2S,3S)-γ-hydroxyvaline utilising an asymmetric radical hydrogen bromide addition

Stereoselective amino acid synthesis by synergistic photoredox-pyridoxal radical biocatalysis

Developing synthetically useful enzymatic reactions that are not known in biochemistry and organic chemistry is an important challenge in biocatalysis. Through the synergistic merger of photoredox catalysis and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) biocatalysis, we developed a pyridoxal radical biocatalysis approach to prepare valuable noncanonical amino acids, including those bearing a stereochemical dyad or triad, without the need for protecting groups. Using engineered PLP enzymes, either enantiomeric product could be produced in a biocatalyst-controlled fashion. Synergistic photoredox-pyridoxal radical biocatalysis represents a powerful platform with which to discover previously unknown catalytic reactions and to tame radical intermediates for asymmetric catalysis.

Allylic halogenation of unsaturated amino acids

A range of dehydro amino acid derivatives has been prepared and subjected to halogenation using either molecular bromine or chlorine, or NBS. Allylic halogenation of the unsaturated amino acid side chains occurs through radical bromination with NBS. The procedure is complementary to treatment with chlorine, which also affords allyl halides. This latter and unusual reaction is shown through a deuterium labelling study to proceed via an ionic mechanism. The choice of NBS or chlorine for allyl halide synthesis is shown to depend on the potential to avoid competing reactions, such as halolactonization of leucine derivatives with chlorine, and hydrogen abstraction and bromine incorporation at multiple sites on treatment of isoleucine derivatives with NBS. The synthetic utility of the allyl halides prepared in this study is indicated through the synthesis of a cyclopropyl amino acid derivative and the extension of the carbon skeleton of an amino acid side chain.

Diastereocontrol by trialkylaluminums in the synthesis of tetrahydrofurans via radical cyclization

[reaction: see text]. The influence of various Lewis acids in the radical cyclization of beta-allyloxyalkyl phenyl selenides was investigated. Whereas the unperturbed cyclization afforded trans-2,4-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans as the major products (cis/trans approximately 1/4.5), cyclization in the presence of trialkylaluminums (3 equiv) afforded predominantly (cis/trans approximately 7/1) the corresponding cis-isomers.

Pyrrolidines from beta-aminoselenides via radical cyclization. Diastereoselectivity control by the N-substituent

N-Allyl-beta-aminoalkyl phenyl selenides-precursors of 3-aza-5-hexenyl radicals-were prepared by ring opening of N-allylaziridines with benzeneselenol under acidic conditions or by sodium cyanoborohydride reduction of N-allylimines of alpha-phenylselenenyl ketones. The effect of various N-protective groups (acyl, sulfonyl, or phosphinoyl) on diastereoselectivity in thermally or photochemically initiated 3-aza-5-hexenyl reductive radical cyclization was studied. Whereas N-unprotected derivatives afforded trans-2,4-disubstituded pyrrolidines with good selectivity, the diphenylphosphinoyl group directed cyclization to occur in a highly cis-selective manner.