Building functionalized peptidomimetics: use of electroauxiliaries for introducing N-acyliminium ions into peptides

Electrochemical Late-Stage Functionalization

Late-stage functionalization (LSF) constitutes a powerful strategy for the assembly or diversification of novel molecular entities with improved physicochemical or biological activities. LSF can thus greatly accelerate the development of medicinally relevant compounds, crop protecting agents, and functional materials. Electrochemical molecular synthesis has emerged as an environmentally friendly platform for the transformation of organic compounds. Over the past decade, electrochemical late-stage functionalization (eLSF) has gained major momentum, which is summarized herein up to February 2023.

Copper catalyzed Shono-type oxidation of proline residues in peptide

Since the initial report in 1975, the Shono oxidation has become a powerful tool to functionalize the α position of amines, including proline derivatives, by electrochemical oxidation. However, the application of electrochemical Shono oxidations is restricted to the preparation of simple building blocks and homogeneous Shono-type oxidation of proline derivatives remains challenging. The late-stage functionalization at proline residues embedded within peptides is highly important as substitutions about the proline ring are known to affect biological and pharmacological activities. Here, we show that homogenous copper-catalyzed oxidation conditions complement the Shono oxidation and this general protocol can be applied to a series of formal C-C coupling reactions with a variety of nucleophiles using a one-pot procedure. This protocol shows good tolerance toward 19 proteinogenic amino acids and was used to functionalize several representative bioactive peptides, including captopril, enalapril, Smac, and endomorphin-2. Last, peptide cyclization can also be achieved by using an appropriately positioned side-chain hydroxyl moiety.

Fine-Tuning Electroauxiliary-Mediated Peptide Modifications Using Second-Generation Electroactive Amino Acids

Arylthioether functional groups serve as effective electroauxiliaries for tunable oxidations. Herein, we disclose the synthesis of second-generation glutamine building blocks bearing 2,4-dimethoxythiophenyl and 2,4-dichlorothiophenyl-derived electroauxiliaries. These building blocks improve SPPS efficiency and enable fine-tuning of the electrochemical window for selective anodic oxidation reactions in comparison to first-generation 4-methoxythiophenyl- and 4-nitrothiophenyl-substituted variants. Installation onto a segment of involucrin, a protein component of human skin, emphasizes the practical application of the new building blocks for iterative functionalizations.

Tunable Electrochemical Peptide Modifications: Unlocking New Levels of Orthogonality for Side-Chain Functionalization

Electrochemical transformations provide enticing opportunities for programmable, residue-specific peptide modifications. Herein, we harness the potential of amidic side-chains as underutilized handles for late-stage modification through the development of an electroauxiliary-assisted oxidation of glutamine residues within unprotected peptides. Glutamine building blocks bearing electroactive side-chain N,S-acetals are incorporated into peptides using standard Fmoc-SPPS. Anodic oxidation of the electroauxiliary in the presence of diverse alcohol nucleophiles enables the installation of high-value N,O-acetal functionalities. Proof-of-principle for an electrochemical peptide stapling protocol, as well as the functionalization of dynorphin B, an endogenous opioid peptide, demonstrates the applicability of the method to intricate peptide systems. Finally, the site-selective and tunable electrochemical modification of a peptide bearing two discretely oxidizable sites is achieved.

N-Terminal Selective C-H Azidation of Proline-Containing Peptides: a Platform for Late-Stage Diversification

A methodology for the C-H azidation of N-terminal proline-containing peptides was developed employing only commercially available reagents. Peptides bearing a broad range of functionalities and containing up to 6 amino acids were selectively azidated at the carbamate-protected N-terminal residue in presence of the numerous other functional groups present on the molecules. Post-functionalizations of the obtained aminal compounds were achieved: cycloaddition reactions or C-C bond formations via a sequence of imine formation/nucleophilic addition were performed, offering an easy access to diversified peptides.

