Dihydroxypyrrolidines C-linked to galactose. Total synthesis of a specific inhibitor of α-mannosidases

The first transannular [4+3] cycloaddition reaction: synthesis of the ABCD ring structure of cortistatins

A 14-membered macrocycle with an allene and a furan strategically located at across the ring from each other is synthesized using an allene ring closing metathesis reaction. Upon treatment of the macrocycle with a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)(2) and other additives, the first transannular [4+3] cycloaddition occurred to yield 37% of a tetracyclic compound containing the ABC ring structure of the natural products cortistatins.

Synthesis and deconvolution of the first combinatorial library of glycosidase inhibitors

A combinatorial library of 125 compounds with a structure consisting of 1-azafagomine linked at N-1 via an acetic acid linker to a variable tripeptide was synthesised. The library was synthesised by Merrifield split and mix synthesis of the peptide, followed by capping with chloroacetate, regioselective nucleophilic substitution with 1-azafagomine and cleavage from the polymeric support. The library was screened for inhibition of beta-glucosidase, alpha-glucosidase and glycogen phosphorylase and found to display beta-glucosidase inhibition. Deconvolution of the library revealed that some inhibition was caused by all library members but the strongest inhibitor was clearly a compound having three hydroxyproline residues in the peptide fragment. This compound was a weaker but more selective inhibitor than 1-azafagomine itself.

Straightforward Synthesis of (1-->2)-Linked Pseudo Aza-C-disaccharides by the Novel Cycloaddition of Enantiopure Cyclic Nitrones to Glycals

The novel, highly stereoselective, intermolecular cycloaddition reaction of enantiopure cyclic nitrones 8 to 1,2-glycals 9 opens the way to a straightforward synthesis of a broad class of new (1-->2)-linked pseudo aza-C-disaccharides 6, suitable substrates for selective inhibition of glycosidase enzymes. The cycloadditions occur with high stereocontrol, displaying preferential interaction between the bottom face of the glycal and the face of the nitrone anti to the substituent on C-3, with the reagents approaching in an exo fashion. The cycloadditions produced tricyclic isoxazolidines 7 that represent nonreducing pseudo aza-C-disaccharides stable to hydrolytic conditions. The target pseudo aza-disaccharides 6 were obtained by sequential deprotection of the hydroxyl groups and isoxazolidine ring-opening.