Exploring Electrochemical C(sp3)-H Oxidation for the Late-Stage Methylation of Complex Molecules

The "magic methyl" effect, a dramatic boost in the potency of biologically active compounds from the incorporation of a single methyl group, provides a simple yet powerful strategy employed by medicinal chemists in the drug discovery process. Despite significant advances, methodologies that enable the selective C(sp3)-H methylation of structurally complex medicinal agents remain very limited. In this work, we disclose a modular, efficient, and selective strategy for the α-methylation of protected amines (i.e., amides, carbamates, and sulfonamides) by means of electrochemical oxidation. Mechanistic analysis guided our development of an improved electrochemical protocol on the basis of the classic Shono oxidation reaction, which features broad reaction scope, high functional group compatibility, and operational simplicity. Importantly, this reaction system is amenable to the late-stage functionalization of complex targets containing basic nitrogen groups that are prevalent in medicinally active agents. When combined with organozinc-mediated C-C bond formation, our protocol enabled the direct methylation of a myriad of amine derivatives including those that have previously been explored for the "magic methyl" effect. This synthesis strategy thus circumvents multistep de novo synthesis that is currently necessary to access such compounds and has the potential to accelerate drug discovery efforts.

Electrochemistry for the Chemoselective Modification of Peptides and Proteins

Although electrochemical strategies for small-molecule synthesis are flourishing, this technology has yet to be fully exploited for the mild and chemoselective modification of peptides and proteins. With the growing number of diverse peptide natural products being identified and the emergence of modified proteins as therapeutic and diagnostic agents, methods for electrochemical modification stand as alluring prospects for harnessing the reactivity of polypeptides to build molecular complexity. As a mild and inherently tunable reaction platform, electrochemistry is arguably well-suited to overcome the chemo- and regioselectivity issues which limit existing bioconjugation strategies. This Perspective will showcase recently developed electrochemical approaches to peptide and protein modification. The article also highlights the wealth of untapped opportunities for the production of homogeneously modified biomolecules, with an eye toward realizing the enormous potential of electrochemistry for chemoselective bioconjugation chemistry.

Synthesis of Polycyclic Aminal Heterocycles via Decarboxylative Cyclisation of Dipeptide Derivatives

An oxidative-decarboxylative intramolecular cyclisation of dipeptide derivatives is reported. This transformation is promoted by phenyl iodine (III) diacetate (PIDA) in combination with BF3·OEt2. The reaction gives access to a variety...

Synthesis of pyrimido[2,1-a]isoindolone and isoindolo[2,1-a]quinazolinone via intramolecular aza-Prins type reaction

A novel aza-Prins type cyclization reaction involving N-acyliminium ions and amides is reported for the synthesis of tetrahydropyrimido[2,1-a]isoindole-2,6-dione and 6,6a-dihydroisoindolo[2,1-a]quinazoline-5,11-dione derivatives in excellent yields. The strategy features inexpensive reagents, mild reaction conditions, and metal-free synthesis of N-heterocyclic frameworks. Further, post-synthetic modification results in the unprecedented formation of its triazole, tetracyclic diazacyclopenta[def]phenanthrene-1,4(9a1H)-dione and carbonyl derivatives.

An Electrochemical Approach to Designer Peptide α-Amides Inspired by α-Amidating Monooxygenase Enzymes

Designer C-terminal peptide amides are accessed in an efficient and epimerization-free approach by pairing an electrochemical oxidative decarboxylation with a tandem hydrolysis/reduction pathway. Resembling Nature's dual enzymatic approach to bioactive primary α-amides, this method delivers secondary and tertiary amides bearing high-value functional motifs, including isotope labels and handles for bioconjugation. The protocol leverages the inherent reactivity of C-terminal carboxylates, is compatible with the vast majority of proteinogenic functional groups, and proceeds in the absence of epimerization, thus addressing major limitations associated with conventional coupling-based approaches. The utility of the method is exemplified through the synthesis of natural product acidiphilamide A via a key diastereoselective reduction, as well as bioactive peptides and associated analogues, including an anti-HIV lead peptide and blockbuster cancer therapeutic leuprolide.

Accessing Aliphatic Amines in C-C Cross-Couplings by Visible Light/Nickel Dual Catalysis

A general aminoalkylation of aryl halides was developed, overcoming intolerance of free amines in nickel-mediated C-C coupling. This transformation features broad functional group tolerance and high efficiency. Taking advantage of the fast desilylation of α-silylamines upon single-electron transfer (SET) facilitated by carbonate, α-amino radicals are generated regioselectively, which then engage in nickel-mediated C-C coupling. The reaction displays high chemoselectivity for C-C over C-N bond formation. Highly functionalized pharmacophores and peptides are also amenable.

Organic Electrochemistry: Expanding the Scope of Paired Reactions

Paired electrochemical reactions allow the optimization of both atom and energy economy of oxidation and reduction reactions. While many paired electrochemical reactions take advantage of perfectly matched reactions at the anode and cathode, this matching of substrates is not necessary. In constant current electrolysis, the potential at both electrodes adjusts to the substrates in solution. In principle, any oxidation reaction can be paired with any reduction reaction. Various oxidation reactions conducted on the anodic side of the electrolysis were paired with the generation and use of hydrogen gas at the cathode, showing the generality of the anodic process in a paired electrolysis and how the auxiliary reaction required for the oxidation could be used to generate a substrate for a non-electrolysis reaction. This is combined with variations on the cathodic side of the electrolysis to complete the picture and illustrate how oxidation and reduction reactions can be combined.

Total synthesis of biseokeaniamides A-C and late-stage electrochemically-enabled peptide analogue synthesis

The first total synthesis of cytotoxic cyanobacterial peptide natural products biseokeaniamides A-C is reported employing a robust solid-phase approach to peptide backbone construction followed by coupling of a key thiazole building block. To rapidly access natural product analogues, we have optimized an operationally simple electrochemical oxidative decarboxylation-nucleophilic addition pathway which exploits the reactivity of native C-terminal peptide carboxylates and abrogates the need for building block syntheses. Electrochemically-generated N,O-acetal intermediates are engaged with electron-rich aromatics and organometallic reagents to forge modified amino acids and peptides. The value of this late-stage modification method is highlighted by the expedient and divergent production of bioactive peptide analogues, including compounds which exhibit enhanced cytotoxicity relative to the biseokeaniamide natural products.

Synthetic Photoelectrochemistry

Photoredox catalysis (PRC) and synthetic organic electrochemistry (SOE) are often considered competing technologies in organic synthesis. Their fusion has been largely overlooked. We review state-of-the-art synthetic organic photoelectrochemistry, grouping examples into three categories: 1) electrochemically mediated photoredox catalysis (e-PRC), 2) decoupled photoelectrochemistry (dPEC), and 3) interfacial photoelectrochemistry (iPEC). Such synergies prove beneficial not only for synthetic "greenness" and chemical selectivity, but also in the accumulation of energy for accessing super-oxidizing or -reducing single electron transfer (SET) agents. Opportunities and challenges in this emerging and exciting field are discussed.

Electrochemical strategies for C-H functionalization and C-N bond formation

Conventional methods for carrying out carbon-hydrogen functionalization and carbon-nitrogen bond formation are typically conducted at elevated temperatures, and rely on expensive catalysts as well as the use of stoichiometric, and perhaps toxic, oxidants. In this regard, electrochemical synthesis has recently been recognized as a sustainable and scalable strategy for the construction of challenging carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Here, electrosynthesis has proven to be an environmentally benign, highly effective and versatile platform for achieving a wide range of nonclassical bond disconnections via generation of radical intermediates under mild reaction conditions. This review provides an overview on the use of anodic electrochemical methods for expediting the development of carbon-hydrogen functionalization and carbon-nitrogen bond formation strategies. Emphasis is placed on methodology development and mechanistic insight and aims to provide inspiration for future synthetic applications in the field of electrosynthesis.

Synthetic Organic Electrochemical Methods Since 2000: On the Verge of a Renaissance

Electrochemistry represents one of the most intimate ways of interacting with molecules. This review discusses advances in synthetic organic electrochemistry since 2000. Enabling methods and synthetic applications are analyzed alongside innate advantages as well as future challenges of electroorganic chemistry.

Oxidative couplings on tryptophan-based diketopiperazines leading to fused and bridged chemotypes

Selective C–C and C–N oxidative couplings on tryptophan-based diketopiperazines allow the direct access to two novel scaffolds.

Practical Electrochemical Anodic Oxidation of Polycyclic Lactams for Late Stage Functionalization

Electrochemistry provides a powerful tool for the late-stage functionalization of complex lactams. A two-stage protocol for converting lactams, many of which can be prepared through the intramolecular Schmidt reaction of keto azides, is presented. In the first step, anodic oxidation in MeOH using a repurposed power source provides a convenient route to lactams bearing a methoxy group adjacent to nitrogen. Treatment of these intermediates with a Lewis acid in dichloromethane permits the regeneration of a reactive acyliminium ion that is then reacted with a range of nucleophilic species.

Design of Modified Amine Transfer Reagents Allows the Synthesis of α-Chiral Secondary Amines via CuH-Catalyzed Hydroamination

The CuH-catalyzed hydroamination of alkenes and alkynes using a silane and an amine transfer reagent represents a simple strategy to access chiral amine products. We have recently reported methods to prepare chiral amines with high efficiency and stereoselectivity using this approach. However, the current technology is limited to the synthesis of trialkylamines from dialkylamine transfer reagents (R2NOBz). When monoalkylamine transfer reagents [RN(H)OBz] were used for the synthesis of chiral secondary amines, competitive, nonproductive consumption of these reagents by the CuH species resulted in poor yields. In this paper, we report the design of a modified type of amine transfer reagent that addresses this limitation. This effort has enabled us to develop a CuH-catalyzed synthesis of chiral secondary amines using a variety of amine coupling partners, including those derived from amino acid esters, carbohydrates, and steroids. Mechanistic investigations indicated that the modified amine transfer reagents are less susceptible to direct reaction with CuH.

Photovoltaic-driven organic electrosynthesis and efforts toward more sustainable oxidation reactions

The combination of visible light, photovoltaics, and electrochemistry provides a convenient, inexpensive platform for conducting a wide variety of sustainable oxidation reactions. The approach presented in this article is compatible with both direct and indirect oxidation reactions, avoids the need for a stoichiometric oxidant, and leads to hydrogen gas as the only byproduct from the corresponding reduction reaction.

The Shono-type electroorganic oxidation of unfunctionalised amides. Carbon-carbon bond formation via electrogenerated N-acyliminium ions

N-acyliminium ions are useful reactive synthetic intermediates in a variety of important carbon–carbon bond forming and cyclisation strategies in organic chemistry. The advent of an electrochemical anodic oxidation of unfunctionalised amides, more commonly known as the Shono oxidation, has provided a complementary route to the C–H activation of low reactivity intermediates. In this article, containing over 100 references, we highlight the development of the Shono-type oxidations from the original direct electrolysis methods, to the use of electroauxiliaries before arriving at indirect electrolysis methodologies. We also highlight new technologies and techniques applied to this area of electrosynthesis. We conclude with the use of this electrosynthetic approach to challenging syntheses of natural products and other complex structures for biological evaluation discussing recent technological developments in electroorganic techniques and future directions.

Recent advances in the electrochemical construction of heterocycles

Due to the fact that the major portion of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals contains heterocyclic units and since the overall number of commercially used heterocyclic compounds is steadily growing, heterocyclic chemistry remains in the focus of the synthetic community. Enormous efforts have been made in the last decades in order to render the production of such compounds more selective and efficient. However, most of the conventional methods for the construction of heterocyclic cores still involve the use of strong acids or bases, the operation at elevated temperatures and/or the use of expensive catalysts and reagents. In this regard, electrosynthesis can provide a milder and more environmentally benign alternative. In fact, numerous examples for the electrochemical construction of heterocycles have been reported in recent years. These cases demonstrate that ring formation can be achieved efficiently under ambient conditions without the use of additional reagents. In order to account for the recent developments in this field, a selection of representative reactions is presented and discussed in this review.

Solid-phase synthesis of tetrahydropyridazinedione-constrained peptides

The design and solid-phase synthesis of tetrahydropyridazine-3,6-dione (Tpd) peptidomimetics derived from backbone-aminated peptides is reported. The described protocol features the synthesis of chiral α-hydrazino acids suitable for chemoselective incorporation into growing peptide chains. Acid-catalyzed cyclization to form the Tpd ring during cleavage affords the target peptidomimetics in good yield and purity. The scope of Tpd incorporation is demonstrated through the synthesis of constrained peptides featuring nucleophilic/electrophilic side chains and sterically encumbered α-substituted hydrazino acid residues.

Expedient preparation of nazlinine and a small library of indole alkaloids using flow electrochemistry as an enabling technology

An expedient synthesis of the indole alkaloid nazlinine is reported. Judicious choice of flow electrochemistry as an enabling technology has permitted the rapid generation of a small library of unnatural relatives of this biologically active molecule. Furthermore, by conducting the key electrochemical Shono oxidation in a flow cell, the loading of electrolyte can be significantly reduced to 20 mol % while maintaining a stable, broadly applicable process.

Microelectrode arrays: a general strategy for using oxidation reactions to site selectively modify electrode surfaces

Oxidation reactions are powerful tools for synthesis because they allow for the functionalization of molecules. Here, we present a general method for conducting these reactions on a microelectrode array in a site-selective fashion. The reactions are run as a competition between generation of a chemical oxidant at the electrodes in the array and reduction of the oxidant by a "confining agent" in the solution above the array. The "confining agent" does not need to be more reactive than the substrate fixed to the surface of the array. In many cases, the same substrate placed on the surface of the array can also be used in solution as the confining agent.

Addition of carbon nucleophiles to hemiaminals promoted by a Lewis acidic polyoxotungstate

Organic soluble TBA₅K[α₁Hf(H₂O)₄P₂W₁₇O₆₁] (POM/Hf) catalyzes the addition of pronucleophiles (silylenolethers, diketones, ketoesters, allylsilane) to unactivated hemiaminals.

Expedient synthesis of highly potent antagonists of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) with unique selectivity for ML-IAP

A series of novel, potent antagonists of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) were synthesized in a highly convergent and rapid fashion (≤6 steps) using the Ugi four-component reaction as the key step, thus enabling rapid optimization of binding potency. These IAP antagonists compete with caspases 3, 7, and 9 for inhibition by X chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP) and bind strongly (nanomolar binding constants) to several crucial members of the IAP family of cancer pro-survival proteins to promote apoptosis, with a particularly unique selectivity for melanoma IAP (ML-IAP). Experiments in cell culture revealed powerful cancer cell growth inhibitory activity in multiple (breast, ovarian, and prostate) cell lines with single agent toxicity at low nanomolar levels against SKOV-3 human ovarian carcinoma cells. Administration of the compounds to human foreskin fibroblast cells revealed no general toxicity to normal cells. Furthermore, computational modeling was performed, revealing key contacts between the IAP proteins and antagonists, suggesting a structural basis for the observed potency.

Regioselective incorporation of backbone constraints compatible with traditional solid-phase peptide synthesis

A protected aldehyde was attached via a two-carbon spacer to a peptide backbone amide nitrogen during a traditional Merrifield solid-phase synthesis. Acid-mediated unmasking of the aldehyde triggered the regioselective formation of cyclic N-acyliminiums between the aldehyde and the neighboring peptide amide nitrogen. In the absence of an internal nucleophile, the cyclic iminiums formed dihydropyrazinones, a six-membered peptide backbone constraint between two peptide amides. In the presence of an internal nucleophile, tetrahydropyrazinopyrimidinediones or tetrahydroimidazopyrazinediones were formed via tandem N-acyliminium ion cyclization-nucleophilic addition. The outcome of this nucleophilic addition was dependent on the substituent on the nitrogen nucleophile.

The influence of dipole moments on the mechanism of electron transfer through helical peptides

The life time of aromatic radical cations is limited by reactions like β-elimination, dimerization, and addition to the solvent. Here we show that the attachment of such a radical cation to the C-terminal end of an α-/3(10)-helical peptide further reduces its life time by two orders of magnitude. For PPII-helical peptides, such an effect is only observed if the peptide contains an adjacent electron donor like tyrosine, which enables electron transfer (ET) through the peptide. In order to explain the special role of α-/3(10)-helical peptides, it is assumed that the aromatic radical cation injects a positive charge into an adjacent amide group. This is in accord with quantum chemical calculations and electrochemical experiments in the literature showing a decrease in the amide redox potentials caused by the dipole moments of long α-/3(10)-helical peptides. Rate measurements are in accord with a mechanism for a multi-step ET through α-/3(10)-helical peptides that uses the amide groups or H-bonds as stepping stones.

Friedel-Crafts amidoalkylation via thermolysis and oxidative photocatalysis

Friedel-Crafts amidoalkylation was achieved by oxidation of dialkylamides using persulfate (S(2)O(8)(2-)) in the presence of the visible light catalyst, Ru(bpy)(3)Cl(2), at room temperature, via a reactive N-acyliminium intermediate. Alternatively, mild heating of the dialkylamides and persulfate afforded a metal and Lewis acid-free Friedel-Crafts amidoalkylation. Alcohols and electron-rich arenes served as effective nucleophiles, forming new C-O or C-C bonds. In general, photocatalysis provided higher yields and better selectivities.